Posted on 06/26/2005 6:56:52 PM PDT by The Other Harry
I recently had what is called an “alcohol depravation seizure”. I have had a couple of those before. You basically pass out when you are trying not to drink.
What I object to is that I had no voice in the medical care which was given to me. I was awake and oriented x 4 after I came to (not long). I knew who I was, where I was, when it was, and what had happened. I was essentially okay. They could have let me out.
But they still did things to me which I did not want or need. I have to pay for all of them. CAT scan = $500+ dollars. I didn’t need one. The whole thing will likely come to $2000 or more.
What bugs me most is that I had no say in the matter of treatment, and that I am charged more than people who have insurance. I will pay it, but that does not seem right. The care was excellent; I just didn’t need or want it.
They f’ing nearly put me on a helo over to UVa. I wonder what that would have cost me. It’s nice that they have that service, but I didn’t want it.
There is a point at which I will choose to die rather than to fool will this stuff.
Heat is a funny thing. Funny as in odd. It was supposedly 86 here in central Virginia yesterday. That does not sound hot compared to Phoenix, which I think clocked in at something like 109.
It was though. Sweat was pouring off me. I soaked a shirt.
Thanks for making my vanities look like smurfs.
Where were you when this happened? You know, they are all so afraid of getting sued they do a lot of c.y.a. proceedures. They can't take your word that you won't sue them later if they over looked something, and you know they aren't ever going to take the patient's word about the diagnoses.
I don't know much about your medical care or rights but if you're trying to quit drinking I sincerely wish you all the luck in the world.
FYI,
KEYWORDS: ALCOHOLIC; LAYOFFTHEBOOZE; YOUNEED12STEPS; Click to Add Keyword
Or, alternatively, might be a good idea to dry out and do without stimulants, sedatives, etc.
Keep us informed of your progress.
BTW, avoid driving while under the influence.
Prayers for you in your fight against the bottle. You WILL be victorious, precious soul.
Quitting drinking is one of my proudest accomplishments in my life. No more of those tricky decisions about buying food, gas, or alcohol. My money seems to stretch a whole heck of a lot further as well.
Congratulations.
If you keep leaving the hospital Against Medical Advice you will.
If you refuse to seek help with your alcohol problem, you will.
You can't do it alone Harry.
I will pray that you receive the wisdom to seek help.
BTW, I eliminated even social drinking the same day I got a diagnosis for diabetes. Haven't had a beer or a glass of wine since. Hadn't had hard likker in decades before anyway.
You only get two kidneys, and if you're diabetic odds are against you getting a transplant, so you have to protect them against further injury. It is possible to QUIT instantly.
I quit cold turkey. I set myself up for ridicule if I failed. I told all my friends and people close to me that I was done and they all gave me a sarcastic "sure you are". I proved EVERYBODY wrong.
It wasn't easy by any means. Even after several years I think to myself "what would a single 6 pack hurt?" every day.
> If you keep leaving the hospital Against Medical Advice > you will.
That will probably be it.
I am pretty well reconciled to the idea of dying, That will be on my terms -- so I hope, anyhow. Sooner or later, we all die.
Thank you for reading and remembering my previous messages.
And besides, an MRI is pretty standard if somebody pitches a fit. A family member who had epilepsy as an infant, had seizures again in late adolescence. It was pretty clear what the diagnosis was going to be but there was an MRI anyway, because, who knows, we might have been wrong about the cause and anture of the seizures... And so might you. You show up three months later with obvious signs of brain tumors and they haven't done an MRI .. some lawyer's gonna get rich.
Good luck with staying dry. Getting sober is something else altogether, and good luck with it too ...
So, you and the booze have decided you need to die, eh? It ain't that easy FRiend. These seizures are the preliminary symptoms of the commonly termed condition-"Wet Brain." This is a wonderful way to slowly die- after all your cognitive functions are permanently erased. You'll get to drool, pee, crap on yourself and stare blankly, while some nurse's aide spoon feeds you pablum. This condition will go on for years, until a final stroke, heart attack or major organ failure releases your soul. Reconsider this decision, the booze has made for you. If you want some solid directions towards changing your "mind"- then FReepmail me. You have more options available than dying this way. By the by, I ain't no damn do-gooder, by any measure. Just Freepmail me, if nothing else, you may convince me to join ya.
having been on the wrong side of Jack Daniels and 151 to the point of the skin on my face cracking and bleeding from the spilled alcohol, this "do gooder" was able to kick that demon
The key is a willing heart and a decent support network
I wish you all the best
Back at ya... yet, your story is bs to the nth degree. Try lyin' to a normy, buckaroo...
I have a few suggestions for you after having worked in the medical field (billing side) for more than a decade. This is good advice for all without insurance.
You are somewhat correct when you say you pay more than someone with insurance. According to the "Stark Laws", if a facility accepts Medicare, all patients must be "charged" the same amount regardless of insurance company, but that doesn't mean everyone pays the same amount. Insurance companies negotiate for lower payments. So in Hospital X charges $100.00 Insurance company Y may have a negotiated fee of $80.00. For people with no insurance, they don't have the luxury of having someone negotiate for them, but that doesn't mean they can't do it for themselves.
I advise you go to the billing office, and ask them if you can pay the Medicare fees (they are generally the lowest). Many facilities will accept this because they prefer any payment over no payment. If they refuse, ask them about any help they can give you, be it monthly payments, or a percentage off for payment right away. Don't be afraid to ask, just be nice about it. These options are almost always available but they cannot be advertised, because of the way "Stark Laws" are written. If you are truly needy, all facilities also have indigent care, but then you will be expected to fill out financial forms (you may be anyway but not always). Also many physicians do have drug samples available for any prescription you may have.
Another suggestion for you, since you have had these seizures four times in the past, and don't want the diagnostic testing done, is to write out a statement (that you keep with you at all times, and keep a copy at your primary doctors office) stating that you will refuse care. I would suggest doing this in the presence of your primary doctor (when you are sober), or a notary so you will not have to go through this in the future if you don't wish too.
Good luck in the future, I hope some of my advice helps.
sorry to see you still wear it like a badge,.....and are blessed with the gift of discernment as well
what a prize
I'll give you credit though - most people wouldnt have the stones to even say a Pastor is a bs artist and a liar.
Puts you in a class all by yourself
You are the special focus of todays prayers
Congrats
lol...thanks for your assumption, my Friend. The beckoning prayer is the calling of G-d.
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