I've been sick for the past two weeks. I think I need antibiotics but I don't have insurance. Any tips?

Question

My symptoms have varied over the past two weeks. I've had a bad cough (especially bad at night), sore throat, earache (or infection), stuffy nose, pinkeye. The symptoms don't seem to be getting better. I don't have insurance and the nearest free clinic can't book me an appointment until July 10 and the emergency room has a twelve hour wait. I'm looking for any home remedy that I can use to substitute for antibiotics.

The free clinics in the area can't get me an appointment until the 10th of July. And the emergency rooms have a 12 hour wait.

Answer 1

Call 918-495-7777 -- it is a 24 hour prayer line. God wants you well. After you call, drink some hot green tea. Take some chewable Vit. C -- about 500 mg. every couple of hours. You can use peppermint oil to open your stuffy nose. Be careful with the essential oil peppermint oil -- it can sting and burn if you get it in your eyes. I put a dab on my finger and put some on the inside of my ears -- not too far inside- it gets into your bloodstream quickly that way. Hold the bottle of peppermint oil under your nose and take a big sniff several times until it gets into your passages. It opens up stuffy noses in a few seconds. Keep taking Vit. C for the pinkeye also. The peppermint oil will get into your system and help clear that also. Gargle with salt water and rub Vicks on your throat at night and wrap a towel around your neck and then smell the vapors while you sleep. You can also put some Vicks under your nose so you can smell the vapors while you sleep. I have personally used these remedies myself. You can also buy some chopped garlic and eat it directly from the jar with some bread or something else. This is a great antibiotic! Drink plenty of water and orange juice. The water helps your body flush the toxins out of your body!

Answer 2

From the symptoms you have described, you most certainly have serious health problems and do need antibiotics. Pink eye is a very serious strep infection and could just be just the tip of the iceburg of what your body is trying to combat. The symptoms you describe will not go away by themselves, and you are infecting everyone you come in contact with. Run .. not walk .. to your nearest free clinic and arrive unannounced. Tell the receptionist you have been ill for over two weeks and might "not last" another 3 weeks before seeing a doctor. Weave back and forth a little bit and mop your brow. Sneeze and cough into a tissue. Try to look your worst while you describe all your problems, and then tell them you don't care who sees you as long as you are seen. Tell receptionist you feel dizzy (grab ahold of the edge of their desk) and that you will rest in their waiting room for as long as it takes. (For all you know, there was a no-show that day and there is, in fact, time for a doctor to see you.)

Good luck. Let me know if this worked.

Answer 3

If you call 911 and an ambulance brings you to the emergency room, the doctors are required to treat you sooner than walk-in patients. However, your flu-like symptoms don't sound serious. Over-the-counter medication to relieve symptons (ask your pharmacist for recommendation), lots of water, vitamin C, vitamin E, orange juice and lots of sleep should take care of your problem. Your eyes could be pink from tears flushing out pollen, and you can ask your pharmacist about an eyewash. Sore throat can also be an allergic sympton. If it's allergies, Benadryl or Claritin D will help you, not antibiotics. (2006 has been the worse allergy season in NYC.) You might also take a long weekend in a nearby state where you may not react to the pollen of different plants, and experience relief over night. (Honest!)

Also, the commentary about Indian & Pakistani doctors as being unqualified is coming from a totally uneducated person. The standard for foreign-born, foreign-educated doctors is always higher, especially in the U.S. There are more non-White doctors now because caucausian collegians pursue more lucrative finance/law jobs. Asian Americans continue to believe in altruism and the higher societal status of earning Ph.D.s and M.D.s.

Answer 4

It's frustrating of our system. I understand man. But unfortunatly there isn't any substitute for antibiotics and especially it's 2 weeks long it's somewhat concerning. Try some clinic to teaching hospitals where they have training..that way they might be able to give you free antibiotics too. One antibiotic called Bactrim is fairly inexpensive and might be right for you. You should see a physician though

Answer 5

Seriously, it sounds like you have pneumonia. I know when people think of pneumonia they think of old people and hospitals , but there are more mild cases. This is called walking pneumonia. It is dangerous if it is not caught early. It may be only in one lung right now. You should have a chest xray. If you do have pneumonia then yes, antibiotics will be prescribed and possibly an anti-inflamitory. Maybe even a breathing treatment which makes you feel a lot better. I had the exact same thing happen to me a month ago. I missed 6 days of work because I did not go to the dr right away.

Answer 6

Chicken soup -it really works and Ibuprofen(over the counter for fever,pain and inflammation get 200 mg but can take up to 600 for 3-4 days-1 pill every 4 hrs.) Can also take 1000mg Vitamin C
preferably the one with bio-flavenoids-take 1 1000mg pill every 11/2 to 2 hrs until you feel better at the most should take approx 2 days but no longer than 3 days if still not better 1 1000mg Vitamin C pill 2 xs daily. I'd start with 1-Vitamin C,1-Ibuprofen
and chicken soup(2-3xs a day) has some antibiotic effect. Hope you get better soon.

Answer 7

You need to just find another Emergency Room that doesn't have a 12-hour wait. You will be seen for free if you are indigent, and even if you are not, you can just pay them $5 a month and avoid a bad credit rating. Check your yellow pages of the phone book for other hospitals and go to the next closes one. Go for it now or as soon as you possibly can. You only have one life, don't waste it on waiting if you are really sick!

Answer 8

I had a throat infection while I was out of insurance and you know what I had to pay more, but health is worth it. Just go to a clinic you trust and pay more. Once you feel better, you will see it's worth the spent in money. After, get insurance!!! For peace-of-mind. Yes, they can be cured by anitbotics cause that is how I was cured! If it doesn't work for you, talk to a clinic doctor, you will , again, have to pay more. Good luck ;)!

Answer 9

Liquid echinacea full strength drops ;costs about $10.00 ; but to work really well , it should be taken within the first 3 days .If you have a fever , you should go to the nearest Emergency Room . They will most likely bill you and prescribe something .Take Tylenol or aspirin to get the fever down and drink lots of liquids for the coughing . It doesn't matter if the liquids are hot or cold-but I wouldn't use hot , for a fever .Eat some chicken soup or chicken broth .It really works . Good luck.

Answer 10

Have you considered Medicaid? Try applying for that if you have a low income. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/home/medicaid.asp

Don't use anything at home. You HAVE to go to a doctor.


By the way ignore the comment by floody2000. Canada has a terrible healthcare system. Long waits and awful care. Unproffesional / unqualified doctors aswell (There usually from India or Pakistan). We here are lucky in the United States to have the best healthcare available.