ScreamingMonkey
21 Oct 2009
Life / Taking penicillin in Poland [12]
Hi all,
Since she arrived in Poland in September, my Turkish roommate has been suffering from terrible rheumatism, colds, and throat and bladder infections. She told me she's been taking penicillin every 20 days for the past 18 years of her life (she's 22), and that in order to prevent her condition from worstening, her doctor told her that she needs to continue taking these shots for the rest of her life. Now, I'm no medical expert, but I'm quite sure that penicillin is not the right drug for treating rheumatic disorders, and all the nurses at the various Polish clinics and hospitals I've taken her to have been shocked that she's even using the stuff. All have told me that Polish medicine has completely moved away from the use of penicillin, due to the dangerous side-effects, and that no doctor in any clinic or hospital will risk giving her the shot. Now it's starting to get colder, my roommate is becoming more and more ill, and I'm running out of ideas. I thought of taking her to a regular clinic to get a prescription for some Polish medication, but she insists on getting her penicillin.
I speak Polish fluently, so getting around and looking for clinics is not a problem, but I've only been living here for half a year and I'm just not familiar with the healthcare system (neither are any of my Polish friends). I just don't know what to do anymore. I'd like to find a doctor who'll be willing to give her the shot before things get worse. Can anyone offer me any advice?
Alicja
Hi all,
Since she arrived in Poland in September, my Turkish roommate has been suffering from terrible rheumatism, colds, and throat and bladder infections. She told me she's been taking penicillin every 20 days for the past 18 years of her life (she's 22), and that in order to prevent her condition from worstening, her doctor told her that she needs to continue taking these shots for the rest of her life. Now, I'm no medical expert, but I'm quite sure that penicillin is not the right drug for treating rheumatic disorders, and all the nurses at the various Polish clinics and hospitals I've taken her to have been shocked that she's even using the stuff. All have told me that Polish medicine has completely moved away from the use of penicillin, due to the dangerous side-effects, and that no doctor in any clinic or hospital will risk giving her the shot. Now it's starting to get colder, my roommate is becoming more and more ill, and I'm running out of ideas. I thought of taking her to a regular clinic to get a prescription for some Polish medication, but she insists on getting her penicillin.
I speak Polish fluently, so getting around and looking for clinics is not a problem, but I've only been living here for half a year and I'm just not familiar with the healthcare system (neither are any of my Polish friends). I just don't know what to do anymore. I'd like to find a doctor who'll be willing to give her the shot before things get worse. Can anyone offer me any advice?
Alicja