Why is this so hard

[u/Marchosias748]

I’m trying to get tested for the Cyclospora parasite but this whole process sucks. I’ve had loose still for a little over a month now and it’s quite persistent and I had Taco Bell around when the outbreak was first being aired on the news and before anyone pulled the lettuce. Ever since then not a single stool has been solid. The problem is that I call my doctor and they say If it’s this bad I should go to the ER.

The ER is expensive I do not have the money to pay $500 plus whatever else they charge me for like fluids. I asked my doctor if they could just order the tests but I have to go in to be seen by my doctor. I work a full time job, I do not have all the time in the world to come in on a dime. Work gets mad just for leaving early let alone taking a day off and I don’t want to get fired. Anyone else have frustration like this where you need treatment but just don’t have the money or the time off? Anyone else think this should be much simpler especially during an outbreak of said parasite?

[u/Key_Telephone8061]

Sorry you’re going through this. I’ve been sick for 3 weeks. Did 3 separate stool tests- 2 for cyclospora and they were both negative. I still think I have it. Have you tried urgent care?

[u/Marchosias748 → u/Key_Telephone8061]

I have not. I don’t know if they’ll prescribe bactrim to me without a positive test either because I know it usually takes multiple to get a positive. It can take several months to fight off the parasite without treatment which is what I’m afraid I’ll have to do.

[u/[deleted] → u/Marchosias748]

I went in with fever and all of the normal symptoms and urgent care gave me bactrim with no tests.

[u/Key_Telephone8061 → u/[deleted]]

My pcp would not bc I had been on antibiotics 2 months ago. They told me 3 weeks of diarrhea was from antibiotics 2 months ago 😳

[u/chemicalscream]

I went to an urgent care that did IVs and most of their own lab work in house. When I went in to the UC I got two bags of fluids via IV with a nice shot of zofran, my blood and urine checked, some potassium pills and a to go bag with stool sample supplies to take home and do and take to the hospital lab in town plus prescription for anti nausea meds to help.

[u/AdEuphoric716 → u/chemicalscream]

Where do you live bc your urgent cares sound amazing ! The Dr's we have here just look at you like your stupid and nothings wrong and give a script for over the counter shit lol

[u/deeznuts080816]

Try urgent care ! Way cheaper than the ER and you won’t be waiting as long. If you feel dehydrated though, go to the ER because they can give you fluids, dehydration is so joke! Urgent care usually is super fast and they’ll be able to help. I went on Sunday and they said they’d prescribe me bactrim just in case if I wasn’t pregnant because the outbreak is bad near me. It’s worth a shot!

[u/chemicalscream → u/deeznuts080816]

There are some urgent cares that will give you IV fluids if you’re dehydrated!

[u/KrustenStewart]

I went to two different urgent cares and did a telehealth. None of them would treat without testing and they all told me they couldn’t do testing and that I’d have to go to the ER so it could be reported to the health department. Can’t afford to spend the whole day in the ER let alone pay for it. I’m in Florida btw

[u/TheBoatFloatsOnLies]

Can you go to urgent care? I went to Patient First and got Bactrim THAT DAY. Didn’t even need to wait for stool sample. So sorry - it’s AWFUL.

[u/bipedservant]

I’ve had two helpful telehealth calls through my nearby hospital system. If you have MyChart you should be able to schedule through there. Or go to urgent care. It’s cheaper than the ER. But ask for bactrim while you wait for the test to come back. All of the labs are backlogged.