I have been sick for awhile. I have had headaches for several months that are just not going away. Nothing even begins to touch the pain. Over the past few weeks, I have had some dizziness and vertigo (like my world is spinning around me) and I walk into walls. Over the past few days, I have had some lymph swelling and now pain. I haven’t been able to move my neck the past few days without feeling excruciating pain. I am a strong woman and can handle pain, but it has finally just gotten too bad.
I went to the urgent care tonight. The smartest choice would have been the ER but I couldn’t fathom spending all night there only to walk out with a huge debt. I have no insurance and that is the reason I waited so long to go to the doctor in the first place. Do you know that the average cost to just see a doctor is $150 and that doesn’t include any tests. Blood work is often in excess of $100 and x-rays, CT, and MRI are just outrageous. I have been avoiding the doctor to try to not put my family into further debt.
She said that I had waited so long that the infection is now multi-system. The infection doesn’t explain the headaches and she is concerned about the intensity and effects of them. I am taking an antibiotic in hopes that it clears up the other issues. I have a referral to see a neurologist but with no insurance it will take a minimum of 5-6 weeks to be seen.
I hate being sick but I hate being sick without insurance even more. I would have not been suffering for weeks if I had insurance. I would not now be facing a huge bill if I had insurance. I would also not have to wait for weeks to get a start on why my head is causing me so many problems. I don’t qualify for State insurance. Insurance through Mike’s work is so costly that we can’t pay for it; my kids aren’t even covered under the plan. I have pre-existing conditions that keep me from getting affordable health insurance privately (if I could even get approved).
My point… please try not to judge those that are pro- Health Care Reform. There are those that really do need change.
