No money, no insurance. Skin discoloration. Please help.

Contributor: Illusional Illusional
I have these bruises, more of bumps on my legs.

They're brown and flat.

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They're also painless. There has to be something for them, somebody has to know in this community. I can't afford a doctor.
01/23/2011
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Contributor: SexyTabby SexyTabby
Are you currently on any medications? You might need to go to a doctor hun. Is there a free clinic near you?
01/23/2011
Contributor: Illusional Illusional
Antibiotics but these discolorations came way WAY before those.

Maybe a year?
01/23/2011
Contributor: Illusional Illusional
I don't know if they're swollen or what it is, but yeah.
01/23/2011
Contributor: Morganna Morganna
Have you always had them? Could it be a pigment thing? Or maybe an allergy to something new? I had these one sheets that would cause places on me, but they itched.
01/23/2011
Contributor: Illusional Illusional
Quote:
Originally posted by Morganna
Have you always had them? Could it be a pigment thing? Or maybe an allergy to something new? I had these one sheets that would cause places on me, but they itched.
Not always, like a year or so.
01/23/2011
Contributor: Darling Jen Darling Jen
Some discoloration just naturally appear over time and are the equivalent of birth marks... after birth.

Some are signs of rosacea or other conditions of the skin.

Some are inner bruises and signs of something serious happening!

And of course there are other possibilities too so the trick to taking care of yourself cheaply before you have to rush to a doctor and spend hundreds of dollars is to adding healthy choices to your day to see if that helps.

Personally I always start with vitamins and minerals because we Americans are sorely lacking in a lot of them in our day-to-day lives (which can lead to anemia). I had scurvy in college and would have freaked out all the way to the E.R. had I not been in Nutrition class that semester and recognized the signs. It was easy to take care of.

Do you have enough money to afford a good brand of multi-vitamin? Just taking one every 4-5 days makes a HUGE difference. And to spare you from my insanely long lecture about why, I'll just tell you that there's no reason to take one a day unless a doctor says so. If you want my long ass lecture on the details, let me know. (Oh and if you can't afford some good meds, let me know. I'm poor too but health of my friends is WAY too important.)

So with your vitamins, you need to up your intake of water. Sometimes it's a form of edema and that could help a lot. And besides, water is free and it's healthy for everyone no matter their current fitness level! I add fiber to mine and drink a lot more of it than I used to.
01/23/2011
Contributor: UnknownGirl UnknownGirl
Money or no money, you should get checked out. Hospitals can't refuse to treat you.
01/23/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
I'm sure you've already ruled this out, but they sure look like bruises to me. If they are bruises, taking vitamin K is what is usually suggested. Widespread, easy bruising can be a symptom of a much more serious blood disorder, so like the others, I'd definitely suggest seeing a physician.

I also showed the photos to my wife, who works in medicine, and she didn't have any answers other than to say that you should see a physician about it. Sorry.
01/24/2011
Contributor: buzz buzz
I agree with everyone else, you should see a doctor, even if its a free clinic one.
01/24/2011
Contributor: kawigrl kawigrl
can you apply for medicaid or some form of low income health insurance?
01/24/2011
Contributor: thatonegirl thatonegirl
check with your hospital and local doctors some of them have charity papers you can feel out and will pay for some or all of the bill.
01/24/2011
Contributor: Illusional Illusional
Quote:
Originally posted by Vaccinium
I'm sure you've already ruled this out, but they sure look like bruises to me. If they are bruises, taking vitamin K is what is usually suggested. Widespread, easy bruising can be a symptom of a much more serious blood disorder, so like the ... more
Thanks for asking your wife.
01/24/2011
Contributor: Illusional Illusional
I can barely get to a hospital, but I'll try vitamins.
01/24/2011
Contributor: Kindred Kindred
Honestly, there is no way anyone can give you a proper diagnosis look ing at a few pictures. It can be many things. If they concern you, then you really need to get a proper medical opinion. Giving you advice based on pictures would potentially be misleading and wrong.
01/24/2011
Contributor: Illusional Illusional
They do concern me, but medical things cost money, which I've been jobless for over a year.
01/24/2011
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
Quote:
Originally posted by Illusional
They do concern me, but medical things cost money, which I've been jobless for over a year.
I've been there before with the no money/job thing. There are programs out there, you just have to ask around or look them up. Instead of an ER, there are other options like an Urgent care or Ready Care if you don't have a PCP (primary care provider) that are a LOT cheaper than an ER.

Good luck!
01/24/2011
Contributor: Viktor Vysheslav Malkin Viktor Vysheslav Malkin
Sorry you are having problems

I haven't the knowledge to help

This is why I support free healthcare, but I won't get into that, it may be considered disrespectful/insensit ive to those who do not support it. I haven't been to the doctors for....10 years. I've been to the hospital, but not for me (in at least 10 years, when I broke my wrist).

hope you get better.
01/24/2011
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
Quote:
Originally posted by Illusional
Antibiotics but these discolorations came way WAY before those.

Maybe a year?
Hyperpigmentation can be caused by stress, bacteria, cancer or uneven tanning due to sun exposure. Raised, uneven, ridged bumps need to be seen by a doctor. Flat, even edged spots could just be discoloration which is quite common in darker skin, heck even though I am as white as they come I have these type of spots all over my body and they are benign. If the spots start to itch, turn red or scaly then fuck the money issue and see a doctor. It could be eczema (a scaly rash which is thought to be an over reaction of the immune system) or pretty damn near anything.
You could try a very heavy sunscreen or wear pants when outside to see if they fade without sun exposure. If they do then you just need some reall good sunscreen when outside in the sun to prevent 'patching' when you tan.

Remember that people of darker skin get leukemia and sickle cell anemia fairly easily though the symptoms of either are pretty intense in the early stages wide spread small bruises are a BIG indicator.

With all it could be it is worth a trip to a free clinic at least.
01/24/2011
Contributor: PussyGalore PussyGalore
Quote:
Originally posted by Kindred
Honestly, there is no way anyone can give you a proper diagnosis look ing at a few pictures. It can be many things. If they concern you, then you really need to get a proper medical opinion. Giving you advice based on pictures would potentially be ... more
And illegal. Giving medical advice without proper training, tests and diagnosis is a big big big no no.
01/24/2011
Contributor: PussyGalore PussyGalore
Sweetie, you have to go to the doctor. It could be any number of things. Though, I do believe you just left the hospital, did you not bring it up to them then?

Bruising like this is symptomatic of any number of diseases and infections. Brings to mind a very disheartening case where my grandmother's hospice nurse was charged with child abuse when her son started bruising without incident and the daycare thought she was responsible. Turns out he had luekemia. He died a year or so later. Had they caught it when the bruising first started to appear they would have been able to move forward with marrow transplants but it was too late for him.

Please please please go. It's just money. They can't squeeze blood from a turnip and we'd rather have you alive, safe and healthy than sick and alone with a fistful of cash. *bug hugs*
01/24/2011
Contributor: Darling Jen Darling Jen
Quote:
Originally posted by PussyGalore
Sweetie, you have to go to the doctor. It could be any number of things. Though, I do believe you just left the hospital, did you not bring it up to them then?

Bruising like this is symptomatic of any number of diseases and infections. Brings ... more
Oh so true. Yeah it might put you in debt with hospital bills, because we unfortunately don't have universal health care in this country (and I agree with you, Viktor!), but being in debt is way better than being sick and possibly having something fatal.

I know you're planning a move very soon so take care of yourself during it. When you get there, get settled, talk to the right people who can help you get started in the area, and find out where you can go to see a doctor! I will volunteer to help you search for the right people to contact if you need help.

Oh and drink water and take your vitamins.
01/24/2011
Contributor: PussyGalore PussyGalore
Quote:
Originally posted by Darling Jen
Oh so true. Yeah it might put you in debt with hospital bills, because we unfortunately don't have universal health care in this country (and I agree with you, Viktor!), but being in debt is way better than being sick and possibly having ... more
Universal doesn't exist yet but there is one benefit to our health system that few people are aware of - if the condition is something that requires ongoing treatment and lessens the quality of life, we have medical assistance like medicaid and medicare for patients who can't afford their treatments. It was something I was clued into when I found out that I had a lifetime of cervical issues to look forward to.
01/24/2011
Contributor: SomewhatSomewhere SomewhatSomewhere
Try WebMD, if you really don't want to go to the doctor. They have this wonderful symptom checker that gives you a place to start, and then helps you determin whether or not you have to go to the doctor. I use it all the time, though, of course, it shouldn't be used in place of a doctor's visit.

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01/24/2011
Contributor: PussyGalore PussyGalore
Quote:
Originally posted by SomewhatSomewhere
Try WebMD, if you really don't want to go to the doctor. They have this wonderful symptom checker that gives you a place to start, and then helps you determin whether or not you have to go to the doctor. I use it all the time, though, of course, ... more
I'm sorry, please forgive me as I would not usually so blantantly say that someone's advice is a bad idea but this is a really bad idea. Every doctor, nurse, practitioner of any kind in America will tell you that going to WebMD for symptom analysis is ineffective and in some cases harmful.

A patient may only enter "headache, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding" and be told it's an ulcer, hemmorhoid, or fissures and in the same line be told it is stomach, colon or anal cancer.

A live human being needs to hear her medical history to determine the correct course of action and that response is always going to be "go see a doctor" if it's something other than "I have the sniffles, my chest hurts and I feel like my eyes are about to explode". That's a "try an over the counter med and call me in the morning" situation.

You also don't know her propensity to worry or overexaggerate symptoms, nor do I. My doctor told me if I didn't stop going to WebMD before going to see him he was going to refer me to another doctor. He was the one with the PhD not me and if I wanted his help I had to tell him what the symptoms were and how I had been eating and living instead of parroting what WebMD had to offer as an explanation.
01/24/2011
Contributor: Darling Jen Darling Jen
Quote:
Originally posted by PussyGalore
I'm sorry, please forgive me as I would not usually so blantantly say that someone's advice is a bad idea but this is a really bad idea. Every doctor, nurse, practitioner of any kind in America will tell you that going to WebMD for symptom ... more
I've had doctors majorly screw up my diagnosis which landed me in the E.R. with nearly having a stroke. Doctors aren't infallible. Something free is a good place to start for someone who could walk out being told it's nothing, have a $500 bill to pay, and no closer to solving the puzzle.

And the Medicaid/Medicare system is great - if you can get into it. It's an evil thing for most people who try cause they like to find loopholes to deny you. It happened to me. And as a friend who has her family under it complains - they send her to the worst doctors ever and have to wait months at a time for what others would consider a near emergency visit. And then you'll only have it for 6 months or a year at a time and have to renew it and prove, again, that you qualify. The system definitely has flaws.

But I DO think that it's something she should look into! Flaws or not, it's worthy pushing for to get!!!
01/24/2011
Contributor: PussyGalore PussyGalore
Quote:
Originally posted by Darling Jen
I've had doctors majorly screw up my diagnosis which landed me in the E.R. with nearly having a stroke. Doctors aren't infallible. Something free is a good place to start for someone who could walk out being told it's nothing, have a $500 ... more
Oh I know doctors have their faults, for sure. One told my mother that if she had such a problem with bleeding every day she could just go ahead and kill herself. I reported him to the medical board. There was a staple left over in a very delicate area that was causing discomfort and pain but because of where it was located xrays and the like weren't picking it up.

There's a downside to everything and people with universal care have the same complaints. It's never going to be a perfect system when you have egos in charge.
01/24/2011
Contributor: Darling Jen Darling Jen
Quote:
Originally posted by PussyGalore
Oh I know doctors have their faults, for sure. One told my mother that if she had such a problem with bleeding every day she could just go ahead and kill herself. I reported him to the medical board. There was a staple left over in a very delicate ... more
They told her WHAT??? I sure hope they were fired for that and go you for reporting them! Not right!

I was abused by a doctor during my first papsmear. I don't know whether to call it assault or what but it definitely wasn't right. But I was so traumatized that I didn't tell anyone. I eventually told my partner (my ex now) but never revealed it to my parents (I was a minor at the time).
01/24/2011
Contributor: Illusional Illusional
How would I find Medicare?
01/24/2011
Contributor: Darling Jen Darling Jen
Quote:
Originally posted by Illusional
How would I find Medicare?
Sending it to you.
01/24/2011