Need pacemaker check

and I have no money. I have not been checked since it was implanted in 2005 because of lack of funds and no insurance. I take good care of myself and exercise, eat right etc. I have no problems and seem to have no restrictions at all. I want to be trained as a long-haul truck driver and they want me to have it in writing from a doctor/cardiologist that I am good to go.

I am in Oregon and cannot find anyone or any way to get my pacemaker checked so I can go onto schooling. I can either end up a bag-lady eventually, I am 56 or I can get into a profession that will give me something to live on in my old age.

If anyone knows of a place in Oregon where I can be taken care of, for free, or at least a payment plan, please let me know.

Thank you in advance, Denise in Sams Valley OR

10 Comments

Medicaid Eligible?

by MSPACER - 2009-09-24 09:09:16

Are you eligible for medicaid? You should try to contact your local social services office to find out. A lot of states have health plans that you can buy into if your income is low.

ask

by Tracey_E - 2009-09-24 10:09:02

I doubt you'll find anything free but most any cardiologist will work something out with you if you ask. Checks aren't that expensive, at least compared to a surgery. Mine are $250, I think, but the ins co never pays that much so they'd probably work with you.

Good luck!

Suggestion

by ElectricFrank - 2009-09-24 10:09:41

Have you tried calling St Jude and asking them what to do. They may have some sort of setup to help you. It is in their interest to have the pacemaker working properly.

Keep in mind that the cost of an interrogation of the pacer is minimal for them.

It would seem to me that getting into long haul trucking as an occupation isn't the best strategy for the future. While you may be able to be cleared for it now, those of us with pacers have a greater chance for further problems later on that would affect passing a medical. We have had people here on the site that were already in trucking that have passed the physical, but they weren't investing the time and money to start off from scratch. Just a thought.

frank

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

by pete - 2009-09-25 03:09:32

This would not happen in the UK. A beggar would get the same check as a Lord for free. Its a great pity that everything including health is subject to the money god and overcharging. $250 dollars for less than 15 minutes work using a glorified laptop is still gross overcharging.

pm check

by thomast - 2009-09-25 08:09:13

I don't know if you also have an ICD, if you do you cannot get a CDL.

Thomas

I surely appreciate all the feedback!

by nwcountry - 2009-09-25 10:09:01

Thank you all so much!

Couple things, I will try St Jude, that is the brand of pacemaker I have, call medicaid.

Also, no, I don't have an ICD. Don't even know what that is. As far as my heart causing me problems on down the road, well, that's on down the road. I could get hit by a bus today too but I'm not going to go after my dream because of what "might" happen.

Sounds like the UK has their act together. It'll be the day if this country ever gets theirs together.

Thank you all, again:) Denise

Still have the black-box

by nwcountry - 2009-09-25 10:09:31

I still have the black-box they gave me when I had it implanted. Is that sort of check sufficient? It's been so long and I never used the box. I knew I was fine. Never any problem at all. I just forgot I had the box. If I do a test with that I have to find a phone with an old-fashioned receiver as that is the only kind that will fit into the shape of the receiver holder.

My diagnosis was

by nwcountry - 2009-09-25 11:09:17

a 3rd degree AV Node Blockage for anyone else that might have had the same diagnoses. Would love to talk with you if you did. Also, love talking to anyone else as well, ty again, denise

Hi

by Hot Heart - 2009-09-27 07:09:21

Sorry am from the UK so have no knowledge about your health system. however, I have 3rd degree AV heart block as well, and my surgeon told me that it was the least dangerous of all the heart conditions, so I hope that this assures you a little. I was also told that I'd probably had it since birth, so I'd lived for 55 years without a pacemaker without any problems. Do you know how long your battery life is? I was told about 5 years as I pace 100%. Good luck. HH

Thank you

by nwcountry - 2009-09-27 10:09:36

hot heart. Mine is also at 100% and my original was put in in 97. I only spoke of the latest implant because it's been from that time I haven't had any medical care.

I have done a lot of activity and I guess that uses up the battery faster. My cardio told me that mine also was one of the least serious heart conditions. It is a little comforting to know that. I have just gone on like normal. But now, wanting this career, later in life(I'm 57)I am finding out that having a pacemaker can stand in the way in some areas. I found out that if I have a cardio check though, and get a "good to go" diagnosis then I can attend the school and work as a truck-driver. Monday I plan to call all the docs I can to find out if any will take payments for my checkup/physical.

Thank you again, Denise:)

You know you're wired when...

Your old device becomes a paper weight for your desk.

Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.