Stressed Out!!

Hi D.,

You might want to call the Columbus Health Department. They might be able to help you or point you in the right direction.
http://www.publichealth.columbus.gov/programs/programs_21...
I am suprised you doctor didn't have any options. There has got to be something out there for you in this situation. I wouldn't worry about the baby not being big enough. He had a rough start and those charts don't mean much. My two are very healthy and of a lower weight.

Take Care & Good Luck

D.,
I'm sorry you are going through this! I can't say that I have dealt much with RSV with my kids, but I do know a LITTLE about insurance. Did you apply for them to review the request for the shot? Did you have your Pediatrician write a letter stating why it is so vital he have one? Is there a respritory Dr that can also write a letter to submit...if you have not already. Don't give up just because they said no one time. Unfortunatly they don't want to deal with the cost either but he deserves it !

Also just a thought...Healthy Start for kids has a Secondary insurance program where you can qualify for SECONDARY insurance and the income level is fairly high compared to other programs. This will cover anything the primary insurance does NOT cover. I would also check with the county you are in and see if there is a shot clinic that can go it cheaper than $1700.

Blessings.
M.

Hi D.. I have not had to deal with RSV and I don't have any advice for you, just compassion. One mom suggested a humidifier, if you don't have one you can put a pot of hot water over you register vent and boil some on the stove during the day. I do that at my house to get rid of the static cling. The boiling water is suppose to put moisture in the air the same way a humidifier does. If you can get the RSV shot at the hospital, most hospitals will make a payment arraingment with you and if you are at (about) 150% poverty level after they figure out income and living expenses they will generally write a portion of the bill off for you. So that might be an option.

Hi D., my grandchildren were born with rsv but my step daughter had the medical card but 2 of them also developed asthma. as parents we need to make a change in our daily things and i have some information i wish every parent would take and use if you are interested in finding out give me a call or drop me a e-mail this is for our health and our families Health B. Hill ###-###-#### ____@____.com

Do you have healthy start(medicaid) where you are? I would apply for that they will definately pay for the RSV vaccine and I am sure you have already been told to limit his exporsure to other kids and to try not to take him out that much(yeah right what else are you supposed to do?) My son had RSV and luckily recovered quickly from it but he was not premature. The other thing I would try is using a cool mist humidifier in his room. My husband works a swing shift and alot of over time so I can totally realte to doing it all yourself. Good luck, I hope your son gets well soon:)

I feel your pain. I have an 11 month old who was born 8 weeks premature and didn't qualify (even thru a medicaid program) for the RSV vaccination. Guess what? He ended up with RSV in January! The RSV season ends next month, so you'd only be getting one shot. At this point, is 1 shot worth all the hassle? Since he already had RSV once, he most likely did the Pulmicort treatments, since that's the treatment for RSV. So I would contact his doctor, and see about starting him back up on the breathing treatments. Remember, the vaccination doesn't protect against RSV. It just lessens the blow, should they get it.
As for being small, my preemie was 4 lbs. 7 oz. at birth. He only weighs 17 lbs. and he'll be a year old on 4-7-07. He is still below the 'very small' category on all the charts. BUT his height, weight, and head circumference all match up together. So as long as all of those are in check, I wouldn't worry about his size. He was 4 weeks early. Smaller size is to be expected. Plus take into consideration how big you and the baby's father were as children. Both my husband and I were small kids. Our oldest is a small kid, and he was a 41 weeker. He's 6 and weighs 41 lbs. lol. Don't worry about it, as long as he's eating, and wetting/soiling diapers enough. :-)

Hi D.,

I had twins that were 9 weeks early so I know what you are going through. Talk to a social worker at the hospital you may qualify for some assitance due the insurance company not paying and also because he is considered a preemie you can contact the Bureau of Childrens Handicapp Serivces, he may qualify with them also. My son had alot of issures Rsv, immature lungs disease, apnea you name it he had it, his sister was fine. If I can find a number for you I will let you know.

Mother of 3 children 6, 3, 3

D.,
Have you asked your doctors office if there is a way to write the shot down in a way the insurance will pay for it?
If they shot could even be used in the emergency room as a life saving measure then they would have to pay for it or at least half.
Your doctor can sometimes get insurance companies to pay for half or all of a treatment if they can prove it will save the company money in the long run.
Sometimes there are ways of getting around the insurance companies.

Hi D.. I would have to agree with most of the moms when they say that RSV, once your child has it, the shot will not help. My little one was almost 4 weeks to early and she had RSV before Winter started. As a matter of fact, she had it twice in one season. The doctor gave her Pulmicort to help heal the lungs, and Albuterol in a nebulizer to prevent and treat the wheezing, and also the doctor ordered a cool mist air humidifier for my daughters room and a dehumidifier for the house. If you can not afford a dehumidifier, go to the Health department. They have a great program to help parents with materials for asthmatic babies. I'm in it. They purchased the humidifier, filters for the vents...everything we needed really. It couldn't hurt hun. Email me for the information if you are interested. Hang in there honey. You two will be okay.

Bye the way, Children's Hospital has a program too for asthmatic children...it's free, you can get spacers, medical advice etc. They are federally granted. If you are interested, contact Leslie on the Primary Care Clinic Floor 3.

BLessings,
Mi
chelle F.

WHy did the insurance say that will not pay for it? I have not had to deal with rsv but I am very articulate and great at writting if you would like some help appealing the rsv shot with your insurance please let me know. Good luck and I will keep Adam in my prayers.

Have you asked the doctor about breathing treatments with Pulmicort Respules in a jet nebulizer as an option? It's an inhaled corticosteroid, for asthma. Asthma is common in premie babies with RSV and wheezing is a major symptom. That should be covered by your insurance. Something to inquire about. I don't know much about the shot you are referring to so I don't know how important it is or what it does.

D.,

Rsv is nothing to mess around with, if you thinks he wheezing take him to the doc. The shots are expencive, but helps prevent. My insurence paid for the shot so i never had to worry, check with your local help me grow program, if you live in wood i can hook you up, i think they give the shots for free. My son was also 4 weeks so yes he is small but so was my son. He is still not on the charts for size and 10%tile for weight. My doctor says as long as he is gaining weight no matter how little he is doing fine. if you ever need some one to talk to from one preeme parent to another just let me know.
M.

Try to open a trust fund at your local bank if you haven't already.....I'm pretty sure you can set it up so that anyone can donate to it. I'm not familiar with London,but if it is a rather small town, you might also have a friend or family member set up some donation cans at local places....gas stations, local stores anything you can think of. I know this doesn't help with what you feeling....but it may help take some of the financial burden off your shoulders. Your baby's needs are important.....and I know as a mom you'll do whatever it takes.....but don't be afraid to ask for help from friends and family. A little here and a little there adds up and will make you a little less stressed.

S.
Lancaster, OH

Hi there! I don't know much about RSV, but about weight--remember he is really only 3mo old! So 9lbs isn't too bad for a 3mo old --what was his birth weight? My son was 8lbs at birth and at 4mo old he hasn't quite doubled his birth weight. My daughter was only 9lbs at 4mo and she was full term (7.5lbs at birth)--she was a 'petite flower'...but she wasn't unhealthy.
If he is wetting diapers and not lethargic, he is eatting fine. They measure weight, lenght, and head circumference to make sure all 3 are growing at the same 'rate'...so even if he is off the chart, he is still ok as long as all of him is small--assuming the Drs have ruled out a metabolism problem etc/
He will probably always be small during childhood since he was a preemie!