I'm going to complain about the state of America again.

[dustinzgirl]

All politics aside, Im going to complain about the way life is for millions of American families. As most of you know, I have not had health insurance for several months. Can't get state insurance and can't afford my own. Many of you have also heard me complain about my impacted wisdom teeth. Well, about three weeks ago my back wisdom teth started to hurt, constantly. I took ibuprofin and used some old school remedies (boiled lettuce, cabbage and garlic extracts the infection).

However this was not good enough. So I just ignored it. Last week I started havig severe pain in my ear and throat. I've been running a pretty high fever, 103. I just deal with it, because Im a woman and that is what we do.

Yesterday I could barely stand, I was dizzy and feverish and felt awful. So we go to the emergency room (500 dollars) and they tell me I have a pretty severe ear, nose and throat infection probably from my wisdom teeth being infected. Pretty much everything below my brain and above my female sized adam's apple is infected.

They prescribe me antibiotics and ibuprofin. I go to fill the perscrition, but without health insurance the bill comes to just over 100 dollars. Yeah. Right.

So instead I buy some pain killer and antibiotics from a friend, which is against federal law, but only cost me a few dollars. Besides, I figure if the federal government refuses to take care of law abiding tax payers like me, why should I take care of thier laws? Anyways, I am feeling a LOT better today, and sorry for the long rant.

[Lacedaemonian]

Originally Posted by dustinzgirl

So instead I buy some pain killer and antibiotics from a friend, which is against federal law, but only cost me a few dollars. Besides, I figure if the federal government refuses to take care of law abiding tax payers like me, why should I take care of thier laws? Anyways, I am feeling a LOT better today, and sorry for the long rant.

Excellent mate. It is a basic human right to receive medical treatment.

[Green]

Aye. We can moan about the NHS as much as we like, but free is free.

[dwndrgn]

My husband had a similar problem though this was due to an abcess from a poor rooth canal - he was lucky in that his father happened to have multiple samples from his doctor of the same antibiotic that had been prescribed to him. Being without insurance (we did it for many years) is horrible. You deal with pain and anything less than open heart surgery gets put to the side because you just can't afford it.

[mosaix]

Originally Posted by dustinzgirl

All politics aside, Im going to complain about the way life is for millions of American families. As most of you know, I have not had health insurance for several months. Can't get state insurance and can't afford my own. Many of you have also heard me complain about my impacted wisdom teeth. Well, about three weeks ago my back wisdom teth started to hurt, constantly. I took ibuprofin and used some old school remedies (boiled lettuce, cabbage and garlic extracts the infection).

However this was not good enough. So I just ignored it. Last week I started havig severe pain in my ear and throat. I've been running a pretty high fever, 103. I just deal with it, because Im a woman and that is what we do.

Yesterday I could barely stand, I was dizzy and feverish and felt awful. So we go to the emergency room (500 dollars) and they tell me I have a pretty severe ear, nose and throat infection probably from my wisdom teeth being infected. Pretty much everything below my brain and above my female sized adam's apple is infected.

They prescribe me antibiotics and ibuprofin. I go to fill the perscrition, but without health insurance the bill comes to just over 100 dollars. Yeah. Right.

So instead I buy some pain killer and antibiotics from a friend, which is against federal law, but only cost me a few dollars. Besides, I figure if the federal government refuses to take care of law abiding tax payers like me, why should I take care of thier laws? Anyways, I am feeling a LOT better today, and sorry for the long rant.

A tip regarding toothache if you can't get immediate treatment.

Boil some water - it must be very hot. Pour some in a cup and add salt until it becomes a saturated solution, i.e. no more salt will dissolve.

Swill this solution around the tooth. It will taste foul - much saltier than sea water. Spit it out and repeat until all the cup of solution is used up. Repeat this every four hours.

It is important that the water is hot as you can stand - without actually burning yourself.

I was away walking in Scotland when I developed toothache and a swelling in the gum. I rang the dentist to make an appointment for when I got back, he gave me this tip to use until I could see him. I tried it for four days, that pain stopped after two and the swelling went down. When I got to see him I needed no treatment.

I've used it ever since whilst waiting for an appointment.

Apart from all that - commiserations, hope you feel better soon.

[Prefx]

I'm so sorry, DG. My family is fortunate enough to afford medical help, but I've known people not so lucky.

Personally, I'm a Green, so I believe everyone is deserving.

[j. d. worthington]

Well, considering that ... what? ... 85% or so of the population here in the U.S. can't afford health coverage, and the politicians are in the pockets of the insurance and drug companies on this one.... there's not really much else to do when it gets that bad, now is there?

Been down that road, and it's miserable... my best wishes for a speedy recovery, Dustie. Take good care of yourself, okay?

[Lacedaemonian]

The prosepect some of you face is unimaginable to me.

[j. d. worthington]

Originally Posted by Lacedaemonian

The prosepect some of you face is unimaginable to me.

Ah, but you must remember, Lace, the words of Calvin Coolidge: "The business of America is business!" Which is a sentiment that has been reiterated by the current administration, by the way. Isn't it telling that that statement was shortly followed by the Great Depression, with its homelessness, civil unrest, and high mortality rates due to lack of basic necessities......

[Lacedaemonian]

I love the 1920's. It was when the beautiful ideals of America were finally torn to pieces. Banks taking farms etc. Sexy.

[jackokent]

I can't get my head round this health insurance thing but then I am sure there are weird things about UK health system too such as free dental care that you have to pay for

[Lacedaemonian]

Some of us have to turn tricks to pay for our dental care.

[jackokent]

Originally Posted by Lacedaemonian

Some of us have to turn tricks to pay for our dental care.

What looking like that Lace???

[Lacedaemonian]

What????? I am almost post-op.

[littlemissattitude]

Please take care of yourself, dustinzgirl. I'm in the same boat...don't qualify for any programs and can't afford to buy insurance. At least my mother has insurance, and very good coverage at that. But if I get sick...I don't even want to think about it.