WWYD, go to ER for sinus infection?

[2angelsinheaven]

I work overnights and I've been sick since Friday night with what I think is a bad sinus infection. I'm off T-Sat nights but have to go in tonight. I've gotten NO sleep since Thursday and I'm feeling terrible. However at my work in order to call out you have to have coverage OR be in the ER or have DR note... the earliest I could see my Dr would be tomorrow maybe...

I'm in so much pain (sinuses are so swollen I can see it on my face) and my teeth hurt too due to the pressure. Would it be so terrible for me to go to the ER when this isn't an emergency so that I could stay home and get some rest. I can't find anyone to cover my shift. I'm constantly sneezing, achy, hot/cold sweats, runny nose, etc.

I feel bad taking up a room/time but I'm soooo not looking forward to working feeling like this. WWYD?

 

[minkydog]

Is there an urgent care near you? I'd go there. I know you feel awful, but trust me, you'll be sitting in the ED for a loooong time if you go there with a non-emergent illness. The EDs here are full of flu, vomiting, wheezing, earaches, bladder infections and all the usual MVAs, knifings, head injuries and heart attacks. Most of them have 4-5hr waits for anything other than life-threatening illnesses/injuries. You're the only one who knows if you're up to that.

 

[AllyandJack]

I would be more concerned with whether my insurance company would pay for it. Chances are, they won't deem it an emergency and you could be stuck with a huge bill depending on what they do to you.

Could you take the night off and see your doctor in the morning and get a note covering you for the time off?

 

[2angelsinheaven]

I just looked online we have something called a Fast Track at the ER about 20 minutes from here, I'm wondering if this is something they would cover. It said for urgent care and not major medical issues... I guess I should call them and BC/BS. Would rather see my Dr but my work is terrible when it comes to being sick and calling out. =o(

 

[bigbabyblues]

I would be more concerned with whether my insurance company would pay for it. Chances are, they won't deem it an emergency and you could be stuck with a huge bill depending on what they do to you. /QUOTE]

This was my concern too. I bill insurances for a hospital, and I'd say there's a good chance yours won't cover it for an ER visit.

Hope you feel better soon, whatever you decide to do.

 

[AllyandJack]

I have BCBS and my plan says that if I have an urgent situation (not an actual emergency such as a heart attack or stroke), I should call my doctor and they will arrange for me to be seen somewhere.

I've been in the ER twice over the last week and both times I called my doctor (I have a PPO and my emergency was related to my pregnancy, so I called my reproductive endocrinologist who called the ER for me).

I guess the theory is that the doctor will decide to send you to the ER, so it must be necessary. I'm not sure if it's the same for all plans, but that's what my book says.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Thanks for the well wishes and concern, I finally got someone to cover my shift so I'll be able to see my Dr in the morning (which can't come soon enough).

 

[snowwhitesmom]

Oh hun - I hope you feel better soon - I get sinus infections frequently and I know how miserable they can be. Feel better soon!

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Saw my doctor and I've got a nasty infection in my sinuses and lungs, eww! He has me off of work all week and on a few meds, hoping this goes away by Sunday when I go back to work.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Hope you're feeling better soon, 2angels!

 

[minkydog]

Saw my doctor and I've got a nasty infection in my sinuses and lungs, eww! He has me off of work all week and on a few meds, hoping this goes away by Sunday when I go back to work.

poor thing! i had something similar around new year's and it took me every bit of a week to feel better--longer to get back to normal. My advice is rest as much as possible, drink lots of liquids(soup and juice were the only things I could take), and take all your meds. Getting well is Job #1

 

[ILUVMYBRIT]

Hope you are starting to feel better. Sinus infections are so nasty. I have only had 2 really bad ones but wow, even the ones that arent so bad hurt alot.
Also, not to scare anyone, but dont mess around with any type of infection like that. I used to be a visiting companion for a man who started out with a bad cold that developed into a sinus infection. He waited to see the doc. By the end of the 5th day, he was in the hospital on life support and facing brain surgery. Although rare, the infection can go to your brain. The poor man had the surgery and lost part of his skull in the process and had to wear a helmet until he could have reconstructive surgery. He also had to learn how to walk and talk and a whole number of other things. He had always been rather healthy but he almost died from a sinus infection.