Urgent, but non-ER options for terrible allergies?

[mermaidcafe.livejournal.com]

(I'm really taking advantage of the "whine locally" slogan.)

ETA: You guys are awesome! I have an appt. Friday morning at Somerville Family Health, and the lady was, indeed, super-nice.

I don't yet have a primary care physician here, but I figured when I needed to go to the doctor for something then I would do it then. All of a sudden, I've been hit with the worst allergies I've ever had, like barely-breathing, body and eyes itching, huge throat swelling, etc. etc. etc. I called the place where I was going to get a doctor and (Mass natives probably see where this is headed) was told I have to make a special first-time appointment, which isn't available until the middle of September.

"September?" I asked disappointedly.
"Well, it is almost August," the nurse said as if only waiting a month and a half to breathe wasn't so bad.
"I'm just in a lot of pain," I said. "I can come back in September and do the physical and full history or whatever you need me to do, but my symptoms are really severe now."
"It's just seasonal allergies," the nurse said, clearly frustrated with me. (Where do they get these people?)
"Yes, but I'm having a lot of trouble breathing, and the over-the-counter medication isn't helping that much."
"Why don't you call your old doctor and ask him or her to prescribe something?"
"I can't do that. It was a student health center and I'm not a student any longer."

So then the nurse ends up giving me this obnoxious and probably totally bullshit sob story about how long she has to wait for her own personal appointments too and says they have their hands full with their "real patients" (she actually said that).

I have decent insurance so if I have to go to the ER, it won't ruin my nonexistent kid's chances of going to college. But I'd rather not.

Does anyone know of a way I can be seen by a doctor/nurse practitioner/allergist in the next few days? I know it's just allergies and I'm not a real patient, but just maybe some doctor will overlook that and actually treat me like I'm a real human in pain.

Comments

[purpless77.livejournal.com]

I am a bit surprised you were treated this way by the people at 26 central street. Must be new people, ugh. They get new people often. Try again to see if you get a different nurse. But this time don't mention allergies at all. Just say you're having a horrible time breaking and really need an emergency appt.
I hope you feel better.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

This time of year, it might be a temporary/floater nurse filling in for one of the regular staff who's on vacation.