How is your life in the US better than the UK?
Jan 25th 2015, 11:53 pm
#257
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 9,965
Re: How is your life in the US better than the UK?
Yet here in the USA -----
Despite seeing 2 GPs and an orthopedic specialist, multiple xrays, prescriptions for v high levels of ibuprofen, sleeping tabs, steroid tablets and a steroid injection - I kept telling them that my shoulder hurt during the night enough to wake me, keep me awake and make me cry. 4 months in and I go to see a chiropractor and after 2 sessions tells me I need an MRI because he thinks the damage is not going to get better on its own. He's right.. I have the surgery asap but it's still been 5 months of pain.
Despite seeing 2 GPs and an orthopedic specialist, multiple xrays, prescriptions for v high levels of ibuprofen, sleeping tabs, steroid tablets and a steroid injection - I kept telling them that my shoulder hurt during the night enough to wake me, keep me awake and make me cry. 4 months in and I go to see a chiropractor and after 2 sessions tells me I need an MRI because he thinks the damage is not going to get better on its own. He's right.. I have the surgery asap but it's still been 5 months of pain.
Jan 25th 2015, 11:56 pm
#258
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,021
Re: How is your life in the US better than the UK?
It happens anywhere. A lot is down to the skill of an individual doctor to diagnose a problem. I had something similar, took them several months to diagnose a nerve root tumor, but once they had I was having surgery within 2 days. My experience of the NHS is very poor compared to my experience of the US system. I certainly think one of the better things about life in the US is the quality of healthcare. Especially the preventative healthcare.
Jan 26th 2015, 12:00 am
#259
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 9,965
Re: How is your life in the US better than the UK?
Well I can only go on my personal experiences and those of my family. We have had excellent heath care here, far better than we received in the UK. Including a specialist at one of the best hospitals in Oregon (OHSU) calling me at home on a Saturday morning to discuss scheduling surgery.
Jan 26th 2015, 12:06 am
#260
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: How is your life in the US better than the UK?
I do have good insurance, or this is what I'm told by the various places I go to....what I was objecting to was the way the doctor was allowing the insurance company to dictate treatment options.
Next time I fall over and hurt myself I will go directly to ER! I'm sure it will be cheaper for me than multiple visits to various doctors being given medicine that is never going to help...
In France I hurt my knee skiing, went to the GP and she sent me straight away for an MRI, I was having my knee repaired within a week in a hospital of my choosing with a doctor I chose.
Now, I'm training for a half marathon. What can go wrong???
Hey Hotscot, I was going to say that if you're in town for SXSW this year, then it'd be great to meet up with you and Mrs H.
Next time I fall over and hurt myself I will go directly to ER! I'm sure it will be cheaper for me than multiple visits to various doctors being given medicine that is never going to help...
In France I hurt my knee skiing, went to the GP and she sent me straight away for an MRI, I was having my knee repaired within a week in a hospital of my choosing with a doctor I chose.
Now, I'm training for a half marathon. What can go wrong???
Hey Hotscot, I was going to say that if you're in town for SXSW this year, then it'd be great to meet up with you and Mrs H.
Jan 26th 2015, 12:08 am
#261
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,021
Re: How is your life in the US better than the UK?
I do have good insurance, or this is what I'm told by the various places I go to....what I was objecting to was the way the doctor was allowing the insurance company to dictate treatment options.
Next time I fall over and hurt myself I will go directly to ER! I'm sure it will be cheaper for me than multiple visits to various doctors being given medicine that is never going to help...
In France I hurt my knee skiing, went to the GP and she sent me straight away for an MRI, I was having my knee repaired within a week in a hospital of my choosing with a doctor I chose.
Now, I'm training for a half marathon. What can go wrong???
Hey Hotscot, I was going to say that if you're in town for SXSW this year, then it'd be great to meet up with you and Mrs H.
Next time I fall over and hurt myself I will go directly to ER! I'm sure it will be cheaper for me than multiple visits to various doctors being given medicine that is never going to help...
In France I hurt my knee skiing, went to the GP and she sent me straight away for an MRI, I was having my knee repaired within a week in a hospital of my choosing with a doctor I chose.
Now, I'm training for a half marathon. What can go wrong???
Hey Hotscot, I was going to say that if you're in town for SXSW this year, then it'd be great to meet up with you and Mrs H.
Jan 26th 2015, 12:55 am
#263
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 9,965
Re: How is your life in the US better than the UK?
Agreed. But the subject of the thread is "How is your life in the US better than the UK?". Mine is better in part because I have experienced better health care here than in the UK. I commented on my and my families experiences, if others don't have good health insurance and can't pay when necessary that doesn't effect the quality of my life here.
Jan 26th 2015, 12:58 am
#264
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Maine
Posts: 2,043
Re: How is your life in the US better than the UK?
Don't bow out, you are our man on the frontline
I always say there are plus and minus points for Healthcare in both countries. It is great to hear that you got your appointment quickly. I hear the same from my sister about my bil's appointments. But my niece, in a different area has had lots of problems with treatment for what is probably gall bladder. Like Lansbury son, she has been back and forth and there has been no decision on surgery yet and she has been sick for months now.
Is it funding in certain areas?
I always say there are plus and minus points for Healthcare in both countries. It is great to hear that you got your appointment quickly. I hear the same from my sister about my bil's appointments. But my niece, in a different area has had lots of problems with treatment for what is probably gall bladder. Like Lansbury son, she has been back and forth and there has been no decision on surgery yet and she has been sick for months now.
Is it funding in certain areas?
Jan 26th 2015, 1:00 am
#265
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,021
Re: How is your life in the US better than the UK?
Agreed. But the subject of the thread is "How is your life in the US better than the UK?". Mine is better in part because I have experienced better health care here than in the UK. I commented on my and my families experiences, if others don't have good health insurance and can't pay when necessary that doesn't effect the quality of my life here.
Jan 26th 2015, 1:45 am
#266
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,159
Re: How is your life in the US better than the UK?
It'll depend on Mrs H.
Herniated disk and heel bone spur surgery to recover from.
(We appreciate our insurance and Cedars Sinai hospital.)
Jan 26th 2015, 2:44 pm
#267
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Jan 26th 2015, 4:03 pm
#268
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: How is your life in the US better than the UK?
Well I can only go on my personal experiences and those of my family. We have had excellent heath care here, far better than we received in the UK. Including a specialist at one of the best hospitals in Oregon (OHSU) calling me at home on a Saturday morning to discuss scheduling surgery.
I've had great experience here, but also shit experience here, based on location and type of insurance.
Also had great service in the UK as well as having long wait times.
I'm not extrapolating that to cover the whole country's level of care.
The system is what it is and neither system is great when you're on the receiving end isn't being pleasant.
Jan 26th 2015, 4:05 pm
#269
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: How is your life in the US better than the UK?
Why couldn't you? There are loads of private facilities around and BUPA still isn't all that expensive.
Jan 26th 2015, 4:50 pm
#270
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 9,965
Re: How is your life in the US better than the UK?
Which is great, but it's still only anecdotal at best.
I've had great experience here, but also shit experience here, based on location and type of insurance.
Also had great service in the UK as well as having long wait times.
I'm not extrapolating that to cover the whole country's level of care.
The system is what it is and neither system is great when you're on the receiving end isn't being pleasant.
I've had great experience here, but also shit experience here, based on location and type of insurance.
Also had great service in the UK as well as having long wait times.
I'm not extrapolating that to cover the whole country's level of care.
The system is what it is and neither system is great when you're on the receiving end isn't being pleasant.
Agreed. But the subject of the thread is "How is your life in the US better than the UK?". Mine is better in part because I have experienced better health care here than in the UK. I commented on my and my families experiences, if others don't have good health insurance and can't pay when necessary that doesn't effect the quality of my life here.