Manila Travel Forum

Where do you find a pain Doctor in the Philippines or a doctor that can write a yellow scrip.I was told by Doctors that only 5% of doctors in the Philippines can wright them.I know St Lukes has a pain center and I've been there.I usually bring my medication with me but if I stay longer I need to take it and if I'm not in Manila the doctors don't even seem to know what it is that I take.Mercury Drug can look up what I take and some have it and some don't but says I have to get a yellow scrip for it.So I can't believe they make all the filipinos suffer with pain when there is medication for pain.Also why don't Dentist give shots before they drill there?I was getting a tooth filled and she started to drill and I asked what she was doing and then she said oh sorry I forgot you are american and gave me a shot.So are we just babys in the US and used to not feeling anything or do they just don't give pain meds to filipinos there.Thanks ken

Ken, Filipino doctors don't "make all the filipinos suffer with pain when there is medication for pain." There are many kinds of pain; pain is a symptom of many ailments. But chronic pain is dealt with differently; most of the time, "stronger" or regulated medicine is prescribed depending on the cause of the pain, and to give comfort to the patient. Only doctors specializing in Pain Management are licensed to prescribe such regulated drugs. Prescriptions are limited to medicines for only a particular period of time; patients' conditions are reassessed from time to time because excessive use of the medicines could be addictive. You can actually tell your Pain Specialist in St. Lukes if you expect to be out of town and might find it difficult to go back. Depending on your medical condition, he might adjust his prescription to coincide with your expected return to Manila.

Re: your dental concern, well, I guess we Filipinos have higher tolerance for pain/toothache :-)
But we do get shots or topical anaesthesia,too, depending on the size and location of the cavity to be filled.

Oh, by the way, I have American and Dutch friends whom I've brought to Filipino dentists, and they didn't mind not having anaesthesia for their fillings...so it's not a matter of whether you're American or not that will determine if you need a painless dental treatment or not.

OK Thanks thats what I take controled pain meds and it has to be monitored and finding a doctor other than St Lukes is hard to do.They are the only ones with a pain center that I know of.As for the Dentist I did have a filling without a shot once and it did'nt hurt she said I did'nt need it and if I felt anything she would give me on and they work in minutes.I think we are just over medicated here in the US where they just give you pills to get you out of the office instead of spending the time to find out whats wrong with you like in the Philippines.In fact it was Drs. in the Philippines that found out what was wrong with my back where drs in the US did'nt have a clue.

Ken, there is also a Pain Management Clinic in Medical City General Hospital at Ortigas Center, Pasig City. You might want to inquire. Their contact no. listed in the directory is (632)631-8626. I'm not sure now, but I think Makati Medical Center also has a Pain Management Clinic. You may inquire at (632) 888-8999. I will also ask a friend and give you feedback later.

Ken, this is just to confirm, Makati Medical Center has a Pain Management Clinic at Rm.800 of the original hospital building (they have a new building now adjacent to the old). There is only one Pain Specialist, Dr. Henry Lu, and he is out of town now; he will be back this coming Monday. You can set an appointment with his secretary, Beverly at Dr. Lu's hotline, (632) 845-3504. The Pain Management Clinic's telephone number is (632) 888-8999 local 7039. I hope this info helps. Have a good day :-)

thanks

I need all the shots I can get when I go to the dentist! Can you tell me where you went they started drilling before they numbed it so I will be sure not to go there! I must be a baby when it comes to pain!

They all will and yes we must be babys in the US.Just tell them to give you a shot before they start drilling.Watch who you go to I had a root canal or paid for one and when I went to my dentist in the US she did'nt do it.You don't really know what they are doing. Dr Tagapan 6325562104 I went to last time and is very good .Going to a dentist in the Philippines is like going to one in the US 20 years ago but the money you save is worth the trip $100.00 for a crown instead of 800.00.