I am a 49 year-old white male. I suffered a hemorraghic stroke on July 09, 2007. Eight percent of the people who have hemorraghic stroke's die. Of the twenty percent who survive, almost all have some sort of "deficit" (disability). After 20 days in a COMA, 13 days in PROGRESSIVE care, 21 days of inpatient REHAB, 31 days of outpatient REHAB, I am BLESSED to say that I have recovered nicely.
I have had 4 sleep studies to determine what caused my stroke. Sleep-apnea was said to be the cause of my stroke. I was prescribed a CPAP machine and 13 pills per day to try to lower my blood pressure. After I had been on the CPAP machine for months I went to see a dentist in Dallas, TX who specialized in sleep disorders. He read my sleep studies and said that I had UARS (Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome). He made me an Oral Appliance called a TAP (Thornton Adjustable Positioner) that day in his office. In less than 3 months, my blood pressure medicine was lowered to 4 pills per day. The TAP allowed me to get oxygen while sleeping thus lowering my blood pressure.
In early 2010, I went to see an Oral Surgeon/Medical Doctor in Conway, AR. He diagnosed me with having an under developed upper palate. Basically, when you sleep your tongue rests in your tongue IS SUPPOSED to rest in your upper palate. Mine cannot due to my undersized upper palate. When my tongue cannot rest in my upper palate it goes down my throat causing it to restrict my airflow. Adrenaline is released into my blood stream causing my blood pressure to rise. (My body thinks I am being choked).
The oral surgeon says that to enlarge my upper palate will cost almost ,000. My insurance carrier has denied my pre-certification claim saying that it is ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY. I have letters from my primary care physician and Neurologist saying that the surgery will lower my blood pressure and more than likely prevent me from having another stroke.
When I had my stroke, I was out of a job (no income) or 23 months. I used all of my savings and borrowed ,000 getting through until I could go back to work. I have no resources to have the surgery. I am not opposed to borrowing the money, but the repay plan needs to be flexible. PLEASE HELP!!
