Kirstie's Medical Fundraiser

UPDATE:
The last update I had mentioned testing on my heart. Since then I have been diagnosed with two heart conditions: inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia, and POTS (postural orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome). This means my heart rate and blood pressure fluctuate between sitting, laying standing, etc. this means standing for a long time can be dangerous. Falls can happen very easily with these conditions. It also means that my resting  heart rate is above 100 beats per minute at all times, without any effort. My sinus node has been deformed since birth and it has finally been caught by my current cardiologist. THANKFULLY. 

As of right now I have failed ALL cardiac medication treatments. My cardiologist Dr. Salerno is working so hard to get my last chance medication approved with my insurance. Corlanor is very expensive without coverage by my united healthcare insurance. If we cannot get this med approved then I will have to under go a sinus node ablation...and IF this ablation does not work, I will be fitted with a permanent pacemaker.


You can follow my journey on Instagram.


My physicians have also requested that I be evaluated for EDS, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. My PCP has been running tests to get prepared for a geneticist appointment in march (soonest the cancer center at uva had open) appointment. These pre-tests also cost money.

As for the migraines im till having at least 20 migraine days per month with little to no help medication wise. Earlier this month I had a Botox consultation with a doctor at UVA. Currently we are waiting on prior auth to get the procedure approved. This is a very costly procedure that must be completed every 12 weeks for it to be beneficial.

Bills sre are still rolling in and I have surpassed the $11k in medical debt, if you can do anything to help please do. Even a share goes a long way!!



Hello, my name is Kirstie. 

I'm 25 and have had chronic migraines since I was 11. And was just recently diagnosed with occipital neuralgia also. I'm on countless medications for migraine prevention, I've tried injections, I've had MRI's, and even tried electro-therapy, but right now nothing seems to be working.

The last spurt of  migraine I had was July 4th. Sensitivity to sound, dizziness, numb face, slurred speech, and blurred right eye and stiff neck. I went to the ER because my neurologist thought I could be having a stroke. I received a migraine cocktail twice in the ER to no avail. That migraine lasted until August 2nd, when my neurologist admitted me to the hospital for a DHE IV infusion for 3 days... that made the pain tolerable. Since then I came out of the hospital after 3 days and within the week I had another migraine starting. 

I've been out of work on FMLA since July 4th and can't drive until my vision stays consistent enough that I don't feel I'm putting my life or someone else's on the road in danger. This means no income to help pay he doctor, hospital, and prescription bills. The last thing I want to do is ask for help, if you know me personally, you know that's just how I am. I'd rather fail trying to do it by myself, than to ask for assistance. But this time I feel like I have to ask for any help that I can get. 

I talked to my neurologist at UVA this morning, and he basically doesn't know what else to do to help me... we've tried many types of preventative, and abortive medications, and other therapies. Since they aren't working he has now referred me into the headache specialists in Philadelphia at Thomas Jefferson University in the Jefferson Department of Neurology... I live in Virginia. That's about a 5 hour drive to go to this specialist. Without income from my job it would be impossible to get the help that I desperately need so that I can get my life somewhat back in order. 

http://www.jefferson.edu/university/jmc/departments/neurology/overview.html


My migraines seem to be getting worse as I age and more frequent and lasting longer than ever, with no prescriptions, diets, or increased sleep helping much now.

...in the midst of all of this chaos, something started going on with my heart. As most of you know I have a cardiac monitor in place, and this is to measure my heart rhythm and beats. My heart rate is consistently abnormally high for someone of my age, and my cardiologist at UVA is doing his best to figure out what is wrong in that department. 

I've applied for disability, but as many of you know it could take weeks, or even months to be approved, IF I get approved the first time - if not, I have to appeal the decision with a lawyer. 

Right now now I have about $11,000 in medical bills - this includes the hospital stay, MRI, and ekg. This does not include travel, current medications, or injects. If I decide to make the distance to travel to Philadelphia, this would be another added expense.


I'm asking for help, anything you can spare would be a great gift to me in my journey to get relief, and get my life back!