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ava77 · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Posts: 100

Good Morning!

I have tried to search for medical clinics but haven't had much luck. I was wondering if there are any clinics in the Nerima area. I have an extremely sore throat and need to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Any help would be appreciated. I can go to Shibuya but would prefer something close to home as I am really not well.

Thanks

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

do an Internet search for the US Embassy in Tokyo and they have a list of doctors. I found a good eye doctor in Tachikawa from that list.

ava77 · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Posts: 100

Well thanks for your help, I will definitely check that list for the next time.
I had a terrible experience this morning. I called an English number for medical information about English speaking doctors in my area. I then went to the clinic that they recommended. I arrived to find out the receptionist did not speak English but I figured ok the doctor must be the only one. After waiting for 20 minutes I was invited into a large room with two other patients coughing, sneezing etc. If I wasn't sick when I went there I would be for sure when I left. I sat in the chair, and I told her my throat hurt(I could see with a mirror at home that it was red and swollen it looked like there was a cut inside). Without any warning she stuck some spray thing up my nose and asked if I had a temperature. I said I didn't know but she didn't bother to check. I told her my ear was hurting as it had been swollen up my neck. She glanced in one ear and didn't even check the other to compare to see if it looked inflamed etc. She then directed me to inhale some mist from a machine that looked like it was a hundred years old. The place looked to be very unsanitary not like at home where they use gloves and disposable tongue depressers. Anyways she ended up prescribing something for pain and the swelling. She wanted to give me an antibiotic injection too. I refused the injection as I am allergic to penicillin and was afraid of what it would be. I had someone from the English line translating for me from her with my cell phone most of the time so I knew what they were giving me etc. So I still don't know the cause of this thing in my throat and I am out 4500 yen and a 10 minute cell phone bill.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

What you described is a very typical (and accurate) depiction of how they treat a sore throat a typical Japanese doctor's office. (Minus the injection). Be careful of the pills you were prescribed... Giving antibiotics (what you said you are allergic to) is endemic in this country. They are little, pale-orange tablets with a black logo on them. The white pills are usually for pain.

blue jay · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 2:38 am Post subject:

madeira · Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 182 Location: Oppama

The 'smoke machines' do an amazing job! I was sceptical when I first saw them, too. No more. You probably also received some Isojin (sp?), a kind of iodine to gargle with. Have someone tell you the correct amount of water to mix with it (if you did get some). I used it 50/50 and coloured my teeth an attractive yellow... (gone now, thanks!)

The doctor I went to didn't know why I had a swollen throat and face, but he said lots of foreigners get such symptoms. He didn't take a swab, which I thought was strange. However, whatever he did fixed me up very quickly. I hope it'll work for you, too!