Medical Story, a bit long!

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert24 July 2023 15:45:09

17359

While we can find good medical care here sometimes it聽 is hit and miss.聽聽My story is about more misses than hits聽 for over聽聽3 years.聽

What I did not do was stop looking for the right doctor to help me.聽 I went through聽 5 gastroenterologists!聽 Carumba.聽 So the first wanted to operate before even finishing the conversation!聽 Hell no.聽聽The second and third were so authoritarian and not willing to talk to me.聽 Again, hard no.聽 Because I said so is never a reason for me as an adult to follow your instructions.

The fourth wanted to repeat all the tests I had done 3 times already. The most recent being 2 months prior and refused to do some important tests no one else had done. Again hard no, its a money grab!

Fifth was more of the same, carumba.

I finally got referred to a gastro聽 at a new clinic here in聽 Santo Domingo. Its called IDA Healthcare. Its integrated healthcare, near the Metro Bus station and Bravo on Churchill.聽聽First appointment was with聽 Dr. Ricardo Corporan!聽聽He spent a full hour with me and answered all my questions!聽 I was impressed. AND he speaks perfect English. The聽 center is owned by an American Doctor聽 thus the care is a different standard. IF anyone needs a gastro, I am happy to聽 recommend him

In the same place I got my聽 EKG, Xrays, Cardiologist (English speaking)聽 visit all done. Its fast, they actually give appointments!聽聽 No, orden de llego!聽聽 I absolutely detest this and have no time to sit around waiting for聽 15 people to go in front of me. Nope.聽

This doctor聽 got to the bottom of my issues,聽 and reassured me its totally treatable. What I thought was wrong for聽 over 3 years was not my issue!聽聽Wow what a relief.聽 I was treated with courtesy and聽 respect with this center and everyone in it!聽 Wow, what a difference.

By the way, I have the heart and lungs of a 40 year old!聽 Ha imagine that.

RockyM Serial expat

Member since 22 May 2019

RockyMSerial expat24 July 2023 15:48:47

508

There is some good competent medical care here, you just have to find it. Good information, thanks!

Karin1 Serial expat

Member since 02 June 2021

Karin1Serial expat24 July 2023 15:58:29

350

Very good, I hope the treatment you get solves your issue.聽 So glad you did not give up your search to find a good one and lucky in your city, you had some choices.聽 Thanks for sharing.

ddmcghee Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 15 May 2017

ddmcgheeDominican Republic Expert24 July 2023 16:09:40

1802

Wow - no one should have to go through all that to get answers!

Tripp789 Contributor

Member since 28 April 2018

Tripp789Contributor24 July 2023 18:26:44

173

Thats fantastic!聽 Thanks for sharing the information.聽 That is truly one of the greatest benefits of 草榴社区

DRCulture Active member

Member since 16 February 2022

DRCultureActive member24 July 2023 19:27:56

I鈥檓 glad you found good, respectful help. It is encouraging. Also a reminder to be an advocate for myself.

Elgin7144 Active member

Member since 30 October 2019

Elgin7144Active member24 July 2023 19:39:21

Planner we are so happy that you were able to get to the bottom of this.

Question, does this clinic have a Cardiologist?

we鈥檙e trying to find a reputable one.

Ineedsometerrenasinfo Active member

Member since 30 May 2023

IneedsometerrenasinfoActive member24 July 2023 21:23:28

I am happy for you!

Question, how is it that you can post a referral? I was told that we cannot do that.

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert24 July 2023 22:26:08

17359

Yes there is an amazing cardiologist!

I confirmed the rules are back to normal=the way they had always been!!!!

drlover1962 Member

Member since 04 August 2022

drlover1962Member26 July 2023 03:52:26

#10

@planner Hope everything works out for you. If at all possible I will go back to the states for any serious medical situations. Sorry but I don't trust these DR doctors. There's a recent story going viral about a young Dominican girl/woman who died while undergoing, yeah you guessed it, COSMETIC SURGERY. 馃檹馃檹馃檹馃檹

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert26 July 2023 11:44:04

#11

17359

There are many stories about plastic surgery here in this country.聽 Similar stories apply to other countries as well. I believe the lastest was surgery performed and the doctor was not a plastic surgeon!聽 Can you imagine!!!

In many of these cases it's complicated.聽 Doctors push the boundaries of good medicine, patients lie and aftercare can be iffy! I do know the government here is cracking down but it's too slow!

Always remember drlover, sometimes leaving isn't possible, best have a backup plan!

Tippj Serial expat

Member since 12 February 2022

TippjSerial expat26 July 2023 18:26:22

#12

569

@planner

so smart for not settling for #3 or # 4 , people start making bad choices when there desperate they鈥檒l settle for less experienced doctors聽 , not worth giving up鈥� why shouldn鈥檛 your heart and lungs be that of a 40 year old, remember it not how old you are it鈥檚 how old you feel , besides it can鈥檛 be to far off鈥�.馃

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert26 July 2023 18:39:17

#13

17359

I love you!!!!聽 It's more than a little off. I guess it's the dancing I used to do and soon will get back to!

Tippj Serial expat

Member since 12 February 2022

TippjSerial expat27 July 2023 02:42:12

#14

569

Planner keep doing the 2 step , it鈥檚 working 鈥︷煒�

2VPsoldier Serial expat

Member since 28 July 2017

2VPsoldierSerial expat27 July 2023 13:20:42

#15

553

Thanks for the info. It's always good to have list of Drs and their locations no matter where they are in country, IF they are good and they are the speciality needed, one may have to reach out to contact. As 草榴社区s, we ALL know we travel (yes albeit on far better transportation routes & modes of tn) some distances to see doctors we get referred to so knowing Drs on SD, Santiago, PC etc, etc is awesome.