Patient: *describes potential life-threatening symptoms of an illness Japanese doctor: sounds like a skill issue

@sarroumarbeu6810

Жыл бұрын

Hmmmm dunno what's that *points at the very obvious symptom that even non-medically trained ppl can identify*

One of my professors had a friend die from a heart attack because the ambulance crew couldn't get multiple hospitals to admit him because they didn't have a cardiologist on duty. As someone who trained as an EMT back in the States, this both scared me and offended me on a deep level.

@foxythecutefox2564

Жыл бұрын

Canada and USA has had a similar issue over protests and had late ambulances unfortunately cause the same fatal incidents

@gagamba9198

Жыл бұрын

I had a friend almost die from appendicitis whilst he was sitting in one of Seoul's best A&Es and the doctors were insistent he was experiencing abdominal pain because he's a foreigner who can't eat Korean food. Fortunately, he was already a patient with a Korean doctor who went to med school at Duke, a top med school in the US, and ran the international clinic that catered to foreigners. His wife called Dr. Lee, told him what was going on, he told her to put the A&E doctor on the phone, and read they fella the riot act when he found out the basic workup including white blood cell test hadn't been done. Sure enough, elevated white blood cells, he was wheeled into surgery, and they found he appendix was about to rupture.

@dylanhaugen3739

Жыл бұрын

Here in the U.S. the problem is healthcare is often unaffordable. It's why people use uber as an ambulance because an ambulance ride could cost you $3,000. Or people just don't go to the doctor at all and hope whatever is wrong with them doesn't get worse.

@uhlexseeuh

Жыл бұрын

@@dylanhaugen3739 the reason its expensive is the reason its good, I mean this doctors don't want 30 bucks an hour, they charge their rates for a reason

@EsotericRyoushi

Жыл бұрын

​@@uhlexseeuh the expensive price on the PATIENT has nothing to do with it being good. If the government took over and paid for all the prices and such that patients had to pay, it would still be great. Sure, you'd have problems with over-crowding, but you can fix that if you actually implement stuff to stop that (unlike most european countries) So, the main reason the "good" doctors come to the US, including most of the doctors I have gone to my life, is because they have the ability to make WAY more money than their home countries, whether they studied in the US or abroad. I have a hungarian friend and a polish friend, and they both talk about how their doctors are crap, and alot of them are basically only doctors in their countries because of activism (wanting to keep the problem of talent flight from ruining their own country) or because the doctors were not GOOD ENOUGH to go to other countries where they would have been paid way more. In essence, yeah, we have good healthcare in the US, assuming you are in the top 1% and can actually afford to pay the bills. I mean, hell, with my mother's insurance paying, my $14k bill was put down to $700, but EVEN AT THAT PRICE, how am I supposed to afford that? The economy is trashed, TL;DR, I can't pay it. it's not an option. I'm already relying on other people's kindness to get by, I don't have money at the end of the month to even do a PAYMENT PLAN FOR $700. All of my friends and family at similar ages don't have money, they all live at home and can't get any money in their savings. Point is, putting the bills on the patients has naught to do with the healthcare being good, it's what you pay the doctors.

If Doctors in Japan are like Gacha, then doctors in the US are basically guaranteed 5 stars Gacha, but come in pieces and you have to sell your entire house to get one, sell an eye for one and one of your balls to get the last one.

@r.daneel.90

Жыл бұрын

I would say, at least you can pay out your way to that 5 stars. In Japan, wtf you do other than keep looking.

@thatoneguy978

Жыл бұрын

its in premium pay to win currency but its common because they make you pay so much for it in the USA you're basically guaranteed for quality at the least

@RavagHer

Жыл бұрын

well there are soo many dentists in the US that if u have a bad experience u can literally just go down the street to a new dentist or probably another dentist at the same place. ive had like 5 different dentists in like 10 years mainly cuz i didnt like one thing or another.

@VesperJester

Жыл бұрын

Why do ppl like you always deflect to America when talking about other another country's problem. It's a weird obsession, even if you have American Citizenship.

@Tagerrun

Жыл бұрын

@@RavagHer sounds like I’m Japan you’d have been fucked.

This really hits close to home. I had to take an ambulance 3 times in my 1.5 years living in Japan as a language student, and none of the doctors actually helped me... I have vaso vagal syncope (which is a fancy term for common fainting syndrome, but it's extremely uncommon to faint as often as I do) due to really painful periods. I've had these since I was 13, and period pain, even painful ones, are unfortunately seen as "normal" when it isn't. Over time, my episodes have gotten more frequent and more severe. I had been written off often when I was a teen because it's "normal," and I should just "take more pain meds." The last time I passed out, I was on the Yamanote JR line in July 2022, and the train was halted and everything. The bystanders saved my life! The train staff got an ambulance for me, and I was in level 10, excruciating pain and drifting in and out of consciousness and could barely speak. I was paralyzed by the pain, and the medics thought I couldn't speak Japanese and were frustrated that I was in too much pain to speak, I guess. When they realized it was period pains, they sent me to a women's hospital and said, "They'll prescribe you pain meds for you to pick up because there isn't a pharmacy in the hospital." Excuse me, WHAT??! I was completely incapable of walking. How was I supposed to "walk to the pharmacy?" I was like, "Please give me pain meds!" I was vomiting and shaking from the shock my body was in. They didn't give me any meds... When I arrived, they wanted to insert a pelvic ultrasound probe (which doesn't show ANYTHING according to my American doctors), and I vehemently refused, still in pain. The male doctor did a normal ultrasound and said, "You just have really bad period pains." Yeah, no SHIT, Sherlock! That was the last straw for me. I quit my schooling, went back to the States, went to a new OBGYN, and explained how I passed out in Japan and how dangerous this has become for me. Turns out, my body produces too much of the hormone for cramping, which means I have to endure near-childbirth-level pain most months :) I'm now finally receiving the hysterectomy I've needed for the last 13 years!! The doctors in Japan are even worse than the US about women's health, and they don't know what they're doing. Do NOT rely on the Japanese health care system for your mental health or endometriosis symptoms. ETA: I've never received an IV in a Japanese hospital? Is that normal? I've been to the ER in America multiple times, and they gave me an IV every time because I was vomiting and pale, along with a blood draw to test my blood. It has literally never happened in Japan. They just let me lay in the hospital bed until the pain subsided and released me. The most they did was a CT scan because I hit my head one of the times when I passed out. Absolutely bonkers.

@sarroumarbeu6810

Жыл бұрын

I'm absolutely furious reading this...I have the same symptoms with a few close calls to passing out in public....how could they not know??!? Or atleast give IV painkillers and anti emetics ..... It's absolutely NOT normal to be paralyzed by pain and they're like "yeah go walk to the pharmacy" ?!????? Gosh I'm so fucking sorry you went through that... medical negligence sucks specially for something as excruciating as endometriosis On a positive note congratulations on getting the hysterectomy and finally being pain free 🎉👏 ..no understands how fucking horrible endo pain is

@_gabyve_

Жыл бұрын

As someone with bad period pain, I get you sis And to my knowledge it is fricking irresponsible to not get you an IV with those symptoms wtf

@Makikiku

Жыл бұрын

I’m Japanese I don’t really like going to Japanese doctors for the same reason … My Indian friends father passed away of liver failure after his surgery him and his family stayed in the hospital for everyday for at least a month to check on his dad . His dad passed away at 12am and they only got the news in the morning at 6am from a staff my friend and his family was very furious when they asked the doctors why they didn’t tell them that his dad passed away when he n his family are just in the waiting room everynight n day waiting for his dad to get better the doctors said "we just don’t want to bother you and make you all worried and it can’t be helped he’s already dead " to this day it still bothers me how some doctors here are incompetent 🤦‍♀️

@LittleSparklingStars

Жыл бұрын

I have the hormone thing as well, it’s awful. BC fixed it.

@ricebeansrockroll882

Жыл бұрын

As someone with similar symptoms, what is the hormone to check for? I have trouble fighting to get help.

As a Malaysian government doctor, I never even considered not being able to refer someone for anything. Our referral system even in rural clinics are impeccable. Even private clinics can refer to government specialists. Recently the government had to reject people from Hospitals because they kept coming for small things. So they had to go to GP clinics and if it’s treatable we treat it, if it needs more investigation or more complicated management, we refer back to the Hospital.

@bdbgh

Жыл бұрын

I also definitely appreciate KK being able to make some expensive medical test suites accessible to the general public of all financial ability. I had to be tested for TB (xray, mantoux test, blood screening, phlegm test) and it costed me only RM1 per visit.

@Lekirius

Жыл бұрын

From my impression of this video, I can't believe it's possible to make the Malaysian healthcare system look better than Japan's. I mean it's a goddamn first world country. Our KKM deserves the cred it definitely doesn't receive.

@DurianKing

Жыл бұрын

@@Lekirius Sometimes I find patients with chronic diseases like DM or hypertension lie about taking their FREE medication to "test" whether they can control their disease on their own. Then after a few months of uncontrolled blood sugar or blood pressure, they would sheepishly admit what they did. Thousands of ringgit worth of medication down the drain. I would take a deep breath and ask for the mountains of expired pills to be returned to the pharmacy for disposal. "Kids who have never seen peace and kids who have never seen war have different values." - Doffy

@91010186

Жыл бұрын

Biasanya aku pergi GP sebab senang dapat ubat. Kalau tengok specialist procedure banyak sial.

@blackz5040

Жыл бұрын

@@Lekirius bruh same. Before i just didn't care about medical care in our country until i watched how costly it is in the USA even for a merely medical checkup. Here we got sick, go to clinic, pay rm1 and get your treatment.

Sharla's story of her thyroid issues was enlightening. Japan doctors didnt quite know what to do but check back in a few months. Go back to Canada and they say its serious but we cant do anything for months. Call a US thyroid clinic in Florida and they say, yup we can fix that, can you be here Thursday for surgery.

@lukestover2207

Жыл бұрын

@@tricksfollies9549 yeah that is why insurance exists. Sucks for people from out of the country.

@edwardlomeli5657

Жыл бұрын

@@lukestover2207 what you mean it’s still stupid expensive with insurance

@tricksfollies9549

Жыл бұрын

@@lukestover2207 as Edward said, it’s still really expensive and you can still get turned down if you don’t have the right insurance

@alaa341g

Жыл бұрын

wtf is wrong with those countries , hahaha like litterally wtf , i live in a 3rd world country and its waaaay better then this shit and its fucking free ,

@songcramp66

Жыл бұрын

My experience in Canada is that if you don't have a life-threatening emergency then yes, it will take a few months. Things have only gotten worse since Covid with huge understaffing in the whole medical industry.

I don't want to be morbid, but this is what happened with 100T Kyedae. Very tired, started getting massive bruises very easily. Turns out it's leukemia. I also don't want to generalize, but my feeling is the Japanese medical system is hung up on procedures over performance, Syd's symptoms would triggered alarm bells in a practicing GP where I live and would have been triaged quickly into more active diagnosing.

@alaa341g

Жыл бұрын

i don't understand how they didn't do a fucking CBC wtf is wrong with japan

@raskolinikov6402

Жыл бұрын

But she lives in Canada?

@stuntmonkey00

Жыл бұрын

@@raskolinikov6402 There are residency requirements to qualify for free healthcare in Canada. If you live and work in LA most of the year, you aren't considered a resident anymore. but I don't know here situation. The scary thing is Kyedae's form of Leukemia is very aggressive and is the same that Korea KZreadr HojuSara died of last year.

@sarroumarbeu6810

Жыл бұрын

I live in a 3rd world country with a fairly shit healthcare system that really could use better funding....but even here spontaneous bruising would be a major alarming symptom and would be referred to a specialist asap .... Japan being so aloof with triaging ppl for their various symptoms is just scary...you could be sick with something easily treatable with modern medicine and you'd possibly die because they couldn't be arsed to do a proper exam and do a referral...

doctor here. large unexplained bruising, attend a haematologist aka a blood doctor. could be leukaemia, or honestly a variety of different conditions causing low platlets but many will require treatment to prevent harm

@foxythecutefox2564

Жыл бұрын

It’s definitely rare that it is that especially without other symptoms and alcohol consumption periods and no multivitamins until regular things that women get is ruled out with blood tests for various anemias that cause this definitely wouldn’t jump to the unthinkable scaring a women like that

@chair6180

Жыл бұрын

​@@foxythecutefox2564 Punctuation is very important in written English.

@foxythecutefox2564

Жыл бұрын

@@chair6180 lol indeed but it’s social media so we’re mostly just relaxing with our busy schedules

@chair6180

Жыл бұрын

@@foxythecutefox2564 no, I am not new to social media. Take it or leave it. Ex: "okay I will pay Lisa" * "Okay, I will pay Lisa" * "Okay, I will.... Pay, Lisa!" * "Okay, I will pay, Lisa!* * "Okay! I will pay, Lisa."

@mateusbrun3090

Жыл бұрын

LOL found it funny that from all the mild conditions that could cause the bruises, you decided to go with "well it might be cancer though" (it really could but you get the point)

When I was younger and still on my "I want to live in Japan!" thing, I researched a lot. Found out that hospitals don't use epidurals in labor. It's a no from me

@nerdthatknits

Жыл бұрын

I know that when you’re pregnant in Japan, they have really strict weight limits on how much you can gain weight with your pregnancy. I’m not sure if that’s a part of preventing possible complications with pregnancy. But it makes sense if they don’t have the facilities to give someone an emergency C-section.

@Megamibunny

Жыл бұрын

At least they don’t have dirty bed and say you can’t breet feed!

@sarroumarbeu6810

Жыл бұрын

​@@nerdthatknits which is so stupid given that no amount of prevention can make the risk of complications 0....1st world countries with shit healthcare baffle me 💀

@dylanhaugen3739

Жыл бұрын

Yet women are 4 times more likely to die giving birth in the U.S. then in Japan. So at a bare minimum they're much better at keeping mothers alive.

@ack153

Жыл бұрын

Foreign mom in Japan here. You can get an epidural but you have to research where to get one beforehand. I originally wanted a midwife but they had a hospital relationship in case I had an emergency and needed to go. It turns out I needed to go after 36 hours of labor. The doctor was used to foreign patients and the nurses I had were amazing so I had a better experience with that part than even a lot of moms in America experience. Even with research, you're not going to find a lot of info in English. It's called 無痛分娩　mutsuubunben in Japanese.

If you’re ever in a foreign country and you have to go to a hospital, go to one run by the university.

@prospitdreamer

Жыл бұрын

Why a hospital run by a university?

@arcphage1636

Жыл бұрын

​@@prospitdreamer they're more likely able to cater to foreign people. There's a higher number of staff who either trained overseas or come from overseas from what I understand

As a doctor it really baffled me all the horror stories about medical care in Japan, even foreign with japanese partners that can communicate with the medical staff.

@DanielK1213th

Жыл бұрын

You know, even with all the flaws, it’s much better to live in Japan because their healthcare is much more affordable. Most of the times, you just don’t want to get bankrupt by hospitals like in the US

@SchwartzSchnee

Жыл бұрын

@@DanielK1213th Bankruptcy is better than dying. Also spoiler you don't have to pay if you don't want to. There is no American yakuza to come break your legs if you don't pay the hospital. They just write it off on their taxes.

Why they didn't order simple blood work literally the minute they heard bruise no impact is beyond my comprehension. I've gone to the ER for stomach pain and they still run me through basic blood work.

@sarroumarbeu6810

Жыл бұрын

For real... These stories about the Japanese healthcare system are just some dystopian shit

@trixiebewitched

Жыл бұрын

Honestly even tho it costs an arm and a leg to get emergency care in America, they at least attempt a full work up that includes urine and blood work and depending on the issue they'll also scan you via ultrasound, CT, MRI without question.

@sarroumarbeu6810

Жыл бұрын

@@trixiebewitched nah that's like the bare minimum anyone should get in an ER.. anywhere ...the USA just has a crazy expensive healthcare system for no good reason since y'all have the money to spare and more.... Too bad

@neurofiedyamato8763

Жыл бұрын

@@trixiebewitched That's because the problem isn't the doctors with US healthcare. They do their job well. Its the privatized system, bloated hospital administration, CEO getting million dollar bonuses, and reliance on insurance to pay for medical fees. Also doesn't help that government aid money goes to the middleman leeches(gov help you pay for insurance instead of directly for treatment) instead of directly to paying the doctors.

@rainbows5232

Жыл бұрын

Because you can't have a bruise without impact. Many people don't notice or they're the type to bruise easily.

When I lived in Japan, I had a weekend of horrible abdominal pain. It was so excruciating that my friend begged me to go see a doctor but it was a Sunday so everything was closed. Monday morning, I went to my supervisor and told her I needed to go to a hospital because I suspected I had a UTI. I’d had one before and it was similarly painful. She took me to a tiny clinic that specialized in urology probably and they did a sample and said it was negative. They basically threw up their hands and I had to leave. Then we drove to a bigger hospital. I waited foreeeeeever to see a doctor. When I went in, he had me lay down and pushed on my abdomen, and when I cried out in pain, he laughed at me. They sent me for blood work, an ultrasound, etc. etc. with more waiting. FINALLY at the end, they did a CT scan and realized it was a buildup of gas (stress induced) and were like “I mean you can take meds but basically just relax more.” After that whole ordeal, my supervisor told me I had to use one of my paid vacation days for that day instead of a sick day. I was flabbergasted and so angry. Now I live in Korea and I’ve had overall a MUCH better experience in hospitals and with clinics. Things are quicker, cheaper, and more precise most of the time. We do have university hospitals which are huge and have lots of specialists and to get an appointment, you often need a recommendation from a smaller clinic saying you need more specialist care.

@yodawgzgaming4416

Жыл бұрын

All those tests and doctors, and the solution was to let yourself fart? Beautiful

@sarroumarbeu6810

Жыл бұрын

It's insane thinking that a much bigger more populated country like Japan can let someone basically wait with alarming symptoms whilst a neighbouring country... smaller in size and population would just help out right away ... I'm glad it wasn't something life threatening but all the pain must've been really distressing I'm so sorry

@bsummers1386

Жыл бұрын

I heard Korea has better doctors too!

If I remember correctly the number of non-Japanese/Foreign doctors in Japan is pretty low, because to work as a doctor in Japan the Japanese level you need is insane (things like illness names and Kanji)

@leilalove3462

Жыл бұрын

It's less because of the language and more because of the exam. If you want to just come over and be a doctor you can only treat foreigners in private hospitals and only if you're from a select few countries. If you want to work within the system/ with Japanese people you have to pass their exams and go back to being "a resident" (their equivalent). So basically you become a doctor and then they ask you to go through medical school again. No thanks

@jaywye

Жыл бұрын

Pros of kanji

@superdedipro123

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I researched into it thinking I might go to work there as a doctor after completing my surgery degree but the process is too tough and you need to super fluent and have to know exactly what their procedures are and not just be a good doctor, where as in most countries the exams are tough but you can actually get through if you’re a good doctor generally.

@gagamba9198

Жыл бұрын

Yes. Keep in mind there are Japanese nationals who attended medical school or undertook advanced training overseas. Will you find them at a small clinic that caters chiefly to Japanese patients? Unlikely. They'll be at uni hospitals and clinics that cater to a foreign clientele.

I live in a third world country and my dad is a ginecologist from a prestigious unuversity. He has even diagnosed lupus from taking a glimpse to people's hands. Stupid doctors exist everywhere, though. I went to an internist because I was vomiting and had been in pain for months. I ate and then immediately had to empty my stomach. When food stayed in I would be in pain until I vomited again, so I started doing it on purpose when I felt the pain. The doctor straight up tells me that I'm bulimic and I'm shocked like "could this all be in my head omg". Flash forward a couple of years going to 3 gastro doctors that didn't hace a clue. Still in pain, but less. This doctors tells me "I can do an endoscopy in a couple of hours, wait until then". Get out of the endoscopy to find out I had pylori and like severe ulcers and stuff. 2 weeks of antibiotics and that was it. Omg they told me I was bulimic and other one told me that I had a simple case of gluten intolerance. It's like they never went to university in some cases.

Sydney needs to go see a hematologist right away. I don't want to worry you but a low platelet count could be as simple as a vitamin K deficiency or a serious condition like Leukemia. Get it checked again. DISCLAIMER: I'm not a doctor. I just read about medical conditions because I'm a nerd.

@BedrockPorkchop

Жыл бұрын

More likely that it’s something simple like minor anemia, they drink quite a bit in Japan and alcohol as you know is liver toxic which is also where Vitamin K is made, so unless there is other symptomology it’s not very worrisome and I wouldn’t make a mountain out of an ant hill.

@maplechuuni

Жыл бұрын

@@BedrockPorkchop It would still probably be a good idea to see a hematologist just to rule anything out. It's better to cover all your bases cause there is a chance it is something that is more serious and is in its early stages. But it could also be what you just said. No harm in getting it checked.

@allysonvalenzuela1975

Жыл бұрын

I’m a doctor and u are right a Hematologist is the right dr to go to

@DarthCody700

Жыл бұрын

Going straight to the cancer, something a real doctor would never do, could be low platelet though, low iron, other vitamins.

@thedominion6643

Жыл бұрын

​@@DarthCody700 ya know a hematologist isn't an oncologist.... right? In fact, the deficiencies you mentioned could be handled by the doctor who is specialized in blood....I wonder who that is

"You need to see a real doctor." That sounds like something straight out of the Simpsons.

I think as Joey mentioned, it really depends on whether or not you speak Japanese or not. The chances are so much better if you can speak Japanese with a Japanese doctor. This is actually one of the primary reasons why imo it’s really useful to still really study Japanese despite the fact that day-to-day most foreigners can get by with minimal Japanese (obv it takes a lot of dedication to get to that level)

@songcramp66

Жыл бұрын

Honestly though, if you move to a foreign country the least you can do is learn the language, we don't expect any less from people that move to a Western country.

@Megamibunny

Жыл бұрын

Finally a good comment. Same issue in the USA; usually if you don’t speak English they turn you always or have issues. Sometimes there are translators or Hispanic doctors but you’re screwed if they are not

@sarroumarbeu6810

Жыл бұрын

I think a language barrier shouldn't stop you from getting proper care....if a doctor can't diagnose what's wrong with you with a very apparent symptom they must refer you to someone who can.. any decent clinician worth anything would do that...but idk..Japanese doctors sound and act differently from what I was taught in medical school

@quetzal3428

Жыл бұрын

@@sarroumarbeu6810 Yes I agree - ideally everyone has the right to receive proper care regardless of language (some people have to immigrate to countries in order to literally live and nobody can realistically expect them to learn the language over night). Obviously nobody on trash taste is in that position, but I was mainly pointing out that the title is misleading and it depends on the situation of the person. From my experience and what I have heard from others, these doctors tend to be "less official" and are definitely never the higher quality ones (probably because the really good ones are popular enough where they have enough cliental so they can just refuse people who don't speak Japanese because they don't want to do deal with it). I would say like 9 out of 10 complaints usually come from these doctors that are catered towards foreigners who don't speak Japanese. Now there is certainly a conversation to be made that this needs to change, but I think it is a bit unfair to label all Japanese doctors under this because the experience is very skewed.

@bsummers1386

Жыл бұрын

@@songcramp66 exactly, it’s beyond me why foreigners would move somewhere and not learn the language but will say how Japan is a lonely place to make friends lmao

I had awful degrading experiences of medical care in Japan, including being rejected because I didn't speak Japanese. They just shuffled me out, crutches and all and asked me to come back when I had a "Japanese person" accompany me. Medical care may be more accessible and affordable in Japan but the actual care itself is dismal at best and horrendous at worst, especially if you're not local.

@BlueCoolOla

Жыл бұрын

I'm sorry but what exactly do you want them to do if you don't speak Japanese and they don't speak English? Use Google translate and hope it doesnt spit out nonsense that they would be legally liable for?

@raven_bard

Жыл бұрын

@@BlueCoolOla i expect them to adhere to the Hippocratic Oath all medical professionals swear to. And they could speak English - minimum but it was there and Google Translate and DeepL go a long way to bridge communication gaps. Japan just has a reputation for not even bothering to try to meet you even a quarter way when it comes to language barriers. They'd rather toss you out instead of finding ways to work around an issue. But I guess from your logic if a Japanese person is abroad and needs medical help, because they can't speak English well, we should also refuse them care to the possible detriment of their health and safety right?

@BlueCoolOla

Жыл бұрын

@@raven_bard Because machine translators ARE super unreliable and if they accidentally ended up hurting you due to miscommunication then that would also be violating the Hippocratic oath. I agree that Japan is really bad at accommodating people and that's a problem but with very sensitive issues like people's health, I can't blame them for not compromising.

@jormungund3106

Жыл бұрын

​@@BlueCoolOla not compromising be letting the patient suffer is that your logic

@XxzaidosxX

Жыл бұрын

​@@jormungund3106 or not compromising by not killing a patient due to a mistranslation. That logic goes both ways when you operate on what ifs.

I had to see a doctor while in Japan for a, uh, “feminine” issue, but I was in high school and had only been there for a week at that point and was way too embarrassed to ask my host family. So I had to ask the school I was at, and they wanted to know what the problem was. I had no idea what to say so I lied and said I thought I had the flu (it was flu season so I thought it would be believable😅) Luckily the clinic they told me to go to was able to help, and the doctor spoke pretty good English, but the rest of the clinic was full of business men who ACTUALLY had the flu and it was one of the most awkward experiences I’ve ever had 😂

When i was living in Japan i took my wife to 13 doctors in different places for a problem in her hip. They never found what it was. We got a diagnose back home, when we left Japan :P

@rosa3299

Жыл бұрын

What was it? Hopefully it was not something serious

@jca85

Жыл бұрын

@@rosa3299 the tissue of her c-section healed wrong inside, and was picking some other tissue

As much as I hate how expensive U.S. healthcare is, even with insurance, I’m happy that we’re at least thorough, know what to do, and have actual physicians and clinics that can figure out the problem quickly or easily refer you to a specialist.

@ThePatxiao

Жыл бұрын

I think it's proof that each system has ups and down but yeah we need to lower the cost of health care right away.

@jesssc402

Жыл бұрын

True… the US definitely has the best practice when it comes to allopathic medicine

@vitadude5004

Жыл бұрын

​@@jesssc402 most doctors in US are indians or chinese tho ..😂

@nikkizerocool9101

Жыл бұрын

Yes, cost is high but if you have insurance at least you can get answers and feel better

@tricksfollies9549

Жыл бұрын

@@nikkizerocool9101 have you seen insurance here? It can cost way too much too, and if you don’t go to the right hospital, your insurance won’t cover it, which is pretty stupid.

I suddenly feel glad that I have the NHS. Broke my ankle in December, took 5 hours to be seen by someone, got an x-ray CT scan and a bed within an hour of being seen. 2 surgeries to fix it both successful. Still have trouble walking but my break was pretty bad. BUT IT WAS FREE AS FUCK BOIIIII

@pom791

Жыл бұрын

5 hours, thats beyond third world country tier It is also not free, you pay it through your taxes along with everyone else, stop deluding yourself. NHS is completely useless for non-emergencies as well, good luck if you have a malignant tumor or a deteriorating mistery condition.

I remember I got some type of lung infection, it took me going to the doctor 3 times over the span of 3 months before they even prescribed antibiotics.

@sarroumarbeu6810

Жыл бұрын

.... That could easily been lethal I'm so sorry....3 friggin months?!? For a very simple antibiotic prescription...omfg

This seems so weird to me. When I was in the ICU at least 3-4 specialist came to see me unprompted. They were all collaborating together. And my general doctor would have definitely referred me to someone if asked on any regular visit.

In Canada, if the doctor at the clinic doesn’t do a referral, they will suggest to you who to contact. Long story short, at my last check up, my doctor noticed that my jaw was out of whack, and while it didn’t hurt he highly suggested I go see a chiropractor to get it pushed back into place. So far the doctors I have seen have been really good and I only have ever got into an argument with was my prenatal doctor. It was my second pregnancy and since my first son had been a big baby, 10lbs 10oz, the obgyn who delivered him suggested that if I get pregnant again, I should get an ultrasound in the third trimester. Well I get pregnant with baby 2, tell the prenatal doctor at the clinic what the obgyn told me and she was in full agreeance. But when I was 30 weeks and asked if she could book me an ultrasound, this prenatal doctor suddenly changed her tune and said I didn’t need one. I tried to be polite and we went back and forth a bit “your measuring normal, your weight is normal, your not having a big baby”, to which I argued “I measured normal last time, my weight was also normal, can we please double check with an ultrasound like the obgyn suggested?” I can’t even remember what I said, I think I told her that if she didn’t get me the ultrasound appointment I would walk out into the clinic and either ask to see my family doctor or the walk in practitioner and would ask them to get me an ultrasound and tell them how negligent she was being. Extreme? Maybe, but I was also very hormonal. Finally this prenatal doctor begrudgingly set up the ultrasound and in the end I did have another big baby boy in me. He was already measuring 4 weeks ahead of what he should have been. I so wanted to tell the prenatal doctor “I told you so!” But at the next appointment she suddenly started lecturing me that I was eating too much junk food and take out and that’s why the baby was big. She then gave me a chart to follow for foods I could eat and go on a diet. I walked out of that appointment crying, showed my husband the chart and what she said to me, and he just shredded the paper and said “F&$@ that B?$&!” Less then two months later, I had a scheduled c-section and gave birth to a 10lb 5 oz baby boy.

This is all kind of strange to me since I’ve lived in Japan for 20+ years and basically had nothing but good experiences with medical and dental. Maybe because I live in a small town, so they have to keep up their reputation, or..? But seriously, my wife and I have had 2 babies here, multiple operations (and all kind of other stuff that life throws at you) I can honestly say I have full faith in the medical and dental system. Is this the same country??

@shiromochi-kun

Жыл бұрын

It helps if you can speak Japanese I guess.

@ML-cc7gj

3 ай бұрын

My inaka experience is the same! And the local doctor, who lives and works pretty much across from us opens up on holidays and at night if you have something immediate. Dental care is also good. I’ve gotten one of the weirdest compliments from one nerve doctor when I hurt my neck. We did an Xray and he was like “I’ve never seen a neck as long/so many spinal discs in a neck. Well, you’ll get neck pain if it’s that long”. Maybe Tokyo (?!and Osaka, etc.) are different. And yeah, I guess if you can’t speak the language. Also, it seems that younger doctors are not really up (have the courage) to just diagnosing you, they’d do tests on you until the end of days. It’s the old ones who diagnose from experience and are (mostly?!) right. Even our vet is really really good! So yeah, weird that people have these experiences in Japan. I guess I’ve just been lucky! My kid has special needs so that side of medical care and diagnosing has also been really spot on.

I had to go to an eye doctor in Japan because of inflammation in my eye, and had no idea what clinic to choose. The doc at the first clinic basically told me I needed to go to a “bigger hospital,” but didn’t refer me and the big hospital I was aware of near me, required a referral for a specialist. I ended up going to a different clinic and things worked out. I had surgery and everything all in Japanese, so now I know a lot of eye terminology, even more than the average Japanese person.

This 100%. I never when to English speaking doctors but I went to an English speaking women’s clinic for a yeast infection. TMI but I filled out a questionnaire and said I had pain. WITHOUT EVEN CHECKING ANYTHING he diagnosed me with herpes like???? (It wasn’t but Jesus don’t throw that out there so easily) . I demanded him to do an exam and to give me treatment for the infection which I was 99% sure that’s what it was. (It was) It was uncomfortable him watching me undress etc. Never again. (Of course he was wrong but that whole appointment traumatized me) - also I got a botched root canal done - I was surprised they don’t sedate you for a colonoscopy here…..worst pain of my life. (The ladies clinic was the only time I went to an English clinic, the rest were Japanese only clinics)

Lived in Japan for over 10 years and gave birth twice there. I was constantly fearing for my life and my kids’ lives. I didn’t trust any of the doctors. Even worse they’re closed on holidays… also I have rh negative O- blood. They acted like I was some kind of leper. If I had ever had a serious injury and needed a blood transfusion I would just die. (Almost NO Japanese people have RHO- blood)

I know they won’t see this but bruising without a cause can be as simple as Anemia or scary as internal bleeding, sometimes caused by a broken bone or otherwise internal injury that may show on X-ray. X-ray just ruled out worst case. She should still be tested for Anemia though.

@foxythecutefox2564

Жыл бұрын

Indeed there’s all different types as well and “The frequency of anemia in Japan is statistically higher than that of foreign countries”

Listening to the stories in this video, it sounds like the common issue is the language barrier. It might be really useful to learn to converse colloquially in the native language of the country that you have chosen to live in. I myself lived in Japan for over a decade and can tell you the quality of care improves and the wait times go down if you can speak the language. There is still occasionally a doctor who you might suspect of quackery, but I feel that may apply to anywhere you go. Edit: If you’re not sure where to go for an issue, a university hospital is best, but a local internal medicine clinic (内科) has a high likelihood of being able to get you sorted or point you in the right direction.

The other day i saw a tiktok which mention that while Japan have better medical infraestructure and health quality, doctors dont have as much experience as mexican doctors, and that is true for all the wrong reasons, in mexico each general doctor on public hospitals see between 20-30 patients a day, and usually those hospitals have around 20 to 40 doctors per shift, health quality its really bad, and for that reason doctors have a lot more experience with sickness and its easier for them to diagnose easily what you have

@heuhen

Жыл бұрын

her in Norway, we have the problem of to many patiens per doctors, quite often a doctor have 1000+ on their list (I have seen doctors with 1500 patients on their list). You nowadays get less time with your doctor, but when you bock your time with doctor, over the phone ore trough the webside, you describe your symptoms, so they already know why you are there. And if it's needed, they will send you to a specialist. For example me, I had experienced a sudden dropp in my physical condition, where I went from being able to run comfortable for 40+ minutts with my 125kg's, to now only manage 2-3 minutes, while being 120kg's. So I am waiting for an appointment at an heart specialist at the hospital, that are going to monitor me, doing exercises. Although, the doctors in Norway are way overloaded, you get help. And if they think your case is serious enough (out of your description), they'l prioritize you in the system. (basically, triage)

My experience teaching here had taught me that a lot of really clever doctors go overseas. I wonder if that’s why these problems happen. I’ve had a hard time with doctors too… it’s a vibe.

I would be curious what her complete blood count looked like. I am glad the bruises are healing, but if she continues to get random bruises I would take her to a hematologist (blood doctor) and if they did not do anything and the problem still persists then an oncologist (cancer doctor). Not to raise alarms because it could be that she randomly has low platelets because her diet changed or something else benign and transient so if the random bruising does not happen again you all are probably good. :) But I would ask for the results of a complete blood count if I were you. On a lighter note, hospitals in western countries were often started by religious orders. Many in the States still are named after saints or various religious orders. And none of them I have encountered across several states have ever behaved so...modestly...with their patients when trying to diagnose them.

@foxythecutefox2564

Жыл бұрын

It’s very possible it’s normal anemia variations of different vitamins all cause this and happens in women and “The frequency of anemia in Japan is statistically higher than that of foreign countries”

"It's a 3 hour wait" Me, a canadian: Oh wow that's pretty fast The whole crew: wooooah that's such a long time Me: WAT As a canadian, my mom went to the hospital after breaking her knee. She was in excruciating pain and they still made her wait 5-6 hours before seeing her. She had to stay awake all night and finally came back home at 7am with a huge cast. She wasn't able to walk for several months. If you show up with a bruise like that to the hospital, they will literally tell you to go home or go to a public clinique where the wait time can be from 3 hours to 8 hours depending on your place on the queuer and that's only if you can get a spot in the queue.

It sounds like hospitals need to start offering a Japanese translater service as an extra add-on. That way, the Gajin leave the premises sooner.

@ramboturkey1926

Жыл бұрын

wtf dude

@mattcgw

Жыл бұрын

@@ramboturkey1926 I was obviously being facetious.

@ramboturkey1926

Жыл бұрын

@@mattcgw so obvious

@eonasep

Жыл бұрын

@@ramboturkey1926 it was

One of my distant relatives had pain in one of her boobs. She went trough 4 physicians who told her that she was fine and refused to do anything until she found a physician who diagnosed her with stage 3 breast cancer. This is a global problem. There is not enough discussion on medical quality in the public discourse. We are just told to blindly trust the healthcare system.

I really hate that about soctors in Japan, they ask you how you want to proceed, what test do you want and what doctor would you like to see? YOU ARE THE SPECIALIST WHY DO YOU ASK ME?

The US medical system gets a lot of crap but it is fantastic for people that have serious medical conditions, I have a rare neurodegenerative condition and get free insurance meanwhile if I was back in Italy I would have died a few times over, your just screwed If you need routine medical care and don’t insurance.

@foxythecutefox2564

Жыл бұрын

Canadas has USA doctors employed and it’s cheaper so if people needed Canada is an option

@matthewmammothswine4395

Жыл бұрын

It’s fantastic for people who have a lot of money, that’s about it 😂

@steffanofumo

Жыл бұрын

@@matthewmammothswine4395 Yea go tell that who doesn’t live in a doctors office and hasn’t experienced the awful antiquated squalid care you get in Europe, if you’re very poor or very sick you get coverage in the US, it’s the normal people in the middle that get screwed heavily.

@kevinstfort

Жыл бұрын

@@steffanofumo 😂

I had a great healthcare experience in Ireland on my honeymoon. Most of the time in the states no matter where I am I just call my doctor and tell them my symptoms and they either send a script to a nearby pharmacy or tell me what to do. I do have the benefit of being a nurse though when it comes to symptoms and an idea of what I need.

Oh my god I've had this exact problem in Korea. I have a little problem, say I need a doctor and partner asks which kind. I'm like... I don't know, I'm not a doctor! and it feels odd going to a big hospital for something small. I have also noticed that a lot of these small specialised clinics... are very much hit and miss, Gacha even. My gyn is brilliant, but every eye doctor I've seen has been awful. That being said, large hospitals have been superb and my cancer treatment was phenomenal and incredibly cheap.

@vonniebunny8049

Жыл бұрын

Also, regarding dentists: My husband got dental work done in japan years ago, they used a severely outdated procedure and he's still fixing their f** up 10 years later.

Christian hospitals that also have nuns still working there exist here too. But i dont think they are THAT conservative usually

Just remember, Don't get sick here on Sundays.

When I was in Japan I went to a “Naika” or internal medicine doctor for most things. That doctor would refer me to someone if needed. But, they were great and understood what to do for most things. If anyone lives in Hirakata shi, Osaka. Message me for help! Also I know a good doctor near futago tamagawa station

Ah yes. I had a similar experience here but arguably better. Especially the “Choose your clinic” bit. Luckily healthcare costs here are great so I have mixed feelings on the whole debacle. I lucked out after cycling to 3 or 4 different hospitals that one had English speaking doctors (I’m a language student and it had only been about a month since I started learning so my Japanese was ちょっと at the time). I’ll never forget that night.

I can see why majority of doctors outside of America would have to retake a test or go back to school to practice in America. My cousin originally wanted to come to America to practice Veterinary care but she changed her mind because according to her, she would have to go back to vet school but in America.

When you pull that 5 star seasonal doctor: yeah baby I'm going to get healed today

In future go to see a hematologist if you start getting unexpected or severe bruising. A hematologist is a blood/vein specialist. They can organise the right scans and venograms to get a look at the trauma to the blood vessel that caused the bruising.

@mindpearlgirl

Жыл бұрын

The problem is, hématologists aren’t very common in japan. They’re not gonna have their own clinic, and if you’re not in a hospital being referred you will probably never see one. The common clinic types are nose ear and throat, orthopaedic, OBGYN, paediatric, and digestive. So if it’s not any of those you’re gonna have to take a chance.

@foxythecutefox2564

Жыл бұрын

It’s most likely anemia which is common in a women even they say “The frequency of anemia in Japan is statistically higher than that of foreign countries”

@thehangmansdaughter1120

Жыл бұрын

@@foxythecutefox2564 That would have been my first guess. However, in my early twenties I was diagnosed with a blood clotting condition, so always promote caution, especially in women. Hormonal birth control effects clotting factors in the blood, increasing the risk for deep vein thrombosis.

@kurootsuki3326

Жыл бұрын

@@thehangmansdaughter1120 yeah, and there are a whole lot of questions a haematologist would ask before writing something off as a basic microcytic anaemia lol. There are different types of anaemia, to begin with, and there are tonnes of potential deficiencies of varying importance.

My best experience with healthcare was in France! French are quite hypochondriac, so their health care is really good. The French doctor discovered my hashimoto disease and recovered me from anaemia as well. UK healthcare sucks, I never go to doctor here and for dentist and dermatologist I went to private Hungarian doctors. They did excellent jobs and were very polite as well.

@vacafuega

3 ай бұрын

I speak fluent french and have had a rough time with french doctors, though no worse than anywhere else. My personal experience had been that they've been incredibly, dangerously dismissive of symptoms and often weirdly insulting or aggressive. When I'm talking to them, that is - when my husband is the patient they're much more interested in what he has to say.

Doctors in Japan drive me insane like 70% of the time. I was shitting blood so I went to a doctor and he was like, “it’s stress.” ?? I told him I had no stress. I was single, in a great low stress job, in a lovely apartment with a good salary. He just kept saying it was probably stress and to stop worrying about it.

There is a hospital in the US where I live that is a 12 hr wait in the waiting room before you are seen

I can't remember if it was epicnamebro or dogen who told the story of a coworker whose appendix burst: They had to drive around to find a hospital that could be bothered to take the guy's appendix out.

I'm actually having a great experience just googling things to figure out what I should get checked for. I've been pretty accurate with it so far even with more nuanced cases. also, honestly the rough outline of doctor specialties should probably be taught in school.

3 hour wait everyone: oof portugal: that's adorable!

American healthcare might cost you a leg, but at least you will find out why you have bruises on that leg.

@xXDESTINYMBXx

Жыл бұрын

What leg?

@xMortalBlade

Жыл бұрын

​@@xXDESTINYMBXx third leg

@alaa341g

Жыл бұрын

france healthcare wouldn't cost a single penny and they will find out the cause and treat it , without even knowing who the fuck are you , even an illegal immegrant would get treated

@foxythecutefox2564

Жыл бұрын

Canada is a better option honestly

@nikkoh15

Жыл бұрын

​@@foxythecutefox2564we have a doctor shortage rn, so its not the best but yeahh. For reference I live In Quebec, so our doctor shortage is a bit worse and ugh so complicated to get an appointement if you have no family doctor.

With the stories I've heard from these guys Japan sounds like it's a really expensive place to live in, it makes me wonder about the not so rich people that live there. I know that some homeless people get treated like absolutely shit like there was an incident where kids set fire to a homeless man's tent.

@White_Recluse

Жыл бұрын

It was to keep him warm

@user-me1mv4vy9q

Жыл бұрын

I remember researching good countries to live a few months ago and iirc, according to multiple sources, jp is ranked lower in cost of living than canada, france and germany, so dats pretty good. Idk if dat changed tho These guys live in tokyo and since its the capital and where most tourists go, it'd be more expensive there than anywhere else in jp

@MontySlython

Жыл бұрын

@@user-me1mv4vy9q it is lower in cost of living but jobs also pay far less and oftentimes even expect people to work over time without pay if its a full time company job

@danielzhang5842

Жыл бұрын

@@MontySlython I'd assume they take account of income in determining the cost of living.

@MontySlython

Жыл бұрын

@@danielzhang5842 even if they do, time off is still very important, if you are expected to meet all of these expectations to keep your job and such it results in a very unfulfilling life, as shown by japanese people themselves, choosing not to marry or have children due to the cost of living and time spent working not justifying such a thing.

Sounds about as correct as what ive heard from others when i was living there. I think i got lucky as a uni student our university hospital was quite good. That said the uni campus clinic was uhhh not great lmao

Edit: They're so right about having to often self-diagnose!! 🤣😣 Some of my friends and I have also been asked by doctors "What do you think you have?" after not being able to diagnose us (and they all have us some herbal medicine since they didn't know what we had). Also, during the annual health check-up at my job, each year, without any exception, the doctors in charge of blood test never changed their gloves between people at all!! I've observed them for at least ~10 minutes every year, and none of them did it. So unsanitary and dangerous as they're dealing with needles, blood, etc. I've had a few bad experiences with incompetent doctors in Japan. Once, I had a rash, and the old doctor didn't know what it was and had to look in this binder full of pictures. Even then, she and the nurses couldn't figure out what I had and still gave me some pills to take. My Japanese host mom was like "Yeah, don't take those. Let's go to another clinic." Another time was when my Rosacea started appearing on my skin. I was pretty sure that it was Rosacea. I went to that local dermatologist clinic and this old dermatologist didn't know what I had and gave me that cream assuming I had acnea. WRONG!! I burned so much and made everything worst and super inflammed! 😭 Luckily, I only had to go to a second clinic to find a middle-aged lady. She looked at my skin and gave me the right stuff for it. I have other stories, but I'm going to share one last. Over two or three years ago, I had pain in my knees and ankles. I had been playing DDR with my bf for a while, so I suspected something was wrong from all the jumping around at my weight (as I couldn't go up or down stairs without having excruciating pain or get up my futon without it either). That bone doctor said he couldn't see anything on the radiography, so just sent me home saying that I should just take pain killers when it hurts. That's all. Three years later (I've stopped DDR since then), my knees make a grinding sound, and I'm pretty sure I have knee crepitus (so it's only going to worsen as the time goes by). 😭

@sarroumarbeu6810

Жыл бұрын

Wow....not changing gloves between patients 😳 ...and gosh all these stories... I'm so sorry you had to go through so much..and knee+ankle pain is so restrictive and tiring mentally 😢 I hope you have a good rhumatologist now

@marie-michellefortier2993

Жыл бұрын

@@sarroumarbeu6810 I'm planning on going to a clinic again to get another doctor's opinion. For now, I just try to avoid high impact activities and I follow a healthy diet. 😅

@marie-michellefortier2993

Жыл бұрын

@@sarroumarbeu6810 Also, thanks for your kinds words! 😊

if you can, try to go to a us base if theres near you. i luckily had family stationed near osaka so whenever i got sick id go straight to the base. (i saw people that had no affiliation go onto base for w/e reasons as well) i just dont know the process you have to go through without any connection to the base

I'd recommend coming over to Singapore! Closer by to Japan than flying back to the UK or US, everyone speaks English and it strikes a middle ground between the US and the NHS in terms of affordability and availability

I wish we could have a website to rate and comment experiences on doctors so we can know who is good and who isn’t worth the time.

2:23 - That sounds a lot like Dr. Vindaloo from Courage the Cowardly Dog

6:39 Doing an x-ray for a bruise is like when the ER vet did an x-ray on my cat for a bladder infection and found meta bbs in his body completely unrelated to his bladder infection. My mom was like "I'm not paying for an x-ray, why the hell did you do an x-ray for a bladder infection?" But we've had rotten luck with ER vets, a neighbor's dog from 2 streets down attacks our cat (different cat) and he ends up with internal leaking of interstitial fluids "you're just imaging things he has a heart condition" I did not imagine my neighbor saying "I saw a german shepherd attacking your cat then your cat jumped from a lethal height for cats to flee from it."

When you don't know the medical system or you don't speak the language, it can definitely seem impossible to find a decent doctor in Japan. - The closest thing to a GP is the "internal medicine" (内科 naika) doctor. Many people in Japan have them as their かかりつけ医 (kakaritsuke-i) meaning they are their main doctor, know their medical history better than other doctors, and are usually the ones referring to specialists if necessary. I have one myself, trained and worked overseas, accepts insurance, can speak perfect English, makes the best referrals. I trust him completely with my health. - More big hospitals (university hospitals! don't go to a church hospital!) are offering 総合診療科 (sogo shinryo ka) or 総合内科 (sogo naika), which are "general medicine departments" that take patients who have no idea what's going on with them and run a gamut of tests or refer them to the appropriate department. I've only ever had normal doctor experiences here in Japan, but I will say it can be hit or miss still, but I assume the same no matter where I go. I spent months visiting a university hospital trying to figure out what was wrong with me. Hospital had amazing reviews, English speaking, but for some reason I was never referred to other departments to do tests there even though I had symptoms that could correlate with a large number of diseases. In the end, I did my own research and found out I had sleep apnea. I will say one of the most frustrating parts of the medical system in general is almost no doctor understands the body as a whole. How, if you have X condition, you are most likely comorbid for this and that and they should check that. In the case of sleep apnea, that means checking your teeth and nose to see if you brux, have anything restricting the flow of air in your nose, etc. This doesn't apply just to Japan, but the world as a whole. As for English speaking doctors... yeah... I've had a variety of experiences with the level of English. At this point, I go to regular Japanese clinics and just tell them that I'm not entirely fluent, so I might ask questions. Most of the time it goes fine, but sometimes I get weird doctors who suddenly try speaking to me entirely in English even when their English sucks!! I can reply back in perfect Japanese and they'll still speak to me in broken English. Absolutely horrid. I also find the level of care from said doctors to be lower in quality, so I switched in both cases and am happier for it. And for dentists! I tell you, I've been calling dentist after dentist for the past couple of weeks trying to figure out the best one for my specific condition. At first I too thought American dentists were THE best. I researched the heck out of my condition and then called them up. Turns out half of them didn't treat my condition, a quarter could only do very basic treatment before referring patients out to a university hospital, and the remaining were entirely out of pocket and I just plain couldn't afford them. In the end, I turned to Japanese dentists and found the same type of thing, but finally ended up discovering a specialist renowned for my condition who didn't train overseas, but regularly participated in international conferences, wrote papers on it, etc. Studied at arguably the best dental hospital in the country. Turns out, it really, really, really depends on what you need help with... I will 100% say that I've never not been referred to a big hospital when I need a big hospital. But I'm usually pretty proactive and that's a standard question I ask - Do you think I need to go to a big hospital? ...I've been through the ringer with my health while in Japan.

tbh i feel like JP and US have same doctors. It's all dependent on how much experience/what they have seen. For unknown things, it'll be tricky for anyone. So it's always dependent on how good you are w/ medical history. I've had issues in both countries and it hasn't been too much of an issue. (if you haven't seen a doctor in awhile, always good idea to have blood draw to check cbc etc.) Regarding english- even if you don't speak JP, they will try their best- using a bunch of hand gestures, or using translation apps, and the few words they might know. At larger hospitals, there's a higher chance of getting someone who did their med school/residency in an english speaking country (god bless those who had to then take the national jp medical exam...). You can find english speaking hospitals online but as it was mentioned, it's more dependent on staff... and also yes, you wait in line for several hours. Basically plan the entire day at the hospital if you go that route (esp. if you don't know which department you need to go to).

With a bruise I would expect someone to check blood work so maybe a haematologist to be checking clotting factors and as you said platelets, as usually bruising has something to do with the blood, could be low iron or anaemia too, but definitely blood related. This was my immediate thought and I'm not medically trained at all, but have had chronic illness most of my life so have had experience with a lot of problems.

Chris talked about doctors in one of the reasons why you shouldn't move to Japan video he did and as someone who has both ADHD + G.A.D. (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) I can honestly say that I would probably not go to a doctor in Japan due to their notorious outlook and treatment of people with mental disabilities that're outside of their control. If I lived in Japan I would keep in contact with my doctor in the USA and let her know what's going on and ask what I should do. If it is serious enough I would probably get a flight to go back home to see her. Also the medication I take isn't necessarily something that is readily available in Japan because of their really strict medication laws so I would need to get a permit to get my medication imported to me or given to me because of the fact it's a drug that is abused by a lot of people. If it was an emergency I would go see a doctor in Japan but only if I had someone with me who is Japanese get me to someplace that'll actually help me. I would need a really strong amount of support in Japan in order to stay there.

Japanese doctors be like: Bro RIP! 💀

Ok, so I've been to Japan for a year and I generally had pretty good experiences with doctors. But that may just be for similar reasons as Joeys knowing Japanese privileges. I mean I'm German and it turns out that most Japanese doctors know German from medical school and are somehow really happy and proud to show off their German skills

And they still have a long life expectancy. Amazing!

Basically, if you get sick in Japan, just pray on it to go away and google it. Damn.

9:55 LMAO

" Throat Nani " 😂😂😂😂😂😂

Hematologist, Garnt! It might be leukemia!!!!

Although Norway have similar system as UK, for hospitals and doctors. It isn't luckily as bad as in UK... yet. Although we have to few doctors per patient's. The nurses at local clinics and hospitals are basically doing triage every day (when needed, and depending on patients). You do get help, they send you to the next doctor, if they can't find out, and they talk with other colleagues, to solve a problem. But sometimes you need to push it. unless you have the money or have an health insurance in addition to the "free" health care. you can go to privat hospitals/clinics, and they often hold a high level.

@ONLYJOKING101

Жыл бұрын

1 How do you know how bad it is in the UK? 2 This was about Japanese doctors.

3 Hours is actually pretty good for non-emergency. My cousin had to wait 6 hours to get 3 stitches for a deep cut on his face in a UK A&E!

would have never expected that in japan, i thought there were like a 5 star doctors everywhere

back 2014 right after that HUGE snowfall I slipped and fell down the pedestrian bridge steps over Showa-Dori and found myself hobbling around, my right calf swollen up and bruised black, and obviously in great pain - I rang my travel insurance number and they recommended a clinic just near by - works the doctor there was some super sports rehab guy who had worked in the US for a while it was like getting one of the best rehab specialists in Japan who also spoke fluent English, did an ultrasound, discovered I had done a huge tear of my soleus (inner calf) - rest for 2 to 4 weeks (oh great I have a 1 week snow hiking trip starting in two days, put cold compresses on it (does just rolling up your snow pants while hiking count?), and don't fly for a month due to blood clots (that was easy I was in Japan for another 2 months) - he was so good I felt guilty that I basically ignored his advice (and I did actually suffer for it for a couple years 'cause it didn't heal quite right.

I've lived in the US and Japan and dealt with the health care systems of both. I'll take the US any day. I've had some amazing doctors there. The Japanese doctors didn't even try to help my problems.

@16:18 Gonna check for the videos/streams where Connor squirms in his seat to relieve his Ass Herpes symptoms now!

I went to an eye specialist in Fukuoka. After use 3 machines and the standard eye check with a nurse, i get to see the doctor. The doctor checked my eye again, and she confirmed i need an eye surgery to fix my retina. She can't speak English but she has book and pictures in English. She use that to tell me how the procedure and surgery will work. It went pretty well. Once i agreed for the surgery, signed a few papers, i had the surgery on the same day. The dentist I went also in Fukuoka, use a Canon camera to take picture of my teeth. She will show the pictures on screen, explaining to me about my teeth and gum. She can speak English well. There was a cavity. Before she fix it, she did an x-ray at that area. Then she proceed. After finished, i still have next appointment. She remind me to bring my own toothbrush for the next visit. At my next visit, she asked me to use my toothbrush to show her how i brush my teeth. Then she asked me to gargle a pink liquid. My teeth covered with pinkish colour. She gave me a mirror. She said the teeth with darker red colour would be the area which i didn't brush well. She also said the way i brush causing my gum to decrease. She showed me the proper way to brush my teeth. I never experience anything like that. Maybe doctors in Fukuoka are the best or maybe i just got lucky. God knows

5:13 an anime plot 😂

True. Can't do shit with my condition here (probably Raynaud's syndrome but can't get diagnosed bc of Japanese doctors). The best they could do was to prescribe me a cream with vitamin e so that my bruises and frostbites would heal a bit faster. When I complained that I also have severe joint pain, the doctor just ignored me and couldn't refer me to another specialist either. To make things worse, I live in a smaller city and there are not a lot of clinics here

@masterguns1750

Жыл бұрын

That sounds a lot like EDS. You should look into that if you haven't.

To be a positive voice for the Japanese side, I had a long-ongoing internal issue that I didn’t realize was impacting my life to the degree it was. I visited a specialized clinic at first and I was hesitant to get surgery at first, so they worked with me on other treatments I felt comfortable with in the meantime to improve my health. When I changed locations and couldn’t go to that clinic any longer, the big hospital I’d moved to happened to specialize in my exact issue and they scheduled me for a surgery a few months later (it wasn’t an immediately life-threatening issue, so idk if they could have done it more immediately if needed) I’d gotten laughed at and brushed off in the US for issues in the past so it felt nice to have doctors take my health seriously :s I agree with Joey tho that it’s probably in your best interest to go to a big hospital, at least to start-not sure why they didn’t do bloodwork on you guys’ visit either, cos I get sent in to have mine done before basically any and every appointment :/ I live in a metropolitan area and speak a decent amount of Japanese, though not a lot of medical stuff, but the doctors usually even offered certain names of body parts/illnesses/treatments in English when I didn’t understand (and since I also don’t know any of those words in English I’d pause and look them up on my phone anyway lmao) so that and having a similar height/weight to average Japanese ppl may play into the good treatment I feel I’ve received :/ I also have little familiarity with the US system since I conversely tried to avoid the doctor due to financial costs lmao… Wishing all my fellow foreigners a good experience here tho 🫀

USA: are you challenging me?

I suggest asking to get blood vitamin levels checked could be a type of anemia

We need to know what hospital Sydney went with the weird nurses and sister, so we do not go there if we're in a medical emergency in Japan.

I seem to recall that a certain English speaking expat in Japan KZreadr with a serious medical problem, residing in Japan with socialized free healthcare, and who`s home country also has socialized free healthcare, came to the USA to get the competent and timely care that they needed.

@SpoiltLittlePrincess

Жыл бұрын

Is this Sharmander? I remember she flew back to Canada but I can't recall if she also went to the US for what she needed treatment for.

@olddog4090

Жыл бұрын

🤓

@Drkbowers1

Жыл бұрын

Yeah because they can afford it. What good does it do the average or poor American that our health system is suited for wealthier people?

@frostyblade8842

Жыл бұрын

@SpoiltLittlePrincess Yeah she went to a hospital in Florida a few years ago to get checked out

@AusMasterProductions

Жыл бұрын

​@Drkbowers1 The fuck you mean? You get a decent job and you get health insurance that will cut that cost down ALOT.

This speaks t omy soul. I now have lymphedema in my right foot just because my Japanese doctor diagnosed my foot pain and swelling as a result of blood clotting instead instead of a sprained ankle. It took me 3 months to find a proper doctor just to tell me that I had just sprained my foot, and because it stayed untreated for too long, my infection triggered a lymphedema (life long swelling with no cure). The funny thing in all of this is that my brother (a doctor) got the correct diagnosis and told me all I needed was an anti inflammatory medecine. When I told this to my Japanese doctor he laughed and said your brother does not know what he’s saying 😅

5:00 3h wait's not that bad from my experience of A&E walk-ins.

Wow I am damn glad medical is Singapore is good because working as a nurse, you can’t imagine the amount of stories I hear of the medical in other countries and I smack my head so hard on so many issues. I also don’t know why women issues are taken so lightly elsewhere. Here is like, you have that pain then we will jolly well check it to make sure it is okay. The government or subsidised area is sometimes less to be desired but hey at least better than most places honestly

no such thing as perfect health care i guess

Additional to what everybody has mentioned (hematologist) it could be hormonal and that would be treated either by a gynecologist or an endocrinologist. Estrogen imbalances can cause easy bruising.

Please check blood glucose and insulin level too (for Sydney). I think Japanese in general are pretty healthy people thats why you get such experience.

A hospital run by nuns!?!? What is this Fire Force!?!? Latom 🙏

@frostyblade8842

Жыл бұрын

You may be shocked to learn this, but modern hospitals were created by the Catholic nuns to give people a better standard of health, so it's honestly not that surprising. Obviously the doctors did the examining but the nuns ran admin

Gacha roll 50/50

Another warning about unknown bruises, especially if they appear on arms and lower legs. They also could be a symptom of Leukemia.

I live in a third world country and every time I needed medical care I would either go to the ER or to my general practitioner, and in all those cases I was properly tested and derived. This just sounds awful.

Well here in Spain i had to see a dermatologist and it took 6 months for them to give me the actual date of the appointment, which was 1 and a half years away. So i waited 2 years to see a dermatologist. My mother had a hernia and it took her a year to get surgery to fix it, and they botched it, and had to wait another 6 months to fix the botched hernia surgery. One day, the hernia got worse and she started throwing up everywhere and couldnt walk from pain, i called the ambulance and they didnt want to send an ambulance to pick her up. I was yelling at them for an hour on the phone.

@jofx4051

Жыл бұрын

Bro the waiting list for that derma is ridiculous, just choose other options bro