What do you do when you are really sick.

[Boomer 33202]

This a very large topic. Like you my father was a physician, so during adolescence my care was close at hand, but there are many people that don't have the luxury of a family doctor. Interestingly there was an article in the Globe and Mail this morning with some strategies for finding one.

 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/ask-a-health-expert/the-patient-navigator/whats-the-best-way-to-find-a-family-doctor/article2037854/

 

When my son was a teen, I sent him to have his own appointment the the doctor and I really think it was great for him to be able to confide with the doctor about any issues he had, and without having to talk to his parents. A lot of teens won't talk to their parents, so I think it a great decision, better the doctor than discussing it among them selves

 

As for getting immediate care, one of the difficulties with the present system, is getting the initial diagnosis, especially if it's a chronic disease. Once you have a serious diagnosis the system responds very quickly. At home and sick, you've pretty well have to give the doctors office or tele health a call for advice. The doctors generally limit there home calls to the geriatrics, and whats more I would surmise that their role isn't to provide critical care. They wind up being the gate keepers for the specialists. One of the problems for them is that they aren't encouraged to do visits because they aren't properly compensated to do it. You are quite right about the waiting room though, and generally even if you do see a doctor at his office for an immediate serious illness nine time out of ten you'll be advised to go to emergency, and hospitals are a great place to get sick.

 

I think you have to tough it out in most instances, but you used the term overcome sickness or die. If you're that serious that you can't get out of bed and you think you're going to die, don't be shy, call 911. A couple of years ago, I was having chest pains but I didn't think I was at deaths door, so after a number of visits to the doc and several tests, he advised me to do exactly that. It meant immediate service and for the cost of an ambulance ride it moved the yard sticks considerably towards a diagnosis. Turned out to be a gastro intestinal problem.

[Capital Hunter 18263]

Thanks for your responses both Boomer and qwertyaccount and the positive feedbacks. My condition was serious (high fever, having real difficulty breathing because of lung blockage and it could have been deadly if I was in my 80's or older) but at this age was not life threatening. However, with proper medications (like anti-biotics for lung infection as in most cases lung infections are bacteria caused rather than virus) it would have been treated much faster and would have been less severe.

 

But what I was asked like going to my doctor's office to wait in the waiting room for hours to see my doctor (and likely also infect the poor people sitting there as I was highly infectious with coughing) and then see a doctor and get presciptions and then take prescription to a pharmacy (and wait another half hour) in the condition that I was at the time (close to 40C fever and heavy coughing) was totally unacceptable. I would have been willing to pay anything for the doctor to come and visit me at home (and that was the reason for this thread for me to know if there is a homecare system in place somewhere where we can call and ask for a nurse or doctor to visit us, at the time of need that I may not be aware of???). I remember my father was visiting his patients at their homes, even in the middle of the night. If that is a 2-tier system then I am fully for it. I have noproblem spending on my health.What could be more important than that?.

[Miss Scarlett 25073]

Before Christmas I spent 13hrs in Emerg. with a child with a fever over 40 degrees. They came out in the waiting room every hour to see if there was a change and there was not. I got soooo mad that they let drunks and stuff in ahead of her that I stormed out and took her home. Figured if she was going to die, at least let it happen in the comfort of her own home.

 

Now needless to say she did not die, I did everything in my power at home to get her better took just under 24 hours to bring down her fever. When I got a hold of her specialist on the Monday, he was not impressed with our local hospital, and I got a formal apology letter from the hospital administrator. They have a pediatrician who is supposed to be on call 24/7 for exactly this situation and who ever the nurse was that was in charge that day refused to page them. The hospital Administrator reassured me that, that nurse no longer was employed by them, and they were going to look at their structure system.

 

SA if you need advice about fevers I have lots of experience with nursing now, and would be more then happy to help you with it.

 

Just noticed your reply. There is VON, but most of them are PSW's who come into the home and help with elderly care. They do not have the authority to do prescriptions. The only option for that is to call for an ambulance.

[Guest s******ecan****]

I can only speak for NB.

 

Here we have 2 very useful resources for situations like the one you found yourself in SA.

 

The first is a 24/7 phone service that connects you with a RN employed by the province. The nurse will assess your situation and give you advice...in your case I am certain she would have recommended a visit to emergency (probably by ambulance).

 

The other are after hour clinics (there are numerous ones) where you can see a Dr. outside of normal business hours or during the day if your own Dr. is booked.

 

A fever that high in an adult is a definite medical emergency, especially if you live alone.

 

Glad you are OK SA.

[Capital Hunter 18263]

SA if you need advice about fevers I have lots of experience with nursing now, and would be more then happy to help you with it.

 

Thank you very much Shortcake. I am glad your child is okay.

 

I usually come down with mild fevers (37.5) as a result of a flu (once or twice a year) but this time round it was really bad (lung infection). I remember my father used to wet a towel with cold water and place it on my forehead and that was effective in bringing down my fever. Would you agree? Do you have another suggestion to make as how to bring down high fever (at 39.8C I started feeling dizzy too as the ceiling in my bedroom started turning around my head lol).

[Capital Hunter 18263]

Thanks qwertyaccounts for the link. I will follow up on similar private cares that may exist in Ottawa as well.

 

Not inffecting others of course was one of the reasons for me not wanting to go but equally important was the fact that I was so very sick with very high fever close to 40C (but likely not life threatening at my age) that I couldn't even come out of my bedroom without fiercely shivering (and all the heaters were on in my appartment in that summer day).

 

Oh,btw, in my childhood I was living in a country with a 2-tier health care system and I really don't see why it is unfair. it is not that expensive. I think that really everyone can afford a visit or two per year by a doctor. It would be less than what most of us spend on booze annually I am sure. Also this way we will really give a big boost to our ailing health care system. What I am suggesting is private nurses or physicians visiting patients at home not private hospitals or even clinics.

 

May be we need a new thread on opinions on a 2-tier health care system in this country lol .....

[qwertyaccount 15793]

...I think that really everyone can afford a visit or two per year by a doctor. It would be less than what most of us spend on booze annually I am sure.

 

We can't have people using their booze money for medial care.

 

After all, the province makes a lot of money from the taxes on booze.

 

:)

 

If a two tier system ever comes back, I'll be one of the first to subscribe.

[CalgaryGuy 100]

Alberta based advice. Go to a family doctor. They can be faster and more personal then an emergency room. If you or your child need the hospital, ask the doctor to phone ahead so the hospital is expecting you. With the phone ahead the hospital might consider it more important and place you farther in the priority sequence.

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[cuteFrenchy 403]

If you are a resident of Ontario and that you have health questions, then you should use the tele-health service:

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/telehealth/

 

It is a a telephone service that is open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. I have never used the service, however I do know people that have used it and were satisfied with the service. It is a very efficient way to gain access to health information.

[Miss Scarlett 25073]

I have used this service before and all they do at the end of the call is tell you to go to Emerg. Even if you are just calling for advice. I was not pleased anytime I have called them, they are not informative. Just giving my 2 cents on this!

 

 

If you are a resident of Ontario and that you have health questions, then you should use the tele-health service:

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/telehealth/

 

It is a a telephone service that is open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. I have never used the service, however I do know people that have used it and were satisfied with the service. It is a very efficient way to gain access to health information.

[chavez 641]

When I really think that I am sick, I sit down here and write a few lines. I get a few responses and then I find that I am not really sick at all, just a little abberrant. It also works as a cure.

 

Serriously does anyone ever go down to their local pharmacy, spill their guts to a pharmacist and ask for advise, at least until you and see Dr. ?