Challenges accessing care for heart failure
Heart failure patient Tricia shares the challenges she has faced while seeking care for heart failure.
Transcript
But I went three entire months without being able to get one medication, because it was way
too expensive. [MUSIC PLAYING]
Before I was treated, I wouldn't have any energy. I would get tired quick. I would feel faint.
My limbs would actually be hurting. Going up and down my stairs, I noticed it was becoming hard for me to go to the basement
and keep coming back up. I was bringing my computer up. And I it's like my arms just failed me.
I couldn't hold a computer, and I dropped it, luckily on my couch. And I it rolled off my couch onto the floor.
That was not normal. So I called the ambulance, and that's when I went to the hospital. My specific diagnosis is called pulmonary hypertension.
And that's a rare form of heart failure. From the beginning, I had my 30-day supply
that was given to me when I was released from the hospital. I found out after the fact, there
are organizations that will pay for it. But I went three entire months without being
able to get one medication, because it was way too expensive. So one person educated me on specialty pharmacies.
So I was able to get in contact with this one particular organization. And guess what?
They covered it. Because of such a rare disease, I guess that's why the medications are so expensive.
So right now I got two medications that are covered by a specialty pharmacy.
I would not have been able to take, to get those medications, if it wasn't for this particular organization.
I wouldn't be able to take them. I wouldn't be able to take them, because I couldn't afford it. Advocate for yourself, no matter what it is.
It doesn't matter, a treatment or medication, even the diagnosis. Just advocate.
Because if you don't do it, who else will? [MUSIC PLAYING]
heart health
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