need information

[hookgan09]

I have never done this before but here it goes.
I am a 43 yr old woman that was diagnosed with chiari 1 in december of 09.  it took the doctors 4 months of me having a headache to finally listen to me that it was not a migraine. They did a CT and found out what was wrong. Since than i have gone down hill fast. I can't work anymore, i can't even go outside most of the time. Life is definitely changed for the worse. They told me in April of 2010 that i needed the Brain Decompression Surgery. Problem is i DO NOT have medical insurance. The County Hospital said that i am not terminal so they won't help me.  Where do i go from here????  I have tried state aid and they say my husband makes too much. (yeah right) he is the only one working now and we are barely making ends meet with having a roommate move in to help out. So i guess what i am asking is does anybody know what i can do to get the help i need. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have tried all of the suggestions so far without finding a way to get the medical help i need.  
A friend found this site for me and told me that it has people here that would know what i am going thru physically and mentally. I really feel so alone in the world. Can anyone help me?

[selmaS]

  U r welcome...and I hope u continue to post here, everyone is so supportive, and it does help to know u r not alone in all this : )

   "selma"

[hookgan09]

thank you for that link to the clinical trials. I have tried to find some but not at that site. i will check on there.
i finally feel like i am not alone. its hard for my family and friends to talk about what is going on without them getting tears in their eyes or feeling sorry for me. but i have to stay strong thru all of this.  not only for me but for them too.

thank you so much for being here.

[selmaS]

  HI and welcome to the Chiari forum.

There are clinical trials that you can request to be a part of and get treatment that way....see this link- http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Chiari-Malformation/clinical-trials/show/1190798?controller=posts&action=show&id=#

Another option is if u do not have medical ins for 6 months or longer u can apply for it thru PICP.gov...do check that out as well....

I was told by my Chiari NS that most Hospitals where chiari NS's treat, they also treat at the clinics...I asked bcuz we had so many asking on this site....so if u do have a chiari NS located near u, the clinic is a place they all offer their services.

  I hope this has helped....

And u r not alone....

    "selma"

[jiggle93]

Welcome hookgan09, there is a lot of info and support on this site. Its a wonderful outlet for me!  I have not been seen by NS or NL dr. yet because of Ins issues as well.  I have Insurance, but with only one income now, can not afford the patient portions.  I'm still looking for the DRs I need to help though.  I hope Selma or any others can provide you with info you need.
jiggle93

[linnielou232]

Welcome and yes you have found the right place.  My heart goes out to you because it has to be so hard to know you need surgery, but can't have it.  We have SelmaS that is on here and she send's out a lot of sites and information that will help u greatly.. This question was just asked a couple of mths ago.  Memory brain I don't remember what they are.  I just wanted to welcome you and to let you know your not alone.  I have the same worry as you as far as my daughter.  I have had surgery thank goodness it did help, but I think my daughter has it or has the same symptoms and I would love to have her get an MRI but can't afford it and no Ins.  "Sad".       I wish you the best, and Selma should be on soon.  Keep us updated.