[zigmissus]

Am now on Day 5 of life without health insurance. Thanks to suggestions here I contacted the state health commissioner. They said that Pacificare was within their rights to cancel us at any time--yes, even retroactively--since we went beyond the COBRA period. They ARE obligated to offer us a conversion policy, however, which they kindly (not!) did--for ONLY $996 per month.Went today to a private doctor to get help for the bladder infection that's been plaguing me for 4 months. The basic office visit was only $68. Not too bad, I thought. Then they said that lab tests would run extra. Try $335! Since I hadn't responded to regular antibiotics, the doctor prescribed Flagyl. Picked it up at the pharmacy--$100 for 15 tablets. (That's $6.66 per pill. A coincidence? I think not.) Took one with lunch, and two hours later, had horrible nausea and nuclear-strength "D." Did I just flush $6.66 down the toilet? At this rate, I can't afford to ever get sick again (yeah, right). Maybe if I could get rid of IBS, anxiety attacks and immune system problems, I could find a job that has benefits. But then I wouldn't need them! Better still, just take me out in the back yard and shoot me!Whatever happened to free clinics? Anyone remember these from the '60s? Drs. donated their spare time and everyone was welcome. Oh well, thanks for letting me vent. Time to go detonate another $6.66 in my intestines.

 

[Guest]

Dearest Zig:I have to be up anyway; can't sleep - again; and no; not due to IBS; I think that Prozac is beginning to turn me into an insomniac again and I am afraid that I will have to take a sleeping pill to fall asleep (bummer; I am not a pill popper!). Can't win for losing!Just know that we are here totally understanding what is going on with you. How in the world are we going to fix the problem of health insurance in this country? Congress can't do it because of all of their political mumbo-jumbo. And I can't believe the high prices that you are quoting!What state do you live in? When I reply; I don't remember the stats of anyone until I read them again (there's a brain for you). Everytime I go to the doc the full price is $52 but with HMO I pay $20. $68 is high! And that doesn't count all the other stuff you mentioned.When I wound up in the hospital in Virginia; it did not even cost that much considering relativity. Do ya'll have any Charity Hospitals there? I live in Louisiana where we have Charity Hospitals in different locations and they do indeed come in handy when you find yourself unable to get regular medical care. Move down here if you have to. Then you can get some kind of care. We have had to use that system on and off and it was a lifesaver each time.What about religious hospitals - where the nuns run them or such? If you could talk to those people they have some form of charity and could show you how to get help. I used to live in a convent that owns a major hospital so I found out some things while I was there.Well, Zig:I really hope that I have given you some ideas and avenues to check out. Hope something good happens to you really soon.Remember, we all love you here.AMFE-mail me if you want to talk more. God bless you! No matter what!

 

[Imafraid]

Don't worry too much about Flagyl! I had it for an infection from clostridium (which led me into IBS) and had, at the beginning the same strong reaction. D was often and I thought I had to stop the drug, instead it usually does like this at first, then in a couple of days it stabilizes. Good luck.

 

[maggiew]

It didn't for me. I was on Flagyl, some other antibiotic and pain medications, and I left a kitchen sized garbage can next to the toilet... Needed a BIG easy target for when I was otherwise engaged with the throne. 5 days of pure misery..... I feel for you! just remember it only lasts for a short while. I found 7-up helped if I drank it about 30 minutes before, and then followed it with a few soda crackers, then the pills. Do you have a teaching hospital near you? University hospitals usually work on an ability to pay scenario, and NO hospital is allowed to refuse to treat you because of inability to pay. Where do you live that there are NO free clinics? Call your local health department, they SHOULD be able to point you to one. (County health departments often run several, the clients are pretty scuzzy at times, and the wait long, but...) But then I live in Oregon, the place that Clinton has been using to rehearse his nationalized medicine. You have to be dirt poor, but then you have your choice of several different HMO's to choose from, and the premium is like $10.00. Not too much of a worry for me, (I have a great PPO through work) but both of my grown kids are on the Oregon Health Plan, and it works well for them. DO try the county health department for ideas though.