desperate for answers
My son has been suffering from severe asthma for 11 years. He has had asthma since about 2 years old, but at the end of his second grade year he got pneumonia, and that has left him with the more severe issues. For 11 years now he has been in and out of hospitals in 3 states, on multiple medicines and controllers, but never gets better. No answers given, no further help given: just a constant go around of "Here, try this!" He can't hold down a job because he is constantly having to take time off due to bad attacks. I don't know what more to do to help him! Nothing helps! Now we have just moved to a new state, have no insurance, and he has already been to the local ER with nothing lasting to help.
I truly feel for you and your son,
. It's a terrible position to be in - severe chronic condition, a new state, no insurance, and difficulty finding the right direction to go in. Have you considered state insurance or Medicaid? It sounds terribly difficult to hold down a job trying to manage such severe attacks. I want to say be strong but I know this can wear on a body especially when you've been strong for so long. What specialists has he seen already? I want to drop off a link or 2 that may help guide you. https://www.patientadvocate.org/ - https://www.patientadvocate.org/connect-with-services/case-management-services-and-carelines/ in particular. I hope this helps. We are here to support you. So glad you reached out. Rebecca (team member) Thank you, Rebecca C. He is looking into medicaid, but they always want the total the whole house earns, not just the person needing the insurance. But he is looking. We are working with him to get him to a pulmonologist in our area. Really hoping and praying that they will listen and test him for what is causing the severity of his asthma.
So glad you both are taking steps toward a solution. There are many types of asthma, and it would help to arm yourself with knowledge while advocating for him. Here's a link with some good information about types of asthma - https://asthma.net/types I wondered as I read your post, has your son been tested for eosinophilic asthma? It is a severe form and difficult to manage. Here is a link with some information about it. https://asthma.net/eosinophilic. I send you both strength and hope as you move forward down a path toward better health. Rebecca (team member)
The test for e asthma is one we are currently pushing for. I only recently found out about it through my own research, and it seems that he has some symptoms that lean heavily toward it. We are really hoping that the pulmonologist he gets will take it seriously.
I do hope that you are able to get an appointment soon. How are you going about finding a pulmonologist in your area? Perhaps you can get a recommendation from your primary care doctor? Please let us know how you make out. All the best, Lauren (Team member)
He just got the referral a few days ago and is working on getting the appointment. I just hope they aren't going to make him wait until after the holidays to start up in their offices.
Thank you for the update. I’m glad to hear your son got a referral to see a pulmonologist. The good news is that, in today’s world, doctors know a lot about asthma, and there are so many effective treatment options available. I’m confident this doctor will help him find the best path to gain better control over his asthma. Wishing him all the best! And please do keep us posted how it goes and what he learns from his upcoming visit. John. community moderator.
