Healthcare Feel Like Throwing Money Down A Drain? Good, Sometimes.
A few months ago, my mother’s cat started acting funny, and $1000 worth of visits and tests later, it was determined that the cat had a cold. There is more to the story than that I am sure, but basically, that is what it boiled down to.
I kind of feel like that this afternoon. Basically, I’ve been having abdominal pain off and on for the past two months – sometimes severe, sometimes moderate, and sometimes nothing at all. Couple that with seeing a tiny smear of what looked like blood to me a few times after wiping, and I freaked out. So a few doctors visits, a bunch of blood and stool tests, and a CT scan later, and basically, so far everything has come back normal.
Which is great and I am happy. But now the doctor wants to do a colonoscopy, just in case. In case of what, I have no idea. But I will, just in case. Even though I sort of feel like I am throwing money down the drain. So someone will call me in a week or so to schedule the procedure, and off I will go. Hopefully that will come back normal too.
Having a $1000 healthcare deductible stinks. I’m just glad we didn’t choose the high-deductible plan this year. And I will continue to throw money down the healthcare drain. Hopefully it continues to reward me by everything being normal. I’m sure my colon could use a little look-see once in a while. And compared to the alternative, I hope I’ll continue to feel like I’m throwing money down a drain. Even when the bills start rolling in.
April 30th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I know how you feel!
For many of the same issues, I am up to about $400 between copays and medical supplies and prescriptions. For what is probably hemorrhoids but “could be” something else. It does feel like throwing money away. But I just remind myself that all these costs are nothing compared to if I didn’t go and there was something really wrong.
*hug*
And in case you didn’t know…the colonoscopy won’t be fun
April 30th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Ugh, depressing. I’ve been down that road myself and as Emily says- not fun. Thankfully I was in the UK at the time so it didn’t cost me anything, I would have hated to have to pay for the pleasure of a colonoscopy- I feel for you!
If possible I would arrange for someone to take the kids for the day, you are going to be a bit miserable and will probably want the spouse at your beck and call.
Thanks to the wonderful amnesiac drugs I don’t remember the colonoscopy but the prep medicine is pretty bad. I’m already counting down to my next one (3 years), but hopefully yours will be a one off.
April 30th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
I have wonderful health coverage, and am grateful for it every time I refill a prescription ($1) or visit the doctor (“free”). I sympathize with people who have a deductible that eats away at discretionary income. But I think the peace of mind you’ll gain after the results of your procedure come back is worth the money (easy for me to say, I know). In the past, I’ve found that the anxiety of NOT knowing what’s going on with me healthwise has had a negative affect on my life in other areas. Consider it money well spent!
I’m thinking good thoughts for you, and wish you the best of health!
April 30th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Hey – I completely feel you. I have been dealing with abdominal grossness for a while now, and I went the colonoscopy route as well…and a sonogram…which sucked more than the colonoscopy! they put you out comepletely for the colonoscopy – you won’t remember a thing, so no worries.
As for throwing $$$ down the drain…I understand that too. After my last doctor appointment, I just stopped going. I have learned how to manage the pain (no dairy, no salad…) and just deal.
BUT I would do that initial stuff at first…just to rule out the really bad stuff!!
Good luck…
April 30th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
I think you are very wise for doing the testing. My brother put off going to the doctor while the abdominal pains continued to escalate. By the time he went, it was to the emergency room and surgery for Stage IV colon cancer. He passed away 10 days ago at the age of 56 and leaves behind a 3 year old son and a very sad wife. The tests are SOOO worth it.
I wish you good luck with yours.
April 30th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
I’ve had the same problem, basically exactly the same problem minus a colonoscopy.
I’ve had random lower right abdominal pain for a while, on and off and varying severity. I ruled out appendicitis, diverticulitis, and a host of other things with a host of tests. In the end the doctor said I probably pulled a muscle and it never really healed properly.
Another random “medical mystery” – I had chest pains for a while and they did all sorts of things, x-rays and scans and the like, only to determine that I had somehow inflamed the muscle around my rib. It still hasn’t fully healed, and I am not totally convinced that it ever will. (any time I do any chest exercises, even simple ones, the pain comes back the next day, but usually only sensitivity to touch rather than full chest pain like in the beginning) Both of these random pains have been going on for about 4-6 months now. Ugh…
Luckily I have a co-pay health plan, so I only pay $10 a visit and under $100 total so far. Still no fun, and I feel like I am throwing money down the drain. I guess I would rather pay for useless tests and be ‘normal’ than pay for tests to find out I have something really serious and life threatening.
Ugh either way.
I feel your pain.
Good luck with the c-scopy, it won’t be fun.
April 30th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
I’ve had several colonoscopies over the years and have several noncancerous polyps removed. The prep is the worst part. Once you get past that it’s a breeze. The drugs have a sedative and an amnesiac effect so you won’t remember anything after they wheel you into the little room.
Good luck and I hope for you that they find nothing.
April 30th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Not fun, but it’s nice to have an affordable deductible. Good luck with the rest of your tests…I hope everything is easily solved.
April 30th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Well good luck!! I feel the same way when I take the kids to the dr. I just hope it’s a total waste of time and money.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Is there a way to get a second opinion? I’ve been down that road too (or is it up that road, or sideways?) and the prep is definitely not fun. Big half gallon of yuck to drink and clean you out (and by clean you out, well you get the picture).
I hope everything turns out ok. It did for which me me feel like it was a waste but I guess if something turned up I’d feel different.