I HATE doctors!

So. Last Monday I woke up with horrible stomach flu. Not pleasant, but something to be dealt with. Which of course meant an accompanying fever (101.7 was the highest it went) and every muscle between my shoulders and knees feeling as if I'd been beaten with a bat.

The fever never went away. From Wednesday to Friday it sat at around 100.8, but it would bounce between 99.8 and 101.2 for no apparent reason.

FINE! I went to the med center today.

$183.00 later, they don't know what it is, either. They think maybe the viral infection segued into a regular infection, so they gave me a prescription for amoxicillin (which thankfully is FREE at Meijer pharmacies) in case that's it. If after I take ten days of antibiotics the fever hasn't gone, I should go back. And pay them another $183.00 minimum. PLUS, I'm female, and taking a full-spectrum antibiotic...the side effects are often worse than what it's supposed to be fixing. Luckily, there are a few OTC products now so it won't require another visit to the doctor.

By the way, for $183.00 they: took my temperature and blood pressure, asked me how much I weigh and how tall I am (but did not actually measure either one), asked about medicines I might be taking, looked in my ears, nose and throat, and listened to my lungs. NO tests, lab work, x-rays, peeing in a cup, etc. I shudder to think how much it would've cost had they actually DONE something! :eek :mad

 

Hi Sgt. Tibbs, you are lucky at ONLY $183.00. I got my BP, weighed, and they charged me $238.00. I wasn't even sick either! Just my annual check up. BP + weight = $238.00. Oh, and IF you actually SPEAK to the Dr. and you get charged more. Cha-Ching..... I agree, IF they actually DONE something, I can see it.

Cripe, the same Dr. did an EKG on hubby, and his TOTAL bill (OV + EKG) was $80.00. I don't think it is fair either. But, what are you going to do when you are sick? That flu has gone around here too. Really nasty stuff.. Hope you feel better.

 

So... about the need for health care reform...? Sorry, sorry. Just couldn't resist. When I lived in Sweden a doctor visit like the one you described would have cost me the equivalent of $15, to cover the administrative costs. If they had to do blood work, x-rays, or any other extra stuff, they still would not have charged anything extra for it. I miss that, and it makes me very bitter that I now live in a country that is supposedly richer and better in every way, but I have to pay a lot more for health care that frankly is not as good as what I used to get for free before I moved here.

I hope you get better from the antibiotics, I really do. Personally, as a female with a very delicate stomach, I've found that increasing yogurt intake and cutting back on coffee and soda helps with that part of the side effects.

 

I try not to get into political debates (online anyway...all bets are off if we should ever meet in person), but it is often very hard for me NOT to hit people between the eyes with a ball peen hammer when they argue against health care reform.

I finally got around to looking at the "home care" paperwork they sent home with me. It's what I've been doing, but with one bonus surprise. It included a "how to get help quitting smoking" section! Amazing, considering my answer (verbatim) when they asked if I still smoke was, "It depends on the day. I haven't had one since last week Saturday." Apparently that means I need to attend support groups and go BACK to them for more treatment to quit. :rolleyes If I ever wanted a cigarette more.... *sigh*

 

I like you have a hatred of doctors.
But having said that here in Belgium we have a good health care insurance so the cost is not a factor, i just hate the pain they have put me through.

I have had 7 operations in 6 years at a cost of over $1,000,000 and i would have been a vegetable without them.

So my hatred is tempered with the need for them.

 

Yikes!, stomach Flu type bugs are not very pleasant! uke. Hope you get better soon, S.T.
Makes me glad my health care is free, if done by Docs that Bulk-Bill, (well, kind of - I still have to pay an additional 3% Medicare tax levy rolleyes). I take out private insurance as well for Dental, optical, ambulance - but hey, only less than $10.00 per fortnight. ~ Hope ya get well soon, Beth.

 

Back? I won't get anything back. However, if I spend more than $5,000.00 on personal medical expenses in a calendar year, I can claim for a miniscule refund on my income tax the next year if I itemize. But reimbursement? An utterly foreign concept here.

@ Phantom - you got it in one, although that part's been over for a while. LOL I don't know the percentage offhand, but I do pay for Medicare as well, but I can't have it until I retire. The health insurance I had through work was $1,086.00 per quarter for a single person on the lowest option plan (80/20, $2,000.00 deductible per year before they pay anything...but it did include prescription, dental and vision).

 

Hmm @ the word 'hate' here has been misplaced I believe. I'm just surprised that they never asked you for a blood or other sample instead of guessing and of course you were right in going after a week, just the care sucked IMO. BTW, hate is a strong emotion and never good as it will just raise your BP.

 

That's why it's called a 'practice'.rolleyes

 

Now, don't get ME started on "idiopathic" conditions! roflmao

That's why I'm still on crutches hoping the knee surgery fairy will come to my house!

 

I think hate is a good and proper word to describe how I feel about most doctors.

As a matter of fact, I think hate doesn't even come close to describing it.

Loathe is good.
Despise.

They still don't encapsulate my feelings for most doctors.

An anger that burns hotter than a thousand fiery suns and would consume every thing near if I unleashed it's full fury upon some poor fool for tempting my wrath. Such an incident would be spoken about in hushed, fearful tones for generations untold to come.

That comes closer, but not quite there yet.

I will ruminate on this more, but needless to say I echo and endorse the sentiments of Sgt. Tibbs.

 

Well...it's been more than 24 hours since my temperature has been above 99.5, so maybe the amoxicillin is working. Or maybe it's just that it's been over a week and the pills are completely irrelevant. Either way, I no longer feel like I'm going to die and I even almost felt sort of hungry! 'Tis a good day! :-D

 

well that is good to hear and I am glad you are feeling better

 

The moment I catch a cold or run a temp, I go nuts.
I'm probably the worst patient ever. I'll pop a ton of tabs even prescription without consulting. The reason I go ballistic is- I just don't ever fall ill and can't get used to the feeling!
The entire world around me is coughing, snivelling running a temp and I'm laughing. It's the scotch intake, I tell every one. The damn virus dies of Scirossis

@Tibbs good to know you're feeling better.

@Halo - You know what they say- treat a cold it lasts seven days, leave it be and you'll be fine in a week:-D

 

The next time any of your doctors' suggest it is idiopathic, counter with an iatrogenic!

 

That's not my fault! I never had anything physically wrong with my head at all!

And yes, I made a point of saying "physically". :-o LOL

Mom's all excited...I've planned a menu for dinner tonight. First time I've cooked since last week Sunday. :-D

@ brandypeppy - I fired a doctor once for that exact reason.