The "I don't have health insurance, so help me avoid the doctor" thread

Here too.
Another article.
Vaccine Fades quickly.

NPR story (warning: details the tragic consequences of misdiagnosing pertussis in children)

(Emphasis added)

No one tell mothers that so we can keep the "You're giving me an ulcer" line.

I've had a scratchy throat for 4 days now, zero to little difficulty swallowing, slightly affected speech (I can't do my usual high pitched "Yes!" at the dog), but no other symptoms. It hasn't gotten any better or worse since Day 1.

Am I going to die? Can I do anything to sooth or help me recover?

My wife said this is what her sickness felt like on Day 1 but by Day 2 she had progressed to a miserable middle respiratory infection and she's finally getting over it at Day 7. Meanwhile, I'm holding fast at Day 1 symptoms going into Day 4.

Sounds like someone needs exploratory surgery!

How's your uterus?

Honey and lemon. That or some kind of scrubbing brush. One of those should do the trick.

Hot Toddy! those cure everything.

You know those packets of Emergen-C that they sell in boxes, which claim to give you some ludicrous amount of vitamin C? I mix them into a glass of Sprite (or generic soda equivalent), which makes them a hell of a lot more palatable. It may be 50% placebo, but it makes me feel like I'm doing something about the problem, and it does go down pretty easily. Hot herbal teas with lemon juice and honey mixed in are also a good approach; hot lemonade with honey mixed in will taste briefly like the Burning Of Fire as the lemon juice hits your throat, and then the most beautiful thing in the world.

When you can't be near a kitchen and microwave, the cough drops that claim to have Vitamin C in them work better for me than the menthol ones. In general, though, be quaffing beverages like a hydrophiliac. The whole "lots of fluids and plenty of rest" thing is a cliche for a reason.

RIP RyanMM.

I had this too a couple weeks ago. Moderately severe sore throat, no other symptoms. It's almost always acute pharyngitis. It goes away in 5 or 6 days on its own. Ibuprofin and Ricola helped.

I'm sure you're going to be fine, but just in case- do you want to send me your stuff and I'll give it back once you're healthy again?

RyanMM, try a salt water gargle -- a spoonful of salt mixed with a cup of warm water and stir until dissolved. It's what helps me when I get severe sore throats, and I actually had a doctor recommend it!

I've had the feeling like there is something in the back of my throat for over two years now. Every doctor I have seen insists that it is just allergies, even though tests have shown I have no allergy to anything, and keep prescribing allergy meds. The problem doesn't go away.

I'm pretty sure it's a tumor and I'm going to die.

fadeaccompli, the vitamin C thing has been completely debunked for years. Sorry.

Athryn is right about the salt gargle thing. And warm soothing drinks feel good, as long as they're not sugary.

75% placebo, 25% delicious cool beverage! (Dammit, how are my placebos supposed to placate me when everyone keeps reminding me of the debunking?)

That sounds like post-nasal drip. Your doctors are probably insisting that it's allergies because it's usually caused by allergies. I've read that GERD can cause it (or aggravate it) though. Maybe you can get some super-strength PPI's to try.

Hopefully unrelated: as of midnight last night, my stomach has decided that the entry of any sort of food is not to be tolerated. However, instead of your standard nausea and vomiting, what I'm getting instead is more like slight nausea with severe stomach cramps. It's happened now with homemade chicken vindaloo, which in retrospect might have been suspect, and a Chipotle burrito, which had no reason to be. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how the hell I figure out what's going on? Or do I just stop eating this week?

Sounds like gas.

I suspect that you'll soon have something....er...rather watery making an exit.

I'm no doctor, but if you're having stomach upset, maybe Indian or Mexican aren't the best things to be tossing down there. Have you tried something simple like a turkey sandwich on soft wheat bread or some warm chicken noodle soup, or even some basic vanilla ice cream?

The Indian food is what upset it in the first place; before that, it was totally fine. And plain rice didn't help either. :/ Bah. We'll wait and see.

Along with the vanilla ice cream suggestion, drink milk or Pepto-bismol.

I wouldn't suggest dairy, as the stomach has to work to digest them. Saltines, ginger ale, or a little ginger grated into water can help settle a stomach. Pepto is a good suggestion as well.

Bananas, baked potatoes, and oatmeal are tummy-friendly. Hold off on animal products until you're symptom-free for a day.

Update: day three, pain is no better, so advice nurse put me on clear liquids until either the pain goes away or I make it to a doctor. Poor lady sounded baffled. Thanks for the advice, all.

Edit: holy crap, sticking to clear liquids with this kind of pain is not worth it. Not only did it not get any better, but now I can thoroughly tell the difference between the "you're hungry" cramps and the "oh god why did you eat food" cramps. Having them both at the same time? Nuh-uh, no thanks, bring on the normal stomach trouble. >.<

I was going to post the same thing as Athryn with trying ginger which is fantastic (for reasons I don't know) at helping unsettled stomachs.

Maybe get yourself checked out for Helicobacter pylori. Alternately, any pain meds you've been on could be giving some grief with the mucosa of your stomach... perhaps, and somewhat triggered by the spicy food. Keep in mind I'm no doctor.

Ginger is a miracle herb, no one knows why. My doc gave up on all the reflux meds and we discovered ginger whups my acid back down out of my throat by accident. (Tried some ginger tea someone wanted me to try.) All the scarring I was getting on my esophagus is starting to fade six months after the ginger discovery.

It's too bad I hate the taste of ginger and want to vomit violently when I even smell it.

So I've no longer got health coverage, but have to take what turns out to be a rather expensive medication at $280/month out-of-pocket for the generic. That the insurance company's negotiated price is $28/month is for another thread. Anyway, I came across this online pharmacy called Xubex that provides that same medication at $30 for a 90 day supply. I know that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, but they're located in the US and require a prescription. I've called them up and am definitely getting someone in the US. I asked the woman how it is that they can sell the same medication for such a low price compared to my local pharmacy, or anywhere else I can find, actually. She claims that they buy directly from the manufacturer rather than a middleman like other pharmacies, and buy in such bulk that they get a hefty discount.

So, does this sound plausible? Has anyone else used Xubex? I'm in the process of having my prescription transferred, so I'll find out, but am hoping to get some feedback on them one way or they other. There is almost nothing on the internet that refers to the company either positively or negatively, outside of a random post on a message board where a woman claims that her boyfriend has been buying from for years. Otherwise, a couple complaints, but they refer to miscommunication with the doctor on dosage rather than getting ripped off or getting some bullshit from overseas.

Griot, like you said, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I would be very, very worried about what's in those pills.

If they're located in the US and require a scrip like you said, that's a good sign. BBB in Winter Park, FL says they are A+ rated. Still use caution. I suppose on the upside if it is some bullshit you'll only be out $30?

After reading the health care thread and linked articles yesterday, I'm friggin' amazed at how lucky I've been as a relatively healthy person who's been lucky to have employer-paid insurance the few times I've needed it. But there are references to places that do discounted pharmaceuticals as a business model, and it wouldn't surprise me to see one based in retiree hell Florida. Good luck, let everyone here know how it goes.

I'll check them against the two generics that I've taken, although I suppose that might not be a reliable way to tell.

Thing is, I've seen then recommended by a few universities and state governments in lists of prescription support services.

Xubex is a reputable company. The only downside with them is that there are income requirements. At least there used to be, but I don't see it on their site anymore so maybe that's been removed.

EDIT: According to their FAQ, income requirements have been removed! http://www.xubex.com/FAQ.aspx

Prior to his death, my father was getting most of his prescriptions through them.

His death was unrelated to his medications.

Yes! I just find it bizarre that I can next to nothing about them online, aside from the odd forum mention or list of prescription assistance programs. Have you used them?

Edit: Not "Yes!" about your father's death. I was responding to charmtrap's post.

I am utterly thrilled to hear that they're legit. $10 a month vs. $280 takes a HUGE load off my mind.

I suspect that their main business is selling to institutions, as a catalog I received from them advertised a new service where they would individually package a person's meds by time of day and day of the week, recommending them particularly for nursing homes and whatnot.

I've not used them personally so I can't recommend them myself. But they were on the list of recommended medication providers for low- and fixed-income folks at the hospice where I used to work (since they had income requirements then). They're state-licensed and have multiple accreditations. I think it's worth a try.

I had very disturbed dreams and could nit quite wake up until 10 am. I dinally woke up feeling dizzy and it's not getting better (one hour later and after coffee and a pb sandwich). I'm a little concerned about driving to work (I work noon- 8 pm today) Should I be going something medical or see if it passes? No changes to meds or anything but today Is my first day back at work after 10 days vacation.

I think dizziness (on it's own, with no other symptoms) is usually benign. If it worries you, might as well get it checked. Better than panicking about it.

If it persists, it's worth a trip to the doctor, though. Positional vertigo is often easily treated.