22 Jan 2008 Appointment

Blood tests taken at previous appointment showed that the Liver and Kidneys are all ok. The skin biopsy results showed that the cells at the red-rash regions have been 'raised'/'enlarged' and this is typical of an allergic reaction in the body. So the Senior Consultant commented that the findings of the biopsy are consistent with the suspected drug allergy to the antibiotics which had been prescribed by the Quack Doctor at Blk 51.

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The antibiotics is called Avelox. One single course comprises 5 tablets. Father was given one course at first. Then on a follow-up consultation with the Quack Doctor several days later where Father still complained that his bad cough still hadn't gone away, the Quack Doctor gave Father yet another course of the medicine. Even though Father had shown to the Quack Doctor the spotty rashes which had begun to emerge on his lower legs, the Quack Doctor 'reassured' Father that the rashes were harmless and would go away 'once the bacteria was defeated'!

Read some information about Avelox. And its known side effects.

Woah lao! I think I will call him up to ask for a formal report of these consultations. Patient developed rashes after 1st course and yet went on to give a further course without investigating further! Some more can reassure patient that the rashes would go away 'by themselves' later on!!!!

I have many complaints about the ethics of this commercial gains-driven Quack Doctor. Since some years ago, I have completely lost trust in him. If I have time, will do a separate entry to record my experiences with him.

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The Senior Consultant observed that Father's wide-spread rashes and extensive exfoliation have significantly improved. He attributed this improvement (at least partly) to the increased steroid dosage he had prescribed for Father at the previous consultation.

Then he went on to explain that from now on, he will gradually decrease the dosage of the steroids so that a more 'stable' dosage which is sufficient to maintain an effective progress of Father's L condition and yet not an excessive dosage, can be achieved.

When I asked if Father's L condition has improved, the Senior Consultant said that the obvious sporadic patches of raised lesions and 'plaques' connected with L which Father had previously at his elbow and chest, seemed to be less obvious now. So his conclusion is that there is probably a positive progress as far as the L condition is concerned.

Father must nevertheless continue to regularly and religiously continue to take the L medicine. The medication prescribed by the cardiac doctor for the heart condition must, of course, also be continued as usual unless otherwise advised by the cardiac doctor. (When I checked with Father, he said that his next appointment with cardiac doctor is in 1st or 2nd week of Feb 2008.)

The Senior Consultant also advised that the TTSH appointment for the cough should still be kept. (YP will be accompanying Father on the TTSH appointment scheduled on 31 Jan 1008 - please remember not to mention to Mother this arrangement, lest I be scolded further. Also important to note and remember: Don't ever mention to Mother that I accompanied Father to NSC for this 22 Jan appointment!)

I asked the Senior Consultant about the screening that he had previously mentioned that can be done for family members. I asked if this is done by a blood test. "No," he said. "It is only a visual screening by the doctor. There is no blood test available for this purpose."

Our consultation with the Senior Consultant ended with some brief general advice on maintaining good hygiene (I requested the Senior Consultant to remind Father about regular showers and using soap for showers etc).

Unlike the previous appointment, I left Father to pick up his medicine from the pharmacy by himself after that.