Got to see the doctor at 3:40 p.m. A few minutes into my appointment I was glad I had chosen to stay as he truly listened and had a great bedside manner. He told me he would have to order a complete lab analysis (blood work). Since it was already late in the day they would not have the results to him until the following day, so set up an appointment for Thursday.
The lab place was next to the clinic so I did not have to go far...which was good because my legs were hurting like hell...so much so that I had to take a cane with me for support. I am a coward when it comes to needles but I must admit that I barely felt the prick. Was told my results could be viewed online as soon as they became available and they gave me a control number and code in order to access them.
How much do you think it cost me for a full blood work and urinalysis? I paid $605.00 Mexican pesos.
605.00 Mexican pesos divided by an exchange rate of 12.50 = USD $48.40
I was so surprised at the amount as I used to pay $185.00 American Dollars when I had lab work done at my Del Rio doctor's office...that was only to check my cholesterol level and liver function while I was taking Crestor (drug used to lower cholesterol).
Went back Thursday and was given my results...already knew my cholesterol would be through the roof... and it was. My blood sugar did not look good either but for now would not require medication.
The lab results indicated I had a severe infection...would you believe from the cold or flu that I had back in December and January that I never went to the doctor for. Regarding the pain in my legs...it should be gone in 10 days...sure hope he is right. I have only taken the medication for one day and already I feel better. He charged me $300.00 Mexican pesos for the office visit, that translates to $24.00 American Dollars.
Even though I buy my medication for high blood pressure at a grocery store, I decided to go to one of the better pharmacies in Ciudad Acuna...Farmacias Guadalajara...as they tend to move a lot more merchandise as far as patented medicine is concerned. I did not like them and as exclusive as they are was surprised they gave me a receipt I could not even read because the ink was almost invisible. Complained to the clerk but she just shrug her shoulders. You can bet your bottom dollar, I will never be back!
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| My drug stash |
They did not carry one of the medications I required so I went to another popular pharmacy Benavides. Not only could I read their receipt, they offer a discount card to people 45 and over and special prices at different times of the month. I will definitively come back here if I require more medication.
Good night. May you all have Terlingua Dreams.
Glad the doctor was able to diagnose / help you. Watch that blood sugar" diabetes isn't fun.
ReplyDeleteFeel better.
Dani, out of all the results, my blood sugar level was the one I dreaded the most. I definitively do not want to have diabetes :-(
DeleteGlad you are on the road to recovery. Hope it's a short speedy path.
ReplyDeleteBigfoot and Littlefoot
Thank you Foot family :)
DeleteI'm glad you have taken care of it & it's good to see you hobbling down the road to recovery! Soon you'll be able to leave your cane behind :)
ReplyDeleteLol Rob, hobbling is right!
DeleteThank you for your good wishes.
I am so glad you got some decent care. You are fortunate to be so close to affordable health care and speak Spanish well enough to discuss medicines and such. My sweet wife just got out of the hospital and I have to look up half of what everyone says on Google to find out what is going on. Hope you get to feeling better real soon!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear Mrs. Rat is out of the hospital and doing better.
DeleteI too have to Google a lot of stuff as it seems the medical field uses a secret code no matter what country they are from or what language they speak.
My regards to you both.
I lowered my cholesterol from about 250 to where it is now at 130; it decreased gradually over several years and just from taking fish oil capsules. I use the ones from Costco - wild alaskan salmon oil - high in Omega-whatever it is! The vascular surgeon and cardiologist still wanted me to take Lipitor, so you can bet I won't be going to either of them again. Lipitor makes my bones and muscles hurt! I hope you can get it all worked out and feel good again.
ReplyDeleteWow Gypsy you successfully lowered your cholesterol better than any medication! My friends mother has a lot of complications due to Lipitor.
DeleteSlowly but surely I am coming along. Need to catch up on my blog reading as I am looking forward to reading about your REI backpacking class.
Maybe I ought to put an order in with you for my prescriptions (grin).
ReplyDeleteI know you say that in jest but with the money you save in the price of medications you could almost fill up your big RV about a third of the way :D
DeleteYour post says so much about how screwed up our own medical system in the states has gotten. I guess a real affordable care act would be for all of us to move to border towns!
ReplyDeleteI've had Type 2 Diabetes for years which is mostly controlled through the gift of Metformin. Almost a year ago I cut sugar out of my diet (as much as you can, anyway), and the impact on my blood results was stunning. As of my most recent bloodwork, I'm technically below the cut-off for diabetes, though without the Metformin, I'm sure that would be different. Point is though, if you are even worried about it, cut out the sugar. It is a lot easier than you think, though my wife won't even consider it! I blogged about it here.
Hi Dave, just finished reading another blog where the writer pretty much says the same thing but his post deals with dental work http://mobilecodgers.blogspot.com/
DeleteI had read your post when you first published it and was impressed with your weight loss. I am going to do everything possible to cut down on sugar and follow a healthier diet because the idea of having diabetes is terrifying.
Being Mexican-American I am at a higher risk rate than the Anglo-Saxon population.
BTW you have got to show me how to make a clicky like you did above. Thanks for stopping by.