Personal Finance for Residents of Japan
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Would that be Dr. Schlemper? (I did a quick Google search).Roger Van Zant wrote: ↑Thu Jun 02, 2022 4:40 pm Where in Japan are you?
I know a foreign (Dutch) doctor in Fukuoka.
I have been going to him for over fifteen years.
He will be able to give you the best advice.
None of this “gamen “ nonsense.
I agree with you here. I was prescribed some kampo here that did wonders for my prostatitis.Haystack wrote: ↑Fri Jun 03, 2022 4:12 am Like many things in this world I think the compromise between the Japanese approach and the Western approach is most sound.
Larger availability and understanding among physicians when it comes to acute, long-term pain. Coupled with closer monitoring (3-6 month script lengths).
I would like to also see Japan embrace things like THC that allow people to manage pain, while avoiding other scripts that are harmful to their kidneys and livers long-term (if possible in each individual case).
Standard, I am not a physician etc disclaimer.Gulliver wrote: ↑Fri Jun 03, 2022 5:59 amI agree with you here. I was prescribed some kampo here that did wonders for my prostatitis.Haystack wrote: ↑Fri Jun 03, 2022 4:12 am Like many things in this world I think the compromise between the Japanese approach and the Western approach is most sound.
Larger availability and understanding among physicians when it comes to acute, long-term pain. Coupled with closer monitoring (3-6 month script lengths).
I would like to also see Japan embrace things like THC that allow people to manage pain, while avoiding other scripts that are harmful to their kidneys and livers long-term (if possible in each individual case).
I’ve never tried THC for pain (does it work for this? I thought it was mainly used to increase appetite and epilepsy) but I do agree that anything that might reduce the amount of harmful meds we have to take is worth research for approval.
Sounds exactly like what opioids do without the constipation
. I’d sign up for that study. But, from what I’ve seen of Japanese attitudes towards that sort of thing. We may have to wait for a cold day in hell.I really appreciate the detailed queries, especially from a health professionalBubblegun wrote: ↑Thu Jun 02, 2022 2:30 pm So I was an NHS nurse, and there are some questions that really need to be asked before we can really make an real comment on what type of pain killers might be suitable. Most above are discussing acute pain which will resolve itself.
1.What type of pain is it? Nerve, muscular or bone? Depending on the type the the doc can best prescribe some meds. Nerve pain is very hard to treat and control however there have been some excellent results with specific anti-depressants, which block pain.
2. what is the diagnosis? ( important) and Where is your pain specifically? Is Weight an issue? As that can have an impact too.
3. How is the pain being measured? Do you have a pain chart. eg 0.no pain .......... up to 10 unbearable? track it. Show the doc.best thing about a chart is it is objective, measurable, and can be used to review treatment.
4, What type of route is best? To be honest rectal is the fastest route into the blood stream, due to the large bowels large vascular system. and will stop any stomach side effects. Its one of the reason we use it with kids.
5 Have you found a pain specialist? Most docs don't have "expertise" in pain management, because their speciality is in another field, however there has been an increase is pain specialists now. This wasn't something I saw 20 years ago here. if I was you, ask for a referral or look around for a pain management specialist.
6) I am going to suggest that there could be cultural misconception (doctors) on how patients express pain. Maybe Japanese can games, while the rest of the world expresses their pain in an over loud way.
One experience we had was froma young Ethiopian man who continually groaned, and even though we tried to manage his pain and there was no obvious reason for his pain, we thought he was expressing it in the way he would do back home. Anyway, it turned out the consultant recommended a colonoscopy (nice). and they found a massive tape worm inside his intestines. So while, it may be ignored, cultural bias maybe there.( it may not)
I suffered chronic pain for 25 years and I'm basically pain free 2 years now. NO NSAID and no muscle relaxants, which I used for years and years.
. 1 I understand that you don't want to put up your diagnosis. no problems. However it would be helpful. If you want o PM me off board please do.Gulliver wrote: ↑Fri Jun 03, 2022 7:24 amI really appreciate the detailed queries, especially from a health professionalBubblegun wrote: ↑Thu Jun 02, 2022 2:30 pm So I was an NHS nurse, and there are some questions that really need to be asked before we can really make an real comment on what type of pain killers might be suitable. Most above are discussing acute pain which will resolve itself.
1.What type of pain is it? Nerve, muscular or bone? Depending on the type the the doc can best prescribe some meds. Nerve pain is very hard to treat and control however there have been some excellent results with specific anti-depressants, which block pain.
2. what is the diagnosis? ( important) and Where is your pain specifically? Is Weight an issue? As that can have an impact too.
3. How is the pain being measured? Do you have a pain chart. eg 0.no pain .......... up to 10 unbearable? track it. Show the doc.best thing about a chart is it is objective, measurable, and can be used to review treatment.
4, What type of route is best? To be honest rectal is the fastest route into the blood stream, due to the large bowels large vascular system. and will stop any stomach side effects. Its one of the reason we use it with kids.
5 Have you found a pain specialist? Most docs don't have "expertise" in pain management, because their speciality is in another field, however there has been an increase is pain specialists now. This wasn't something I saw 20 years ago here. if I was you, ask for a referral or look around for a pain management specialist.
6) I am going to suggest that there could be cultural misconception (doctors) on how patients express pain. Maybe Japanese can games, while the rest of the world expresses their pain in an over loud way.
One experience we had was froma young Ethiopian man who continually groaned, and even though we tried to manage his pain and there was no obvious reason for his pain, we thought he was expressing it in the way he would do back home. Anyway, it turned out the consultant recommended a colonoscopy (nice). and they found a massive tape worm inside his intestines. So while, it may be ignored, cultural bias maybe there.( it may not)
I suffered chronic pain for 25 years and I'm basically pain free 2 years now. NO NSAID and no muscle relaxants, which I used for years and years.
1. I am hesitant to put my full diagnosis online but ultimately it is neuralgic in nature. I have tried antidepressants but, for some reason, I am susceptible to serotonin sickness. I quickly discovered these are not an option.
2. The pain started about a decade ago when I was at a normal weight. I have gained weight, but that is due to lack of mobility from the condition.
3. I have definitely tried to express my pain levels, which are constant 5 to a breakthrough of 10, to Japanese doctors. But, as I described above, no matter how bad you tell them your pain is they will only give you up to a certain level of medication.
4. I did finally try a NSAID suppository but I found it no more help than oral kind.
5. I have been to pain specialists, both in the US and in Japan. I’ve tried spinal epidural steroid injections and nerve blocks. I’ve been to many different specialists in the US and Germany and I’ve had multiple blood tests, MRIs, CT’s and the list goes on. I finally spent some time at the Mayo Clinic, where I was ultimately prescribed opioids for occasional breakthrough pain- And surprise, they worked!
6. I can definitely agree I have experienced medical “culture shock” here when doctors have repeatedly laughed at me when I told them I was in horrible pain. I wondered if they did this to all of the patients only foreigners.
As a sidenote: One doctor did recently put me on what he described as a “radical treatment” of alternating ibuprofen and acetaminophen every few hours (which is still not enough and ends up messing up your stomach), along with prescription sleeping pills because I could not sleep due to the pain. But they only worked for a few days and made me feel like a zombie.
May I ask what treatment you used to become pain-free?