Friday, February 5, 2016

Of Illnesses and Doctor Visits

I hate going to the doctor's.  It's time out of my day that could be spending doing something else, usually working.  When it's for big stuff, like after my first seizure, it's much less annoying, but if I have a cold or the flu, I will tough it out using over-the-counter medications and homeopathic treatments.  A big reason for my behavior is that I've gone to see doctors for past colds who've basically told me that I needed to just rest and get over it.

However, after another rotten day and a lousy night's sleep, I decided to go to a local urgent care facility.  I'd looked up my symptoms and how long I'd been sick and thought that my chances of it being taken seriously were pretty good.  Even so, I said a prayer before I left home and I felt that I was making the right decision.

It took a while for me to be seen, but once I saw the doctor and explained everything, he measured my vitals, felt under my throat, and decided I had an upper respiratory infection.  I got a prescription for antibiotics and a nasal spray.  It was pretty easy.

(What was also easy was my payment.  When the receptionist asked how I'd be paying and I gave the name of my insurance, she seemed to be delightfully surprised.  I know that being uninsured is technically illegal now, but her reaction makes me believe that plenty of people have decided that the fines are easier to handle than regular membership fees.)

In the end, I'm glad that I did my best to get better on my own, but I'm also happy that I was able to recognize -- and receive confirmation -- that I needed get additional help.

1 comment:

Crystal said...

I'm glad you got antibiotics. You should begin to feel better soon. The worse part of being sick is the mind numbing fatigue.