chronic knee pain, no insurance, low income what to do?
Im 21, m. in tx. Ive had chronic knee pain for over a year now. The pain that is pretty Intense when im on it alot, my job is very physical, and makes my knee pain worse. It hurts alot when my knee is at the angle when I drive. I went to a hospital and the doctor told me I had a knee Effusion, to stay off it and gave me anti-inflamatory pills. I moved out on my own and to make things work I have to have 2 jobs, working 65 hours a week. I took the pills, but the pain never went away. It still hurts allday everyday, I have a bulge on the outside of the knee. I have no insurance. My question is what are my options, I want to see a orthopedic doctor, and get a MRI but I have very little extra money. I make around 20,000 a year, but I owe alot in school loans, and recently a expensive fine. So what should I do. what are my options sometimes the pressure in my knee is unbearable. I need to do something.
I just looked up insurance quotes. Who can afford 169 a month with a 2,500 deductible. I never get sick, I havent been to a doctor for anything other than my knee in about 7 years. Infact I dont even have a regular physician
Public Comments
1. the truth is you cant affored medical help without insurance. I went to the pharmacy yesterday to get 7pills for a bacteria infection, and it was $197 without insurance! I paid $9 because I have insurance. See if u can get insurance through your job....they usually just take a few $ from each check but its better for the long run2. Welcome to the crack!
What I mean by that is, you work but don't make enough to afford the health insurance that so many people seem to think you can afford, so you fall between the cracks. I did that till recently, though the health insurance I have now doesn't pay squat either, but it's better than nothing.
Go to your local hospital and see if there is some way for them to help you. They usually know of some programs that might pay for some or all of your medical needs. Ask them if they have an HCAP program there. We have that here and if you get things done in the hospital it's covered depending on how much you make.
Good luck! And remember all of this when people talk about the health care system being just fine here and doesn't need fixing at all.
3. What I see happen to knees a lot is that they get bumped or fallen on and like other muscles, the ones for your knee end up tightening up the tendons when there is this pain around them. For your knee it is actually the ones for your kneecap that have tightened up which pulls the kneecap up on and into the leg which makes it hard and painful to bend your leg and many complain that it is hard to straighten it as well. Once that has happened to the tendon the best thing you can do is release it for the needed relief and here is how to do that:
Kneecaps:
Do while sitting on a chair with no front cross braces.
While sitting have your leg resting in a stretched mode. Place both your thumbs, side by side, about 2 inches behind the kneecap and press down into your leg and then redirect the pressure a little towards the kneecap. After 30 seconds, slowly slide your foot back and under your chair as far as it will go, release the pressure but hold your foot there for another 30 seconds.
the important thing for this to work is the pressure on the leg, if there isn't enough this won't work. If you have that problem try it once more right away.
4. Medical Discount Plan
ideal for those who cannot afford or qualify for traditional health insurance. The companies offer discounted health services for a quite low monthly fee. Benefits include a range of discounts for doctors, hospitals, dental, vision, prescriptions, vitamins, as well as other health services.
I am not gonna say that I am totally sure about the answer.it is really depending on the personal mind.thus it would better for you to try to find the best answer yourself.Here www.HealthInsuranceIdeas.info is a good resource for reference though.
5. You can easily check your minimal health care rates in internet, for example here - health-quotes.isgreat.org
