I went to a travel doctor today for the immunizations for my upcoming trip to India. Five shots: three in one arm and 2 in the other. Ouchie Mama!
None of these were required for entry into India, but all were highly recommended for going there. Because they were not required, my health insurance won’t pay for them. So not only am I saying ‘Ouch, ouch, ouch!’ when I raise my arms, I’m repeating that same ‘Ouch, ouch, ouch’ when I look at my wallet. How much did this cost you wonder? How about six hundred fifty five dollars…yes $655.00! Of course that also included the doctor’s consultation…which was all common sense. I already had the information I needed from both what Paul had told me and from my good friend Google. The only enlightening tidbit I got out of him was to wear compression stockings on the airplane.
I also got two prescriptions. One for an antibiotic, should I get a nasty case of the runs that Pepto Bismol can’t handle, and another for Malaria. He told me there is no immunization for Malaria, but I should take one pill the week before I leave and then another pill each week for five weeks afterward. I’m all up for having an antibiotic available to me in a foreign country, but I question the Malaria prescription. Paul, who is living there, was not prescribed this by the travel doctor he saw. Also, it’s not monsoon season while I’ll be there. I’ve tried asking Mr. G, a/k/a Mr. Google, about this but unfortunately I’m not having much luck. Is there anyone out there reading this that might have some advice or be able to point me in the right direction? If so; now’s a good time to delurk.
Now is not also a great time for people to delurk if they have information (btw, who the heck are all of you anyway? My stats are way too high for the comments I get and the people I know who occasionally read), it is also a time for me to divulge my main India Info Connection. Ellen, of A Reason To Write has been living in India, with her husband and three children, for almost a year. She is not only entertaining to read, but her posts are chock full of information about living in India, and the other countries they have visited in the last year. Can’t wait to meet her in two weeks!
Friday, January 8, 2010
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6 comments:
Fun you get to meet a blogger in India! I know that RP, right when I met him, was in the midst of getting shots to go to Vietnam. He definitely took the malaria stuff. But for India? Well...could it hurt you to take it???
$655 Holy Crap! I don't know how necessary the meds are, but personally I would take them 'cause I'm scared of shit like malaria. Have fun on your trip, I can't wait to see the pictures you will post.
That's crazy ridiculous!!
You'd think insurance would pay for it so your malaria infected butt won't be coming back to the states giving me all kinds of illnesses.
PS I gave you an award.
I know nothing! But I can't wait to hear about all of it.
Can't wait to meet you either. Thanks for the shout out! We are not taking malaria pills either - but only because we live here - there are long term side effects of taking malaria pills like nightmares and mood swings that we just don't need in our preteen household. And you just missed Dengue fever season - luckily. Bug spray is a super good idea and the malaria pills certainly won't hurt. But you are coming at a good time of year! I am off to email you back soon! You might want to bring some melatonin from the health food store - it will help you tremendously with jet lag!
Ouch is right! 5 shots and $655...holy cow!!!!!!
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