It was 95.9 F last time I checked it. The “normal” temperature is 98.6, and my tempterarure has never been this low. I’m pretty sure if it goes below 95 you can die, but I can’t go to the doctor or hospital. I don’t know what to do.
Why can’t you go to a doctor?
I read up on a few places and they say only if it goes below 95°
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We don’t have insurance right now, and we don’t have money to pay out of pocket.
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I’m going to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t. I guess I’ll just have to try and keep it up by covering up.
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I would go to the ER if you are concerned.
I’m pretty sure that here in the States if you don’t have the means to pay in a medical emergency, the hospital has to treat you anyway.
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They do have to.
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If you can’t make it to the hospital now I’m thinking a warm bath or shower may help for the immediate. Or put your blanket in the dryer and wrap yourself up
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I would first buy a new thermometer, and make sure yours isn’t just broken. Such a low temperature is really unusual if you’re not severely malnourished.
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As long as your extremities are not frozen, I wouldn’t worry about it.
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Whenever anyone else in the house uses it their temperature is normal unless they have a fever, so I don’t think it’s broken. I have an eating disorder, but I take vitamins to make up for my lack of nutrients from food, so I didn’t think I’d be low on vitamins, but would I still be even though I’m taking them?
I found a website that says normal, healthy body temperature can vary a lot, even down to 94F in the elderly. Are you displaying any symptoms? Dangerous hypothermia is associated with many symptoms. Can you call your doctor’s office? They are usually able to tell if you really need to see a doctor or not.
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Just feeling cold a lot, dizziness and low energy. Nothing super major. I don’t know if these things are related to the body temperature or not
Vitamins alone don’t make up for a lack of fat, protein, and carbs, and your body could still be malnourished.
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I think that’s enough reason to call the doctor’s office. Besides feeling cold, dizziness and apathy are also symptoms of hypothermia.
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Then I guess if I’m malnourished that’s what is causing the low temperature.
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What would they do about it if I did go to the doctor? Is it something I could do at home?
I don’t know if things work differently in the US, but since you’re not in an emergency, here they would probably just tell you to keep an eye on things at home. But they know more about your medical history and could also give you important tips, so I would call them. It might also help with the worrying.
Some tips for hypothermia are to drink warm (but not too warm) soup and cover yourself in blankets. Try to heat yourself up gently. And eat if you’re hungry. Being very hungy can make it hard to keep your temperature up. Also, don’t drink alcohol. That will make you lose heat.
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If it’s caused by your eating disorder, they would probably stick you in the psych ward until a spot at a rehabilitation clinic opened up. They would give you a minimum number of calories you must consume every day, either by meal replacement shakes or by actual food. I have to be honest, most psych wards aren’t familiar with eating disorders, and take the “just eat more” approach to treatment. Specialized rehab clinics will do more with therapy and such, but it’s hard to get treatment covered even if you have insurance. Eating disorder treatment in this country is lacking.
Depending on your state, you may qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid in some places will cover medical bills from the three months before you sign up, so you could theoretically go get treated now, and then sign up when you’re released.
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Thank you for the tips. I’ll cover up with a blanket now, and I’m not a drinker, so I don’t have to worry about the alcohol.
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