Is "Duck Itch" here yet?

Sunbeam lodge · 11-29-2012, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrc

Well I'm not going to argue about the risks involved with prednisone, I'm not a physician. My real point was that duck itch is not an emergency condition.

A good doctors office would more than likely squeeze you in. If they could not, they can prescibed medicine over the phone to hold you over and scheduled a follow-up in the next few days. I can't remember getting prednisone over the phone, but I have been prescribed over the phone several times. Most towns have one drugstore open late night just to handle late night presciptions.

IMHO emergency rooms are for emergencies.

There has to be a better way. I was in extreme knee pain. The doctor wanted to make an appointment in 2 weeks. I asked if they could just squeeze me in somewhere or call if someone cancelled. They said if you are in pain go to the Emergency room. On Holidays or night's the Dr office will send you to the emergency room and $1500 bills. I suffered through after the emergency room diagnosed my problem as damaged tendons due to a bone spur. The problem re-occured when I arrived in Florida and could not get an appointment for 2 weeks even though I was in pain and could not bend my knee or go down stairs. They recommended I go to the emergency room but I waited out the pain with Ibuprofen that had been recommended by the emergency room in NH. I try to avoid the emergency room and the physician assistant interviews and administrative bureaucracy no matter who pays for it. But there are no other options. I tried urgent care but that was a waste of time.

BroadHopper · 11-29-2012, 05:24 PM

My daughter lives in the Manchester NH area. On her refrigerator is a magnet for the 'Ask-A-Nurse' program by a local hospital. One can call the 800 number and inquire about a medical problem to someone on the hospital staff. I can't recall the hospital, but I was told this free service have saved hundreds of thousands dollars of unnecessary medical expenses. I think this is an excellent idea! There should be a similar program in this area. Second thought, it is an 800 number, I bet anyone can call the hospital regardless of where they live.

SIKSUKR · 12-07-2012, 08:35 AM

Ask a nurse in NH is provided by Catholic Medical Center (CMC) in Manchester. 626-2626

mcdude · 12-07-2012, 08:57 AM

Many insurance companies also have a 24 hour nurse care line.
For BC/BS call 1-888-247-BLUE (2583) in MA
Anthem BC/BS in NH (888) 220-3891

11-29-2012, 05:24 PM	#2
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,589 Thanks: 3,230 Thanked 1,107 Times in 797 Posts	Ask a Nurse program My daughter lives in the Manchester NH area. On her refrigerator is a magnet for the 'Ask-A-Nurse' program by a local hospital. One can call the 800 number and inquire about a medical problem to someone on the hospital staff. I can't recall the hospital, but I was told this free service have saved hundreds of thousands dollars of unnecessary medical expenses. I think this is an excellent idea! There should be a similar program in this area. Second thought, it is an 800 number, I bet anyone can call the hospital regardless of where they live. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

12-07-2012, 08:35 AM	#3
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	Ask a nurse in NH is provided by Catholic Medical Center (CMC) in Manchester. 626-2626 __________________ SIKSUKR

12-07-2012, 08:57 AM	#4
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,367 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,057 Times in 495 Posts	Many insurance companies also have a 24 hour nurse care line. For BC/BS call 1-888-247-BLUE (2583) in MA Anthem BC/BS in NH (888) 220-3891