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Need advice on how to pay for medical bills as a student

I am considering seeing a functional medicine doctor because I've been having a lot of pain and other symptoms that regularly practicing "Western medicine" doctors are dismissing or not paying attention to. When they do "listen," they suggest prescription meds, which I have tried and am strongly opposed to. However, they're expensive and don't usually accept insurance. I'm considering taking out a personal loan through my bank or maybe using a low interest credit card and doing it anyways. I could also take out additional student loans, but I'm already in about $80,000 of student loan debt. Has anyone else paid for medical bills using any of these methods or seen a functional medicine doctor? Is it worth it? Any advice? Thank you! #ChronicIllness #money #medicalgaslighting #functionalmedicine

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Functional Medicine and Chronic Illness

I went to a functional medicine specialist recently after my usual doctor said that everything looks okay. I have been having a lot of symptoms and have almost been bed-ridden for the last couple of months.( I have celiac disease and other diagnosed medical conditions as well)

As a last resort, went to this new doc. She has an MD and then has training in functional medicine. She ordered loads of tests and things have come up.

I’m just wondering whether why the medical community in general doesn’t speak positively of Functional Medicine. The doctor seemed quite down to earth and capable.

What are your thoughts on this? #functionalmedicine #CeliacDisease #MentalHealth

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TMS - Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation #Depression #ChronicPain #alternativetherapies #functionalmedicine #Solutions #peace

Does anyone have any experience with TMS? I’m very curious about it as it helped a family member of mine. I am searching to find a place nearby that offers it.

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Could it really be just a mold problem? #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #ChronicFatigue #Alternativemedicine #functionalmedicine

So, I saw a new doctor today and I feel like he took more blood in one sitting than I've had drawn in the past three years. It was exciting times.

He took me seriously.

I repeat. He took me seriously.

He acknowledged my hypermobility by how I was sitting and just stopped his train of thought and was like, "Can you put your hands on the floor without bending your knees? Oh, look at your knees bending more than normal... What do you mean no one has taken you seriously?"

I find that either doctors dismiss me, or are shocked that no one has done anything to take me seriously. No middle ground, ever.

After we talked about my autoimmune diseases that I have diagnosis for and my being hypermobile, we moved onto the onset of my issues. Some have been my entire life, the hypermobility, sprained ankles, joint issues, etc.

So, we started talking about the biggest thing that happened to me when my symptoms went from mildly problematic to life altering. I was living in a house basically held together by mold and rat poop.

Now, this journey has made me skeptical of stuff insurance doesn't cover. I've always preferred natural remedies when I could use them. (Mostly because I'm fond of being a kitchen witch doctor/mad scientist when I have the energy.)

Anyway, I know that people have either sworn by natural/functional medicine or think it's a way to take advantage of sick people looking for answers.

My Bud, who also lived in the mold house is allergic to penicillin and never struggled with any adverse health effects. My mom and my daughter, however, developed almost permanent sinus infections. We ended up living in the mold house for almost 10 years, due to financial difficulties.

At the end of 2018, we moved. It turned out that this house also had a severe mold problem. (My mom's bedroom wall like...crumbled where the old duct system was/the airflow went.) Every single vent grew mold practically half way up the walls no matter how many times we cleaned them.

We've now bought our forever house. It was built in the 2000's, where as the past two house were built in the 30's and 50's. We had it thoroughly inspected for mold, and since we've been here (about a month) there has been a noticeable difference in the severity of my symptoms.

Has anyone had this same issue with mold? Am I crazy? Or am I just maybe allergic to copious amounts of mold?

I've gone down the mold rabbithole more than once, but don't know what to believe. Am I going to continue to get better now that I'm not living in a mold house? Am I going to eventually have to move to the dessert? Can mold even really ruin your life?

I've been gaslit by so many different doctors. Dismissed. Accused of being a drug addict. You name it, I've been called it and handed a card to a psychiatrist.

I just don't know what to believe anymore. I don't want to get my hopes up. My shoulder angel and devil have been arguing ever since I got home and it's starting to make my head hurt.

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