still bleh

[mellowtigger]

Still have a fever today, still coughing because of gunk in my chest, and now my voice is getting ragged from the coughing.  I called my boss at work to say that I wouldn't be in today (again). I already scheduled an appointment at the "free clinic" for 3:45pm.  It feels to me like a plain and simple upper respiratory bacterial infection, so hopefully they'll agree and give me some antibiotics.  (Three cheers for fungal chemical warfare!) Since I still don't have any medical insurance, I'm hoping that I can get some kind of generic drug that costs very little money.

Comments

Vaccine

[otterlover01.livejournal.com]

I received the pneumococcus vaccine six years ago and have NOT been respiratory-tract-sick ever since. I think you should try that one. Big hugs, get well! Luis. :o)

[litch.livejournal.com]

You think it's bad enough/getting worse that you need to get antibiotics?

[mellowtigger]

As far as immediate health threat, no. And I gave up a while back on antibacterial soaps because of the evolutionary changes (antibiotic resistances) that were happening around us. I use Dr. Bonner's peppermint again for all my daily washing needs. :) Normally I really like the smell of eucalyptus but with daily use of that stuff the odor came to be repugnant to me. :(

But there are two other factors.

Mostly, it's economic. I think I was exposed Friday evening, so my body's had nearly a week to identify and deal with this bug, but I haven't got the upper hand yet. I don't get paid holidays, so this coming season is really just a financial drain for me. I have very little paid time off and am already using up 2 days of it this week. I could probably make up lost time, but I need to get back to the office to earn a wage. My office place has a very good policy of reminding workers to stay home when they are ill. (I very much appreciate it when people follow this ideal!)

Unfortunately, financial accommodations don't really make it a feasible policy. I wish American workplace granted bonus time off (or even half-time pay) if you showed them a doctor's diagnosis letter. That arrangement would be good for the worker (rest, recuperation, without loss of pay) and the employer (with only 1 sick worker).

Partly, it's energy. Even the abridged list of problems right now are worrisome. I'd rather just get any temporary stuff done with as soon as possible. As soon as my health coverage kicks in on January 1st, I'll be scheduling appointments to try to get diagnosis (or diagnoses?) for the long term stuff.

I'll definitely enjoy sponging off of state taxpayers for the cost of diagnosing my troubles. I'll make my own personal choice afterwards (even if "insurance" would pay for it) about making them pay for cure/treatments.

Re: Vaccine

[mellowtigger]

Interesting.
http://www.who.int/vaccines/en/pneumococcus.shtml

When I finally have "insurance" (state taxpayers) to pay for health bills, I'll be sure to ask about it. It sounds like it would save a lot of hassle later on.

[mellowtigger]

Apparently resistance-minded prescriptions are already here.

With the length of my steady fever, he was willing to prescribe erythromycin to begin taking it right away. Rather, he was willing until I asked if there was a cheap generic version. Once he realized that I had no insurance, then it was too expensive to consider.

Instead, he gave me a prescription for amoxicillin, but he asked that I wait until Saturday. If I still had a fever 48 hours from now, then take the prescription in to be filled. He suggested Target since apparently they have some special generic drug system especially for poor folk like me. *ignorant shrug*

Curiously, as I parked at home and walked up to the door, I experienced a craving for my (delicious) homemade salsa even though I wasn't really hungry. I pondered that odd emotion for a moment. Plenty of antimicrobials (fresh garlic, onion, and ginger) plus vitamin c (lime juice). My subconscious serves me well. :)

I'll be making a trip to the grocery store shortly.

[foeclan.livejournal.com]

Many generic medications are now $4 at Target.