If you think medical care in Philippines is bad, Look at this.

[Teacher]

My ankle kept swelling up, so I went to the doctor in Taiwan what did he do? He started by putting a needle in my leg. Then he gave me some strange herbs that tasted bad and didn’t make me feel any better. At the end of this my ankle still swells up.

[bikerdave]

Looks like it could be gout

[shadow]

Originally Posted by bikerdave

Looks like it could be gout

Yes, it could be gout. Try popping about 3 Advil.

Larry

[Pedro]

Love that "emergency room" and the state-of-art surgical eqiupment.

[Teacher]

All most everything has to be got by prescription. Nothing like back home in the Philippines, there you want it you can buy most anything. Almost nothing one pain reliever everything is Panadol. I think I saw Robitussin and thats it. But one cool thing is national Health for everyone. But I will check on the gout. But if I spent time walking it seems to go away. I was just thinking that I wasn't getting enough exercise. I know I have put on 16kilos living here. I turning into a fat ass expat..

[garbonzo]

Teacher...for what it's worth. My wife was working in coronary ward for a while. One early sign of heart troubles....swollen ankles...hope you got the ticker checked. On a similar tack...I saw an American documentary rating medical services around the world - and comparing them to the US. The overall winner....believe it or not....Taiwan..........Japan was second.

[Teacher]

Thanks for the info. Whats worries me is you maybe right. you think it time to quit smoking? Lose weight? I knew this time would come, been feeling heart flutters when I go to bed at night. Shortness of breath I have noticed just started.

garbonzo what steps should I take without a doctor?

[jimeve]

I have heard that as well, swollen ankles, sign of Angina. get your ticker checked out.

[garbonzo]

Doesn't Taiwan have universal health coverage? Said they did on TV....in which case I'd go see a real doctor....Could be a lot of things, I'd hate to guess or give any advice.........Would ditch the cigarettes asap though......they never did anyone any good. But I would get checked out by a competent doctor. Hopefully it's nothing serious...

[Teacher]

Yes, they do. But I live in a small town. Most of the doctors deal in the old Chinese medicine and don't really speak English. I think when I have time I will go to Hsinchu which is a big city and have myself looked over.

I was thinking more over the steps I should take now. Because next month I plan to go home for a week. Missing the Philippines to much and need a rest.