Pittsburgh Health Care (Pleasant Hills, Pleasant Hill: cost, centers, vacation)

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Rona

I phoned Renaissance Family Practice (they have several branches: RFP Doctors) on Monday. They gave me an appointment on the following morning. It took a long time (because they went through my past medical history pretty thoroughly and did various checks on me) and ran a little late, but the doctor and nurse were both really good.

I have little respect for Renaissance. Try Northern Medical Associates.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

I can't diagnose over the internet, but you need to be seen.

Last time I had those symptoms, I had a B12 deficiency----which is extremely dangerous if left untreated. After my first week of B12 shots, the first symptoms to disappear were the sore throat and the "lump" in throat feeling. It took a month of shots before I didn't feel tired anymore. Granted, my deficiency was fairly intense. I literally fell asleep standing up in my living room while having a conversation with my husband. That's when I went to the doctor's office. I wish I had gone to the doctor's office sooner because I risked permanent nurological damage. Fortunately, my memory came back after a 6 months of treatment.

[Katarina Witt]

I'm glad you got better, Hopes. Those symptoms could be caused by a lot of things. That is the problem with trying to diagnose w/o seeing the pt. An urgent care center would probably be less expensive. Even if one has insurance, the co-pay is usually higher for an ER visit than an urgent care center. (Just a little of my professional knowledge I can give over the internet!)

[oktaren]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Go to the emergency room.

You can't wait for a "new patient" appointment when you're experiencing symptoms like that.

In the meantime, schedule a "new patient" appointment so you can establish yourself at a practice so you don't end up with the same problem next time you get sick.

I have tried, I called 25 different doctors offices this week, they all gave me the same crap. I'm not interested in going anymore.

[oktaren]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Last time I had those symptoms, I had a B12 deficiency----which is extremely dangerous if left untreated. After my first week of B12 shots, the first symptoms to disappear were the sore throat and the "lump" in throat feeling. It took a month of shots before I didn't feel tired anymore. Granted, my deficiency was fairly intense. I literally fell asleep standing up in my living room while having a conversation with my husband. That's when I went to the doctor's office. I wish I had gone to the doctor's office sooner because I risked permanent nurological damage. Fortunately, my memory came back after a 6 months of treatment.

Its not a lump IN the throat, its a lump ON the throat. Im almost positive its a swollen node. It is right above the adams apple, so its not thyroid. I get swollen nodes every once in a while, just never that particular one before. oh well, hopefully its nothing too dangerous.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

I'm glad you got better, Hopes. Those symptoms could be caused by a lot of things. That is the problem with trying to diagnose w/o seeing the pt.

I know. Since I'm not a healthcare professional, I'm free to share my experiences in an effort to show how serious those symptoms could be. Of course, it could be something worse like throat cancer, or it could be something milder like strep. He won't know unless he seeks treatment. I'm trying to INSPIRE him by sharing my story.

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

An urgent care center would probably be less expensive. Even if one has insurance, the co-pay is usually higher for an ER visit than an urgent care center. (Just a little of my professional knowledge I can give over the internet!)

I'm not sure if there are any in the area. Most of the urgent care centers that were opened during the 80s have since closed.

Wait! A google search shows there are four urgent care centers in the greater Pittsburgh area:

urgent care center loc: Pittsburgh, PA - Google Maps

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by oktaren

Its not a lump IN the throat, its a lump ON the throat. Im almost positive its a swollen node. It is right above the adams apple, so its not thyroid. I get swollen nodes every once in a while, just never that particular one before. oh well, hopefully its nothing too dangerous.

Are you aware of how dangerous it is to leave an bacteria infection untreated?

You could get sepsis. The infection could spread to your brain too.

[fleetiebelle]

Wait! A google search shows there are four urgent care centers in the greater Pittsburgh area:

I thought there was one near South Hills Village, but it doesn't seem to be on the list.

[oktaren]

Originally Posted by Hopes

I know. Since I'm not a healthcare professional, I'm free to share my experiences in an effort to show how serious those symptoms could be. Of course, it could be something worse like throat cancer, or it could be something milder like strep. He won't know unless he seeks treatment. I'm trying to INSPIRE him by sharing my story.


I'm not sure if there are any in the area. Most of the urgent care centers that were opened during the 80s have since closed.

Wait! A google search shows there are four urgent care centers in the greater Pittsburgh area:

urgent care center loc: Pittsburgh, PA - Google Maps

I did seek treatment, no one wanted a new patient.

[oktaren]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Are you aware of how dangerous it is to leave an bacteria infection untreated?

You could get sepsis. The infection could spread to your brain too.

I know how serious it could be. I have been trying to find a doctor since early august and I have called 25 offices this week. I'm not interested in going to an emergency room. If I die, I guess thats my luck. Not much else I can do.