How sick do you have to be to visit a doctor?

[RoJoHen]

I'm just kind of curious. I'm one of those people that avoids the doctor unless it is an absolute necessity. Aside from the fact that it's just a pain in the butt, it also costs money. The last time I went was a few years ago, and I had to pay $80 just for them to give me some ibuprofen...and that's with having health insurance!

I generally take very good care of myself, and since having my tonsils removed about 6 years, I almost never get sick.

Today, while at the gym, I dropped a 45 lb plate on my foot. It hurt like a motherfucker, and I thought for a moment that I broke the bone. I sat down for a while and let the pain subside, and then I managed to walk to my car and drive myself home. I debated going to the doctor to get it checked out, but now I don't think I will. There is still some pain, but as long as it doesn't get worse, I'm just gonna let it heal on its own.

I feel like some people, especially those in countries with free healthcare, are much quicker to visit a doctor for more minor things. The last time I went was in 2009, and that's only because I knew ahead of time that I needed to get some anti-biotics.

 

[Relayer1]

Well, here in the UK with 'free' healthcare, I was called in (note I didn't initiate the visit) for a periodic health check and diagnosed with high blood pressure and raised cholesterol - I'm now on medication. I wouldn't have volunteered to go for a check up.

And yes, total cost to me for several visits and my ongoing medication - nothing. I was a taxpayer for years though...

Ps - I didn't go the first time I broke my ankle - I didn't realise I'd broken it. I did realise that I had done it before when I broke it a second time...and went to hospital for an Xray to prove it.

 

[Captain Ice]

I go in for a physical about every other year or so. Otherwise I only go in when I have to get antibiotics.

 

[FPAlpha]

When i call in sick for work (which has been rare lately) you need a doctor's note here in Germany for your employer and it's about the only time i go to the doctor's.

It's also mostly free (discounting the mandatory health insurance that gets deducted monthly from your pay).. you pay a flat fee quarterly of 10 Euro/yearly quarter and depending on the drugs part of them (though i've rarely paid more than 10-15 Euro for the whole package and that had to be quite some chemicals).

 

[ManOnTheWave]

I go to a doctor every few months to avoid being sick. Leaving your twenties behind sucks.

 

[MacLeod]

You only need a 'Fit note' for absences due to illness over 7 days. It was called a sick note until a few years ago. It supposed to say what work you are capable of doing.

 

[Avon]

does canada get swamped by sick insuranceless americans?

 

[scotpens]

I go to a doctor every few months to avoid being sick. Leaving your twenties behind sucks.

Every few months? That seems a tad excessive, unless you have some chronic condition that needs constant monitoring.

But if I dropped a 45-pound weight on my foot, I'd definitely go see an orthopedist. Pain or no pain, you never know what might be messed up down there.

 

[Starbreaker]

I went to a walk in clinic earlier this year because I had had a cough and sore throat for at least three weeks. Of course, as soon as I caved in and went to the doctor, it went away two days later with no medication. Just lost $20 for no reason.

 

[RoJoHen]

does canada get swamped by sick insuranceless americans?

For the majority of Americas, Canada isn't exactly a quick drive. Plus, you need a passport nowadays.

 

[wissaboo]

does canada get swamped by sick insuranceless americans?

they don't actually have a health card so they get charged.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Today, while at the gym, I dropped a 45 lb plate on my foot. It hurt like a motherfucker, and I thought for a moment that I broke the bone. I sat down for a while and let the pain subside, and then I managed to walk to my car and drive myself home. I debated going to the doctor to get it checked out, but now I don't think I will. There is still some pain, but as long as it doesn't get worse, I'm just gonna let it heal on its own.

Follow the advice here to make sure your foot is not fractured.

On the other hand, "constant pain" is a good indicator you have fractured your foot. For starters, try and wiggle your toes. If you are unable to wiggle any of your toes, there is a chance you fractured a bone or entirely tore a ligament in your foot. Let's hope for neither.

To be certain your foot is fractured, let's do a massage test. Without moving your ankle, slowly and firmly massage your foot from top-to-bottom. Noticeable or excruciating pain can mean a broken talus (ankle-to-leg), fibula (ankle), tibia (ankle), calcaneus (heel), navicular (midfoot), cuboid (midfoot), or toe fracture. Next, sit yourself on the floor and face a firm wall with both feet straight in front of you. Now place the injured foot carefully on the wall which you are facing. Now softly push against the wall with your injured foot. If you are able to do this, no large bones are fractured or broken. If when you do this you have a sizeable amount of pain in areas other than your ankle, you could have broken small bones in your foot.

If there is pain in your foot and you have some difficulty walking, you have undoubtedly injured your foot. So the best thing for you to do is to stay off of it. If the pain you are having is "constant pain", excruciating, or preventing you from sleeping, go see a doctor immediately. If your pain is "reactionary", there is still a chance you have fractured your foot.

Shortly after injury, apply an ice pack to your foot. Notice there will be a recognizable amount of swelling, discoloration, pain, and possible inflammation of your tendons. Elevate the injured foot above your sleeping-head level and refrain from wrapping your foot when you are inactive. You will want to allow blood circulation to relieve pressure and also bring the swelling down.

A two week self-evaluation involving the R.I.C.E. method (rest, ice, compression, & elevation) is suggested if you choose not to see a doctor. During this period, wrap your foot before you walk somewhere close and use some kind of crutch if possible. Soak your foot in warm "Epson-water" baths two times a day by mixing warm water with Epson salt. Continue to ice the foot to bring down the swelling and remember to elevate it during rest.

After two weeks you feel the foot is not healing, swelling has not subsided, or your pain has increased, go see an orthopaedic doctor right away.

 

[iguana_tonante]

I live in communist utopia with universal health care. I don't go to the doctor for fairly mundane stuff (headache, flu, some cough), but if it's anything more serious (e.g. a bad cough that lasts more than a week), then I'll pay him a visit: it only takes half an hour, and I make sure it isn't anything serious.

All in all, I go to the doctor maybe three/four times a year. I pay €0. (Except through my taxes, of course.)

Then there's the annual check-up for my gym membership, but for that I pay out of my own pocket (still, it's about only €30).

EtA: Last year I broke two fingers of my hand. The pain wasn't so bad, so at first I didn't think it was serious, but a quick X-ray confired both fractures. I had to wear a cast on my hand for one month and then do some reabilitation exercises. So be aware that the level of pain does not always correlate with the severity of the injury. (Again, total cost for the procedure and follow-up: €0.)

 

[Miss Chicken]

I go to the doctor at least 3 times a year to get my asthma prescriptions. Sometimes I go when I am actually sick as well. The medical clinic I go to bulk bills for all pensioners so I don't pay anything.

I am going for a mammogram next month but that is with Breast Screen Tasmania rather than through my regular doctor. In Australia mammograms are free for all women over 40.

 

[RoJoHen]

Today, while at the gym, I dropped a 45 lb plate on my foot. It hurt like a motherfucker, and I thought for a moment that I broke the bone. I sat down for a while and let the pain subside, and then I managed to walk to my car and drive myself home. I debated going to the doctor to get it checked out, but now I don't think I will. There is still some pain, but as long as it doesn't get worse, I'm just gonna let it heal on its own.

Follow the advice here to make sure your foot is not fractured.

On the other hand, "constant pain" is a good indicator you have fractured your foot. For starters, try and wiggle your toes. If you are unable to wiggle any of your toes, there is a chance you fractured a bone or entirely tore a ligament in your foot. Let's hope for neither.

To be certain your foot is fractured, let's do a massage test. Without moving your ankle, slowly and firmly massage your foot from top-to-bottom. Noticeable or excruciating pain can mean a broken talus (ankle-to-leg), fibula (ankle), tibia (ankle), calcaneus (heel), navicular (midfoot), cuboid (midfoot), or toe fracture. Next, sit yourself on the floor and face a firm wall with both feet straight in front of you. Now place the injured foot carefully on the wall which you are facing. Now softly push against the wall with your injured foot. If you are able to do this, no large bones are fractured or broken. If when you do this you have a sizeable amount of pain in areas other than your ankle, you could have broken small bones in your foot.

If there is pain in your foot and you have some difficulty walking, you have undoubtedly injured your foot. So the best thing for you to do is to stay off of it. If the pain you are having is "constant pain", excruciating, or preventing you from sleeping, go see a doctor immediately. If your pain is "reactionary", there is still a chance you have fractured your foot.

Shortly after injury, apply an ice pack to your foot. Notice there will be a recognizable amount of swelling, discoloration, pain, and possible inflammation of your tendons. Elevate the injured foot above your sleeping-head level and refrain from wrapping your foot when you are inactive. You will want to allow blood circulation to relieve pressure and also bring the swelling down.

A two week self-evaluation involving the R.I.C.E. method (rest, ice, compression, & elevation) is suggested if you choose not to see a doctor. During this period, wrap your foot before you walk somewhere close and use some kind of crutch if possible. Soak your foot in warm "Epson-water" baths two times a day by mixing warm water with Epson salt. Continue to ice the foot to bring down the swelling and remember to elevate it during rest.

After two weeks you feel the foot is not healing, swelling has not subsided, or your pain has increased, go see an orthopaedic doctor right away.

Thank you. Based on this self-check, I don't think I fractured anything. I actually went back to the gym about an hour ago to attempt my workout again. I am expecting to see a giant bruise tomorrow, but I think I'll survive.

 

[thestrangequark]

I go to the doctor about once every three months, but that's because I have type 1 diabetes and have to have my A1C checked that often. I have a warning about waiting to go, though: a few years ago I ended up in the Intensive Care Unit because I waited too long to go to the doctor when I was sick. I kept putting it off because I didn't have the money (America really fucking needs free health care). In the emergency room they told me that if I'd waited another 2 or 3 hours I woud have been on a ventilator with a through line in my chest. So, yeah, you should go to the doctor.

 

[Spot's Meow]

I'm like you RoJoHen, it takes a lot to get me to go to the doctor. Really I'm only likely to go if I need antibiotics. Otherwise I it would be something bad enough that I'd be in the emergency room.

I burnt my hand a couple of months ago, pretty bad actually. Boiling hot spaghetti sauce as well as the hot plastic container it was in got my right thumb, pinky, and part of my ring finger. I was at work when it happened and although the pain was pretty intense, for some reason I hid it from my co-workers and tried to just go about my day. I was afraid if they saw it they would make me go to the hospital. But really, besides the pain, I knew I'd be fine. I had to run it under water for a long time before I could focus on anything besides the pain, and I started to feel slightly woozy.

Eventually it left some nasty blisters, which healed and now my hand is back to normal, except for some red discoloration on a small part of my thumb. Looking back it was probably stupid to not to go the hospital, but on the other hand I knew there was nothing they would be able to do for me except dress the wounds and wait for it to blister, so I figured I might as well save the trip.

 

[auntiehill]

Well, I go every three to six months, because I have to. I would love to NOT go and be just fine, but I have to, for checkup and prescription refills.

I have no issue with going to the doctor, as long as I can afford it. And I can now, since hubby's job has insurance.

 

[Kirkman1987]

It would have to be a serious emergency. I just don't have the money. I haven't had a real check up in years.

 

[MacLeod]

I go to the doctor about once every three months, but that's because I have type 1 diabetes and have to have my A1C checked that often. I have a warning about waiting to go, though: a few years ago I ended up in the Intensive Care Unit because I waited too long to go to the doctor when I was sick. I kept putting it off because I didn't have the money (America really fucking needs free health care). In the emergency room they told me that if I'd waited another 2 or 3 hours I woud have been on a ventilator with a through line in my chest. So, yeah, you should go to the doctor.

Well strictly speaking the NHS in the UK isn't free, it's paid for through taxes. But don't certain political parties in the US oppose even modest reforms to health care provision in the US?

It seems as if it's a case of so long as I'm alright, I don't see the need for health care provision or adopting a universal health care system.

Now this might go back to wanting small government, or some other reason. But isn't the US one of the only major western nations that doesn't have some sort of Universal Health care?