Sick in Japan

Being sick is no fun -

Being sick in another country is even less fun!

 

After an awesome weekend of travelling 3hours to a snow festival, staying overnight before moving on to a second one and then driving home i found myself dying - ok, not dying, just sick...but i'm a man, so its almost like dying.

It all started after waking up in the hotel room, saturday morning. My throat was dry. My initial thought was because we had left the heating on all night and the room had the essence of tobacco smoke that affected me lungs dues to asthma. What was my theory at the time was backed up by the fact the 2 other guys i shared the room with also had dry throats.

I the day wore on I got more tired, then a headache, and then the ability to not staying warm. Now granted, we were at a snow festival where it was cold BUT i had 6 layers on - an undershirt, a t-shirt, a shirt, a jumper, a cardigan and a jacket...a long with 2 pairs of socks, snow boots, thick jeans, gloves, hat and heat patches in my gloves and boots.

I thought maybe i was a little runned down and tired because i didnt sleep well - i tool some pain killers and shoved a cough sweet in my mouth.

On the journey home my temperature kept changing, i kept dozing off to sleep and the aches started coming. This is when i knew i was getting sick. By the time we made it home it was 11pm, i went straight to bed but not straight to sleep...you the chills then kicked in...i was constantly shaking. My friend and housemate had gone to change the cars around so our friend could park as he was staying the night...they needed my keys so called me out of bed - when they saw me, they said i looked like crap - at this strange we all thought it was flu. They put a flask of water by my bed, which proved useful in the night as i got thirst but every time i ventured to the toilet i had to put a jumper on to reduce the shivering that would start up when i withdrew the covers.

The next morning i slept - about 1pm my friends woke me informing me i must eat...my brain was saying "screw eating...i must sleep."

my friend went out and came back with a cheese burger and fries...he knew i should eat healthy but he also knew that i wasn’t willing to eat so it had to be something i wouldn’t say no to...

Later that day i got up, still in my PJs, and took my temp...39.5C...i knew this was bad but i checked for guidance online - 38.3C seek medical advice, 39C go to the hospital, 40C + fatal

I called my manager who, whilst i was in a delirious state of mind, decided to reel off a series of options instead of taking charge and arranging someone to take me to the hospital (for my company we have helpers in the area to assist with such things). At the same time of the phone call my friend returned and my manager asked him to take me to the hospital...

If you think waiting times are long in England, wait until you come to japan.

First my friend had to help me fill out my details, in Japanese (also, make sure you dont forget you health insurance info). Then i had to wait for initial testing of questions about my symptoms, then a temperature check and then a flu check...just so you know, the flu check involves the nurse shoving a long cotton swab to the back of your nose - all the way back - not pleasant at all.

then after more waiting the doctor finally saw me - turned out i had a severe throat infection which cause a high fever and i also had a heavy cold on top...his advice - sleep, rest, drink lots of fluids, take some medicine to bring the temp down (which they gave me) and gargle.

this took all of 3hours - and there were only 5 of us there to see the doctor.

Luckily the pharmacy was at the hospital and the medication was free...BUT despite the fact i pay for national health insurance i still had to pay for seeing the doctor - which was 2000en (You have to pay a fee no matter which surgery or hospital you go to)

Whilst waiting for my meds i followed procedures and contacted my 2 managers...one of which seemed more concerned and told me not to worry about work and focus on getting better and that i should take 2 days off and she would call to see how i was.

the next day came and went, my temp when down but soon went back up. No one called

On Tuesday i received a phone call - i thought it was someone checking to see how i was...instead it was a displeased voice asking why i wasnt at school...this was from the less caring manager...i explained what the other manager had said who, for some reason, forgot she had said any of it and in her mind was adamant she had told me to call the office.

Now, ive had a few problems with my company, from wrong location, no cars, no help in moving BUT all normally worked out in the end. But this time round it was anew time low. The company expressed no concern for me, their focus was the school. They knew my condition was serious but felt it was company procedures for me to call even when the doctors orders was to rest for 3 days. - they even said they might have to take disciplinary action against me...this was whilst i had a temp of 38C, still recovering and they decided to add more stress and worry (i was already stressed because they still havent given me an answer about staying in miyako - see previous posts)

I decided to have the wednesday off but at 3pm i received another phone call from them - not any of the office staff but the trainer who nobody likes because he talks down to everyone. His phone call was "So, your ok then? Thats good. So you can go back to school tomorrow then, its just are we to presume you are or not because we've waited all day for you to call...so thats a yes, ok then, take care"

So caring, right?

lets just say because of how my branch has been recently with messing me around about staying or going and then how they handled the situation when i had a fever i have ended up putting in a complaint to head office. At the end of the day i shouldnt be at school now - i can barely talk because of my voice has gone...my throat needs to recover, as the doctor said. 

I am on the mend, and about to go home BUT my branch have messed up, big time, and this time im angry...

the good news, tokyo branch is going to force an answer from them about if i can stay, in April we have a new office branch opening that i will be under (if i stay) and they are supporting me on the current situation.

 

 

On a side note - if you sick in japan, usually you self medicate from the local drug store...they have cough syrup, tablets, vitamins etc - mostly japanese brands...the western brands are very expensive but sometimes you can find them...for pain killers its mostly aspirin or ibuprofen, not paracetamol. 

for sore throats you can have lozenges, sprays or gargle stuff.

you can buy call kinds of masks - these are best for prevention...or now you can get "pit stopper" you shove them in your nostril and they act as a mask (usually best for heyfever and allergies)

if you need to see a doctor take a translator or at least a dictionary - most surgeries and hospitals are open weekdays...only some at the weekend...all have a consultation fee that you pay

 

any questions please ask...

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