Having no health insurance sucks!

[xmas74]

I just finished my monthly breast exam. While performing the exam(I swear that I didn't squeeze that much!) I had a whitish discharge streaked w/ blood come from one nipple and a grey-green discharge from the other. I did a google search w/ these symptoms-they seem pretty common for someone w/ fibrocystic breasts but it is still recommended that I make an appointment tomorrow w/ my gyn.
Since I have no insurance I cannot afford to make an appointment w/ a gyn. And the local PP will charge me more than I can afford to pay. I called them a couple of months ago about a simple exam(no birth control) and they said the appointment would be $125. I couldn't afford that price and I know that I cannot afford what they would charge me for this appointment, since I could bet there would be lab work!
And I cannot go to my county's walk-in clinic for the uninsured-they refuse to do ob/gyn. I guess I get to sit around and panic for a while.
Welcome to the United States in 2006 where a 31 year old woman, employed fulltime, cannot go get her breasts checked!

[supernova]

1. Do you have a 24 hour clinic nearby

I'm sure a light emergency clinic would be glad to do it for you. And they don't cost that much. I've paid as little as $50. I'd go again if I needed to.

They could at least tell if if it's normal or warrants more formal study. Some discharge from the nipples is normal. Have you never experienced it before?

[xmas74]

3. I have regular discharge that is milky in consistancy.

My old gyn (when I still had insurance) said that it was normal but that I should watch for any change in color. I can guess that green is a bad sign.
And there is no 24 clinic nearby except for the ER. I live in a rural area-there is nothing here. The only low charge clinic is on the campus of the local university and it is available for students only(believe me, I've tried).

[bicentennial_baby]

2. here's what you can try:

before this gets locked, which it may, try this: look for a local Women's Health network/office of some kind (my county has one). Tell them your symptoms, etc., and tell them you need their help in getting a mammogram/ultrasound/biopsy, etc...

and then when they tell you you're too young to qualify for free services, lie about your family history, and say you have a close female relative who had cancer.

i have fibrocystic breasts, and had a similar situation about 2 years ago. my doctor had me do this, and it worked several times. i know how you're feeling, believe me :hug: :hug: :hug:

and yes, it's unethical, but, it's your life. :hug:

good luck sister, and pm me if you need to vent. :hug:

[xmas74]

4. Thanks.

Fibrocystic breasts suck, don't they!
I hate lying about it but that is worth a shot. We don't have a Women's Health network around here but I might be able to get into a GYN if I tell them I have a family history. I've tried in the past and most want to see my health insurance card before they offer services.

I hope this doesn't get locked. I'm not really asking for medical advice. It's more like finding other s who are uninsured to commiserate with.

[bicentennial_baby]

5. i am SO with you!!

yes, "sucks" is putting it mildly...i didn't get them until i was on BC for a year, and now, i have them for as long as my body sees fit, i guess x(

not to mention the way an episode can give me a hypochondriac "episode' like you wouldn't believe :( (check the Lounge archive from June of 04 for that nightmare)

i hate the lying too, but hey, you do what you have to. :hug:

just keep trying, don't give up on this, ok? :)

again, if you ever need to talk to someone who's been there both with the condition and the insurance issue, i'm here, every day pretty much :hug:

[xmas74]

7. Thanks.

I've had them since I had a big growth spurt breast-wise when I was 19. I went from a B to a DD w/in a few months. My doctor isn't really sure why that happened-maybe it was because I quit the heavy dieting and the strenuous running that I competed in throughout high school.
Imagine having an episode while nursing! That was really painful. I cried every time I tried to nurse until my doctor told me to stop. And I've heard that I can expect this episodes well into menopause.

Thanks for the support. I might take you up on it sometime when I've had a really bad day of it.

[Redstone]

6. Anyone want to take up a collection?

If so, I'm in for $10. PM me with an address.

This is the knd of stuff that ought not to be ignored.

Redstone

[bicentennial_baby]

8. Hell yes

i have $$ on Weds...and i am in for at least $50...maybe more if i can swing it. :)

[xmas74]

10. Don't worry about it.

I'll find a way.

[xmas74]

9. You know I won't take it.

It's probably a symptom of the fibrocystic. After this discovery I plan on heading into Kansas City next month(first opportunity available) to go to a free women's clinic there. If it gets any worse I will go to the ER and make them listen to me.
If I ever come into any money someday I plan on having them cut off and reconstructed. It'll be easier that way and they'll be perky all over again.

[bicentennial_baby]

11. seriously...

c'mon sweetie...let people help you :)

[xmas74]

12. I really feel bad for the people who truly need it right now.

In my state over 100,000 people were taken off the Medicaid tolls in July. We have people who cannot afford to purchase their oxygen and they no longer receive it from our govt. programs. My problem seems silly compared to theirs.
I'd planned on heading into Kansas City next month anyway(spring clothes for my daughter). I'll take a day off of work and wait for the free clinic up there. I've heard it's pretty good.

[bicentennial_baby]

13. Ok...

but if it doesn't work out, let us know, please :)

[xmas74]

14. Don't worry-I will.

I'm filing my tax returns in the next week. If nothing else I'll go to H&R Block and rapid refund them to pay for an appointment w/ PP.

[I Have A Dream]

21. Absolutely. I'll help also. Please PM me with details. n/t

[CC]

15. Can you try calling your

county health department? I am in a rural area and our county health department provide gyn services for about $5.00. Mainly for the poor and uninsured but they don't really ask either. They also provide info on free or low cost mammograms. It wouldn't hurt to give them a call. Hope you find something out (and on the good side) soon.

[xmas74]

16. County health is the one that does the walk-in clinic

for the uninsured around here. They stated that they refuse to do any kind of ob/gyn work. And the low cost mammograms and paps, I have been told, are for ages 40 and up. I checked into it after I found out the prices at Planned Parenthood. County referred me to PP instead.

[CC]

17. Went searching and found this

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_1_5X_CDC_Collaboration.asp
Have a feeling you would end up in KC for it too but they say there are offers in every state and it would be worth finding a place before a long drive. :hug:

[xmas74]

22. Thank you. n/t

[Roon]

18. Are all of those animals yours?!

:wow:

[Name removed]

19. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Wapsie B]

20. And we call this a civilized country?

I could go on a rant about deluded conservatives who are bound and determined to keep millions of people un or underinsured but this is not the place. I hope you can get the medical help you need.

[jmm]

23. Locked

DU members are not qualified to provide medical advice and there is too much of it being posted in this thread.