I can’t find my glasses

Right off let me be clear, I am a senior.  That is somewhere between middle age and elderly.  My health insurance is Medicare with a United Health Care supplement.  As I have aged I have experienced more aches and pains resulting from the active utilization of my body parts.  Did I mention that I have Medicare?  I am aggravated with the fabulous wonderful great health care system.

Last year both of my knees ached most of the time.  I would wake up in the night trying to find a comfortable way of laying that did not include aching knees.  Not one to go to the doctor unnecessarily, I put it off.  Finally I went to my primary care person with my aching knees.  He gave me a shot in the ass, I think it was cortisone.  Then a script for anti-inflammatory pills.  It was a $30 co-pay for the doctor visit and 30 copay for the script.

I went in again a couple of months later for my six month blood check, another $30 copay.  I have a hyperactive thyroid and have to be tested.  The physician generally runs a full panel of blood work at the same time.  My blood work came back showing elevated liver enzymes of some sort.  The Doc sent me to see a gastroenterologist.  I actually liked Dr. Dehr – a man of Indian persuasion but well spoken in my native tongue.  He ordered a couple of thousand dollars of more lab work on my blood.  The doctor visit was a $50 copay.

The blood work came back and I went again to see Dr. Dehr, another $50 copay.  The medication I was taking was likely the culprit in the elevated liver enzymes.  I had about $250 out of pocket to learn that I should not take the meds that the Doc prescribed.

I was already aggravated when Dr. Dehr recommended a colonoscopy and upper GI scope.  “Why,” I asked, “how is this related to the liver enzymes?”  “It is not related,” he said, “but you mentioned that you have some acid refux in your medical history.”

“Well,” I said, “I have lost faith in the medical system.  I have invested around $250 in learning nothing.  You and my doctor have been enriched by my insurance and my co-pays.  You want me to do the examinations in the outpatient facility that you own.”  I left the office with no schedule of examinations for anything.

I am now down the road about four or five months.  Being a senior has quirky psychological dilemmas.  Most of all is hypochondria.    Ever since Dr. Dehr asked for two exams I have been having psychological problems.  Am I constipated?  Are my stools too loose?  If I burp I ask myself if I have moved some stomach acid into my esophagus.  My senses are on hyper-alert status.  Being old and being sick at the same time is not pleasant.

Tomorrow I am going to call United Health Care and ask about the out-of-pocket cost for a colonoscopy and for an upper GI scope.  I will have to see my primary again (another $30) and Dr. Dehr again (another $50).  I will have two pieces of humble pie.

What a pain in the a…..