I go to the doctor today expecting to get an antibiotic. I've been having fevers (confirmed by the nurse at the office). I have sinus problems. My ears hurt, and I feel fluid in one of them. This afternoon I can feel fluid beginning in my other ear. My lungs started to hurt yesterday, and added an occasional slight cough. My lungs are still "clear" though, since things are just starting there and haven't progressed to the point of being noisy and full of infectious phlegm. I'm barely getting any sleep, I'm hot and cold, and can't breathe through my nose. Tell me, all of you Non-MD's, does this sound like a problem?!

The dang doctor did NOT check my ears or sinuses--only took a quick looksee at my throat. That is all! He was with me an entire 60 seconds, maybe 90 if you count prescription writing time to refill my decongestent. Maybe I've spent too much time working in healthcare. Maybe a patient with sinus and ear pains does not require those body parts to be examined for an accurate diagnosis. I believe that my whole crime for this was to tell him that I stopped taking my decongestent regularly to cut costs and because the insurance stopped covering it at retail pharmacy and required mail-order. A week ago he said that he understood about not wanting to get prescriptions filled where I work at the mail-order pharmacy.

I am so pissed with doctors nowadays who think that they can examine a patient thoroughly in less than a minute! Now I will have to wait for an antibiotic. I have had so many of this type infection, I know by now if it's to a point of no return without antibiotic help. I'm tired from not sleeping and with the fevers and everything else, I have no energy to be at work and do anything. My coworkers are noticing. I'm not one to complain, so it takes time for them to understand that I'm sick, but they are starting to figure it out.

But really, it must be all in my imagination. If I really was sick, wouldn't the $#%^&*!@ doctor have given me a prescription for an antibiotic?

This could be my only or one of very few posts tonight. I don't feel like sitting here typing and chatting or whatever it is I do on the internet. Like surf, maybe. I can't think straight. Hate to miss Doc's chat for two weeks in a row, but I'm sure someone else will take my spot tonight. I had to vent about this today. Thanks for putting up with me. I'm sure many of us have been in that spot, though. All right, good night whoever you are reading this.