Living in China

I currently live in China, which is awesome! I have had my pacer since May 2011, so almost 5 years. It's been causing me pain lately. More annoying than actually sever pain. I've been traveling around quite a bit on my break, so that could be it? I just don't know if I should brave the Chinese hospital, or wait another 6 months until I'll be stateside to go see my doctor. Let me know what you think!

3 Comments

Some suggestions

by BillH - 2016-01-11 03:01:34

It is really impossible over the internet to tell you.

One thing that I am concerned about is because of the location that you minimize how bad the pain really is.

Several thougths.

Try tele-medicine where you can talk to a state-side doctor and point to where the pain is, etc.

Many insurance companies have Call a Nurse. Contact them and if they can help over the phone to put you in contact with tele-medicine.

Contact your doctor's office. They know you the best.

Contact the local Embassy. They will have list of medical professionals.

China

by IAN MC - 2016-01-11 04:01:09

I have been to China many times ( my son and family lived in Shanghai for 7 years ) . I agree China is awesome.

As you know there is Western medicine / hospitals running alongside the Chinese system which still uses more traditional medical practices. Your pacemaker is probably made in China !

All reports I had from my family and their friends regarding the Westernised healthcare system in China were highly favourable .Providing that you live in a large centre such as Beijing or Shanghai I would have no concerns whatsoever regarding the competence and experience of Chinese cardiologists .

You are not the only Westerner living in China. there are millions more ex-pats from Europe, the States, Canada etc , all need health-care from time to time . As far as I know your heart will be no different anatomically to a Chinese heart. It wouldn't surprise me if your heart was made in China !!

Instead of resorting to tele-medicine why not give your local cardiology centre a try ; you may be pleasantly surprised. The cardiologist will probably speak better English than you do. My only concern would be that the technicians who adjust pacemakers are probably only familiar with Chinese brand-names.

Best of luck

Ian

new pain

by Tracey_E - 2016-01-11 06:01:15

Are you carrying around a backpack often? That can aggravate it and make it sore. Being more active than normal can also.

If you have any signs of infection, I would find a place to be seen asap. Fever, new redness, red streaks, new swelling, oozing.

Enjoy your travel!

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

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