Help, need to find a doctor for my sister...TODAY!

Mrs.Cooley2bee · February 2011

To make a VERY long story short my sister arrived home from her trip to India and Hong Kong yesterday. She was out of the country for about 6 months. While in India she contracted e.coli and it caused some major intestinal symptoms. She went to a few doctors and got a multiple different medications including antibiotics. She had severe allergic reactions to two of the meds and had to keep switching etc. It was a disaster. She *thinks* the e.coli is gone but for the last 6 weeks she has had lots of weird syptoms and still feels like ***. She thinks it is related to the crazy meds she was given, the allergic reactions plus she still might have some bacteria or parasite. In all honesty, I think we are all at a loss.

Here is my question.....who should she go see today? She didn't have american health insurance while she was out of the country and planned on buying an individual policy the day she returned home. My guess is that it won't due her much good at this point (pre-existing condition etc) but I mention that because she will probably need to be seen by a doc that doesn't require insurance. I hesitate to send her to an ER or Urgent care because I really want a doctor to sit and listen to her. She has a giant list of meds she was given and a laundry list of symptoms etc. I want someone to take her seriously and actually look into it, not just run some tests in the ER and send her on her way.

TIA!

bellevuebride07 · February 2011

What about the Kroger or Walgreens clinics?

stillwaiting12 · February 2011

Not sure where she's at, but my dr is really amazing. He will literally spend an hour with you if need be. That said, he's always running late! He's on the east side, in Amelia. His name is Dr. Sarkar. I think as long as you pay at the visit any doc will see you. If she's near Amelia and you want his # just FBM me and I will send it

mikegirl07 · February 2011

I honestly think that she would be best going to the ER. They can run tests on her there and figure out why she is still feeling the way she is feeling. I work in the medical field and if she wanted to go to a private doctor, it might take a while for her to get in, since many doctors arent accepting new patients until a certain time. Did she have a doctor before she left out of the country? if this is the case she may be able to get in there, however, many places dont accept patients without any kind of insurance or medicare. Hope this helps... Good Luck!!

mikegirl07 · February 2011

she could always pay out of pocket too.. forgot to mention that

hannah&ben · February 2011

I also really think she should visit the ER. They can do any kind of testing they want right there in the hospital. Where, in a 'little clinic' type place they'd have to send her out for that stuff anyway. And, most physicians require your first visit to be a well visit and it can take a good long while to get in.

Superchicy · February 2011

I agree with the ER too. Hospitals will have labs readily available to do whatever tests she needs, whereas a doctor's office will have to send her off to get testing done. And I'm sure ERs see much more unusual things than most doctor's offices or NPs at Kroger and whatnot.

Mrs.Cooley2bee · February 2011

Thanks Ladies - we are sending her to the ER now. Ugh, hopefully they get this straightened out for her.

JenRose05 · February 2011

im glad shes going to the ER. hospitals have more spread out knowledge. not only that, they are more willing to work with a person money-wise (payment plans, discounts etc....regardless of her money situation) keep us updated on how shes feeling

Mrs.Cooley2bee · February 2011

She is 26 years old and already done with college. She has no permanent place to live or permanent job. Sounds kinda weird but she works for a particular company for a few months and saves all of her money to travel around the world. When her bank account drops below 5,000 she goes back to work....rinse and repeat. When she is actually in the US she buys catastrophic health insurance but in places like India and China I guess it's pretty pointless to carry it because you just pay cash for treatment there (or something like that). I know the ER bill will be huge but she will just have to call the financial counselor when it arrives and show that she made...wait for it.....about 7,000 total last year. She lives on cash alone doesn't even have a credit card or cell phone. She has zero debt. My guess is that they will be writing off her treatment unless they want her paying 20 bucks a month for the rest of her life, which I am sure she is willing to do.

Thanks for all of the advice and I'll keep you posted.

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