In the Grip of the Gripe
Nov 22nd, 2009 by Don Ray
For several days now, I have been fighting a cold. It finally got bad enough that today I decided to go to the emergency room of Chiriquí Hospital..
The doctor that saw me was a young lady and she was very good. She spent a reasonable amount of time making sure she had asked all the questions and took all of the tests.
I would say, I had to wait no longer than 10 minutes to see the doctor and that she spent at least 30 minutes making sure that she understood how I was feeling.
She wrote three sheets of prescriptions. The cost for my doctor visit was $4.53 for the doctor visit. The drugs, on the other hand, cost me $63 for 5 days worth of antibiotics and four other medicines.
I can’t imaging being as satisfied with a visit to a US emergency room and I doubt if I would have gotten out spending as little money.
Get well soon…!!!
Don,
You’re absolutely right about health care down here (in LA). I always got quality health care quickly and cheaply in Panama when I lived there, and it’s the same here in Quito where I now live. Coincidentally, I’ve got the the gripe now, and am fighting it with vitamin C and a bee pollen derivative called propoleo here (I think they’ve got it in Panama).
I hope you’re feeling better soon, Don. I think some time at the internet poker tables might help… I have missed seeing you there for several days now.
From my past experiences with the US medical system, I would much rather be sick in Panama. I’ve heard many good reports of the medical system here.
Ricky, Tambopaxi and Fran. Thanks for checking in. I would rather be walking Koki, but that is a day or so away from now.
The medicine is kicking in. The gripe did prevent me from trying out the new restaurant in Hotel Ciudad de David. Maybe next Sunday.
Good to hear from you…thanks for the update.
Glad to hear about the fast and reasonably priced service. On the otherhand, I hope you weren’t prescribed antibiotics for cold. Colds are caused by viruses, and prescribing antibiotics (or, rather over-prescribing them) is why so many viruses are now drug resistant. It’s a mistake docs in the States make all too often as well, and it’s too bad.
On the other hand, if you had a bacterial infection in addition to the cold, I hope you feel better soon!
Hi dK. After she had done her investigation of ears and throat, she had diagnosed that I had infections that would require antibiotics to get rid of it. I haven’t found that they prescribe antibiotics here if they are not needed. Antibiotics cost a lot more and many Panamanians have a hard time paying for them.
Hi Don: Sorry to read you’re not feeling well these days.
Hope you recover soon and continue your morning walks.
Many greetings from,
Lilia and Mama Rosa
Hi Don Ray,
Decades ago while in Venezuela I got El Gripe and for three days I tried all the self-treatment that I could think of. Headaches, constantly sick, couldn’t eat, the works, nothing helped.
Finally I told Nena to ask the pharmacist for something to kill me or cure me. She came back with a quart brown glass bottle of what looked like the thickest chocolate milkshake I had ever seen and instructions to “drink half now and the other half in the morning”. Half an hour later I was nibbling toast and drinking tea and an hour later I ate my first meal in 3 days.
Slept like a log, drank the other half in the morning, ate a huge breakfast and went to work!! To this day I have no idea what was in there but if you ever need medical advice in a hurry, the foreign pharmcists can be real lifesavers. They have much more leeway in dispensing drugs than in the USA and for COMMON, seasonal ailments they know what works.
jim and nena
fort worth
Hi Jim. Tell Nina to remember what it was and tell the rest of us.
Don Ray:
I agree with DK, antibiotics are not needed for most colds or upper airway infections. And its true, they are overprescribed. Only creating bug resistance.
Regarding Jim comment about pharmacist, he is right, most people in Panama who can not afford going to see a docotor, go to the local drug store and ask the pharmacist. He usually gives an advise close to waht a docotr will do. And because you do not need (at least in the past) prescription to buy the majority of meds in Panama, they will buy on the spot waht they were reccomending. Also, many panamanians go to drug stores and just ask for “Pantomicina” for my throat or “Sulfa” for my “mal de orine”, self medicating themselves and taking antibiotics that are most likely , not needed.
Anyhow, I hope you are doing better. THe “verano” is coming and cold season should be over. I am hoping you can try the Ciudad de David restaurant and tell us all about it.
Jaime^
Hi Jaime. I am feeling a lot better after two days of medicine. Next Sunday, Ciudad de David will be on the schedule.
Hi Don Ray,
Hope you get well soon. As far as I know, bacteria ( not viruses) are killed by antibiotics. You probably got a mixed infection, caused by both pathogens and that is why your doctor prescribed antibiotics. It is true that antibiotics are usually overprescribed all over the world, leading to bacterial resistance and even death in the long run. Rest and liquids, chicken soup, plus TLC from Lilliam will make a difference! In case you have a non-productive cough, a reputable respiratory therapist might be of great help. He might go to your house out of work hours. (Just contact me to talk with him). Something else, change your t-shirt as soon as you sweat and please avoid going to the highlands until your´re absolutely recovered. Sounds exaggerated/culturally biased but we all know we are in the Tropics… Regards,