Oh, absolutely. Despite my negative experiences I in no way endorse avoiding doctors. As noted in my story, doctors at the urgent care clinic saved me from a

Oh, absolutely. Despite my negative experiences I in no way endorse avoiding doctors. As noted in my story, doctors at the urgent care clinic saved me from a much worse time (possibly even death). I'm just saying (with way too many words) that there are reasons other than stoicism or machismo that people avoid going to the doctor. Were I the OP, I too would have not gone to the doctor for seemingly mild symptoms, and would have suffered as he/she did. Most of us have no good way of knowing which issues are medically treatable and which aren't.