Doctor Visit

When I started taking Exercise/Yoga class, over 1 month ago, I hurt my shoulder. I believe it was doing Wheel position. Since I have been here there is not ONE day that goes by that I don't have same pain somewhere on my body. My back pain has been the least of me complaints. There is a rumor that if you live in Delhi sooner or later your hair starts falling out. My interpretation- that this is not the healthiest place to be.

My approach to my shoulder was to continue with exercise but take it easy. My exercise classes are also a means to meet people and make me feel "part of", which is a positive.

Two doors down the street is an Orthopedic clinic- Dr. Sudhir Seth. Why not go in and have the experience. No appointment necessary. The Dr. would be in at 5 so I should come back then. I was brought to his office, described my pain, he lifted my arm in all directions and wanted Xrays. The office does them right there - very speedy. I had to laugh at the X-ray machine; it must have been 20 years old but still functioned well. Determination - I have arthritis in the joint and a bone spur right under my deltoid. What I liked was that he asked me what I ate, exercise, mental health and general questions. Never have I been to a Dr. in USA that asked about ME and how I live besides drinking and smoking. He gave me 5 prescriptions to fill - Omega 3 fatty acids, a supplement to absorb Calcium, mild pain killer/NSAID -anti-inflammatory that is used to treat arthritis in dogs -hope it is approved for human use), Vitamin D3 and a anti-inflammatory gel with menthol. Gave me 10 sessions of physiotherapy, which they do right in the office - how convenient! He told me I should increase my protein intake. I have been eating dal with vegetables most of the time. Very little animal products - it's been two months in India and maybe I'll start eating chicken and fish.

Cost of visit - $30 USD which included X-rays. This is probably less than my co-insurance would be at home.

Yesterday was the first PT appointment. No appointment necessary, just sit and wait. I liked the guy - Dr. Kahn. Both Drs. spoke English very well. Dr.Kahn sat me in a chair and placed one strap on my upper arm and one at the top of the shoulder. The straps were used to hold the electrodes (electric stimulation) in place. These electrodes were just removed from the previous patient, no individuals ones here. The pulses were large-you could see my muscles contracting as my entire arm shakes - felt good. I then went to have heat. Laid on a table that the previous patient got up on - same sheet and pillow case. The heat pads are attached to a machine which distributes the heat when it gets too hot I am supposed to notify Dr. Kahn. Then ultrasound. Complete rest for the arm for one week, then we will start on exercise in PT.

The equipment has been around for awhile and well used? For exercises there was a bicycle - must have been one of the first stationary bicycles ever made!, a board for balancing and the best was the hot wax tank. The hot wax tank is a waterbath similar to what we use at work, except it would have been replaced due to the rust. The wax is for hand therapy, they use a paintbrush to apply the wax and a large kitchen spatula to remove the wax. BUT overall the treatment is available but not quite to the standards we have in the US.  Cost of visit: $7 USD

Overall a good experience and I hope that my pain goes away.