When self medication doesn't work

I will try to take lozenges, non drowsy flu tablets, and this Nin Jom cold remedy when I have slight sore throat and runny nose. However the past week, the symptoms just refused to disappear. I decided to try Dr Qi at Eu Yan Sang Clinic at Tiong Bahru Plaza. I heard from a friend and read online too that she is good at curing cough. She prescribed a week of herbs/ medicine to reduce my heatiness etc. After 2 days, I feel better.

Lunch during my 2 days of mc

My GP diagnosed me with a mild case of stomach flu since I puked once, had a bit of bloated tummy and fever and the virus is going around. On Wed, I could take some of mom's porridge and yesterday I could make myself a hotdog.

No longer irritated with myself

The doctor didn't detect anything too, but I will have another appointment 4 months later, before they close my case.

I was irritated with myself this morning as I only realised I misplaced the polyclinic letter on the way to work. I rushed to the polyclinic from office and luckily it wasn't a long wait for the letter to be reprinted. I went home to check office emails and managed to see Mom, Angel, Bob and S too, before my appointment @ 2.15pm.

I feel a little light hearted now, sitting in the shuttle bus :)

The polyclinic experience

It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It took me about 2 hours to see the doctor. I entertained myself by occasionally glancing at the local Chinese drama on the TV box, shopping online and trying to absorb some grammar and vocabulary from my old Japanese notes.

A little boy walked in front of me to offer me his plastic bag and Ribena pastille sweet. I just smiled and shook my head. After a while, he offered me a magazine which I also gently refused and gestured that he could return it to the rack. Strangely, he did as I told him. 15 minutes later, an Indian middle age lady showed me a magazine and pointed to a photo and said "baby". I smiled @ her too before she had to follow her minder into the consultation room. When it was my turn, the female doctor who looked my age or younger seemed quite competent. She didn't detect anything suspicious that the GP highlighted to me during a recent health screening. However, she will refer me to a specialist just to follow up.

My visit to the polyclinic came about as F thinks it's ridiculous for me to cough out $1,000 for a scan at a private hospital. She suggested that I get a second opinion and maybe a referral if the doctor thinks it's necessary. I'm glad I heed her advice :)

The wait @ the polyclinic

I managed to reach the polyclinic around 1.30pm after a quick filling lunch. Now I have to wait for my queue number to be called.

I've not seen a doctor @ the polyclinic since I was a toddler, I think. The visits to this place have been to accompany my mom for her medical appointments. I have my iPhone and Japanese notes to keep me company. But I'm already feeling a bit sleepy sitting under the cool ceiling fan :)

Bittersweet cooling tea 凉茶

My throat is still acting weird. It was better after a 30min power nap but after going out for a drive, visit to Fat Mama and dinner, it feels dry again. I got 2 bottles of 凉茶 (bitter and sweet) from Old Airport Road Food Centre to mix but it's more bitter than sweet. It doesn't matter as long as it can reduce my heatiness.

Update as at 12 Oct, 8.25am: I consulted a sinseh on Mon evening and he told me for my Yang Xu condition (fingertips and toes that turn cold easily, pee quite frequently after drinking water, etc), the 凉茶 is actually not good for me. That's why my throat was still dry. He gave me some medicine to rebalance my body. It seems to help :)