Frugal Medicine?

[goldfinch]

We have a high deductible health plan ($5000/year.) Before we reach the deductible, we pay the negotiated rate for doctor's visits and other care. So, for example, we pay $60 per kid per sick visit to the pediatrician. Today for a variety of reasons I suspected two of my kids had ear infections so I bundled them off to the doctor... and all was well.

Obviously, from a health standpoint this was good news, but it meant that we've got an unexpected $120 bill coming down the pike and I'm again mulling whether or not it would be worth it to invest in an otoscope and/or various other instruments.

What's in your medicine chest? We really don't run to the doctor for every little thing... have your otoscopes and the like saved you money?

[josybear]

personally, if i suspect an infection i treat for an infection, not go to the doctor's. even if there's no infection my treatment will probably any that's brewing. many people on here treat infections or suspected infections at home. i eat raw garlic when i feel any type of infection coming on. it's hard to feed raw garlic to a kid, but if you figure out a way it's pretty powerful stuff. other people use oil of oregano, colloidal silver, etc. the health and healing section can give you a rundown of all the home remedies that work the best.

[Sailor]

I have the book "Vintage Remedies" and it's fantastic. The author actually gives lessons in natural medicine, where she lives. She has a great website too. If you google the title of the book, you should be able to find her website. Buying that book was the best investment I made. It's the first place I look when my partner or I feel some problem coming on.