Just venting about medical bills

[annibe11e]

I took a seasonal job on top of my 40 hr gig in the hopes of going back to school. It looks like it's going to get eaten up by medical bills. I had a root canal and I have cleanings every 3 months due to having periodontal disease. I went to my doctor about my migraines and he prescribed me a $140 a month abortive. He only spent 7 minutes with me and barely skimmed the topic of migraine triggers. I get a migraine at least once a week. I think prevention should be pretty high up on the priorities. I've decided to go to a new doctor (a DO), so I'll basically be paying for the same appointment again. I do have insurance and it helps keep the costs down, but it's high deductible, so I'm still paying out of pocket for all billable amounts. The worst part is, I think the part time hours added to my schedule are triggering more migraines! I tend to get them if I change up my schedule drastically. I'm just feeling really defeated today

[hamchan]

This is why I hesitate to work any more hours. My medical bills seem to rise commensurately with any extra income.

[TheKayla]

Have you thought about taking things more into your own hands? Take a look at your diet, routine, etc and make sure everythings in check? Maybe you have a food allergy, or maybe your have an underlying physical issue that you can easily correct with stretching. Maybe you have too much stress and can figure out a way to resolve some of it by taking on less responsibility and taking 10 minutes each day to reflect and organize. Maybe try other types of doctors -- a dietition, a chiropractor, just another specialty besides the traditional medical doctors that just hand out pills after looking at you for 5 min.

I'm just naming examples, but I used to get headaches constantly, among some other medical issues, and I just really stepped back, tracked things, and took my health into my own hands. I wasn't necessarily an overall unhealthy person either, and am not implying that you are. I found out on my own that I had a dairy allergy, causing my stomach pains, headaches, and a number of other things for example. My doctor never even tested me for it or anything like it -- his job is to look at me for 5 minutes and give me a pill to make it go away, assuming I'm too lazy (or likely he also never studied dietetics), and waited for me to come back the next time. This is one example, but I'd say start researching and looking into things on your own as well, and make it a commitment to find the root of the issue. it may save your health and your finances in the long run!

[annibe11e]

Kayla,

I have been doing a lot of the things you've suggested. I've been tracking everything. Migraines, food, cycle, weather. I can't find a pattern. I went on a diet that excluded all migraine triggers I could find. Nuts, seeds, canned foods, anything with "natural flavoring" on the label (could be MSG), MSG, processed/cured meats, cheese, dairy, some vegetables, some fruits, coffee, chocolate, alcohol, artificial sweetener, salt...

I was basically eating tortillas, eggs, brown rice, fresh meats, fruits, vegetables. No seasonings. On the upside, I lost 5 pounds! But the migraines didn't change AT ALL!

The doctor I'm going to see is a Doctor of Osteopathy. He's more on the alternative side. My mother went to him. She had terrible arthritis in her knees. She had to take so many pain meds to get through the day, she started bleeding internally. He put her on an anti-inflammatory diet and she doesn't take any pain meds at all anymore! I'm really hopeful, but I'm worried about the cost.

I guess I should just be grateful that I have 2 jobs so I can pay for it.

[TheKayla]

Kayla,

I have been doing a lot of the things you've suggested. I've been tracking everything. Migraines, food, cycle, weather. I can't find a pattern. I went on a diet that excluded all migraine triggers I could find. Nuts, seeds, canned foods, anything with "natural flavoring" on the label (could be MSG), MSG, processed/cured meats, cheese, dairy, some vegetables, some fruits, coffee, chocolate, alcohol, artificial sweetener, salt...

I was basically eating tortillas, eggs, brown rice, fresh meats, fruits, vegetables. No seasonings. On the upside, I lost 5 pounds! But the migraines didn't change AT ALL!

The doctor I'm going to see is a Doctor of Osteopathy. He's more on the alternative side. My mother went to him. She had terrible arthritis in her knees. She had to take so many pain meds to get through the day, she started bleeding internally. He put her on an anti-inflammatory diet and she doesn't take any pain meds at all anymore! I'm really hopeful, but I'm worried about the cost.

I guess I should just be grateful that I have 2 jobs so I can pay for it.

Bummer, at least you have a good attitude about it. I know a lot of people that just deal with it, it looks like you have the right perspective and determination to figure out the root cause. Hopefully this new doctor will help! I'm sure if you keep searching you'll find something out eventually.