[EsotericNonsense]

I'm 26 years old I've had health insurance my entire life but I have lost faith in the US health system.

Starting next year I will have a high deductible insurance plan which means I will be paying out of pocket for most medical expenses, albeit with pre-tax dollars. I really don't feel like paying out of pocket for the crappy medical care I was getting before.

I wasn't always this cynical. Until fairly recently I stood firmly behind western medicine, then in June 2013 something happened. I got sick, and I like anyone else confronted with a medical problem went to my doctor for help.

My doctor did a whole suite of tests which all came back negative and told me my symptoms were caused by anxiety. My symptoms didn't go away. I was sent to a Psychiatrist for my anxiety, and was put on anxiety medication. I was sent to a Gastroenterologist for my stomach problems and was given reflux medication. My symptoms did not go away. I was told to stop taking Aspirin because of my stomach problems but was not prescribed a viable alternative.

I was told I should see an Ear Nose and Throat doctor and a Neurologist but I didn't go because at this point I was sick and tired of doctors. I stopped seeing doctors except for my Psychiatrist, and primary doctor.

I was given a headache medication which didn't have an anti inflammatory in it which worked for all headaches except for the migraines I was trying to treat. I stopped taking the reflux medication because it wasn't doing anything for me. I started seeing a Acupuncturist. I started taking any over the counter medication which felt like they might kind of help with my physical symptoms.

I went online in an attempt to find a Gastroenterologist that wouldn't make my anxiety worse and went to two appointments with him. I was given medication for nausea and told that anxiety can cause GI issues.

I stopped seeing the Acupuncturist because he kept telling me to stop eating out when I was having trouble remembering to eat 3 meals a day.

When my symptoms did start going away I started having flash backs to when my physical symptoms were worse. My Psychiatrist decided to change my anxiety medication because the old medication had stopped working. My insurance company stopped covering my visits to the Psychiatrist because I had reached my maximum yearly thresh hold. I went back to my primary doctor to get the anxiety medication refilled. My headaches and stomach problems started coming back although they were less intense than they were originally. I started seeing a new counsellor which I had to pay for out of pocket. I told my primary doctor I was getting abdominal pain last time I saw her but she still doesn't know what is causing it.

My new counsellor is helping me but I still feel lost.

[EsotericNonsense]

Also talking or writing about my medical problems makes my anxiety worse.

[SnakeCharmer]

Esoteric, I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. Headaches and intestinal problems seem to be notoriously difficult to properly diagnose and treat in so many people. This has to be really hard for you. I don't have any advice to offer, but I wanted you to know I'd read your messages and felt for you.

I hope with the coming insurance year, your insurance company will start paying again.

Take care.

[EsotericNonsense]

Thanks I appreciate it.