A Brit living abroad with arthritis

aphrodite
aphrodite Member Posts: 4
edited 12. Dec 2009, 08:01 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi, I am new to the forum and new to arthritis! I have just turned 60 and have lived healthily in Cyprus for 10 years. I am in receipt of pension and therefore am able to use the 'national health' system here. There does not seem to be a lot of confidence by ex pats to the treatment we receive, so was wondering if I could get some advice from other British sufferers.

Firstly, can anyone tell me if pain and swelling on the area beneath the elbow could be arthritis, I have it in both arms? Also my fingers are very stiff with lumpy bits at the joints?

Secondly, any drugs that are prescribed here are mostly produced in either Greece or Cyprus and the leaflets are never in English, always in Greek. I have been prescribed an anti-inflammatory called Perofen 400 (Ibuprofen) x 2 per day. I have been given 15 days supply only, so was wondering if anyone knows is this something I should now take all the time?

Is there any other advice any of you could offer, I feel a bit fragile in a foreign country where most of the doctors only speak Greek, I am sure they are giving me advice but I haven't got a clue what I need to be doing.

Look forward to hearing from you. x

Comments

  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi!

    Welcome to the forum. It must be a little bewildering to say the least to become unwell when living abroad if one does not understand the lingo.

    Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). and reduces inflammation, eases mild to moderate pain and reduces fever. I would say, you continue with this medication. If you google Ibuprofen you can read up about it.

    An ice pack applied may ease the pain and discomfort (do not apply the ice pack directly onto the skin - put something under it). It sounds like it could be arthritis, from your description. You really need to know what type of arthritis though. Have you had exrays and blood tests?

    Sorry I cannot be more helpful. Please keep posting as it does help to talk" to others with similar symptoms to a greater or lesser degree.

    Look after yourself,

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello and welcome to the forum from me too! ':D'

    Sounds to me like you need to get a proper diagnosis first from your docs over there before going down the route of self diagnosis, self medicating or increasing doses of anything prescribed (never a good idea)

    As language is a barrier when attending your doc...is there anyone who is able to go with you to interpret? it's really vital that you understand what he/ she is saying to you and more importantly that you can give a clear account of your symptoms, questions you want to ask and further investigations that seem to be required to know exactly what type of arther you have.':roll:' It's also really important to get proper pain relief and other meds that will help reduce your symptoms and give you more ease. ':|'

    Perhaps even the doc's surgery can arrange for an interpreter...after all, that's what would happen here in UK for foreign nationals.


    Any way best of luck! let us know how you get on..we really are a friendly and supportive bunch, so keep on posting.':mrgreen:' Iris x
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, The answers to your questions are something, as the others have said, that are medical and should come from your doctor.

    I realise that you do have a problem, being abroad and I don't know quite what to say. Would the British consulate be able to help at all? Also, I think their is still a British base in cyprus. Could they offer some sort of help?

    I'm sorry not to be more useful and I hope that you find your answers and keep us informed about how you'r getting on. Take care, love Sue