Rant... Free Medical My Butt

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Alsison
Alsison Posts: 626 Member
in Motivation and Support
Well I just needed to rant...

My knee has been painfully swollen for three weeks now. There was no trauma, I just woke up one morning and it was swollen.

I have been to the doctor who sent me for an x-ray which showed nothing wrong. He has ordered an MRI but unfortunately the current wait time to get an MRI in Vancouver, BC is almost 1 year... So what am I supposed to do? Just not be able to exercise or even walk properly for the next year. I ask you....WTF??? :explode:

My other choice is to go to a private clinic which will cost somewhere in the neighbourhood of $1000.00 which I don't really have. I am just scared that I will end up in debt and the MRI won't end up giving me any answers anyways...

I am so frustrated... But the good news is that I have been eating healthy and managing to lose a couple of pounds despite the lack of exercise...:wink:

Anyways, I just wanted to rant... I does actually make me feel a little better.

Cheers,
Alsison
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Replies

  • neon7girl
    neon7girl Posts: 230 Member
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    I'd ask if it is reddened and swollen or just swollen? Is there fluid? An MRI a year from now will not do you any good, I'd get a second opinion and let it heal naturally, then return to gentle exercise.

    I've just been to a rheumotologist for all over aches and pains, esp in my ankles. I've had it off and on for years. I've got a nice lab bill for over $400 that my insurance didn't cover and no explanation of the issue. Screw 'em. I refuse to see any unless its an emergent issue anymore. I'd rather deal with it on my own. Sorry to steal your rant.
  • kgb6days
    kgb6days Posts: 880 Member
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    In the US all you'd have to do is go to the ED.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
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    In the US all you'd have to do is go to the ED.

    and pay the bill when you're done if your insurance doesn't cover it or you don't have insurance............:laugh:

    To the OP, no one ever said healthcare is free, it is paid for by the taxpayers of this country.
  • emilymaya16
    emilymaya16 Posts: 104 Member
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    And yet again I wonder why governments and countries refuse to even consider a system like the NHS that we have here in Britain, this would never have proved a problem. You should never have to worry about money when it comes to your health, as much as it is denied people die in places like USA, supposedly one of the most developed countries in the world, simply because they can't afford to go to the doctor! Since when did that become ok?
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
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    We don't have free medical care but I have decent insurance as I work for the government. I still paid over a grand the last time I had advanced imaging done and that was above and beyond what my insurance paid. Not to mention the copays for my primary physician, specialist and prescriptions.
  • illgetthere145
    illgetthere145 Posts: 17 Member
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    What is NHS? How does it work and how is it funded?
  • originalcookiemonster
    originalcookiemonster Posts: 278
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    In the US all you'd have to do is go to the ED.

    To the OP, no one ever said healthcare is free, it is paid for by the taxpayers of this country.

    :drinker: YUP. Socialized healthcare... no thank you :noway:



    I am sorry for your troubles though.
  • neon7girl
    neon7girl Posts: 230 Member
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    And yet again I wonder why governments and countries refuse to even consider a system like the NHS that we have here in Britain, this would never have proved a problem. You should never have to worry about money when it comes to your health, as much as it is denied people die in places like USA, supposedly one of the most developed countries in the world, simply because they can't afford to go to the doctor! Since when did that become ok?

    It's "okay" in the US because (from my end as I have worked with many doctors) they are greedy and looking to pad their pockets rather than work for the common good. People had put them on a pedestal and they could do no wrong, so if they healed your loved one, you'd pay anything. Many do nothing but complain that they are not being reimbursed enough by insurance to afford private schools for their children or keep up the country club memberships. They need their bubble burst. The good one's - well they stay quiet and work and volunteer, not looking for credit or commendations. It's a screwed up society.
  • aguethler
    aguethler Posts: 26 Member
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    People don't die in the USA because they can't go to the Doctor. Completely untrue. They go to the Emergency Room, the hospital stops calling about the bill in a couple of months, and then they just raise their prices for other things to cover the cost of those who can't pay. Public hospitals cannot deny service in the emergency room.
  • Contrarian
    Contrarian Posts: 8,138 Member
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    Perhaps there will be a cancellation. Doctors can rush MRIs if they feel the patient is in immediate danger. It's good to know that your doctor doesn't think this is the case.
  • tbear60
    tbear60 Posts: 16
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    Hate it when it double posts!! :tongue:
  • tbear60
    tbear60 Posts: 16
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    Don't know why it did this over night and a second opinion is always a good idea, but my knees swelled up years ago and they told me my knee was misaligned and someday I would need surgery. After years of swelling and pain I saw something about hydrogenated foods can cause inflammation and so just for the fun of it, I stopped eating anything that had hydrogenated stuff in it, or partially hydrogenated and intensurfied (sp, but this is how they are trying to deceive people by calling it something different recently) and it took about 3 months but has made an awesome difference in my life!!! What the heck check you foods you eat and see if you eat this stuff and give it a go for yourself, doesn't cost you anything other than a little research and label looking! Hope it helps and hope you find out any other issues that could be there.
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
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    Nevermind
  • Contrarian
    Contrarian Posts: 8,138 Member
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    And yet again I wonder why governments and countries refuse to even consider a system like the NHS that we have here in Britain, this would never have proved a problem. You should never have to worry about money when it comes to your health, as much as it is denied people die in places like USA, supposedly one of the most developed countries in the world, simply because they can't afford to go to the doctor! Since when did that become ok?

    In Canada, our health care system is very similar to that of the UK.
  • jojopel
    jojopel Posts: 348 Member
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    Does your employer's medical insurance cover MRIs? When my daughter needed an MRI for her knee issue, the wait time was 18 months. Fortunately, my husband's medical insurance covered the full cost of a private clinic and we were able to get the test done within days. Good luck!
  • LinaBo
    LinaBo Posts: 342 Member
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    If it remains swollen or gets worse over the next few days, despite prescribed measures, I think it would be urgent enough to go to the ER. You may get the necessary tests through that route.
  • BobbieLee1959
    BobbieLee1959 Posts: 605 Member
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    Just wait US citizens...this is right around the corner for us...and closer than you think....aren't you glad you voted?
  • auroranflash
    auroranflash Posts: 3,569 Member
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    If still swollen, ice it, elevate as much as possible, rest it, and apply pressure with an ace bandage or knee wrap. Sorry you're hurting, hope you feel better soon. I recently busted my knee pretty badly. Luckily the bandage wrap worked wonders. Knee pain can be excruciating.
  • Bahet
    Bahet Posts: 1,254 Member
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    People don't die in the USA because they can't go to the Doctor. Completely untrue. They go to the Emergency Room, the hospital stops calling about the bill in a couple of months, and then they just raise their prices for other things to cover the cost of those who can't pay. Public hospitals cannot deny service in the emergency room.
    Wrongo. Approximately 26,000 people in the US die every year because of a lack of health care. Someone with insurance who has chest pains calls 911. Someone without it pops an asprin and a Tums and lays down to rest. Guess who doesn't survive?
  • cmacphee3
    cmacphee3 Posts: 278 Member
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    In the US all you'd have to do is go to the ED.

    Not everywhere in Canada has a year waiting time just so you are aware. My mom got her MRI within a couple days of needing it in Halifax.
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