Anyone know an English speaking doctor in or near Lake Como ?
May 16th 2018, 8:05 pm
#1
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Anyone know an English speaking doctor in or near Lake Como ?
please can someone help? I’m an Australian on holidays in Italy with my husband in Lake Como ( actually Cernobbio, right next to Lake Como). For some reason I have excruciating chest pains since my flight which may or may not be connected to a fractured rib six weeks ago. I went to Emergency recently here and it was a nightmare not being understood or being able to understand anything that was said to me. I feel that the ‘gastrrio’ diagnosis I was given ( without an endoscopy or any other diagnostic tests) is totally wrong. My six and a half hour visit resulted in me being armed with a barrage of unknown medicines. I don’t even understand when im supposed to take them! I’m still in terrible pain, rattling about with unknown medicines - with one whole long month to go on holidaying with pain every time I breathe or move. Please can someone advise me what to do? I think that I might need a cat scan which might cost the earth. Many thanks if someone can help.
May 16th 2018, 8:21 pm
#2
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Location: Western Australia
Posts: 21,139
Re: Anyone know an English speaking doctor in or near Lake Como ?
please can someone help? I’m an Australian on holidays in Italy with my husband in Lake Como ( actually Cernobbio, right next to Lake Como). For some reason I have excruciating chest pains since my flight which may or may not be connected to a fractured rib six weeks ago. I went to Emergency recently here and it was a nightmare not being understood or being able to understand anything that was said to me. I feel that the ‘gastrrio’ diagnosis I was given ( without an endoscopy or any other diagnostic tests) is totally wrong. My six and a half hour visit resulted in me being armed with a barrage of unknown medicines. I don’t even understand when im supposed to take them! I’m still in terrible pain, rattling about with unknown medicines - with one whole long month to go on holidaying with pain every time I breathe or move. Please can someone advise me what to do? I think that I might need a cat scan which might cost the earth. Many thanks if someone can help.
If you have travel insurance you should be able to call your provider (most have a number you can call from overseas) - they'll be able to connect you to the best local service for your needs.
If you're in severe pain, you really need to go to emergency again. I know it's difficult with the language barrier etc, but I'd be parking myself there until I got some answers. I'd be astonished if there isn't someone in the hospital who speaks English - the staff are just going to have to find them. If your fractured rib is suspected as the cause a plain x-ray would show any problem.
Don't mess about with this, you really do need to get it sorted. Please return to emergency.
Last edited by spouse of scouse; May 16th 2018 at 8:34 pm.
May 16th 2018, 8:37 pm
#3
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Re: Anyone know an English speaking doctor in or near Lake Como ?
You might call the tourist office in Cernobbio or Como and ask them if they know an english speaking doctor.
Here are the numbers.Indirizzi Utili Como
Here are the numbers.Indirizzi Utili Como
May 16th 2018, 8:44 pm
#4
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Re: Anyone know an English speaking doctor in or near Lake Como ?
That is a great idea. Many thanks for your response.
May 16th 2018, 9:22 pm
#5
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Re: Anyone know an English speaking doctor in or near Lake Como ?
You'll have to wait until tomorrow to contact those places.
Obviously it's your choice, but 'excruciating chest pains' counts as a medical emergency in anyone's language.
As I said, your choice. Best of luck.
Obviously it's your choice, but 'excruciating chest pains' counts as a medical emergency in anyone's language.
As I said, your choice. Best of luck.
May 17th 2018, 4:51 am
#6
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Re: Anyone know an English speaking doctor in or near Lake Como ?
Spouse of scous: Thank you very much for your kind advice. I’m seeing another doctor this morning and will keep persisting until I get answers. I certainly don’t want to trek back to Australia yet until I know it’s safe and comfortable to travel. Apologies if you have two messages from me- I sent one last night but I don’t think it went through. Many thanks - you’re so right about the urgency.
May 17th 2018, 1:54 pm
#7
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Re: Anyone know an English speaking doctor in or near Lake Como ?
Send me a message with the names of the medicines and I'll tell you what they are etc.
May 17th 2018, 3:59 pm
#8
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Re: Anyone know an English speaking doctor in or near Lake Como ?
Thank you very much for your kind offer. I went to a lovely doctor this morning who spoke a little English. He had a training doctor with him who also spoke a bit of English. He totally disagreed with the ‘gastria’ diagnosis from the Emergency doctor after asking questions and examining me. I also had a scan. Apparently I have damaged muscles and joints and bones that have been ‘shocked’ from my fractured ribs. He also said that the pain will be ongoing and last quite some time. He was such a reassuring and kind man. I was able to ask what medications to discard and how much medicine I needed to take and when. I thought that the 150 Euros I was charged was excellent value. I feel like now that the nasties have been eliminated, I can enjoy our holiday here in Italy- physically in pain but not mentally. Many thanks to all of you for your very kind assistance. I think that British people are wonderful xx
May 17th 2018, 5:27 pm
#9
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Re: Anyone know an English speaking doctor in or near Lake Como ?
Good to read that everything is OK now. The only thing you need now is some nice weather for the rest of your holiday.
May 17th 2018, 8:09 pm
#10
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Re: Anyone know an English speaking doctor in or near Lake Como ?
I know! It’s been a bit chilly! I’ve heard that England’s had some lovely weather lately. Great for the royal wedding!
