The Duck Whisperer ([info]gaeba) wrote in [info]damnportlanders,
@ 2008-07-14 10:26:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Current mood: sick

Sick Sucks.
My health insurance ran out about two weeks ago, as I'm now unemployed.  I've always been nervous about not having it, even though I didn't use it all that often when I did have it.

Before I digress into a diatribe about the benefits of a national healthcare system, I'm hoping that some of ya'll might have suggestions...

I'm pretty sure I've developed Strep Throat. 

I've had it many many times before, so I know the symptoms, what it looks like, etc.  What I DON'T know is what to do for it besides antibiotics... which is something I can't afford with no job and no health insurance.  Suggestions, oh wise Portlanders?

noon-o'clock edit:  found a great urgent-care-like facility, zoomcare, that was recommended by a friend.  Hey! Look! Prices right on the website!  Less than $100 for OV and Strep Test!  Whee!

Away I go!


(Post a new comment)


[info]pendragoness
2008-07-14 05:34 pm UTC (link)
You might be able to clear it with a lot of sleep and treating your body well--and it's possible that it might just be a nasty flu/cold, in which case that's exactly what you should be doing. But be careful--strep throat if it gets serious can be a really dangerous disease if left untreated so if it's at all possible you should get antibiotics before you get really sick. You know Scarlet Fever? That's strep throat that's gotten so bad that it can make you blind/mildly brain damaged and even kill you.

(Reply to this)


[info]apocalypso23
2008-07-14 05:35 pm UTC (link)
go get fish antibiotics at the pet food store. i used to have this punk rock DIY health care guide and that was their suggestion. Sounds good to me - or your could go and get acupuncture and herbs and one of the many community acupuncture venues in town. My personal fave is Brooklyn Community Acupuncture. You don't need an appointment and it only costs $25 for your first appointment and $15 each subsequent visit.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]bizket
2008-07-14 05:46 pm UTC (link)
None of the pet stores are allowed to sell fish antibiotics in store anymore because of people going this route.

I am a little confused how acupuncture is supposed to kill a bacterial infection.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]bluemoonpnw
2008-07-14 05:49 pm UTC (link)
Really? Since when? I got some just a few months ago. Maybe I should have stocked up.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]bizket
2008-07-14 05:57 pm UTC (link)
A good friend of mine used to do this for years and about a year ago he went to a few different pet stores and they all said they weren't allowed to sell them any more. Perhaps that changed again?

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]wearycommunist
2008-07-14 07:23 pm UTC (link)
you can still order them without a prescription from the drs. foster and smith catalog.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]apocalypso23
2008-07-14 05:50 pm UTC (link)
because it works in a completely different way. It doesn't treat bacteria, per se, it will treat the conditions in your body that allow that kind of bacteria to exist. I'm not an acupuncturist - I just know that it's worked for me in the past and it's a hell of a lot better than suffering.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]apocalypso23
2008-07-14 05:51 pm UTC (link)
also, at Brooklyn Community Acupuncture, they work with a sliding scale MD that they refer out to. He's in SE, too.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]mactavish
2008-07-14 05:36 pm UTC (link)
I've never known strep throat to be manageable without antibiotics, but I suppose folks didn't die of it before antibiotics were invented. The thing is, if it's true strep rather than a different bacterial throat infection (harder to tell without the test), it cause rheumatic fever, which is hard on the heart, and sometimes kidney problems. But if you are broke enough to take that risk (and lots of people are, it sucks not to be able to afford health care), and want to try to wait it out, you can get more liquids when it's hard to swallow by eating jello (for a couple of days, once, the only liquids I could handle were in jello form), eat by putting creamy soups in adult sippy cups (like lidded coffee cups) and carrying them around, take as much Tylenol as is safe, and supplement with Advil now and then to control fevers, etc. (like take a couple of Advil halfway between Tylenol doses). But if you have any cash at all, or can borrow some, consider the possible long-term risks of skipping antibiotics.

(Reply to this)


[info]statedintent
2008-07-14 05:45 pm UTC (link)
you can get some herbal antibiotics - Oregon Grape Root works especially well. Get a tincture with that in it and a couple other herbs, put it in a bit of water, gargle and swallow every 2 hours or so. you should be fine without antibiotics - the big complications from strep ridiculously rare in adults and there's mixed evidence about whether antibiotics even prevent those complications (which are due more to your body's immune reaction than to the actual bacteria). you can also go to a rite aid-type acute care clinic to get some antibiotics - cheaper than most places.

(Reply to this)


[info]lokidecat
2008-07-14 05:48 pm UTC (link)
maybe a sliding scale clinic somewhere? I don't know of one, but perhaps someone can shed some light.

(Reply to this)


[info]bizket
2008-07-14 05:52 pm UTC (link)
Keep yourself well hydrated and don't exert yourself. The last time I had strep throat I ended up being rushed to the hospital because my throat had swollen up so much I could barely breath, and it was still swelling.

Just so you know, a hospital can not deny you treatment. I would call up the closest hospital to you today, explain the situation and see if they can set you up on some kind of hardship program. Some will completely waive your costs and all will work with you on payments.

Personally, I wouldn't let this go on for too long without professional treatment. I am prone to it though and have come had to be hospitalized for it twice in my life due to my toughing it out.

Your mileage may vary. Get better.

(Reply to this) (Thread)
^^^^
[info]dj_proxy
2008-07-14 06:49 pm UTC (link)
Best advice

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]bizket
2008-07-14 05:56 pm UTC (link)
Oooo...

http://www.coalitionclinics.org/

Coalition of Community Clinics. Check these guys out. Looks like sliding scale or free depending on your financial circumstance.

(Reply to this)


[info]chinadoll66102
2008-07-14 06:00 pm UTC (link)
Since my tonsils are rather finicky, I've had tons of strep tests (pretty common, anything remotely strepy they do a swab) I can look at my doctor's bill when I get home and check out the cost that they charged me for a strep test if you like. That way at least you have a good idea for how much they cost...

I would suggest a visit to a county clinic. Rapid strep tests are relatively easy to administer, and it wouldn't hurt to at least call a clinic to see if it's something they offer instead of going to a private doctor without insurance. Theoretically, I imagine you should be able to receive a prescription for anti-biotics via a clinical provider as well. However, being that I have no experience with county clinics all of this is just speculation and also experience living with individuals who had no insurance.

But either way, it's probably something you shouldn't ignore, health-wise. Just my 2 cents though.

(Reply to this)


[info]randomjen
2008-07-14 06:12 pm UTC (link)
Although the antibiotics will help, here is a little tip my doctor gave me when I had strep a few years ago. It really does help with the discomfort and seemed to speed up recovery.

Mix equal parts liquid Mylanta and liquid Benadryl. The stuff for kids will work just fine. Gargle as long as you can stand it, but don't swallow. You can do this several times a day.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]gaeba
2008-07-15 05:10 pm UTC (link)
Dude. Best. Trick. EVAR. Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]circumambulate
2008-07-14 06:44 pm UTC (link)
generic antibiotics are very cheap - maybe find a RiteAid w/ a nurse-practitioner on site. Should be quite inexpensive.

(Reply to this)


[info]sushi4k
2008-07-14 06:55 pm UTC (link)
You need a throat swab to determine if it's strep. The test, and an RX for penicillin (if needed) was like $100 at an urgent care clinic when I had it. It might be worth a call to ask them how much a strep test and an office visit costs.

(Reply to this)


[info]seasontoseason
2008-07-15 03:10 am UTC (link)
zoomcare does indeed rock

(Reply to this)

Create an Account
Forgot your login or password?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…