on the way home, since my ear was bothering me again. Since I don’t have a primary care physician and I go to the doc maybe once every 3 to 5 years, (outside of the annual chick-checkup) the walk in clinic is the easiest option and the best way to get seen in less than 3 days. I get in, discover I still have nice low blood pressure, tell the nurse why I am there and wait for the doc - maybe 10 minutes at the most in the exam room, and the best part is that you get to keep your clothes on for a potential ear infection.
So I tell him…
“On and off ear congestion and achiness over the past couple days. Need to know if it is an ear infection or just congestion.”
“OK, so you have a cold?”
“Not really, just generally feeling crappy, and on and off ear congestion and achiness over the past couple days.”
So, he looks in my ears.
“Just looks like pressure and congestion.”
“No problem, I’ll just go the decongestant route.”
“Do you have a headache?”
“No.”
“Do your teeth hurt?”
“No.”
“Is your throat sore?”
“No.”
“Are you allergic to ragweed?”
“Not that I know of.”
Um, if it’s just pressure & congestion, can I go now??
“I’m going to write you a prescription for a decongestant that will clear it up with one pill.”
[Me looking at him very suspiciously]
“No, really it’s safe. It’s prescription strength Sudafed.”
“The last time I took OTC Sudafed, I could feel my hair grow. I don’t think that is such a good idea.”
“Yes, it may keep you a bit on the awake side. You probably wouldn’t want to take it before bed. And here is a prescription for antibiotics in case the decongestant doesn’t work and that will take care of the sinus infection.”
I don’t have a sinus infection. If I did, I would know. Trust me. (Anyone here who has had one knows what I am talking about) Now, if this kick-ass decongestant is so kick-ass, and he doesn’t see an indication of an ear infection, why is he giving me a scrip for antibiotics? And knowing what OTC Sudafed does to me, prescription strength will have me in a clock tower with a high powered rifle by 2 PM tomorrow afternoon.
So, I am sticking w/ the OTC meds that I can handle and debating whather or not I just go ahead and start the antibiotics tomorrow anyway. Hate the idea of taking them if nothing is really wrong…
