I am in the US, so financial calculations need to be factored in.
For a moment, I couldn’t breathe, felt like I was going to die, then vomitted.
Now heart beating slightly off, not feeling great but not terrible, had mild chest pain earlier in evening…
Kinda feel off. Have medical insurance with large deductible.
Ignore it? Taxi to ER? Call 911? Genuinely don’t know and don’t like 911 since police are involved.
Also I feel hot, feel burning around my neck.
Alright. Way too many socialists in this post who don’t know how 'Murica works, god dammit. Here’s real advice:
You woke up, so you aren’t dead yet. In most cases, that’s a good sign. Give it 30 minutes. If you feel better, great! This is where I preposterously tell you to follow up with your family doctor and we both have a good chuckle.
(Edit to explain: we have no idea who our family doctor is and we haven’t been there in so long we would be considered a new patient.)
If you don’t feel better, might well give it another hour. Most of the damage from a heart attack or stroke is done in the first 30 minutes, so you’re probably not going to get any worse.
If you’re still not dead after that, you’re probably clear to make it through the weekend.
Next question is do you have sick leave? If not, congratulations, you’re fine! If you do have sick leave, go ahead and make an appointment first thing Monday. They won’t do anything, just send you for labs, maybe or just leave that part to the specialist they will refer you to.
So now it’s 6 weeks later and the specialist is calling to confirm the appointment you’re forgotten about. Do you feel better or are you out of sick leave? Congratulations, you’re fine.
Next, is your deductible over 10% of your annual income? (5% if it’s after Nov.15. You’re gonna wind up paying that whole thing for diagnostic tests this year and the actual treatment will hit you after Jan 1 and you’re double fucked.) If it is, congratulations, you’re fine!
If you reach this point, you probably are in need of medical attention and can afford it. Congratulations on getting the help you need.
Bask in the superiority of the best healthcare in the world, you European nancies!
Obviously the tone is meant to be humorous, but this is basically the reality. The only thing I’ve omitted is that you can just go to the hospital and get the treatment you need and then avoid answering unknown numbers for 7 years. I have yet to see anyone sued over medical debt.
I have yet to see anyone sued over medical debt.
If you’re in my area they sue you without telling you and it goes straight to garnish out of your paycheck. I had to spend a better part of a decade committing fraud just to keep enough money to pay for rent and food.
Welcome to America. Where medical advice is asked to a bunch of weebs on the internet over going to the fucking hospital when you feel ill because of money concerns… I hate it here.
> Makes thread asking if you should go to the ER
> Literally everyone says to go to the ER
> Doesn’t go to the ER
ok
'Murica
Here’s some general life advice: if your body (especially your heart) starts doing things it shouldn’t be doing you should probably talk to a doctor. You have insurance, this is what it’s for. Hit up your nearest urgent care.
Edit: I’m gonna go ahead and add this because I’ve now had two people tell me how ignorant I am of the US healthcare system: I am a disabled American in my 50s who has been dealing with serious medical problems my entire life. I understand the ‘system’ far too well. But I’m gonna state what is apparently an unpopular opinion in this community: being dead sucks a lot worse than having medical debt.
Healthcare, in the US, is still pretty expensive even if you have insurance. Chosing between maybe dying or being disabled, and being homeless is pretty common place here in the best country in the world.
I am a disabled American in my 50s, I have dealt with serious medical issues my entire life, including the ones that have made me unable to work for the last ~15 years. I understand the healthcare ‘system’, such as it is, far too well. But you know what sucks worse than being broke? Being dead.
We’re not talking about being dead vs being broke. We’re talking about being MAYBE dead vs being homeless, hungry, and unable to clothe your children.
Yeah this is hospital visit worthy. Please seek medical attention
Are you sure? It could just be food poisoning. I ate a lot of candy earlier before sleep.
I want real world answer, not “always seek medical care answer.”
I can risk a 20 percent chance of death to avoid medical bills.
It sounds like heart attack symptoms. It is worth seeing atleast a clinic
I’m in the US. It’s late at night.
The United States should be dismantled entirely and its leaders should be shot for making people think like you are right now
