Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Lao Wai]

Hey,

So, I just got back from the doctor and am pissed off (I'm in Hong Kong). A little background info...When I get a cold, I'm only sick for about 3 days. All symptoms disappear except for a dry cough. This happens EVERY TIME. The dry cough goes on and on and on....Hence why I go to the doctor. Anyway, most doctors have prescribed me a powder inhaler called symbicort. It's a bronchodilator. It works like a charm EVER TIME. So, when I went to this doctor I explained my history, and what other doctors have prescribed. He then told me he was going to give me some medicine but not the inhaler. I asked why not. He said because it's only prescribed for asthma. So, I asked him about the medicine he wanted to prescribe. He said it's a bronchodilator. So, I was confused. If they're both bronchodilators, why not give me the one that I know has worked very well in the past. I was just asking questions, not being a jerk. He then told me that I came in DEMANDING medication and that he wouldn't prescribe the inhaler. I knew he was pissed. He said he'd waive the consultation fee and I could go to another doctor. I said, okay, well you're the doctor so I'll go with what you want to do. (Even though I was pissed).

So, I get home and have looked up the pills he's prescribed to me (3 days worth...yay) along with cough syrup (doesn't work), throat lozenges (told him I don't have a sore throat), etc. You know what the pills are indicated for?? ASTHMA! The reason he told me he wouldn't give me the inhaler was because it was indicated for asthma.

I knew he didn't want me questioning him and could tell he was pissed off. I've never had a doctor like this before. Most times when I tell them previous meds I've taken, they agree and say it's quite effective. My previous doctors have also explained how the meds work, etc. This guy just wanted me to nod my head like a good little boy and keep my mouth shut.

So, was I in the wrong to be questioning him? I wouldn't like people telling me how to teach, but....

[Boodleheimer]

ni de daifu hen bu hao!

[Lao Wai]

[RACETRAITOR]

Maybe he's getting a kickback from a pharmaceutical company to prescribe their medication. I've heard that used to happen (which is code for still does) among doctors and pharmacists in Korea.

[Grimalkin]

Your inhaler is only treating the symptoms of your asthma. I suspect the doctor has given you pills for the underlying cause. If he has he's a very good doctor!


Are your pill prednisolone (generic name maybe the brand name is different) or some other form of oral steroid. If they are that makes a lot of sense!


Hope you feel better soon.

[Lao Wai]

[Lynns]

You're right, three days worth of Singulair is useless. My son is on Singulair and it's a longterm preventative med, quite effective too, but it doesn't relieve asthma symptoms--for that you need the inhaler.

[Sash]

I've had experiences with deaf doctors too.
Find a good doctor and stick with him/her!!
I hope the new meds do end up working though.

Good luck!

[bluelake]

[ChopChaeJoe]

Doctors (all professionals actually) don't like to be told their business by laymmen. You tell the doctor your symptoms, medical history, ect. they make the diagnosis and prescription. You stepped on his toes.

it happens.

[supernaut]

[Lao Wai]

[Grimalkin]

It's clear from the meds the Dr. has prescribed u that he considers u to be a mild asthmatic who has had a sudden exacerbation.

In that case their is a certain logic in giving you oral med for only a 3 day period. As oral med has a much higher dose than inhaled (up to 50 times) he expects that your symptoms will be brought under control much more speedily.


This is consistent with another Dr. having prescribed u Symbicort if.....


...if you have been instructed to take symbicort only when you have symptoms.


If you are supposed to take your symbicort regularly whether or not you are symptomatic then that is a different case. The corticosteroid in your symbicort is only effective in treating the underlying cause of your asthma if it is taken regularly.

If you are taking it only for symptomatic relief then you are only getting the benefit of the bronchodilator effect. If u really are only a mild asthmatic that is all u probably need.

if your asthma is moderate to severe then u should be using ur inhaler regularly whether u are having symptoms or not.

(Sorry for the bad typing i'm in a rush)

[Lao Wai]

Hey,

Not that anybody probably cares but...the three days of pills the doctor gave me did help....for those 3 days. Now that they're all gone, it's back to my crap cough again. So, it's off to another doctor for me. Maybe this one can actually help me.

[Howard Roark]

I had the same problem when I got to ENGLAND. So it can happen here in the west too.

I have an overactive bladder. It's not any kind of infection, just feel like I have to pee a lot.

I had a great urologist in Korea who prescribed very effective medication for me. Overactive bladder is quite a common and simple problem. There are 5 or 6 medications doctors typically prescribe.

Well, when I got here (England) and ran out of medicine my problem got very bad. Not having a doctor, I went to the ER at the local hospital. The doctor was completely dense. He told me he had no idea what kind of medicine I was talking about, that there was no such thing as medication for overactive bladder. He tried to tell me I had an infection and gave me Canestan cream - which is for fungal infections. I pleaded and argued with this man, to no end.

I had to wait a week to get an appointment with my boyfriend's doctor. She gave me the medicine I wanted without any problems and said it was odd that the doctor at the ER didn't help me.

That trip to the ER cost me $100. I had a very rough first week in jolly old England because of that obtuse ER f**ker.

P.S. I really like England, don't get me wrong.