Asian Wives and Western Medicine

[Tim]

I wanted to share one of the few things that Wendy does which bugs me, and ask everyone here if your Asian wife/fiancee/girlfriend acts the same.

She hates to take western medicine (and she hates to go to the doctor, but I won't get into that). I'm not talking about just prescription medicine; she won't even take over-the-counter stuff. She prefers to suffer through a bad headache, cough, or stomach ache instead of taking a pill that we both know would cure it quickly.

Only if she is on death's door have I ever been able to get her to go to the doctor, and by then she has suffered through days of unnecessary discomfort.

If she was heavily into Chinese herbal medicine I might understand, but she doesn't take anything except Chinese tea and occaisionally some ginseng.

Her behavior in this one regard baffles me. Anybody have any input ?

Regards, Tim

[Surigao Ken]

... in response to Asian Wives and Western Medicine, posted by Tim on Dec 3, 2002

My wife will suffer through headaches, tooth-aches; you name it without medication. Although I ask her she will never give me a straight answer. One that I can understand that is.

Ah well, seeing how beer is my best medication I guess I can't complain.

Take care,
Surigao Ken

[Jimbo]

... in response to Asian Wives and Western Medicine, posted by Tim on Dec 3, 2002

Sally almost never takes a pill.  I'll take aspirin, benadryl, Pepcid, cough syrup, Dayquil, etc. whenever I need it.  But she won't take any of it.  Sometimes if she's really hurting I can get her to take one aspirin, just one.  She says to me "No wonder there are so many drug addicts in USA.  There's a pill for everything."

Jim

[Jeff S]

... in response to Asian Wives and Western Medicine, posted by Tim on Dec 3, 2002

I tend toward the eastern approach while every time I cough, sneeze, or scratch, she usually suggests I go to the doctor. Personally I think people greatly overuse drugs in the US - I know several people who have ended up with major problems through one or a combination of drugs that was far more serious than the original condition the drugs were taken for in the first place. I've been known to use Chinese herbs and an accupuncturist - plus I'm a regular Qi Gong practicioner. My wife goes along but tends to trust western style doctors (with a definite preference for Japanese over American) more than I.

- Jeff S.

[Dave H]

... in response to My wife is the other way around, posted by Jeff S on Dec 3, 2002

Hey Jeff,

Most Westerners want to take a pill and feel "well" right away.  I'd rather treat the illness or the body, not just the symptoms. I'm into Qi Gong, Falun Gong, meditation, massage, herbs, fresh fruit and vegetable juices, pure water, raw foods, fasting, and exercise. My wife is a RN, but prefers the natural remedies of the Philippines for herself. There are times when I feel Western medicine is necessary. Especially in emergency situations, such as severe trauma or heart attacks.

Dave "Nature Boy" H.

[Jeff S]

... in response to Same Here..., posted by Dave H on Dec 3, 2002

Prevention is the best medicine. Fasting, though, has never been on my list of options. No one ever accused me of missing a meal!  Doing Qi Gong and Tai Chi Chuh every morning keeps me feeling great - but hungry LOL.
- Jeff

[Dave H]

... in response to You're right..., posted by Jeff S on Dec 4, 2002

Hi Jeff,

I haven't missed too many meals in the last few years either. LOL In fact, typing this has made me very hungry. :oP

Dave H.

[Carr]

... in response to Same Here..., posted by Dave H on Dec 3, 2002

Qi Gong, Falun Gong, meditation, herbs???

You sound like an American Buddha..

[Dave H]

... in response to Kuya Dabe..., posted by Carr on Dec 4, 2002

Hi C,

I am looking a bit like Buddha too! I need more exercise and less food.

Dave "Buddha" H.

[SteveB]

... in response to Asian Wives and Western Medicine, posted by Tim on Dec 3, 2002

Juliet has resisted taking asprins also,,,I attribute it as a good thing,,,we as americans probably take too much medicine.

steveb

[Dave H]

... in response to Re: Asian Wives and Western Medicine, posted by SteveB on Dec 3, 2002

Hey Steve,

I remember how upset my grandmother was some years back when her doctor for almost 40 years retired. A young Filipino (she called him Chinese) doctor took over the practice. He had her stop taking many of the medicines she had been on for years. Several of my aunts were also alarmed until my grandmother became very alert, coherent, and better physically. She had been quite senile, used a cane or walker, fell often and had to be constantly supervised up until that point. She lived about 20 more years, dying at 95, after suffering a stroke. I saw her a month before she died and her mind was still good.

Dave H.