Bangkoktraveler Posted December 6, 2006 Report Share Posted December 6, 2006 I am in the US now. Just came back from Intensive care. The doctor thinks I may have a strep infection in my knee. My right knee on the left side is swollen bright red and covers an area with a diameter of 5". The skin has swollen so much that it has broken the skin. Yesterday I went to my primary care provider and she put me on some antibiotics but for some reason, these antibiotics do not seem to be doing any good. Since that visit it has gotten larger. Some of my friends told me to go to intensive care today, which I did. Tomorrow I go see a specialist. I feel like a hamburger at McDonalds that didn't get sold today..... so they keep it around for tomorrow. If I was in Thailand, I am positive I would be getting a lot better medical care but I an not there... I am in the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nervous_Dog Posted December 6, 2006 Report Share Posted December 6, 2006 You'd at least be able to hire a sweet young thing to dress up as a nurse for a few thousand baht a day! Hope you get well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted December 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2006 I must say, health care in the US is at an all time low. Two days ago went to my primary care provider and showed her my knee. "You poor man!" She gave me some antibotics and an apintment with a specialist. Last night, it had swollen more so I went to Urgent Care. There, the doctor drew a line around the infection and said if it grows any larger, I must go to the hospital. She gave me a different for of antibiotics. This morning, I went to the specialist. He said it looks like it might be infected under the knee cap. Told me to go to hospital for x-rays. He claimed the antibiotic the doctor (last night) gave me is for respiratory infections not skin infections. He said that to stop taking them. Went to the hospital for x-rays. Doctor wrote with a red marker pen that I wasn't to be released until he had seen the results of the x-rays. Got my knee x-rated. Waited one hour and went and asked about the results. Oh.... the person who is suppose to interpret the x-rays has been gone over an hour for lunch. No use staying here. Go home. The specialist refered me to another specialist. They called and said I could have an appointment for tomorrow. Oh.... by the way, please bring in your x-rays. This specialist is right beside the hospital. They claimed they could not get the x-rays that I would have to do it myself. My aching knee.... I wish I was in Thailand. Shit, if they piss me off enough, maybe I wil get a ticket and fly to Bangkok. Probably will get service sooner then waiting around here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian2 Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 At least in BKK all you need to do is go down to the drug store, show it to the pharmacist and take what he recommends. No bullshitting around with doctors, hospitals, waiting rooms, prescriptions etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Munchmaster Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 At least in BKK all you need to do is go down to the drug store, show it to the pharmacist and take what he recommends. No bullshitting around with doctors, hospitals, waiting rooms, prescriptions etc. Not very clever advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted December 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 [color:red] "Not very clever advice!"[/color] Munchmanster, you are not in the US. It is crazy here. For example, my PCV (Primary care provider) put me on antibiotic #1. I went to Urgent Care and was told to stop antibiotic #1 and to take antibiotic #2. Then I went to a specialist who said antibiotic #2 is for respitory infections and to stop taking it and to restart taking antibiotic #1. Went today to a orthopedic institute and the doctor there said I should be taking both of the antibiotics. I told him that is what I have been doing! Everyone is right, it is just a matter of how you look at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavanami Posted December 8, 2006 Report Share Posted December 8, 2006 I always get on the internet and search out what medicines the doctors give me. I would suggest you do the same. I am also in the USA for the next two weeks or so. Get well soon and see ya at Gully's! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian2 Posted December 8, 2006 Report Share Posted December 8, 2006 "For example, my PCV (Primary care provider)" At least they've stopped calling some one with a bachelor's degree Doctor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lembeh Posted December 8, 2006 Report Share Posted December 8, 2006 Can't quite put your two posts together. You say someone with a Bachelors degree in medicine should not get the title "Doctor", but also recommend getting your local (Thai!!!) pharmacist to do the prescribing for you!! -j- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elef Posted December 8, 2006 Report Share Posted December 8, 2006 In Sweden we a very old proverb "nobody is a good doctor before filling a cemetary"; there're many diseases for self-medication and a few where I trust a pharmacist (eczema is one), but some like strep infection require a specialist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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