The Let's Help Each other Get Healthier Thread!!!

[coyotesmile]

Bunny, I know exactly how you feel. I'm young and employed full time, but there are no benefits. I can't afford to buy a plan on my own, either, so I'm stuck. I had a terrible cough for four months that I did nothing about until I actually bruised my ribs from coughing so hard. I thought I had punctured my lung so I went to the ER. I sat there for two hours and never actually saw the doctor. I saw his assistant who told me it was bronchitis and sent me home with a $200 prescription I never filled, and a $600 bill.



All I can say is that you should look and see if there are any free clinics in your area, or assisted clinics-- ones that charge you on a sliding scale that is based on your income. Prescriptions usually fall into this as well.

I, too, hate the American health care system. Good luck.

 

[Netzach]

Have you considered that raw food diet? From what I hear it's not at all what you think.

I am currently going for no fast food - at all - for a month. I'm two weeks in and successful - all I've had are Booster Juice smoothies, which consist of juice, berries, and yogurt - and they're my after workout treat. My parents have brought me restaurant food but no McDonald's, etc. The exception is juices/drinks and salads, but so far I haven't even had those. Once that is done I'm going for no white sugar for a month, in addition to the fast food. We'll see how far I get. Ideally the next one would be no white flour.

I haven't really thought about going raw, I know some people who do and swear by it. I'm also trying to avoid fast food with mixed success. The problem is when I run out of things like nuts (which I can tolerate, CD is SO weird) and dried fruit and regular fruit and get stuck on errands with M. We've both GOT to get careful though, as he seems to be swerving into some seriously questionable territory, has been on lipitor and off as lipitor can be more dangerous than high triglycerides - eh...not a good way to hit 34/35 for us.

But the increased activity is what I'm really going for. So the fact that I'm eating a wrap from Arby's (ugh) as I write this is a small loss and this too shall pass.

 

[Netzach]

I'm going to bitch about my health for a moment that's in no way related to my weight.

In June 2005, I took a tumble off a horse and dislocated my right shoulder. Since then, it's been very easy to pop out of place, probably dislocating itself 40 or so times. I've had x-rays and MRIs, and, while the only way to fix it is surgery, none of the surgeons I've seen have wanted to fix it because "it doesn't hurt you all the time." No, it doesn't, but who wants to go around constantly in fear that they're going to dislocate their shoulder reaching for a glass or something and be in excruciating pain for a week or so while it knits back together?

Anyway, I was dropped off my father's health insurance at the beginning of this month because the company he works for changed their policy. I've just been pretty much crossing my fingers and hoping that nothing happens to me.

I have a horse show tomorrow. I was down at the barn today, clipping the three mares I'm going to take to the show, and succeeded in dislocating this damn shoulder TWICE in 10 minutes. The first time, I did it while reaching up to touch a horse on the neck, and the second time, I did it while tossing a bridle into the front seat of the truck. Not exactly over-exerting myself here, ladies and gentleman. A shoulder's not supposed to do that.

It hurts so badly right now that I'm afraid to breathe. It's back in place for the moment, but I hate to move for fear that I'll dislocate it yet again. I'm 99% certain that I ripped my rotator cuff today when it popped out because I can't lift my arm over my head now, which means when I'm finally able to have surgery, I'll have to have TWO separate "fixes" in two different places. My shoulder is a mass of exploded tissue, and I'm right-handed.

I really hate the American health care system right now. I'm a student with no job and no prospects for one (my bachelor's degree's not worth the paper it's written on), especially for a job that offers insurance. I doubt I'm eligible for Medicaid, though if I were a lazy-ass who refused to work and wanted to sit on my ass all the time and refuse to try to better myself, I could get all the goddamn government handouts I wanted. Furthermore, even if some miracle job did come along, the insurance probably wouldn't cover the surgery because it'd be considered a pre-existing condition. I am not happy.

Anybody got any advice for me? I'm going to that horse show come hell or high water tomorrow. (Horsewomen are tough!) I don't have any more pain meds and no way to even get a prescription for them at this point. What am I supposed to do? Drink a fifth of Jack Daniels and hope for the best?

Options include, but are by no means limited to:

get into an honest to god emergency situation and have to pay the hospital back for the rest of your life in $100 increments - if it's an ER they have to work on you and they're HAPPY to work on you

get a job not in your field that sucks butt but has insurance. Like, pick up 20 hours at starbucks and use the $ JUST for the insurance - I know artists who do this

A condition can ONLY be pre-existing for I believe 1.5 years - federal law. Then they have to cover it as any other condition.

Go see "Sicko" get your fifth, and join in with the MD's patients and anyone with a brain who has finally woken up to realize something is seriously seriously broken in the US.

 

[brioche]

I haven't really thought about going raw, I know some people who do and swear by it. I'm also trying to avoid fast food with mixed success. The problem is when I run out of things like nuts (which I can tolerate, CD is SO weird) and dried fruit and regular fruit and get stuck on errands with M. We've both GOT to get careful though, as he seems to be swerving into some seriously questionable territory, has been on lipitor and off as lipitor can be more dangerous than high triglycerides - eh...not a good way to hit 34/35 for us.

But the increased activity is what I'm really going for. So the fact that I'm eating a wrap from Arby's (ugh) as I write this is a small loss and this too shall pass.

With the CD I'm pretty sure your diet overall is much better than mine is. I eat too much bread, too much butter, not enough fruit and veggies, too much fast food. I'm lucky enough to have low blood pressure even with all this, but my triglycerides weren't the best, although my good cholesterol was good. I'm trying to turn it around slowly, thus the fast food thing. I was all disappointed today because they brought me crisps instead of a potato - three months ago I wouldn't be caught dead eating a potato unless it was mashed or fried. the crisps are sitting in the fridge in case Dad wants them. (I don't know what we'll do next year when he's gone Monday to Friday). Reducating a palate takes time, but I'm slowly eliminating my binge foods.

Have you tried dried mangoes? I picked up some 7D Dried Mangoes at an international foods store - they're from the Philippines. 42 g only has 2g of fibre, so it shouldn't aggravate the CD, and they're quite good. Reminiscent of dried apricots, bot not as substantial.

 

[LadyAria]

I've never heard of it.

I drink it on days I go to the gym. Helps me lose fat/gain muscle. The low carb is really good in chocolate and mocha coffee. GNC and many vitamin stores carry it.

 

[BiBunny]

Options include, but are by no means limited to:

get into an honest to god emergency situation and have to pay the hospital back for the rest of your life in $100 increments - if it's an ER they have to work on you and they're HAPPY to work on you

get a job not in your field that sucks butt but has insurance. Like, pick up 20 hours at starbucks and use the $ JUST for the insurance - I know artists who do this

A condition can ONLY be pre-existing for I believe 1.5 years - federal law. Then they have to cover it as any other condition.

Go see "Sicko" get your fifth, and join in with the MD's patients and anyone with a brain who has finally woken up to realize something is seriously seriously broken in the US.

You're right about the emergency situation and the ER. If I ever take another tumble off a horse, it'll probably blow this thing to kingdom come, and I'll have no choice but to do that. I'm working on the job not in my field thing at the moment. It doesn't help that I'm still a student, and almost everybody who'll hire students just wants to use us as slave labor sans benefits. I wasn't aware of the fact that a condition can only be pre-existing for a certain period of time. That's good to know. I'll look into it some more.

I'm going to attempt to do the COBRA thing when my financial aid money for the fall comes in, assuming I'll still be eligible for it then. If not, the university offers a insurance program for students, though it won't go into effect until the school year starts. It's nothing like the coverage I had under Daddy's plan, but it beats the hell out of what I've got now. If I can keep myself in one piece until the end of August, I'll be ok. I'm just frustrated at the moment. If the first ortho I'd seen had just ordered the damn MRI and done the damn surgery on me a year ago, I wouldn't be in this boat right now.

 

[brioche]

I'm going to bitch about my health for a moment that's in no way related to my weight.

In June 2005, I took a tumble off a horse and dislocated my right shoulder. Since then, it's been very easy to pop out of place, probably dislocating itself 40 or so times. I've had x-rays and MRIs, and, while the only way to fix it is surgery, none of the surgeons I've seen have wanted to fix it because "it doesn't hurt you all the time." No, it doesn't, but who wants to go around constantly in fear that they're going to dislocate their shoulder reaching for a glass or something and be in excruciating pain for a week or so while it knits back together?

Anyway, I was dropped off my father's health insurance at the beginning of this month because the company he works for changed their policy. I've just been pretty much crossing my fingers and hoping that nothing happens to me.

I have a horse show tomorrow. I was down at the barn today, clipping the three mares I'm going to take to the show, and succeeded in dislocating this damn shoulder TWICE in 10 minutes. The first time, I did it while reaching up to touch a horse on the neck, and the second time, I did it while tossing a bridle into the front seat of the truck. Not exactly over-exerting myself here, ladies and gentleman. A shoulder's not supposed to do that.

It hurts so badly right now that I'm afraid to breathe. It's back in place for the moment, but I hate to move for fear that I'll dislocate it yet again. I'm 99% certain that I ripped my rotator cuff today when it popped out because I can't lift my arm over my head now, which means when I'm finally able to have surgery, I'll have to have TWO separate "fixes" in two different places. My shoulder is a mass of exploded tissue, and I'm right-handed.

I really hate the American health care system right now. I'm a student with no job and no prospects for one (my bachelor's degree's not worth the paper it's written on), especially for a job that offers insurance. I doubt I'm eligible for Medicaid, though if I were a lazy-ass who refused to work and wanted to sit on my ass all the time and refuse to try to better myself, I could get all the goddamn government handouts I wanted. Furthermore, even if some miracle job did come along, the insurance probably wouldn't cover the surgery because it'd be considered a pre-existing condition. I am not happy.

Anybody got any advice for me? I'm going to that horse show come hell or high water tomorrow. (Horsewomen are tough!) I don't have any more pain meds and no way to even get a prescription for them at this point. What am I supposed to do? Drink a fifth of Jack Daniels and hope for the best?

I think you should whine and bitch and moan until they do it to shut you up, but that's just me. We're in Canada, and it would have been done by now here. For free.
One thing I have learned is that if you don't advocate for yourself, no one will do it. It's not convenient for them to fix it, so it's slowly getting worse. You need to kick ass and get soemone to do it. If your doc won't do it, tell him to refer you to someone who will.

 

[Netzach]

With the CD I'm pretty sure your diet overall is much better than mine is. I eat too much bread, too much butter, not enough fruit and veggies, too much fast food. I'm lucky enough to have low blood pressure even with all this, but my triglycerides weren't the best, although my good cholesterol was good. I'm trying to turn it around slowly, thus the fast food thing. I was all disappointed today because they brought me crisps instead of a potato - three months ago I wouldn't be caught dead eating a potato unless it was mashed or fried. the crisps are sitting in the fridge in case Dad wants them. (I don't know what we'll do next year when he's gone Monday to Friday). Reducating a palate takes time, but I'm slowly eliminating my binge foods.

Have you tried dried mangoes? I picked up some 7D Dried Mangoes at an international foods store - they're from the Philippines. 42 g only has 2g of fibre, so it shouldn't aggravate the CD, and they're quite good. Reminiscent of dried apricots, bot not as substantial.

I haven't yet, but will - they sound great and I'm a sweet tooth.

What you said about potatoes made me remember the secret to veggie happiness for me: 500 degrees, olive oil, parchment paper roasting.

Everything tastes great like this with a little salt/pepper. Even carrots are pretty exciting.

 

[Lamont Cranston]

I'm going to bitch about my health for a moment that's in no way related to my weight.

In June 2005, I took a tumble off a horse and dislocated my right shoulder. Since then, it's been very easy to pop out of place, probably dislocating itself 40 or so times. I've had x-rays and MRIs, and, while the only way to fix it is surgery, none of the surgeons I've seen have wanted to fix it because "it doesn't hurt you all the time." No, it doesn't, but who wants to go around constantly in fear that they're going to dislocate their shoulder reaching for a glass or something and be in excruciating pain for a week or so while it knits back together?

Anyway, I was dropped off my father's health insurance at the beginning of this month because the company he works for changed their policy. I've just been pretty much crossing my fingers and hoping that nothing happens to me.

I have a horse show tomorrow. I was down at the barn today, clipping the three mares I'm going to take to the show, and succeeded in dislocating this damn shoulder TWICE in 10 minutes. The first time, I did it while reaching up to touch a horse on the neck, and the second time, I did it while tossing a bridle into the front seat of the truck. Not exactly over-exerting myself here, ladies and gentleman. A shoulder's not supposed to do that.

It hurts so badly right now that I'm afraid to breathe. It's back in place for the moment, but I hate to move for fear that I'll dislocate it yet again. I'm 99% certain that I ripped my rotator cuff today when it popped out because I can't lift my arm over my head now, which means when I'm finally able to have surgery, I'll have to have TWO separate "fixes" in two different places. My shoulder is a mass of exploded tissue, and I'm right-handed.

I really hate the American health care system right now. I'm a student with no job and no prospects for one (my bachelor's degree's not worth the paper it's written on), especially for a job that offers insurance. I doubt I'm eligible for Medicaid, though if I were a lazy-ass who refused to work and wanted to sit on my ass all the time and refuse to try to better myself, I could get all the goddamn government handouts I wanted. Furthermore, even if some miracle job did come along, the insurance probably wouldn't cover the surgery because it'd be considered a pre-existing condition. I am not happy.

Anybody got any advice for me? I'm going to that horse show come hell or high water tomorrow. (Horsewomen are tough!) I don't have any more pain meds and no way to even get a prescription for them at this point. What am I supposed to do? Drink a fifth of Jack Daniels and hope for the best?

I'm not going to play an expert on the Internet, but I have had employee benefits as an area I've managed -- and a few clients who provide employee benefits -- I think you need to push on them a bit or have your parents push on them. The 'condition' was covered when it happened and I'm pretty sure that they have to continue covering it regardless of the changes after the fact. They probably aren't responsible for any new injury after they changed the policy but since you were injured when it was covered they are usually stuck wtih it if someone is willing to stand up and push the point.

A first denial of a claim is usually a hope that everyone will just be quiet and go away. With most policies, if it happened while you were covered -- you are still covered. You or your parents need to make some noise.

Can't help with the pain meds.. Don't think Jack will help you at the show, but will hope you can pull through it and win... Push the insurance bastards!

Good luck.
LC

 

[BiBunny]

I'm not going to play an expert on the Internet, but I have had employee benefits as an area I've managed -- and a few clients who provide employee benefits -- I think you need to push on them a bit or have your parents push on them. The 'condition' was covered when it happened and I'm pretty sure that they have to continue covering it regardless of the changes after the fact. They probably aren't responsible for any new injury after they changed the policy but since you were injured when it was covered they are usually stuck wtih it if someone is willing to stand up and push the point.

A first denial of a claim is usually a hope that everyone will just be quiet and go away. With most policies, if it happened while you were covered -- you are still covered. You or your parents need to make some noise.

Can't help with the pain meds.. Don't think Jack will help you at the show, but will hope you can pull through it and win... Push the insurance bastards!

Good luck.
LC

I'm guessing that my hands are tied at the moment because I have absolutely zero insurance. The policy changed, and I'm no longer eligible to be on it at all. The old policy stated that as long as I could prove I'm a full-time student, I could remain on Daddy's insurance 'til I turned 25. Now, full-time students are only covered 'til they're 23. I turned 23 last November. I got left out in the rain, unfortunately. I even got the nice "sorry, you're not going to be covered anymore as of July 1st" letter in the mail. Mother's insurance won't cover me, either. I'm screwed unless I can afford to do the COBRA thing once my financial aid money gets here or find a job that offers insurance.

Thanks for your well-wishes about the show, though. It's just a little backwoods show, but I have three young mares who need some show experience before they move up to the big time. If they're going to embarrass me, I'd rather them do it in front of as few people as possible. I'm not expecting a ribbon, but a decent showing in which I don't hurt myself any more than I already have this weekend would be a goal to aim for.

 

[HottieMama]

Good luck with your show Bunny. i hope you do well, and that your shoulder doesn't give you any further problem tomorrow.

 

[graceanne]

when I run out of things like nuts (which I can tolerate, CD is SO weird)

Ain't that the truth. Nuts are like NUMBER ONE bad food on my list. They make me so sick that I don't even have to be reminded or warned. *yick*

 

[BiBunny]

Good luck with your show Bunny. i hope you do well, and that your shoulder doesn't give you any further problem tomorrow.

Thank you. I'll need it. This is Evil Black Mare #1's fifth show, and Evil Black Mare #2's second one. Entering and exiting the arena together without parting company halfway between the two would be a Very Good Thing.

 

[LadyAria]

I'm not going to play an expert on the Internet, but I have had employee benefits as an area I've managed -- and a few clients who provide employee benefits -- I think you need to push on them a bit or have your parents push on them. The 'condition' was covered when it happened and I'm pretty sure that they have to continue covering it regardless of the changes after the fact. They probably aren't responsible for any new injury after they changed the policy but since you were injured when it was covered they are usually stuck wtih it if someone is willing to stand up and push the point.

A first denial of a claim is usually a hope that everyone will just be quiet and go away. With most policies, if it happened while you were covered -- you are still covered. You or your parents need to make some noise.

Can't help with the pain meds.. Don't think Jack will help you at the show, but will hope you can pull through it and win... Push the insurance bastards!

Good luck.
LC

Yes, your HIPAA certificate you receive from the former carrier will help portability and bridge the gap so pre-existing is covered.

 

[graceanne]

BB - *hugs* I'm sorry about your shoulder problems. Doctors are idiots and the American health care system SUCKS.

 

[LadyAria]

Yes, your HIPAA certificate you receive from the former carrier will help portability and bridge the gap so pre-existing is covered.

There is a time limit of 63 days (depending) though so get that COBRA. If the insurance company gives you shit, call me.

 

[Lamont Cranston]

I'm guessing that my hands are tied at the moment because I have absolutely zero insurance. The policy changed, and I'm no longer eligible to be on it at all. The old policy stated that as long as I could prove I'm a full-time student, I could remain on Daddy's insurance 'til I turned 25. Now, full-time students are only covered 'til they're 23. I turned 23 last November. I got left out in the rain, unfortunately. I even got the nice "sorry, you're not going to be covered anymore as of July 1st" letter in the mail. Mother's insurance won't cover me, either. I'm screwed unless I can afford to do the COBRA thing once my financial aid money gets here or find a job that offers insurance.

Thanks for your well-wishes about the show, though. It's just a little backwoods show, but I have three young mares who need some show experience before they move up to the big time. If they're going to embarrass me, I'd rather them do it in front of as few people as possible. I'm not expecting a ribbon, but a decent showing in which I don't hurt myself any more than I already have this weekend would be a goal to aim for.

Concentrate on the show this weekend! Good luck with the evil mares. I'm pretty sure though that if you push them hard enough what counts is that you were covered when the injury happened -- they want you to think differently and just be meek and go away. From what I've read around here that doesn't seem like you...

Push back on them.

 

[BiBunny]

There is a time limit of 63 days (depending) though so get that COBRA. If the insurance company gives you shit, call me.

Thank you. I'm hoping my financial aid money will come in before the deadline for COBRA runs out. They're offering me a huge chunk of money this year, so maybe I can put it to good use. I'll let you know if I run into problems.

 

[BiBunny]

Concentrate on the show this weekend! Good luck with the evil mares. I'm pretty sure though that if you push them hard enough what counts is that you were covered when the injury happened -- they want you to think differently and just be meek and go away. From what I've read around here that doesn't seem like you...

Push back on them.

*Snort at the bold part* I may have to push. Though I hope I can get my own insurance, so I don't have to ride the coattails of Daddy's and worry about what they will and won't do for me.

 

[LadyAria]

Thank you. I'm hoping my financial aid money will come in before the deadline for COBRA runs out. They're offering me a huge chunk of money this year, so maybe I can put it to good use. I'll let you know if I run into problems.

Many colleges offer plans through the school at a steep discount. You may wish to look into that.

 

[BiBunny]

Many colleges offer plans through the school at a steep discount. You may wish to look into that.

Done. That's my next option if I can't do COBRA. The coverage for a new policyholder won't begin until the school year does, anyway, presumably so you can't register for classes to get the insurance, then cut and run once it's issued to you. I should be able to get myself covered somehow, just not right this very second, which is annoying.

 

[LadyAria]

Done. That's my next option if I can't do COBRA. The coverage for a new policyholder won't begin until the school year does, anyway, presumably so you can't register for classes to get the insurance, then cut and run once it's issued to you. I should be able to get myself covered somehow, just not right this very second, which is annoying.

COBRA is generally something crazy like a 116% of the company cost is why I suggested it.

 

[BiBunny]

COBRA is generally something crazy like a 116% of the company cost is why I suggested it.

I believe my letter said 102%. I don't know if my funds will cover it or not, to be honest. I haven't looked into the actual cost of it yet, since I don't have the money in my hands, anyway.

 

[Hisbabydoll26]

bunny: Brace yourself before you look at COBRA. It's a wonder the cost doesn't give some older folks a heart attack before they can pick their coverage. For what they charge it should be premium coverage. The kind where you go to the dr. and they ask if you want your bottled water chilled. One month was enough of that and other insurance kicked in, thank goodness. In college I got a part-time job that paid min wage but I was able to get benefits after 90 days and it was worth the coverage. Hmm I can't remember if I was working full-time. I think it was supposed to be a part-time job but the hours I ended up putting in were a full week so maybe that doesn't help. I feel your pain though and you need to cover yourself as much as you can.

I know when I was not covered I was able to get a discount card from the pharmacy for what I needed. It wasn't much but was sponsored by the county and did help a bit. So you might want to check and see what you area offers. Does your school have any kind of health services? You can't be the only student in that boat.

 

[xxCrystal4314xx]

I'm always amazed how abysmal the american healthcare system is. For a nation that we're always being told is the most prosperous and superior country in thw world, it doesn't take care of it's people all that well (unless they're well-off)

Move to Britain, have the surgery for free