Health Care vs Head Crud, Round 2

So, I finished up the antibiotics this morning, but all was not well.

My throat and tonsils were no longer sore, so that much was accomplished, but I still had chills and occasional night sweats. I also had sinus and ear pressure and intermittent headaches, and I just plain didn't feel right. Overall, I still felt better than I did 10 days ago, but the bug wasn't gone yet. I want it to be gone.

On the theory that, if I needed more antibiotics, I shouldn't wait too long, I called my primary care provider to see if I could arrange an appointment. However, since I hadn't had a chance to visit yet for an initial visit, I was told I couldn't see her - or anyone in the clinic. When was the earliest new-patient-visit appointment available? Some time in May.

I was transferred to a nurse practitioner, who informed me that I might be able to get in on Friday. This is Tuesday. I need to be able to sleep between now and then, which isn't easy when I wake up with headaches and night sweats as often as not.

Thus thwarted, I headed back down to the walk-in clinic - the one that said it accepted my Medicaid. This time, I was informed that they may not accept it, and I might be billed for anything that happened.

What changed in ten days?

In any event, I was kind of stuck. I didn't want to drive miles out of my way, and I'd already been seen here for this problem. Hoping that my tax refund would cover it, I stayed.

On the plus side, it doesn't seem to be an infection, at least not a sinus infection, anymore. On the minus side... he really didn't quite know what it could be, though he suggested a possible allergy issue or tension headaches from stress or eyestrain. (Which is possible, I suppose, but doesn't quite explain the chills and sweats.)

I left with two new medicines to try and a referral to an ENT if this doesn't work.

Fingers crossed, second time's the charm here. If not, I'll have to call ahead to make sure my health care plan is accepted.