tease

Nope. They only have someone on call (if they even do anymore) for pediatrics or obstetrics. The only thing they tell you in the message "in case of a life threatening emergency hang up and dial 911".

I can't say that I blame them. I used to work for medical answering services and you would not believe the calls those poor doctors got in after hours. People with babies who'd had a temp of 104° for 3 days, people whose child fell and their arm was broken but they didn't call the doc for 2 days, people whose child had fallen in the pool and wasn't breathing...you just would not believe the stupidity, the criminal negligence, the absolute audacity of patients who had no consideration, no common sense, who thought doctors were there 24/7/365 for their convenience. I have seen marriages break up, separations, kids' school functions missed and all the other damage wreaked by inconsiderate, thoughtless fools. So that's why you get that message. Blame the patients, not the doctors. Then there are people like you and me that can't afford the ER or urgent care who thought they could hang on till office hours or did not know an office would be closed, we're out of luck because of them. I hope you feel better and have a nice Christmas!

I only waited because they say a cold is 7-14 days to get over but the bottle for ibuprophin (sp?) said do not use more than 3 days in a row. Thankfully other than an occasional cough w/ some junk I've feeling good for the most part today. I'm sure that's part of the problem but still if they could just have a nurse-on-call line where they could give you some suggestions. Though the last time I called one I only got an IDK talk to your Dr answer. They also used to have a direct line to the ER @ Childrens Hospital when my oldest was a toddler, she was soooo sick, and that nurse's advice and call backs got us thru a very long several days. I didn't sleep for over 3 days monitoring her temp and keeping her hydrated. TY I had an ok Christmas. Exhausted kids have been up since the wee hrs as have we.

I so wish we had it for the adults. I've never had them call me in a script or anything the last time I called a line they told me to talk to my Dr. Our insurance is the same way we can get blood work, x-rays, and even a "snip" for the low cost of the $10 co-pay. As you we went to the ER once for my son I thought he might need stitches he had a cut between his eye and brow that I couldn't bandage or stay shut by any other means I could think of. You know they put a special glue on his eye and his body in a stablizer of sorts it was over $900 before insurance. Same for hubby's 10 min visit for pink-eye (he thought he got something in his eye as he works in a factory and feared something could of gotten in and damaged his eye) was about $1000 before insurance. A gal at work gave me a good tip to go to an optician at any optical place and they'll take care of you for a fraction. She scratched her cornea and it was a fee of $46 w/ her insurance rather than hundreds.

I just figure they'd tell me it's a virus and they couldn't do anything. But I was coughing so much prior to getting this virus I was worried I had bronchitus again. I've been taking an expectorant with warm tea and advil as well as drinking alot of fluids. Usually when the Advil kicked in my head didn't feel so messed up and eventually felt decent to atleast make dinner before curling back up on the couch. That's the super awful part about it I may have off from work but hubby doesn't and I can't just crash wen I want to. That would of helped alot to just sleep when the fever spiked.

Oh I've been sick going on day 6 here. I had a fever this morning, possibly coming back again. The bottle of ibuprophrin (sp?) says don't use more than 3 days. I'm only taking it when I have the fever but still.

I'd even be happy with a nurse on-line call just to get any further advice. I am feeling fairly decent... no need for urgent care or ER. If it was something I couldn't tolerate then I'd go but still be hesitant because of the cost.

I"m not sick enough for urgent care. Nor can I afford urgent care. Hubby went for pink eye and his bill was atleast $300 after insurance!!! A Dr visit is $10. I"m not on deaths door so as long as it gives me a break I'll have to survive. I just wanted to simply talk to a nurse for further advice but they don't offer it any more. The hospital doesn't even have a nurse on call. I know some nurses and last time I asked about something I was told "not my specialty" so I don't know if she was fearing loosing her license or what. As I said I'm doing better but being on fever reducer on and off for 6 days I should probably be seen.