I hate to go to doctors, in spite of me scolding all the people I know who do not go to a doctor when they are unwell. It is really difficult to practice what you preach in this case for me. So I stayed at home and tried the usual stuff that most of us would do, took d'cold (paracetamol 300mg, Pseudoephedrine 36mg and Triprolidine 1.5mg) and the very trusted Benadryl (Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride 12.5mg, Ammonium Chloride 125mg, Sodium Citrate 50mg). It went on for 2 days and no respite. Then I changed to coldact (Fenilpropanolamine hydrochlorate 50 mg, Chlorfeniramin maleat 8 mg) and Benadryl, for next two days. Still no respite. Then I decided, it is high time and I went to see a doctor, Mr. S Medicinewala (name changed to protect his identity).
Dr.: So what is the problem??
Me: I have been having sore throat, dry cough and running/blocked nose for past 4 days. I feel feverish too, though the temperature is around 99-100. Have been taking paracetamol and drinking Benadryl.
Dr.: So how long has it been??
Me: I think I said 4 days..
Dr.: So what did you do??
Me: Sorry??
Dr.: I mean what medications have you been taking??
Me: Sorry doc, but did I not just mention all that to you??
Dr.: Oh! yes you did.
He puts on his stethoscope and tells "Breathe in and out"
When I do it, he is like " No no no...! Breeeaaaaathee in and breeeaathee out"
Me: Oh, you mean take a deep breath in and exhale slowly??
Dr.: Yes!! Good boy, good boy!!
I was shocked, this guy who is the doc, is probably around my age, maybe younger and he is like "good boy" to me. I generally use that word for my dog, when he does what I ask him to do!! I was imagining myself as a doggie with a collar around my neck and instantly smiled (wonders that can happen when you are physically unwell, imagination running wild).
Then he makes me go through the routine "Open you mouth" " Show Aaaaaaaaaa" etc..
And then he says, it is just a viral infection, will prescribe some medicines and you'll be right as rain!!
I thank him and pay his fees. Man, these guys sure are costly, he charged a little more than what I get paid for a day, as salary, for the time that he spent with me, which is like less than 6 mins.
I buy the tablets prescribed by him and come home. Will not name the tablets here as I am afraid of being sued by the pharmaceutical company. You'll soon know why. There were two tablets, one was pure Paracetamol 500mg, with some added colors and the other tablet had the composition similar to D'cold.
I really don't know what to say here. he charges me money for prescribing me the same tablets that I anyways was having, albiet from a different manufacturer. I ate the tablets that he prescribed, just coz I had paid the money to buy 'em.
Is this a case of looting. I felt so powerless to do anything about it. If this happens to educated people like us, I was wondering what would be the case with people who are medically illiterate. I mean just how many of us bother about looking at the composition of the tablets that we take??
I don't know what to say after this, other than the fact that I felt cheated and duped......
