[Pretorian]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('roccman', '[')img]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21N1V0BZ3TL._PIsitb-dp-arrow,TopRight,21,-23_SH30_OU01_AA115_.jpg[/img]

[Heineken]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Shannymara', 'A')bout the only time I had health insurance in my adult life was in college and briefly afterward. My husband has a home business and does well, but not well enough to spend a thousand dollars a month betting against ourselves to pay into the disgusting "health" industry. We pretty much only use doctors when we need a prescription, and pay as we go. After 2 days in labor at home my midwife and family insisted I go to the hospital, where I had a c-section to the tune of $20,000. I remember when I was a kid they would do cultures to figure out what was wrong when we got sick, and prescribe accordingly. Now they just throw antibiotics at us for everything, virus or not. I've had so many bad diagnoses and frustrations with docs who won't listen to me that I despise the whole system. I know there are exceptions out there but they are hard to find, and I can't afford to shop around.

So we have a stock of various antibiotics, parasite meds, a few other meds that might be needed (nothing scheduled), plenty of OTC meds, vitamins, herbs and oils we can't grow ourselves around here, lots of first aid supplies, a minor surgery kit, anesthetic, syringes, dental tools and filling material, a very good microscope, plenty of slides, latex gloves, etc. I probably left a few important things off since this is off the top of my head. Our library includes:

Where There is No Doctor
Where There is No Dentist
several midwifery books (for neighbors' births, not me)
Ditch Medicine
several of those big family health books
a women's health book
a PHTLS book SPG recommended
several herbal medicine books
a couple of other relevant technical books I don't recall that my husband got

My husband has a strong interest in medicine, and being an Aspie has amassed a great deal of information and knowledge. I trust him more than any of the doctors I've found here so far, and I trust him to know when something is beyond his ability. Right now we are healthy (thank the universe), and we do what we can to maintain that condition. You pays your money and takes your chances.

Regarding the insurance deal in the US, Heineken - until quite recently nobody had insurance. We did without it for thousands of generations. Obviously the situation makes me angry, too, but I'm working on changing that to an attitude of acceptance as part of the paradigm shift I'm working toward. Our current system robs so many people of their dignity, and dehumanizes the most important rites of passage in our lives. I insisted on walking with the guys who came for my dad's body at the hospital when they removed him, and we walked through the laundry area and past the dumpsters to the loading dock where they were constructing a new parking area next door. I put half his ashes in the ground with my own hands at the veteran's cemetery (in a cardboard box so they could return to the earth, not be imprisoned in plastic for god knows how long). The other half are here on my piano until we (my siblings and I) have a chance to scatter them in an appropriate place. Quality, not quantity...

[cynthia]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Heineken', 'L')oki, thanks very much for the suggestions. I'll give the Auerbach book a try and maybe that wilderness guide. I'm not much of a fan of herbalism.

It would be nice to get some formal training, but I'm feeling overwhelmed these days. I've sometimes thought of volunteering for my county rescue squad, which provides some training and would probably be good experience. I received a total of 24 weeks of medic training in the Army, but that was too long ago to be of much use now.

I'm really good at pulling splinters.

[Heineken]

Cynthia, you are just about the kindest, sweetest person on PO.com. If there were more people like you around, I'd NEVER need a vacation!

[skyemoor]

Lots of aforementioned books free for download at http://www.hesperian.org/publications_download.php

Such as;

Where there is no doctor

Where there is no dentist

etc.

[hermit]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('skyemoor', 'L')ots of aforementioned books free for download at http://www.hesperian.org/publications_download.php

Such as;

Where there is no doctor

Where there is no dentist

etc.

[Tucker]

hermit, glad you are feeling better. I've had a "hot" tooth where they had to open it up and drop in an antibiotic pellet. It wasn't until a week later that they were able to work on the tooth. There's nothing worse than tooth pain (although right now I'm not so sure - I think I broke my toe last night when I dropped a LARGE container of peanut butter on it).

Anyhooo, Heinekin, I realize this thread is really old but I wanted to let you know that I got on the list from my local library to get their "old" copy of the Physician's Desk Reference. They get an updated copy yearly and I get the one year old copy. I then pass on the 2 year old copy to another preparedness friend. I also get the copy of the non-prescription side manual.

If nothing else, these books will be great for a real medical professional (or vet!) to help with the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. And no cost!

[Byron100]

It's good to see this thread revived again, as I missed it the first time around.

I'm a huge proponent of do-it-yourself health care, which is why I wish prescription drugs (the safer ones, anyhow) would be available over the counter, such as my drug of choice, Abuterol, for my occasional asthma. The doctor insists I take Advair daily, which is very expensive, and I still require the action of Abuterol, so what's the point? Since I'm about to go off health coverage, I'm making do with the horrid "bronchial mist"...I hate using it, but it gets the job done. At least it doesn't make my heart race like it does some people, so that's a good thing, I guess. It just sucks I can't just go to the store and pick up some Abuterol, as it's actually cheaper than the mist I get over the counter, and far better for regular use.

I just wish they'd make it easier for folks to perform self-treatment, and make it so you didn't have to run to the doctor for the slightest ailment. Also, more effort needs to be put into *healing* and *curing*, as opposed to "treatment" that today's medical professionals are so fond of. All "treatment" does is to create a dependency on meds and going back to the doctor ad nauseum - exactly the kind of thing I want to get away from...LOL. Know the phrase, "doctor knows best"? B.S to that, as *I* know what's best, it's my body, after all, and I'm the one that's been living in it for the past 42 years. Exactly what does a 15-minute visitation session with a doctor accomplish? Not a whole lot, in my opinion.

All this being said, however, I'm awfully glad that Obama considers universal health care to be a top priority - in fact, that was how he won my vote when he declared that health care was a right, as opposed to a mere privilege like some would have it. I just hope they do stuff like requiring all medical students to serve 5 or 10 years in general practice before being allowed to take up a "boutique" specialty, as we desperately need more GP's as opposed to plastic surgeons.

Anyhow, kudos to all of you out there that have gone "doctor-free" - the better we're able to take care of ourselves, the better off we're going to be, universal health care or no.

[supersonic]

I'm also into home remedies.

[frankthetank]

Its funny.... I always read these different articles on how certain vitamins (C,E, etc) don't help you, yet vitamin D is never mentioned. I started taking it daily last week and while continue to do so until April or so when i get back outside. Read the wiki on vitamin D.... looks like something you do not want to be deficient in.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_D

[Heineken]

Vitamin D is the "vitamin du jour," Frank, but I agree the evidence is tantalizing and I've been taking it myself.

[smallpoxgirl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Heineken', 'D')ental abscesses are potentially very dangerous and should be regarded as much more than merely dental affairs. The infection can spread to your heart or your brain.

[Heineken]

Take a look at that AHFS Drug Information resource, SPG. Book form or disk. I used it for years in my job as a pharmacy journal editor, and was indirectly involved in its publication. You won't find any other drug guide more satisfyingly thorough.

Those people at Medical Economics have quite a racket going with the PDR, don't they? They just collect product labels, bind them in a book, and then overcharge for it. Plus, they've promoted this turgid, inadequate, noninterpretive source so brilliantly that it's almost a household name.

[Heineken]

I think the whole idea behind vitamin D supplementation is that our exposure to sunlight is often inadequate, esp. in winter.

I'd avoid tanning beds, Frank. Skin cancer risk.

[smallpoxgirl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('frankthetank', 'S')PG- Do you eat organic foods?

[Ayoob]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', 'T')he point is this. Asthma is an inflamatory process. Untreated it eventually leads to scarring of the airways such that albuterol stops working. If you are needing albuterol more that twice a week, then the inflamation isn't adequately controlled and is scarring your airways. Advair has a steroid component that calms the inflamation. I usually describe it to patients that albuterol is like a fire extinguisher. If you have a fire, by all means you want a fire extinguisher. If your house is catching fire more than twice a week, you don't just need a fire extinguisher. You need a fire prevention program too.