Using food/supplements to manage minor medical issues

[ArkRescue]

In the past 2 years my net pay has dropped by almost $500 a month due to increases in health/dental/vision insurance premiums, taxes, etc. I don't have to tell you what that drop has done to my ability to pay bills when I was already living paycheck to paycheck. I have had people suggest to me that I stop the critter rescue, but if I did that I would be totally miserable! So, I have a plan to help my paycheck get bigger while continuing the critter rescue ..... .

I am starting to research what I need to do in order to manage several medical issues I have with food and supplements so I can drop the RX meds I'm on. With healthcare premiums being so high now (and about to get hiked up AGAIN for 2015), I would like to stop these repeat visits to a Doctor to monitor my minor medical conditions. That way I can feel confident when I drop my medical coverage to the lowest available option for 2015. I need that extra premium money back in my pocket, I really do.

Issues I have are: hypothyroid, very mild blood pressure elevation (mostly due to lower back pain), and elevated cholesterol.

I am thinking that there should be sufficient information online to guide me in this quest. One area I have found quite a bit of controversy is about the thyroid RX vs. taking other substances to manage my thyroid. Anyone know anything about using alternatives? I would appreciate info. on any of the conditions I have.

 

[slotpuppy]

Gym and a healthy diet would be a big help.

 

[MMDad]

and elevated cholesterol

Low carb and exercise.

 

[kwillia]

With the health issues you've listed as well as your advancing age you will still need regular blood work to know if any changes you make in food, exercise and supplements are actually having the desired affect.

You can chose to just stop seeing doctors and taking prescribed meds, just don't kid yourself into thinking you are "self-medicating" to a point of changing your health by much of a stretch.

 

[ArkRescue]

Gym and a healthy diet would be a big help.

well see that's the thing, I don't need the gym, I work out every day doing critter chores - sweating and all. My metabolism being so slow keeps me feeling fatigued all the time, I barely eat anything per the people around me, yet I can't seem to drop 10 pounds. I obviously need to use a multivitamin regularly due to my inadequate food intake, and I know I can manage the other issues with supplements that don't require a Dr's RX. I am hoping someone here has had experience with some of these issues and has found help w/o needing a RX. PM me if you don't want to post publicly. Over a number of years, I have purchased many nutrition-related books, and I do plan to dig into the most recent of those again. I recently acquired the anti-inflammatory food book, so I will also incorporate that. I currently eat pretty healthy with the exception of the ice cream I LOVE to eat. Fresh vegetables wrapped in foil and cooked on the grill, very little meat, hot/iced tea, water and lemonade are my primary beverages, with an occasional soda.

 

[Bann]

I agree with Kwillia. Managing some of this on your own might not be the best solution - for all the reasons she stated.

I will add that I also have a hypothyroid condition, and I choose to work out in the gym doing more cardio exercise, which raises the metabolism levels for *me*.

Another benefit of the cardio exercise is it helps keep hypertension at bay, although, I have never had that issue. I have also never had a cholesterol problem or diabetic issues, but cardio exercise is good for those, too. If diet and exercise alone do not lower cholesterol, then how can one manage that without medication of some sort? Hypothyroidism can also affect your cholesterol levels. Not only that, it can lead to serious issues with your endocrine system.

As women get older, menopause also has an effect on many areas of our health, no getting around it, and sometimes testing is the only way to track it.

I just don't see the major long term benefit of forgoing medical care and managing your hypothyroidism alone. In the end, only you can decide what is best for yourself, but that is my .02¢.

 

[Roman]

Kwillia, and Bann..great posts. Your health is nothing to play around with. You might ask your Doctor if you can come in every six months verses the average of every 3 months. You can ask him, or her if you can get any help from any of the pharmaceutical companies that make the Medicine that you are on. Sometimes, these companies will help people out with that. Or, you can ask the Doc if s/he can help you out with the free samples they get from the Drug Reps. Also ask if they can give you a cheaper medicine than what you are on. You don't have the education of a Doctor, though reading up on things is great to do, you shouldn't make any adjustments on your own. There is a Doctor here in Calvert that deals with both holistic, and good old fashioned medicine. Ask me to PM you if you want his info, and I'll give you his number. At least consult with a Doc that knows both approaches . Gook luck Ark.

 

[libertytyranny]

Isnt synthroid on the 4 dollar med list at target? and as mentioned bloodwork to monitor thyroid would still be required. I cant see that being a large expense, though. The cholesterol med is easy to drop though, there has been no research to date that indicates it prevents heart attacks or does any good at all, despite repeated studies. Plus cholesterol is fairly easily controlled with diet, while low carb generally doesnt affect "bad" cholesterol it def raises "good cholesterol" this can be modified with a more moderate fat intake approacha nd the addition of carbs that are whole grain. Mild high bp can sometimes be controlled with reduced sodium diets, regular cardio (while working outside doing chores is good for you, it takes sustained cardio in a certain heartrate zone for a time period to reap the bp benefits) and stress reduction techniques like meditation or yoga. also, petting critters is associated with a lower BP so when you save..make sure you pet too

 

[ArkRescue]

I don't see how I can continue to pay 3k a year on premiums and pay more every time I go to the dr or get bloodwork done. I've seen bills for over 1k for routine bloodwork. Then I get a bill to pay $400 of it. No thanks. I have to find another way. Shelling out 4k a year or more for healthcare to be healthy is unreal. If I made six figures and managed to to take home 60k to 70k after taxes then ok, but not on my current take home pay. I don't qualify for any type of help either.

Sorry Bann but I'm not interested in anything you have to say anymore. Your prior bashing and mouthiness left me with no respect for your opinion about anything.

 

[Bann]

Sorry Bann but I'm not interested in anything you have to say anymore. Your prior bashing and mouthiness left me with no respect for your opinion about anything.

Please share with the class where I've bashed you.

When one posts one's personal business on on a public forum and openly invites input in the form of comments, advice, and/or opinions - one should be prepared for the answers. Even the ones they disagree with. The fact that you disagreed with my prior opinions/comments/advice does not constitute bashing on my part.

 

[ArkRescue]

Isnt synthroid on the 4 dollar med list at target? and as mentioned bloodwork to monitor thyroid would still be required. I cant see that being a large expense, though. The cholesterol med is easy to drop though, there has been no research to date that indicates it prevents heart attacks or does any good at all, despite repeated studies. Plus cholesterol is fairly easily controlled with diet, while low carb generally doesnt affect "bad" cholesterol it def raises "good cholesterol" this can be modified with a more moderate fat intake approacha nd the addition of carbs that are whole grain. Mild high bp can sometimes be controlled with reduced sodium diets, regular cardio (while working outside doing chores is good for you, it takes sustained cardio in a certain heartrate zone for a time period to reap the bp benefits) and stress reduction techniques like meditation or yoga. also, petting critters is associated with a lower BP so when you save..make sure you pet too

Really on $4? I just paid Safeway $38 for a 90 day supply ($12.66 per mo) because my insurance won't pay unless I go to CVS. Well CVS isn't convenient for me to burn the extra time/gas, but at some point I may be forced to use them.

 

[ArkRescue]

It's not worth my time and effort to put together examples of why I have Bann on iggy now. Total waste of time.

I was hoping maybe someone here had found an alternative to any one or more of the health issues I listed. Especially the thyroid one - I just don't want to have to be seen/tested every 3 months to get the RX if there are alternatives. I can monitor my own BP, but if I have to go to the Dr. for a test every 3 mo. for 1 RX, then why bother trying to replace the others? I've heard there is a book that talks about other "natural" replacements for the thyroid RX, but figured if that was a good alternative, wouldn't at least SOME Dr's be on that bandwagon also?

 

[Chasey_Lane]

Really on $4? I just paid Safeway $38 for a 90 day supply ($12.66 per mo) because my insurance won't pay unless I go to CVS. Well CVS isn't convenient for me to burn the extra time/gas, but at some point I may be forced to use them.

Insurance isn't always the best way to pay for Rxs. Whenever I need to fill something I ask which option is cheaper, with or without Rx.

 

[Dakota]

I have had people suggest to me that I stop the critter rescue, but if I did that I would be totally miserable! So, I have a plan to help my paycheck get bigger while continuing the critter rescue ..... . [/B].

I think what would save you a great deal of money is getting rid of the critter rescue. I know you don't want to hear that but the Humane Society is always looking for fosters and they pay those medical bills. They have vets that work very closely with them coupled with mass advertising and a broader bases for donations. You don't have to give up what you love but just do it differently (as a foster) so that it doesn't keep you in the poor house every month.

As far as the medical advise, I agree with Kwillia, Bann and Roman. Your health can turn on a dime in 1 day and you don't want to sell yourself short.

 

[ArkRescue]

Insurance isn't always the best way to pay for Rxs. Whenever I need to fill something I ask which option is cheaper, with or without Rx.

Yes I am learning that, thanks. I had no idea before that I was paying say a $10 co-pay for a $4 RX .......

 

[Bann]

I think what would save you a great deal of money is getting rid of the critter rescue. I know you don't want to hear that but the Humane Society is always looking for fosters and they pay those medical bills. They have vets that work very closely with them coupled with mass advertising and a broader bases for donations. You don't have to give up what you love but just do it differently (as a foster) so that it doesn't keep you in the poor house every month.

As far as the medical advise, I agree with Kwillia, Bann and Roman. Your health can turn on a dime in 1 day and you don't want to sell yourself short.

:like:

 

[ArkRescue]

I think what would save you a great deal of money is getting rid of the critter rescue. I know you don't want to hear that but the Humane Society is always looking for fosters and they pay those medical bills. They have vets that work very closely with them coupled with mass advertising and a broader bases for donations. You don't have to give up what you love but just do it differently (as a foster) so that it doesn't keep you in the poor house every month.

As far as the medical advise, I agree with Kwillia, Bann and Roman. Your health can turn on a dime in 1 day and you don't want to sell yourself short.

I promote HS to help find critters homes. I think they do great work. I am not going to give up the rescue work I do on my own. My plan is to build it so that it can pay for itself with donations eventually, and that can be my only FT job (albeit unpaid one) when I retire from my paid job. If things go well I will buy some land in WVA or PA to expand the rescue to provide as much space as possible to help critters. I have some plans that will help critters across the Country eventually.

 

[Roman]

You are a very devoted person Ark.

 

[Bann]

Even though Arkie has me on ignore, I will just add that neither of the issues she mentions are "minor medical issues", as the title of the thread states. All of them are serious medical issues and have the potential to be detrimental to one's overall health if not properly treated.

 

[GWguy]

Insurance isn't always the best way to pay for Rxs. Whenever I need to fill something I ask which option is cheaper, with or without Rx.

^ that. Shop around, get the non-insurance cost for the meds you need. You might be surprised.