Health at an Impasse

[MetaTrope]

I have a problem, and I'm not really sure who to talk to about it or what options might be open to me...so I thought I would see if all you great people could offer me some ideas.

The situation: Four months ago I quit my job, a long-term desktop publishing gig where a number of factors (long commute, too much overtime spread across multiple sites, perpetually raging supervisor) were driving me to distraction. I figured it wouldn't be too difficult to find another job along similar lines, though it might take a year or two to once again have benefits. First though, I wanted to take a few months to simply relax, recharge, and visit with my family around the U.S.

I was gambling that health wouldn't be a problem, as I haven't had to see a doctor in something like three years. Well, two weeks ago I lost that bet, when I woke up one morning dizzy, nauseous and numb. I figured it for hypoglycemia...diabetes isn't really a surprise, as I've been out of shape for quite some time, and not terribly active for the months that I haven't been going to the office daily. So I've been exercising daily and watching my diet, but while the worst of it has receded, I've still got pins and needles in my hands and feet, sweat like crazy with modest exertion, and have to battle drowsiness all day long.

It's beginning to look like something that I should see a doctor about...but I've got no job, no unemployment benefits, no health insurance, and modest savings that can cover rent and food for only six more months or so. I'll be ready to launch the job hunt next week, but I'm not in optimal shape for it. What sort of medical options might be open to me under these circumstances? I can perhaps afford to see a doctor, but if he starts calling for hospital tests or the like, that's going to knock it way out of range of what I could pay. Are there programs or hospitals in the Chicago area that I can look to under these circumstances? Payment negotiations that could be made? Any alternative health measures that I could take? Other possibilities I could be looking at? Advice would be appreciated!

[Heidi]

1. I don't have the answers you seek, but I'm kicking this

in hope that other DUers will have those answers.

Good vibes to you! :hi:

[VLC]

2. What about buying your own health insurance?

Yes, it will be expensive, but would save you lots in the long run if it does turn out to be something serious. Do you belong to any associations or organizations that could get you a good deal?

Also, I would be searching the Internet like crazy for an idea about what's wrong. No, it's not a substitute for a good doctor but it could still help you. And I do think you should go to a doctor even if it does put you into debt. If it's something serious, the sooner you know about it the better. Good luck.

[pitohui]

7. it wouldn't cover this, it's a pre-existing condition

no one over the age of 35 or so should ever voluntarily quit a job w. health insurance before accepting another job w. health insurance

not only is the person not covered, even if the poster now buys health insurance, THIS won't be covered because it's pre-existing


i think the person knows what's wrong (diabetes), unfortunately, i think the thing to do is to grab a job, any job, that has health benefits and work through the waiting period if at all possible

otherwise they might never be employable again (at least not w. a job offering health insurance) on top of the other crap

this is not medical advice, i'm not qualified, but i would be looking to stick to a very low carb diet while figuring it out

[NMDemDist2]

3. have you tried to change your diet and see if it helps?

here's a website with some info

http://www.endocrineweb.com/diabetes/treatment.html

[OzarkDem]

4. Cook County Hospital

Publicly funded hospitals provide health care to uninsured patients on a sliding scale or at no cost. They negotiate payments and they can't refuse to treat you.

If you have no income, you are likely to be able to get free care.

Also call 211 - United Way's First Call For Help, they can connect you with other resources in your area.

On edit: Here is a link to their Ambulatory Care Centers listing, so you don't have to go to an ER.

http://www.cookcountygov.com/agencyDetail.php?pAgencyID=62

[datasuspect]

11. you have a right to care in cook county

you might have to make a day of it, but you have a right to care.

[OzarkDem]

12. True

but it beats doing nothing or eating a bunch of herbs.

[datasuspect]

13. oh hell yes

they'll hook you up. then you can get into the clinic system.

[nadine_mn]

5. commit a felony and go to prison...great health care, joking aside tho

I live in MN, and we have some medical assistance for people who are low income. I have no idea what Illinois has, but don't they have something called "access to care" or something like that - a subsidized health care for low income. You may have savings which may make you not considered low-income, you may have to ummm have someone hang on to your savings in order to qualify.

keep in mind, that when you do find employment that offers health benefits, you may have that pesky pre-existing condition that will make inelgibility a problem

[pitohui]

8. women are often denied health care in prison but maybe the poster is a man

i dunno but i wouldn't hand out this advice too freely, in many prisons the prisoners are pretty much refused care from what i've heard, the nation some years ago published a story about women being refused treatment for breast cancer even

[nadine_mn]

10. it was a joke

there have been the John Stossel reports of felons getting better healthcare - people committing crimes in their senior years because they don't have insurance

[pitohui]

14. i know you even said so in your title

i didn't mean my remarks as criticism, more as amplification, since there are still a few people around who actually think this is true

i guess not on DU tho, i should give folks more credit :-)

[grasswire]

6. consider carefully before seeing a doc

because of the pre-existing condition thing, if you are planning to try to find some insurance.

I'm assuming that you are not poor enough to qualify for medicaid.

If you are not planning to get insurance, you could always go to an ER when you're having an episode. There wouldn't be followup care, but perhaps you'd get some advice that would help.

I would try to regulate diet for now. Small meals six times a day, with protein and whole grain or other complex carbs. Also a multi-vitamin, and cut down on sugar and salt and fat. Lots of water. That might make you feel better until you can work the other stuff out.

[pitohui]

9. whole grains are still carbs, and some other advice

the poster should keep in mind that you can buy your own glucose meter and test strips at walmart, pay cash, so there is no record of the sale, and you can test your own glucose response -- maybe a way to find out what the situation is while still seeking insurance

you'll find out pretty quick if your readings are bad and if they response to a low carb diet

people keep repeating this stuff about "whole grains," please bear in mind that we have corn and other grain subsidies but that whole grains are not any more natural to the pre-agricultural diet than refined grains, you will probably find that BOTH kinds of grains peg in the meter

instead of much fruit and whole grain, you may find you have to very much stress the low carb veggies -- we seem to eat an awful lot of veggie that is a leaf (greens) or a flower (brocolli, okra) but even tho they're technically fruit tomatoes and peppers seem to fit in there too

never drink soda, never drink fruit juice other than V8/tomato juice -- even a "sour" tasting juice like grapefruit is full of natural sugar (fructose) that could badly hurt your readings

whole fruit is possible for some, whole grain is possible for some, again, eat to the meter and test how much you can eat while keeping your numbers in the acceptable range

unfortunately if you can't control your readings, you will have to seek out a doctor for treatment and possible Rx for metformin or another prescription medication, sometimes the situation is too well advanced to be controlled by diet alone

untreated diabetes can have serious consequences, including blindness, so you must do something

also i suppose it isn't impossible that the symptoms could also be neurological in nature

really we're not doctors here, so we can only share anecdotal advice and hope for the best