hello my name is heather. i am 23 and had my first pm put in at 6 years old. i was diagnosed with 2nd and 3rd degree a.v. heart block. i had the pm replaced in 2001. that means as of jan. 29 my pacemaker is 9 years old. i am scared to death now because i have no health care (cant afford), i cant get any assistance because they say we make too much money, and i am not disabled enough. i have not seen a doctor in 5 years. when i was a kid everything was fine, i had medicaid. at that time i wasnt thinking about what was going to happen when i turned 18. i went to the er when i was having problems but was told to see a specialist that i cant afford. i was home alone with 3 children not knowing what was going to happen to me. i got through the flutters, chest pain, and the extremely high and low heart rate through prayer. i try to have a positive attitude and hope everything is going to be ok but the bottom line is i have to see a doctor. i really need some advice right now. i feel lost and dont know what to do.thank you for listening and any advice you can offer

 

 

I sense the fear and frustration that you are feeling. I too am from Texas and go to The Heart Place in Dallas. You have a right to be seen and evaluated and it sounds like you need to be seen asap. There are hospitals located in most of the metroplex areas that will take patients without insurance. If you are having symptoms you may just need to go to a nearby emergency room. By law they may NOT turn you away. You will certainly be in my prayers...please keep us posted. I am new to this website but I have already gained so much useful information not to mention support from some wonderful folks.