Woke up nauseaous, vomited about five times, and the last one included blood so I went to the emergency room. I spoke to a doctor for less than five minutes and received no imaging. There was one routine blood draw and an IV with saline and Zofran.

God damn America. $3042 to walk in the door. I could have literally flown back to England and been seen at an NHS hospital for a 5th of the cost.

  • Assian_Candor [comrade/them]
    ·
    2 years ago

    I had this exact same scenario. $1k after insurance. Got a Dr friend to prescribe me zofran tablets so I have some on hand, never again

    • happybadger [he/him]
      ·
      2 years ago

      The only thing I wanted was a laryngoscopy to identify whether it was a simple esophageal tear- which it was- or something requiring surgery. They never even tried to visualise it with hand instruments and I already have zofran in my medkit. Just a complete waste of time. In the non-profit hospitals I've worked in that would be an immediate radiology transport and detailed examination.

      • Assian_Candor [comrade/them]
        ·
        2 years ago

        The blood is scary yeah

        Honestly one of the worst parts about it is the humiliation of when I have to go in, the first thing that crosses my mind isn’t will I recover, it’s how much is this gonna cost me

        • happybadger [he/him]
          ·
          2 years ago

          That was my immediate thought. Looked in the toilet, saw the blood, reasoned that if I keep vomiting it's probably going to increase the bleeding and it's happening every 30~ minutes without slowing down. "Well an ambulance would cost $1000 and I bet I can drive there before I start vomiting blood all over my car if I just drive fast."