Hi,
I have had my health insurance policy for nearly a year, but have not been to a doctor as don't understand the system, despite people's many attempts at trying to explain it to me (but then again I have autism and find all this confusing!...plus can't read my insurance documents as I only speak English and the company don't provide anything in English...and I don't think I can change as they made me sign up for a minimum of 10 years).

I do know I should see a doctor as I am concerned I may have breast cancer due to various symptoms. I have been ignoring them for a little while as I want to increase my health insurance and then they won't insure me or charge me more and I seriously can't afford any increase in my premium or any medical costs I as don't work. I know my health should come first, but it is just too expensive here in Switzerland to be able to put one's health first.

I thought about going back to the UK to see my old GP there, but I cannot manage to travel by myself (and don't think I'd be allowed to access the NHS now).

Not sure what to do or what the 'proceedure' is when one suspects such a health problem. I don't know if I am suposed to see a GP (I don't have a GP model health insurance...but the BASIC where I don't have to see a Dr first), or am I supposed to see a specialist directly. Would this be a gyneacologist? I live in Thun, so would need someone nearby as I don't drive and am not able to use public transport due to my autism. I also have stopped going out much also because in the UK I had a lot of home support and none here and I have not attempted to access any Drs or specialists as I don't think they exist and I probably couldn't afford it.

I am really stuck with what to do and am afraid I probably sound a bit stupid to be writing this/asking! So please no nasty replies. Just any 'pointers' at where I might go/who I should see. I need 'specific' ideas as just telling me to get it seen to doesn't solve the problem of me not knowing how to go about it.

Thanks
Husky

SOrry to hear, I suggest you go to the GP first. Doctors here are very good so you should not worry about it. He/she will indicate what to do, and what will the next steps be.
Good luck+

Make an appointment with a family doctor in your town. He/She will get you sorted out in no time. Don't delay any further.

Husky are you living alone, if not, surely your partner/family can guide you in what steps to take.

I don't understand how you are here but appear to be so helpless. Don't get me wrong I'm sure there are lots of people willing to help it's just your predicument that seems so confusing.

my darling make an appointment asap with your gyno- go directly if you have any concerns- worry about the $ and everything afterwards. whatever happens and if in fact you did have it (who knows though!) there are plenty of organizations and support groups and even just kind hearted doctors that can help you whether it's here in ch or in the uk or even worldwide organizations. don't hesitate at this point for the money- the longer you wait the more dangerous!

best of luck and i hope your concerns are in vain!

OPTION A:

Do you know your local Pharmacy ? They are called the 'Apotheke' in German. Walk down there and ask if anyone speaks English. Ask them to recommend you a GP who is within walking distance.

Our local pharmacy printed me a little sticker with the name, address and phone number of the doctor I needed, and put it onto a paper for me to take home!


OPTION B:

Phone your health insurance - ask them to speak English - they will transfer your call to someone who speaks English - then you can ask about GP's - they can explain your insurance situation.


PLEASE SEE A DOCTOR ASAP.

Do not freak out about the cost. Ask your doctor (when you find one) to explain the whole system to you - there are systems for people who cannot afford their medical costs. The COMPUSORY/BASIC health insurance is really really good - and paying extra usually is for things like your own private room, or choice of doctors, or dental...not less bills...

Most of the doctors in Switzerland, to say it loosely, speak some kind of English. I have learnt it from frequent visits to various doctors (from general practitioner to gynecologists) with my wife who btw also speaks only English, that they will understand you very quickly. I would phone and ask doctor to come visit at home if you are not able to use public transport. The health should always come first and hopefully they will give you a sensible advice when you tell them what is your problem.

Maybe you could also contact jenny on the EF regarding health insurance, I forgot now how I found her details. But little bit of search can solve it just a minute.... I'll be back.

P.S. Here it is http://www.englishforum.ch/members/610-jenny.html she is good with all medical aid queries and hopefully you can work out something

Thank you all for your replies. So I now understand I should see a GP as I don't have a gyneacologist. Having autism makes it very difficult to verbally communicate or to do an action (such as seeing a Dr) unless I know ALL the steps and it is familiar to me. So if someone who knows me well tries to make me get help, I wouldn't be able to go through the process until I understood how it all works (to be familiar with it). Hence this is the reason I am asking on this forum so that I can then understand.

ok, take a deep breath. I understand a little bit what you're going through - my mom died of breast cancer, and it is always really scary for me to have my mammogram. And I've skipped a couple of years right before we moved here, so when I went for one last year, I had a lot of guilt.

First of all, here is the swiss cancer site
http://www.krebsliga.ch/de/praventio...rebs/index.cfm

It's in German tho. If you click on the krebstelefon link, you see some info about the phone line. Here's the phone number
0800 11 88 11

you might call them and see if they can help you...someone is likely to speak English. It is worth a try.

Otherwise, this is what you need to do... from my experience.

First of all, if you have a lump, nipple discharge or dimpling in your skin in or around your breast, you do need to be seen right away. A new appt for a gyn can take a while, but you may have to call, or have someone call for you and be insistent. I'm assuming you have no doctors here at all? Is there someone who can advocate for you?

Here's the normal procedure - make an appointment with an ob/gyn. You will probably have to wait a couple months before you see the doc as a new patient. The gyn will give you an exam, including a breast exam. I'm sorry that I don't know any docs in Thun, though. You might check with the spital in Thun, or look in the phone book under frauenarzt. I have found some of my docs via the phone book and they have been just fine.

When you see the gyn, you need to discuss your history and what you need, and presumably, the gyn will prescribe a mammogram or some other screening diagnostic. if the gyn has a preference, she/he will send you somewhere where she/he is comfortable. I know women who have had mammograms in Thun. I can highly recommend the engeriedspital in Bern. I had a digital one there, and the radiologist spoke English, and gave me results then. I had my old films with me and I told my gyn that having a mammogram made me really nervous and this is where she sent me.

As for your insurance. It depends on your franchise cost, but for example, my visit to the gyn was about CHF 200 and my mammogram was about CHF 200, and my insurance paid all but 10% after franchise costs. Or, as we call it, deductable. Mine is CHF 300, which I use up the first month of each year. If you have the basic insurance here, it's still pretty good. THis may be more than you are used to in the UK, but it's less than what I paid in the US. Also, can someone call your insurance company for you and fish around for an English speaking person? Sometimes you can find them... sounds like you might need someone to work with.

Lots of docs speak English in Switzerland. All of mine do, and I find them to be really quite good. Where you run into problems can be the office staff, but all you can do is to try. I've found that lots of the office staff here are really very nice.

Good luck.... hope that helps.

Also, all the doctors I have seen send us the bill a month later.

Then you have time to pay.

So you don't need to have the money straight away to be able to see the doctor.

Please organise to see a doctor tomorrow, then they can explain to you how to see a specialist (Gynaecologist).

actually my docs bill once a quarter, so it can be months before you get the bill.

Since you need to see a gyn, I'd really go for the gyn first rather than mess around with a gp. A gyn is not a specialist in the same sense that a dermatologist or oncologist is. And since you haven't regular doc, you might as well find the gyn first. You do need to find a GP as well,, but your immediate issue requires a gyn. THe apothek is a good idea as well. I know of an English speaking gyn in Bern that some of my friends go to... I found another one near my home, but if you are really stuck, PM me and I can give you her name.

Hi Husky,

you might like to consult the "English Speaking Cancer Association" which is here in Switzerland. They are tremendously helpful (I found them when I had BC four years ago). They can advise on insurance questions as well as giving "moral support". They are based in Geneva. Phone no. 022 791 63 05. Check out their website: www.cancersupport.ch
or use their email: info@cancersupport.ch
They have a special subgroup for breast cancer: "Bosom Pals".
As others in the forum have said, it is important you see either a GP or a gynaecologist without further delay: most doctors speak some English.
Also you need to speak to someone about your insurance policy to know exactly what the terms are.
You might like - if you don't know any Anglo-Saxons who speak/read German - to contact the Anglican Church in Bern (St Ursula's) where they will help you to find help.

All the best
Petitepart

Hi Husky,
Please contact ASAP the cancer support suggested by petitepart. They are really good and English speakers. They will be able to tell you what to do. Please do not wait any longer.

Is there any Lady doctor here in the forum? perhaps she can help Husky with guidance(perhaps free?)(after husky visits her for a check-up)?
I dunno,Maybe the moderators could please send an open message to all (in the same locality as husky)and find out who is willing?

I find things very complicate too here in Switzerland, but I know what I would do if I were in your case:

I would walk to the hospital, look for the information counter which is generally by the hospital main entrance (Haupteingang) say that I need urgent help and I know that they will see me immediately.
As I have experienced it, that is what is likely to happen: the person on the counter will bring you to someone else, this second person will ask your personal details and your insurance card, then she/he'll bring you to a doctor or nurse. From there they will take very much care of you and explain everything you need to do in the case there is need for a follow up.

If your doubts about insurance stop you from doing anything go first to your insurance company and ask for an English speaking health advisor that will explain to you not only everything about your cover, but also what you need to do to get medical care. He/she can also arrange an appointment for you with a doctor or hospital.

Best of luck

I am a GP but my PhD thesis was on Breast cancer, still you really need to see the patient. Run some tests. Nice idea though

I would suggest you find some people you can rely on in the case ...
people who speak English and the local language.

Husky

you can see a GP or a Gynae. You just need to locate either in your vicinity and phone up for an appointment. It's different to the UK where your GP will refer you to the hospital for gynae problems, here you will go and visit your gynae separate to visiting your GP for non gynae related problems

If you PM me your address I will try and see if I can locate a gynae near to your area where you can walk to if possible

But as others have said please try and get this seen to as soon as possible.

Are you living alone?

Nicky

Try to see a doctor as soon as possible. If it is indeed cancer, the earlier you find it, the better your chances are.

Everyone should atleast do a full body check up every two years after a particular age. Cancer affects not only the patient, but also all those around you. So, try to do checkups whenever possible and don't try to ignore it.

THANK YOU all for your replies. A member sent me a PM last night with a name of a Gyneacologigist at the hospital in Thun, who I then emailed.

For those who asked, no, I am not living alone. But I had not told anyone my concerns until last night, because I didn't understand the 'system' and
therefore it is like a giant 'mental block' which stops me from thinking through/verbally communicating my worries (an autism thing)....it is eaesier for me to see all the steps involved written down.
It's not that I am being 'helpless', it is because my health/functioning as regards my autism has got worse since being in Switzerland since there are no services where I am and I have no friends yet or contacts here, and I am having trouble without the specialised ASD (autism spectrum disorder) support that I had in the UK. But then again in the UK, the local council shutdown all the disibilty day centres and stopped peoples ASD support funding due to budget cuts of over 30million for just one year. They said since autism is neither a mental health problem or a learning disability, then there is no remit to help people with autism. So I would have had no help in the UK either.
So we thought Switzerland would be good for me. And I believe it will be. At least Switzerland is generally quiet :-) (I struggle with any noise) and so I am in many ways much happier here. Just struggling with everything being 'new' and being isolated. But I guess that is normal for any expat who isn't working and doesn't speak the language. But I'll get there!

Thankyou all again,
Husky