Hello Spoutible community,

A very knowledgeable scientist/health expert from Spoutible, has convinced me I need more intense medical care & along with others are advising me to increase my goal for time sensitive healthcare. I need to pay out of pocket for private insurance & inpatient medical & psychiatric healthcare. I was discharged today with a bad ECG & blood pressure rate & need medical & full Neurological & psychiatric testing as well as inpatient treatment & possible surgery. Thank you.

This is @MEActNow and I am helping our very own @JoeJustUs with this fundraiser. Below is some very personal information that Joe has very courageously shared. It was not at all easy for him to ask... I had offered to do this for him a few months ago too, but he was hoping to find treatments and get better, so he had declined at the time.

Joe is now at a point where he can really use our help. I hope you can find it in your hearts to donate any amount possible for you, without hurting your own finances.

(Note: I used ChatGPT to help with this write-up — I can't manage very long write-ups due to the ME/CFS brain fog.)

User: @JoeJustUs — Living with Long COVID

Joe JustUs: "I struggle with suicidal ideation and, after working closely with my psychiatrist, we’ve concluded that I need a fresh start — a new environment, free from old negative anchors. Thankfully, a friend overseas has offered me a place to stay, though they are disabled and facing their own financial challenges."

Since contracting COVID, Joe has been sicker in the last two years than in all the years before combined. He has undiagnosed LongCOVID, currently presenting as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), and is in the middle of undergoing testing. ME/CFS causes extreme fatigue that can’t be explained by an underlying medical condition, and it severely impacts Joe's ability to function. Even light physical activity leaves him breaking into a cold sweat, gasping for breath, and completely drained of energy.

Here is a bit about MECFS and related PEM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIb94nvmU8s

Joe also experiences insomnia, heart palpitations, and bradycardia (for reference, please see attached pic of list of symptoms highlighted in yellow) — the bradycardia being the reason two of his psychiatric medications (for ADHD and suicidal ideation - PS, he is working closely with his psychiatrist on this) need to change. Unfortunately, he can’t sleep without them, creating a vicious cycle.

In addition, Joe suffers from cervical and lumbar spine issues, flat feet, and an inflamed, painful left upper knee — largely from standing and walking for long hours at work. He also struggles with IBS-D (Irritable Bowel Syndrome with diarrhea), frequent migraines, and severe depression.

On top of everything, he lives with CPTSD, Bipolar II depression, anxiety, Harm OCD, and Borderline Personality Disorder.

Yet he still has worked since he was 14 & he's 54 now.

Current Expenses:

Plane ticket, including additional baggage fees: $952-$1,136

Rent (private room, shared bathroom): $1,200

Car note: $575

Car insurance: $207

Food: $240

Mobile phone: $120

Parking ticket (past due): $120

Gas: $100

Visa & Suitcase expenses: $100

Storage Space: $97

Co-pays per medication: ($10–$15 each)

With his current health conditions, Joe is unable to keep up with his monthly expenses in the U.S., as he can no longer work the way he did before the COVID infection.

"I am currently trying to raise funds for my move overseas, as well as to store my belongings and cover basic needs like food and supplements."

Any amount you can donate to help Joe will be greatly appreciated.