Over my lifetime the US Navy and I has spent a fortune on my teeth I can’t speak as to the Navy’s reason but mine was simple; I kinda’ liked them. The pleasure of eating an apple or corn on the cob and a good steak was never a bad thing for me.
Over the past two years nine gold crowns have broken, and none of them were caused by bar room brawls or any good Irish Donnybrooks. So there I was with a nice pile of gold but couldn’t chew steaks. My friends recommended that I see this great dentist who specialized in the issuing of false teeth. Not a choice to be taken lightly but one to explore never the less.
I had put it off for over a year, the reason was simple albeit I had a dozen viable reasons and could justify my reasoning to anyone who cared to listen. But the simple truth was I was scared, yes as hard as it is to admit that was my real reason.
Fillings, crowns, and root canals I’ve had it all, and to shuffle of this mortal core with the majority of my teeth firmly in my head was my goal. But it’s time to give up the ghost, bite the bullet, grow a pair and “Git-er-done” The appointment was made, off to see the dentist and do the right thing.
I filled out my medical history and it goes like this. At 21 years old, one broken ankle in my 30’s and 40’s 3 hernias well covered by Workman’s Comp, and no other reason had I ever been to a hospital in my life.
Have I had Physicals, of course, in the Navy one every year, as a Merchant Seaman one before assignment to every ship which would translate to two per year and since retiring, one per year because my wife makes me. And I’ve never been on a permanent medication in my life. The dentist was shocked that a 65 year old Kano was in such great shape; I just took it for granted that it was normal.
He made me feel great when he informed me that there was no way he would extract all my teeth but I did have three to be restored, the nine broken crowns or just roots now have to be pulled out and a upper and lower partial is all I will need in the area of false teeth. The apples and corn on the cob was still in my future. I was happy as a pig in clover.
BUT! Two weeks ago while shopping on Subic Freeport I became dizzy, broke out in a cold sweat and felt like projectile vomiting would be a lot of fun. I stumbled into a restroom, and ten minutes later I felt fine. Not fine enough to drive home but good. Must have been a piece of cheese or something I ate. I learned that from Ebonisa Scrooge …from a Christmas Carol by Dickens (Is it still okay to say Christmas?) But I blew it off as nothing.
The Dentist started clearing my teeth and then restoring a canine tooth when the same symptoms appeared again, he stopped and took my blood pressure which was off the charts, 120 over 80 has been my lifetime norm but not today. It was a lot over, 145-125
He stopped and said he could not go on until I saw a doctor and got checked out. So I’m off to the hospital outpatient section tp get a note for the dentist from a doctor.
Wait Sir Paul you must verify your insurance before we can start. I proceeded to the TriCare Office to show my military retired ID card. A few minutes talking with the young lady there and I was off to get a Doctor’s Appointment. The absolute best part of TriCare Health Insurance is that it exempts me from ObamaCare I could have used my PhilHealth Insurance but they only pay 50% of the bill.
I spoke with the doctor, and I’m now scheduled for a battery of tests the following morning. Why I am going through all of this just to see a dentist, you might ask. First reason is because I’ve never had high blood pressure before and it scared the crap out of me. Me, mister easy going, or take a chill pill Paul had High Blood. For years I gave other people high blood pressure, not myself. And the second reason I just bought a new car and I want to drive it.
Side note, Mister (Hey Joe) Joseph Stuckey Jr. was in town and we had lunch and a cocktail or three together on Saturday and it was a most enjoyable day. We planned on doing it later in the week until all this came up. My sincere apologies Chief, we will do it again.
The Time line: Monday at the dentist. Tuesday at Bay Pointe Hospital on the Subic Free Port (My grandson was born there) I went to the outpatient desk and was sent to the TriCare Insurance Office to check in and become certified. Easy as pie, ten minutes later I’m back at the outpatient desk and holding a ticket for a Doctor’s appointment to be turned in within the next hour. The sphygmomanometer was used and it read 135 over 115, I saw the doctor and am told to report to the lab, x-ray and ECG at 07:00 the following morning (Wednesday). I did and all went quickly and efficiently. So far I’ve not had a stroke.
Here is where Mr. Murphy and his law came into play. The Lab results would not be available until 13:00 and my doctor’s appointment was at 11:30. Major-major scheduling conflict, and my blood pressure was still reading very high 135 over 110 that day.. I can’t imagine why,
Sir Paul can you come back on Thursday to see the doctor. Yes unless I’m in the Emergency tonight with a full blown stroke. Oh and my dentist called and asked where I was, I explained that I was still working on that doctor’s note he needed. If I have the stroke I won’t be needing dental work for awhile.
Wow, the LiP word count is double what Sir Bob asks for so I’ll leave you hanging until next week. I don’t know if this is funny to you, but it sure is to me. Have no fear, I survived, all is well once more.
Paul should know the Filipinos are known to use lots of salts on their fatty foods. That might have contributed to some degree his elevated blood pressure.
Edgardo;
Then you’ve never seen me salt French fries, I pour salt on everything. But it took sixty five years to catch me. I’ve always said I slow down on salt when my blood pressure tells me too. I guess it has!
I can guess what the problem was. When a dentist works on your teeth, he always stirs up a bunch of bacteria. Prior to any dentist appointment (in the Philippines or anywhere else), I take a big dose of Amoxicillin.
Jeff;
That might be true, but the blood pressure problem started two weeks prior to the dentist visit. I just rinse with mouthwash while the dentist is working, I’d gargle with rum but he won’t let me.
Glad to see all is right in the world with you once more Sr. Chief. I had a great time with you during our visit to Subic Bay Freeport and was a little disappointed that you got sick and could not get together again before I had to leave. I had Planned a recon mission through the uncharted waters into the target rich enemy territory,,out to the floating bar at the hotel, in search of the Blue Rock girl. and to estimate the enemy strength. I had to scrub the mission since their was no way I would go without a full crew, Just too dangerous for me! Maybe another mission could be planned in the future with your coxs’n Mayang and my gunner Susan. Enjoyed my stay though and your recommendations for hotels proved to be right on the money. Thanks!
Hey Joe;
That’s a fun area at Baloy Beach, plenty to do and lots of good foods to eat. It was regretful that my dentist made me ill (LOL) But I’ll see him again today, the fight to eat corn on the cob goes on.
I was in the Marines and spent a little time In the Philippines, but did not stay in long enough. I was in during the Gulf War, but did not partake in it. When I retire early from the State of Wisconsin, is there an affordable health care I can get from the Philippines?
PhilsHealth? Or something? Not sure how living there without Health Insurance would affect me back here with Obama Care. That’s an area I need to get my ducks in a row on. Any info would be appreciated!
Thank you!
Bill
Bill:
We’ll have to call in the big guns (The LIP Readers) to get your questions answered. I do know there other health Insurance companies other than PhilHealth available here but the cost I do not know. If they would satisfy the ObamaCare requirements again I don’t know. But what I do know is that our LIP Readers do know and I’m sure we can get them to jump in and answer your important questions.
FYI if you live outside the US, you are considered by Obamacare regs to have insurance, even if you do not. Meaning, no fine.
For Bill James..here is a list of local HMO’s that I had
requested in an e-mail from St. Luke’s/Global City
Hope this helps!
Bill
http://www.bluecross.com.ph
http://www.intellicare.com.ph
http://www.maxicare.com.ph
http://www.medicardphils.com
http://www.medicareplus.com.ph
http://www.philcare.com.ph
http://www.valucare.com.ph
Bill Rosko Jr.;
Thank you for this information. I knew LIP readers would know and respond! This should help our fellow reader out..
Paul, the brief spell of dizziness, nausea and breaking out in cold sweat you experienced while shopping at Subic Freeport,, and happened again while you were at the dentist’s office could be something that you and the doctors need to closely watch. What did the doctor tell you on the Thursday you went back, or do we have to wait for the next episode to find out.
John;
The symptoms were attributed to Paul suffering from Hyper-tension according to the battery of test I was subjected to. Next week I will explain it all better than this, but I’m on medicine and feeling great once more. Yes I threw away the shorts I was wearing when it first occurred; I was one scared turkey on Thanksgiving Day.
Holy Cow! Is that really Hey Joe with you in the yellow shirt at Texas Joe’s, Paul? What a transformation living in the Philippines with a Pinay wife has done to him physically! I recall the pictures he posted of himself in checkered shorts during his birthday celebration, and I thought this guy really looks “amoy lupa”. LOL Sorry, Joe, I couldn’t resist the comparison. You look so much better today than when you first arrived in the Philippines. Your physical transformation between then and now is like the difference between night and day, if I may add. 🙂
And, oh, Hey Joe. I’d take down your old (pun intended) gravatar, if I were you, and replace it with your current photo like the one taken at Texas Joe’s.
John;
That is a great idea!
John;
That is for sure the original “Hey Joe” of former Florida fame.
John, I still wear my Plaid Shorts, because here it is just too hot to wear long pants or jeans. I like dressing up but the heat is making that a rare occurrence these days. Paul’s wife is a good photographer and makes me look better than I really am. It is easier to smile and have a happy face when you are in good company!
You’re just being modest, Hey Joe. You really do look so much better compared to when you first arrived in the Philippines. Your face is fuller and is reddish in color in the picture taken at Texas Joe’s. During your birthday celebration, you looked undernourished and in need of sunlight. LOL
Hi Paul,
Sorry to hear you are having problems with your blood pressure. Hopefully it can be regulated with a modification in your diet. Lets hope it does not keep you from partaking in Lechon. All I can say is if my blood pressure starts giving me problems I will have to cheat and have some (and suffer the rage of my asawa). LOL And by the way since you do not live in the U.S. or a U.S. territory you are already exempt from Obamacare. We are moving to the Philippines this year because we are actually earning more money in the Philippines that in the US due to Obamacare. And besides I love it there (no cold weather).
Scott;
I’m exempt from ObamaCare because I’m retired Military on TriCare and Medicare, I don’t know if living here has any effect, anyway there is not enough room for over 300 million Americans to move here. My doctor told me to eat what I want but lay off salt and fat, lean meat and fish will do me well. I remain chilled and calm, so I can’t think of the reason all of a sudden I get hyper-tension. Unless it’s an age thing like my memory. What were we talking about? (lol).
Paul,
Even if you were not retired military you would be exempt due to living outside of the US. I posted a response to Bob’s comment.
The other stuff I was talking about is Obamacare has killed the employment prospects in the US. Most jobs are now part-time. And other companies are putting hiring on hold or downsizing. I am in the Network installation part of the IT business and it is very slow here. Luckily me and my wife have a couple of rental properties that are pulling in decent money there in the Philippines and our house there is paid for. So we just decided to speed up our plans to move there. I hope that cleared things up….
And I don’t want all those Americans to come there either, all they would do is mess the place up. LOL
Scott;
If all those Americans did move here within six weeks 47% would be requesting welfare and ObamaCare.
But thank you for the correction on the requirements on ObamaCare if you are moving here.
I didn’t know the requirement that you and Bob spoke of, all I knew was that I was one of the blessed who didn’t have to deal with our nation’s greatest disasters.
Yes! Paul, I miss Chief mess steaks (2) & Shrimps (all you can eat) every Friday. And end of the quarter Steaks & Lobsters Candlelight dinner. And during the week we would have prime rib, Beef ribs and every food that anyone could imagine, Those days are long gone.
Edgardo;
Now that you remind me of the great menu at the Chief’s club I understand why both my cholesterol and BP is so high!!! (LOL)
But oh that Prime Rib (Steamboat Round)
Anybody who resides outside the USA for at least 330 days with year (double check the exact number, I could be slightly off) is exempt from Obamacare.
Hi Bob,
You are correct. This is the requirements to be exempt from Obamacare:
The Bona Fide Residence Test- To qualify through this test you must have been living abroad for at least one year and have no immediate plans to return to the US.
The Physical Presence Test- Most expats will qualify for this test, as you simply need to have foreign earned income and be physically out of the US for 330 days out of a 365 day period.
Scott;
I hope Wayne (Commented below) reads indo this from you. Thanks!!!
Bob;
Thank you for the info!!!
I am thinking of moving back to the Subic area and checked on the Obama care web site and it said if you are out of the country for nine months no need to to purchase health care.
Wayne;
That is great news, but I would require more proof of that than their WEBSITE. Remember the line that if you like your insurance you can keep it. That was on their WEBSITE also.
Paul, I had the same symptoms (dizziness, nausea, cold sweat) happened to me while sending and receiving work emails to and from Capitol Hill at Gigang Internet Cafe in Iba, Zambales, back in 2000 when I was there for a month’s visit. When I began to feel faint, I knew it wasn’t just the oppressive heat and humidity in the room while typhoon Biring raged outside. I staggered out of the internet cafe and asked my newphew/driver who had been sitting outside in our van waiting for me, “Boy, (he was 40 years old LOL) meron bang malapit na ospital dito?” “Meron, manong, djan lang.”
Within seconds of arrival at the Iba Provincial Hospital a block away, at least five physicians who were sitting around in the lobby when I came in jumped into action after taking one look at me. Silently and quickly, the doctors worked me over right there in the hospital lobby that I believe also served as the emergency room. The doctors slapped an oxygen mask on my face, hooked me up to a couple of machines, gave me a shot, and placed a pill under my tongue. I somehow managed to croak out, “what happened?” “Sir, you are having a heart attack!” Say what? Unbelievable. I just had complete physicals in the States a couple of weeks prior to my arrival in the Philippines, and passed it with flying colors. “The machines do not lie, Sir, you are having a heart attack!” OK.
Moments passed, and I suddeenly felt the urge to go to the bathroom that, btw, did not have toilet papers! It was only when I returned from the bathroom that I began to feel so much better. I was kept at the hospital overnight for observation nonetheless and was discharged the following morning. Upon return to the States, I went to see my doctor to report the “heart attack”. He told me I never had a heart attack in the Philippines, or elsewhere. The doctor, the head of Cardiology Dept. at George Washington University in D.C., saw no signs of damage to my heart.
So, what was that episode at the internet cafe all about then? In hindsight, I think it may have been my system reacting to the unfamiliar food I had consumed for dinner the night before on the very first day of arrival in the Philippines. Come to think of it, it was a meal I enjoyed so much: it was dinengdeng with huge prawns for sahog. 🙂
John, I have an uncle, in his 70’s, who had quadruple bypass surgery a few years ago. He was back to hunting, fishing, and white water rafting shortly afterwards. A few months ago, he was in the emergency room with what he described as the worst chest pain he had ever experienced. The doctors kept him overnight, then told him it was indigestion. You just never know about those things.
Take care,
Pete
John;
Even if they were wrong that is far better than the alternative, my friend who passed away (I wrote about it a month ago) died because there was not one aspirin in the house to give him on the way to the hospital. It might not have saved him, but it really couldn’t have hurt him…
A very useful information about the aspirin, Paul. I had another false alarm when I was still working, years after the Philippine episode. On the way to work to Capitol Hill one morning in the subway, I became ill again with exactly the same symptoms I experienced while at the internet cafe in Zambales in 2000. I remember asking the guy seated next to me in the subway to please take another seat as I was about to vomit. I didn’t, of course, but as soon as I got to work, I went to the nurses’ office. The first thing they did was made me chew on two aspirins while they arranged for an ambulance to pick me up and take me to the George Washington Hospital Center in D.C. I stayed in the hospital for a couple of days where I was given a battery of tests, including the heart attack-inducing tread mill, while a half a dozen nurses and technicians stood by around me ready at a moment’s notice to administer first aid. I passed all tests.
Aside from the aspirin as a possible life saver in case of a heart attack, I read that coughing really hard repeatedly could also help stimulate the heart until help arrives.
John;
The coughing I didn’t know about, but the aspirin I did. I carry them with me for myself and anyone around me if needed.
That would have been a scary time for anyone, I’m pleased it was a good result.
Chief, ASPIRIN is what I carry in my first aid kit at all times. it saved my dad and one other guy I attended to a few years ago. I use the ones in a single dose packets so they dont cost that much and they stay dry.
As for the SALT issue, if its unavoidable, as it is most times when eating out, make sure ya eat a share of potassium loaded food to counter act it. Bananas and the easiest to find for sure when in country.
I know a LOT about health related issues and managing them with dietary changes and one thing your will learn is most folks are WRONG with their advice. I have helped many folks get off meds or reduce the amount of meds over the years and its a lot easier than it is made out to be.
Tito Joe;
The info about Bananas is great, as I love the damn things anyway. Plus I know you are right as my mother cut her meds in half by learning what to eat.
Buddy of mine is a retired anaesthesiologist. I passed this story along to him. He said TIA. Transient ischaemic attack. It presents as a heart attack (it is coronary arteries in spasm, not in blockage, and an EKG machine will say heart attack. Only later will the machine show no damage to the heart muscle and have it be clear there was no heart attack. It will say no damage during the event,too, but at that point there has not been time yet for damage.
His conclusion was the Phil’s docs did just what they should have and did not run up your bill. If anything, the GW doc should have described this.
I typed that badly. The TIA can result FROM the artery spasm. It is not the label of the artery spasm. The TIA is stroke-like, derived from the coronary arteries having a spasm, causing atrial fib, and a clot that sts off the TIA.
Owen;
Your first comment made perfect sense to me, or as well as I normally can understand medical things. I’m sorry about my rant above but between corporate owned health providers and lawyers I am so glad I live here.
Owen;
Why are people surprised when a Doctor here in the Philippines knows what they are doing? The Doctors here are not shills for the hospitals’ like in the states who will subject you to days of unnecessary testing to protect both the doctor and hospital from litigation from the hoards of lawyers who are camped on their lawn. If those in the states want cheaper medical car, put a cap on lawsuits so people won’t treat a trip to the doctor like it’s a winning lottery ticket.
Now you got me started on a proper rant!!!
But I was in and out took my tests that were required. Bought my pills and went home. I didn’t have to pay a dollar for a mucus recovery system (Tissue) or $16.00 for an aspirin.
Hi Mr. Sir Paul Senior Chief,
Another fine down-to-earth article you have written here from that down-to-earth place in Subic Bay home you have down there in the RP. Your doctor needs to start you to take some BP meds to get that high BP measurements down to at least normal 120/80. Mabuhay or cheers to down some of that San Mig for me! Thank you 🙂
Aklanl
It’s funny that you bring SMS’s up. When my Doctor was giving me the do’s and don’ts list, beer was never mentioned so it must be OKAY-NA-OKAY!!!
Paul I wish you a speedy recovery. We must maintain our health as our mission of consuming many more SMBs, and scrumptious lunches, followed by many rum & cokes and making the young lady waitress happy with our good cheer and substantial tips, has just began. Hey Joe was looking good at Texas Joe’s. Hope to be there next time you meet.
Loren;
Great talking on the phone at a penny a minute from Colorado to Bataan, what a good deal if you must pay.
Tommy is home and we conducted business at Sit-N’-Bull’s last Friday, and Mongolian this Friday… Sure wish you and Billy were here too.
Paul,
It is way too easy to see a Doctor here, get medicine here. . not to be well.
Hoping it was a minor glitch in your system and all is fine.
Get the note, see your Dentist, and get back to happiness at Texas Joe’s or ? ? ?
Hi Terry;
You are so right, after our medical dry spell things are roaring again in a better and honest way.
When the dentist is finished I will eat the biggest steak Joe sells, maybe two!
I hope what ever the difficulty is Paul, that it can be found and corrected. As for going to the dentist, I am having to have one of my teeth crowned at a cost of about $1000 and no, it is not going to be done in gold. This will be the second one as another one had to be crowned a few years ago. It is good to read that at least for the most part Philippines is out of reach of Obamacare for many of those that have moved there. My co pay for my health insurance policy thru my employer has increased significantly alread and I think Obamacare is going to play havok with the economy here. This could be an additional plus of more serious consideration to retire in The Philippines. At the moment though, I have no plans of retirement for the immediate future. I wonder if I would have to pay customs and import tax on about 10,000 45’s ( no, Not fire arms, I am talking about 45 RPM Phonograph Records, remember those ? LOL ) . Maybe they wouldn’t even know what they are.
Best of luck to you Paul.
Bob (NY);
If you door to door ship them I don’t think you’d pay customs. As they would think they were giant CD ROMS.
The quicker they can get you working people signed onto ObamaCare the quicker they can give the free health insurance to the unemployed, It never was about medical care like England and Canada, it was about insuring the poor so the government and it’s cooperate supports no longer had to foot the bill for the poor, when they can get the middle class (What’s left of it) to pay.
$200.00 for a gold crown here 5 years ago, that one is still in my mouth.
Paul,
Glad all is well with you now. Anne and Myself were worried about you. I found I had high blood pressure 2 years ago. It finally caught up to me as it is hereditary in my family. It took over a year and a half and my doctor in the US still couldn’t get it within the normal range. I want to my Philippine Dr and she changed my medication and to a much smaller mg and my blood pressure has been good ever since.
Randy;
Great news for you and I like the way doctors think here without the worry of a thousand lawsuits a year like US Doctors.
, I went to Mercury Drugs and bought a digital blood pressure machine and take mine every morning and afternoon. All is well again.
Paul,
That is a great investment. I also purchased one before coming to the Philippines. Anne takes my BP every night before bedtime. I did not take my medication yesterday morning as I forgot and we were gone all day out of town and didn’t get back until evening. My BP was still great (116/69). Must be the stress free lifestyle here. We are looking forward to coming up your way on Sunday.
Randy;
Sunday is a plan, call me.
The BP machine is great I take my reading morning and night, I’m still new at it!
Oh man! First Bob, and now you with some serious health issues going on. You’ve hinted that things have worked out well. Hoping that’s the case. So here we are waiting for another episode of a Paul T. cliffhanger!
Take care,
Pete
Pete;
“Spoiler Alert” They fixed me up quickly and I’m back at the dentist with my note from the doctor.
Hey Paul….. I second Lorens comments….. Take care of yourself, we have too many elbows to bend in our future:) I was very impressed with Baypointe and their staff when I had my little issue on my visit last year…. Wishing you the best my friend…
Hi Billy;
Thank you and we both can be treated together on your next visit for “Beer Elbow” at Bay Pointe.
Hi Paul ,, My doc nagged me for ages about my B.P ,, I told it was her fault because I got stressed when ever I went to see her ,, 🙂 ,, But finally succumbed when it got to 150/100 ,,, I guess the stigma of being on medication stopped me from doing something about it earlier ,,, but its under control now so all’s good ,,, Hopefully yours will be too,,,
Russell;
I took to the medicine like a Labrador to water; I was not BS’ing about it scaring me. I will research diet and exercise that can cut off the medicine later, but for now there is no shame on my part. Okay, my buddies who have been on it longer keep razzing my butt! But take the damn pills, wash it down with a cold SAB and cowboy up! (LOL)
Hahahahaha,,,,I take that many I rattle but my last doc’s visit was all good ,, what else can I do but smile ,, 🙂
‘
Russell;
You can also enjoy that cold one under the mango tree while waiting for the BP medicine to kick in! (LOL)
Paul,
There is no shame in taking it. It’s better than the alternative. Anne thinks I should stop taking the meds because the BP has been so good lately. We will see.
Randy;
Some people tell me the same thing that someday you can stop. But others say once you start its forever. Me I just don’t know so I take the wait and see approach.