What can I do....

Posted by Mark on May 28, 1999 at 11:38:49
Am a fifty year old male....have no medical insurance or physician.  For the last couple of weeks I have been getting chest pains on and off.  Have been trying to diagnose them myself (stupidly, I guess)....but am becoming increasingly frightened by them.
How can I get help without being able to pay?  Will do volunteer work, community service, etc.....am willing to swallow my pride and ask for help!!

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on May 28, 1999 at 13:20:04
Dear Mark,
I would take these pains very seriously.  Your life literaly could depend on getting proper treatment.  I would suggest going to the closest teaching or county hospital.  These institutions are generally willing to work with people who have no insurance.  Where do you live?
Dear Nancy,
Thank you for your question.  Sotalol (brand name Betapace) is a Class II and III antiarrhythmic that comes in 80, 120, 160 and 240 mg tablets.  It is indicated for a variety of heart arrhythmias.  It is usually initiated in the hospital on ECG monitoring due to a potential for inducing ventricular tachycardia.  The dosage starts at 80 mg twice daily and may be increased as needed.
Contraindications: Asthma, sinus bradycardia, 2nd or 3rd degree AV block unless paced, long QT syndromes, cardiogenic shock, uncompensated heart failure.
Precautions: sick sinus syndrome, heart failure, recent MI, diabetes.  Not recommended in nursing mothers.
Drug interactions: Avoid Class 1A and Class III antiarrhythmics; caution with Class I antiarrhythmics; phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants, astemizole.
Potential adverse reactions: bradycardia, chest pain, palpitations, edema (swelling) ECG abnormalities, hypo- or hypertension, dyspnea (shortness of breath), asthma, dizziness, fatigue, headache, fainting, GI upset and rash.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.  The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
Posted by Mark on May 29, 1999 at 00:54:22
I live in Sturbridge, Mass., about 75 minutes from Boston.

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD -CRC on May 29, 1999 at 08:53:53
You are just minutes from the "mecca" of medical care and should take full advantage of the fact.  Try calling Boston University Medical Center and talk to someone in their financial department.  Best wishes.
CRC