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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Tinnitus / July 2005San Diego area, need Professional help fairly rapidly
I'm writing this because I'm getting pretty close to destitute and need some help. I have no medical insurance due to the loss of my job some time back (a job loss due to, believe it or not, a bite from a black widow spider: this has *not* been my year). Because of my medical history - described below - I believe I need a myringotomy with insertion of ear tube(s), and need one fairly rapidly for the reasons cited herin, and am wondering if a any ETN specialist in the San Diego area might perform one on a 'pro bono' basis (or with a very extended financial arrangement). I am 57 and have a history of mild infections in the left ear, whereupon the left ear would get 'stuffed up.' These were usually treated with the use of antibiotics, which - along with some pretty good yawns - always cured the problem and allowed me to hear normally. About a decade ago my doctor suggested we curtail the use of the antibiotics and I had an myringotomy with insertion of an ear tube performed. That solved the problem for a long time (the tube eventually fell out: approximately four years ago). Subsequent to that the ear bothered me from time to time but always cleared up on its own. A couple of weeks ago I contracted another mild infection and the left ear plugged up. A community clinic doctor prescribed penicillin for a 'mild infection' that I took that for ten days. The ear remained 'stuffed up' with impaired hearing. I then saw another doctor who said the cause of this all is probably an allergy, and she prescribed Nasonex, which I am now taking without effect. The right ear is also tending to 'stuff up' and I can sense what feels like fluid sloshing around if I tilt my head. I know that determining the cause of the allergy can take a significant length of time. The problem is that I am out of work, must find a job very, very soon or I will be homeless, but that it is extremely difficult to interview for jobs with the impaired hearing I have (especially since I do customer service work). Once I can hear again, I can interview and get a job, and then I will have time to pursue the root cause of these infections. If anyone reading this can refer me to an ETN in this area that would be willing to help me, I would be *most* grateful. Christopher Christopher, Being grateful itself does not suffice to get you an ENT in this group. However, a sense of responsibility may do wonders. For example, you can strike a deal with an ENT doctor that you would get a treatment from him and in return you will sign a contract with him indicating your willingness of having a certain portion of your income subtracted each month to pay for his bills. I would treat you if I were an ENT doctor. So please write another post again pledging for help not so much from your desperate point of view but also from the view of the doctors who need to spend their precious time to treat you. See what will happen. fyfpoon: You are absolutely correct. That was my intent when I included ..."on a 'pro bono' basis (or with a very extended financial arrangement)." But I *do* see the point you are making and agree totally. I shall repost as you suggested. Thanks, "fyfpoon." Christopher A. Steele > Christopher, > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > your desperate point of view but also from the view of the doctors who > need to spend their precious time to treat you. See what will happen. A little girl of my acquaintance used to have tubes put in her ear. One day she went on a naturopathic diet and her ears cleared. Go to your local library and research that area. Elly's Tinnitus Resources http://eebee.net/ >I'm writing this because I'm getting pretty close to destitute and >need some help. I have no medical insurance due to the loss of my job [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > >Christopher > I'm writing this because I'm getting pretty close to destitute and > need some help. I have no medical insurance due to the loss of my job [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > > Christopher So was exactly is the problem: allergies or ongoing otitis media (actual "ear Infections")??If it's allergies, allergy meds are an effective therapeutic option versus "tubes". It doesn't even sound like a sure thing for "tubes" when you don't even know the cause of your problem. Sorry, sounds like you're almost whining wanting an excuse not to work. I'm totally deaf in one ear with have a partial hearing loss in the other , have tinnitus, and total loss of equilibrium on one side yet I'm still working full time in the work place thank you. Deal with it. Explain to the the prospective employers about your situation and, if you're any good, you will get hired. Once hired, you'll get health insurance coverage- then see if the surgical route is the way to go (but only if it's due to infections). Many ear infections are viral anyway so antibiotics do not work. It's not only expecting to find a surgeon to do your tubes- it's also having the surgeon to find a hospital with staff to do the procedure pro bono. What about the medical-liabilities issues that the surgeon takes responsibility for?? You were let go originally because of a spider bite?? Didn't you have sick time at your last job?? frank My original doctors years ago, and the second to last a couple of weeks ago, didn't say anything about allergy: until this last doctor, it was treated as otitis media (after having undergone MRIs and CAT scans). Re: "...whining wanting an excuse not to work." I'm in San Diego. You offer me a job today (or anyone in the area that you know or who is reading this) and I'll *take* it ...today. Although I'm looking into other lines of work, I have 20+ years working customer service [ am excellent at it, as a matter of fact ] which is a job essentially one of communciation. It doesn't make any difference at all how good you are at it if you can't *hear* the customer: kinda like hiring a life guard who can't swim. Yes, I was originally let go because of a spider bite and, no, the company for whom I worked didn't have [ paid or extended ] sick time. The spider bite led to two operations, three months in various arm "slings," and long-term physical therapy following those. I re-iterate my willingness to accept a position if you want to offer me one, Frank. Christopher Get a job as a janitor. Do something physical and something that needs no hearing or listening. > Get a job as a janitor. Do something physical and something that needs > no hearing or listening. Good grief. > Get a job as a janitor. Do something physical and something that needs > no hearing or listening. Is this from personal experience? frank > My original doctors years ago, and the second to last a couple of weeks > ago, didn't say anything about allergy: until this last doctor, it was [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Christopher Maybe I mis-interpreted your initial posting. It sounded like you were not even considering looking or interviewing until you had tube surgery. Your hearing loss is temporary (due to either the otitis or allergies)- your odds of finding an ENT and facility in your area that will do an elective procedure pro-bono are slim. I still think your best bet is to let potential employers aware of your temporary problem and not wait for something unlikely to fall into your lap. Other than that, contacting local charity groups or somehow exposing your dilemma to the local media (print or TV)are the only options I can come up with. Best of luck. frank
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