Do Doctors In Philippines Prescribe Excess Tests

[Dave Hounddriver]

I've heard of this same thing happening to others so I don't think its just me, when my wife complained of heartburn I took her to the General Practioner (doctor) for a check up. She was immediately referred to a specialist who wanted to have her come to the emergency room for an endoscopy and ultrasound. Cost = 10,000 pesos.It seems great that they take the complaint seriously but I doubt all that is needed. I shall have her take proton pump inhibiting medicine for a couple of months and see what happens, chances are it will clear up on its own.My wife is naturally concerned that I do not want to spend money for her health. I now have to convince her that I would not do it myself and won't have her go through an endoscopy unless I am very convinced it is required. I suggested she go for a second opinion from another doctor and tell that doctor she is poor and does not know any foreigners. She will not do it. She already knows what the doctor will do.

[Old55]

I've heard of this same thing happening to others so I don't think its just me, when my wife complained of heartburn I took her to the General Practioner (doctor) for a check up. She was immediately referred to a specialist who wanted to have her come to the emergency room for an endoscopy and ultrasound. Cost = 10,000 pesos.It seems great that they take the complaint seriously but I doubt all that is needed. I shall have her take proton pump inhibiting medicine for a couple of months and see what happens, chances are it will clear up on its own.My wife is naturally concerned that I do not want to spend money for her health. I now have to convince her that I would not do it myself and won't have her go through an endoscopy unless I am very convinced it is required. I suggested she go for a second opinion from another doctor and tell that doctor she is poor and does not know any foreigners. She will not do it. She already knows what the doctor will do.

I hope your wife feels better soon Dave.You make a great point! Its important to find a trusted Physician before "something" happens.

[Mr Lee]

I've heard of this same thing happening to others so I don't think its just me, when my wife complained of heartburn I took her to the General Practioner (doctor) for a check up.  She was immediately referred to a specialist who wanted to have her come to the emergency room for an endoscopy and ultrasound.  Cost = 10,000 pesos.It seems great that they take the complaint seriously but I doubt all that is needed.  I shall have her take proton pump inhibiting medicine for a couple of months and see what happens, chances are it will clear up on its own.My wife is naturally concerned that I do not want to spend money for her health.  I now have to convince her that I would not do it myself and won't have her go through an endoscopy unless I am very convinced it is required.  I suggested she go for a second opinion from another doctor and tell that doctor she is poor and does not know any foreigners.  She will not do it.  She already knows what the doctor will do.

I hope you wife feels better. I had some issues and had an endocopy and colonoscopy recently and the end result was a prescription for Nexium which is basically over the counter Prilosec but it is twice as strong and cost much more. I would say that if your wife takes the meds you get for her for week or so and still feels the same then take her for the ultrasound and then the ednoscopy, but I am not a doctor, so you should follow your own instincts. Doctors nowadays try to stay on the side of caution as well as trying to make money when they think money is available and we all know they think they can from us.