We need a doctor

I just called my friend of 39 years, a doctor from Calcutta Medical College to join the site & answer questions regarding medicines. I was worried about Doxy Cyclines. He said he would join.

That's great.

There are docs in the membership, but I get the feeling that they are often reluctant to answer questions, perhaps for professional reasons, perhaps because of potential liability ---perhaps even because this is part of their time off work! I can understand and respect any of those reasons.

..... and time OFF work !!!

IM is a pleasure

Another significant reason is medicine is highly individual. Patient should be seen and examined.

Another reason is Indians are fairly indiscrimnate in their use of antibiotics and other random over the counter drugs. Lots of drug Cos. try out their prods in India much before they sell in the West. Western lines of treatment are very conservative if one goes by what is followed in India. You cannot recommend drugs coz [for example] how would you know whether someone is allergic to sulpha drugs?

Can anyone really really examine someone on the net??? Doctors have net referrrals, but then at least some one on one side of the net discussion has seen a patient.

Only once did I actually warn a pregnant lady [on IM or LP TT... I forget] not to fly into Leh in the seventh month of pregnancy. This was coz there was very significant risk to the unborn baby. It was an emergency gesture.

Senator (and heart surgeon) Bill Frist diagnosed Terri Schiavo by seeing her on videotape.

I don't think jyoti is talking about turning us into dial a medic!
Lot's of good stuff has already been posted from qualified Doctors but a few guidelines from a practitioner in India can only be good, as the doctors in situa deal with many of the diseases experienced by traveler as a "daily clinic basis" which makes for good honest info in my book.
Anyway the new doctor shall introduce him/herself shortly and we can take a look at his view on health for the traveler!!

And Avidtrekker I had no idea you are a doctor, as well as all your other gifts to the "human condition"

I'm signing up to your practise!!

Tel No please!!!

Its written in my profile. And some things which I haven't written.... coz my focus happens to be an extremely esoteric subject.

My original intent for joining IM was to get a trekking partner/partners .... so the doctor aspect was never in mind. Also, I believe advertising is against general ethics and definitely something which I have never ever done.

First come to Mumbai....

I do not prescribe drugs. Legally cannot and do not. Do prescribe a health regimen plus proper diet plus change in lifestyle plus a physical treatment .... which in chronic cases may last for a year or so at regular intervals... its a pretty slow process requiring great patience.

I'll PM you my tel. no..... we can meet up... but at least come to Mumbai first...