Hope someone replies

[wishforchange]

This may be controversial, but so many of you here are from the USA.  And I keep hearing good things about NYU and the Mayo Clinic, wherever that is.  I even read a comment somewhere that American doctors were better than UK ones, which isn't hard to believe.

Is it really the case that we are so behind in the UK, with our free but at the same time non-existent health care?   When working we pay through the nose for prescriptions and only private patients are treated with comfort and dignity.  There is even talk of scrapping the NHS and becoming more like the States, with insurance based healthcare.  I have worked in the NHS, will work there again very soon.  It is a terrifying shambles, filled with administrative errors, no respect for patient privacy, and poorly trained arrogant doctors with nurses who aspire to be like them.  As patients we are lied to and patronized and  ocassionally killed, or attempted to be, with no comeback for the doctors or nurses.  Their professional bodies are run as secret societies, staffed by their own, a law unto themselves.  Doctors and nurses can easily, and do, get away with murder.

So should I up from this third world little island which we now are and come to the States, or even South America?  I know Canada has health service problems comparable to our own.  How can I do this?  Would one of these clinics treat a foreigner with no money, anyone know?  I can probably scrape together the flight costs but that's just about it.  Anyone heard of someone doing this before?  I am not immigration material, not even in the right country to play the 'lottery'. and with my health and other background may not be welcome as a citizen.  But I have no life here, am getting sicker by the day, and fighting with impossible enemies with energy I do not have.  If taking out some giant loan and hauling myself over to one of these clinics to sort me out will be for the best I will find a way.  I know nothing of the USA, don't even know much of the geography, but if there are good doctors there at NYU or the Mayo clinic will pour my last penny into seeing them.  Anyone ever heard of this being done?

I am aware that those of you who live there don't even go to these places, so they must be prohibitively expensive or something.  It's almost as though I know what tests need to be done, know what areas to look at, just don't have the authority to order my own itinerary and have to either agree to pointless referrals or get dismissed when I try to steer my doctors in the right direction.  That is why I wanted all my findings.  I am no longer looking for a UK doctor to diagnose me, I will diagnose myself, but I need to be sent for the right tests with the right people interpreting them.  Pushing for the lupus referral was a start (yet to hear if they'll see me), but I am prepared and hope this is not the cause.  However, if it is, good, at least we have moved a step forward.  There are other things I would like to be done, based on findings in previous examinations.  I have requested them, and been dismissed, then sent for some far more expensive and useless tests, which of course I turn down.  I know my body, I can lead the diagnostic procedure, no problem.  But no way will I be listened to or my advice acted on as a mere patient.  I am not hysterically responding to some lists of symptoms I read online, I am working from existing findings, essentially acting as the physician I would want, but without the training or credentials.  I can clinically justify the diagnostic route I would want to be taken, more so if they would give me proper recent information.

I have nothing in this country.  I can leave within weeks if my doctor gives me enough pills to take with me and an international drug livense or whatever they are.  Anyone who can tell me how to do it, advise me if it is possible, and I'll book the flight.  Will sleep rough if I have to.  If this is the way out of hell I'll do whatever it takes.  Any suggestions from US residents, or even Farrah from Chile, which also from her experience has good health care?  Hope someone replies.

wish

[wishforchange]

Actually lived in Australia for about a year, many years back.  Was healthy then,  Didn't want to come home and don't know why I did.

Immigration policiy in Oz is prohibitive of everyone who isn't perfect - being over 40, disabled, and with so many other areas of my background ahem... they would not welcome me easily.  Not a hardened criminal or anything, but not the young beutiful rich and healthy person they only seem to let in.  Spent most of my life dreaming of going back.  Always felt Australia was my home somehow.  Weird because not all my experiences there were good ones, just felt connected to the country.

Have made some contact with NYU, will take it from there.  If I came to US (in my dreams) always thought of going to either New York or Chicago.  New York because it seems so European, and Chigago because it looks so beautiful on pictures I've seen (or was it Seattle?) my geography is terrible.  You know that sitcom Frasier, about the radio psychiatrist?  Where's that filmed?

I know New York isn't a real life set from Sex and the City (still haven't seen the film), filled with fashionable people, but it seems a buzzing place.

Healthwise, going to check if neurologist has got back to me.  Eye hospital appointment in a few hours.  Could barely see last night.  But feel unbelieved again, can hardly be bothered to explain all to them.  

You all have to keep your eyes open for a gorgeous local rich and generous single man, I like them younger than me too, who is looking for a cranky squinty eyed limping overweight Brit with a personality problem and a 'drug addict' to top, to marry and offer their joint insurance in order for me to get the healthcare I need.  If you find him, and you don't have my email, I'll give it to you.  Thank you.

wish....how well I chose my name!

[JemmAus]

Hi wish
You could always come to Aus. It's big and the sun shines.....and shines and shines .....The place is crawling with poms and kiwis............not sure how our medical situation compares to the UK or US, but at least it's cheaper than the US.
Jemm

[yorkieville]

Hi, Wish.

As you know, I am in the States, but I am still undiagnosed, so live in Limbo Land.

I do believe, from what I have seen and heard, that health care is better in the
States.

So, if nothing is keeping you in the UK, I say, come to the States!

I think not too many have answered, because we just don't know what health care is like there. And so many of us live in Limbo Land, so have no recommendations.

NYU seems to have an excellent reputation.

Hugs,
Sheila

[ShadowsSister]

Laura gave you the best advice possible. It took me almost ten years to finally get my team of Doctors in place, but I had some very good Doctors in the beginning of this journey I have been on for 23 years. We have some very good Doctors, some average doctors and some poor Doctors...
I hope you will take Laura's advice, and I will keep you in my Prayers...Good Luck and God Bless you... ShadowsSister

[wishforchange]

Already started looking and emailing.  Any recommendations?  Mine's a complicated one, kind of caught between neurology and rheumatology, with an element of crazed junkie thrown in.  Need to attempt a fusion of relevant brains onto one physician.  I have a lighter and my old Psychology textbooks somewhere.  Just need some boffins as volunteers.

Everyone seems to be singing the praises of NYU.  Googled them (NYU, not everyone).  They have lots of specialities.  And I'm sure they'll pay for my trip over there and accommodation and all the tests and treatments...oh, did I fall asleep again, sorry.

What is your opinion of the Mayo clinic, all hype or genuinely good.

AND WHY ARE YOU THE ONLY ANGEL TO HAVE ANSWERED!  I need advice and contacts from every American on the forum!  Ooh, fell asleep again...

Have a wash, get dressed, do laundry?

Need to book appointment with neurosurgeon today.  Have no idea if my referring neurologist is dumping me, sent fever induced messages to him, and at my best I am I suppose what you'd call 'direct'.  They never sent me to puppy training when I was little, which is why I growl and bite now.

Want to leave the UK.  Want to want to want to.  Never felt it was my home.  Want to live in a big country.  Wish I wasn't old and sick and unemployable (oh yeah, work starting next week) and cranky.

Hope you're doing okay.  PM me any time.  Love seeing numbers in my message box!

wish

[Lulu54]

While we moan about our system here in the states, I do believe it is substantially better than most of the rest of the world. A good friend in the UK just became a Nanny and her DIL was in labor for 46 hours before they finally did a c-section.  About 24 hours into the labor they knocked her out with a sedative becuase they were so busy with a bunch of moms birthing and couldn't be bothered with one more.  If that is typical of NHS hospitals, heaven help you all.  I am horrified that this happened.

Now to your question, do you know that these clinics will do remote diagnosis for you for a fee?  Usually costs around $750, but they will review everything in your medical records and give you their diagnosis by phone.  Would you be interested in that?

Mayo is in Rochester, Minnesota, about 2 hours south of Minneapolis. Your British license is recognized in the US so you would not need a different one here.  If you were going to stay several months I think you would need a visa, but I don't think you need one for a brief visit. You do need a passport.

I can understand your frustration there and desire to be seen by someone competent.  Good luck in pondering this idea.

My best, Laura