Pain medication in China?

[nitropuppy]

Howdy all, I got a question. Seems I had a dire situation with a rear molar. (Wisdom tooth) Just got it yanked out by the local dentist here in Chengdu. He made a Hell of a hole while yanking the thing. Fortunately, I brought a supply of anti-biotics with me before I came. The dentist gave me Tinidazole tablets to ward off any infection. But, Tinidazole is best perscribed for lower intestinal tract infections.

So, I'm tossing those out and sticking with my Amoxicillin from the U.S.

But, the pain of this thing is the issue. The dentist just gave me some kind of herbal pill for pain. They're useless. They don't even take the edge off the pain. I'm in agony.

My question is this; do they have typical pain meds here in China. ie; Percocet, Vicadin, oxycodone, ect. ect.?? And if they do, how do I translate to them what I need. My Putonghua is "bu hao" at best. Any suggestions?

[liuzhou]

There is no point trying to translate what are effectively trade names. You need the generic name. That said, pain killers aren't as common as we are used to . Slow release analgesics containing ibuprofen are available everywhere.

Generic name: 异丁苯丙酸 yì dīng běn bǐng suān

Also known as 布洛芬 bù luò fēn

Either that or do as the locals do.

白酒

[nitropuppy]

Thanks Liuzhou, but the white liquors like Baijui or however it's spelled is almost as hard to endure as the pain is. Drinking paint thinner doesn't seem to be a good option. I can't believe they don't have things like the codeines or Percacets here. What happens if someone gets a vicious injury like a broken limb or torn muscle? Surely an aspirin or Ibuprofen is not going to help.

I really wanted to avoid the Jim Beam whiskey cure. I've got to keep my wits about me here. What a quandry! Good thing I heal quickly.

[Xiao Kui]

Is it a lower molar? Have you been back to the dentist to make sure the bone isn't exposed - ("dry socket") That happened to me when I had a lower impacted wisdom tooth pulled back in July in Kunming. When I went back to the dentist he packed the incision with gauze laden with some kind of a some kind of analgesic for the pain (tasted nasty and mediciny for a few days, but stopped the hurtin') He also checked every 2-3 days to make sure the incision was healing correctly and the gum was covering the bone. Now everything is fine and I'm one camper after having all my wisdom teeth removed in China for abt $60 US. (My Chinese friends still say I was ripped off at that price!!! )

[nitropuppy]

Yeah, it is a lower molar. But the dentist sewed the gaping hole shut and I'm guessing he put the same nasty tasting meds in there that you had. I'm well versed on dry sockets. Had one before. Those do suck badly. The pain is mostly due to some heavy handed surgery on the dentists part. He broke out a chisel and hammered away for a few minutes.

I was about to grap the pliers and pull the damned thing out for him when he finally muscled it free. I think the guy worked in construction before he went through the free 3 week trial of Wangs school.of tooth destruction. Anyway, I'll live. The Kentucky bourbons starting to work it's miracles. (hic)

[aeon]

The above poster is correct - for dental pain you don't want oxycodone unless you're just addicted to it and like the effect or you can't take non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Regular paracetamol (acetominophen) with ibuprofen or diclofenac are best for your pain and don't make you so stoned or sleepy. Another tip is to take a double dose of ibuprofen before the dentist has chance to work on you. Yeah, I know. Too late...

[nitropuppy]

Thanks for the tips. I made it through the first 48 hrs now. The worst is over I hope. And you're right about the oxycodone. I just was wondering if such things were available.

I'm trying to look ahead at my potential hazards here.

You see, I've gotten my chinese drivers license. And bought a nice motorcycle. But, it is a deadly activity/sport here in China. If it weren't for the fact that I've been riding for over thirty years and have raced semi-professionally in my past, I'd be dead already. It really is the most shocking aspect to living and working here. I mean the driving habits of the Chinese citizens. And the habits of mere pedestrians. Unreal is the word. Perhaps I should start another posting on this subject. (I've got some stories to tell.)

[Xiao Kui]

He broke out a chisel and hammered away for a few minutes.

Yeah this is also how the dentist got out my impacted wisdom tooth. He told me to support my jaw with my hand so it wouldn't come unhinged. Hey, don't you live in CD, Nitro? Why didn't you go to the Huaxi Dental School to get this done - isn't it supposed be the best in the nation?

[nitropuppy]

I used to live in Chengdu. But, I fell in love with a much cleaner air environment and a place where the rivers flow with fairly clean waters. I'm just 85-90 kilometers west of Chengdu now. But, I did cruise my bike into Chengdu for the dental procedure.

I went to a clinic that was advertized in Matt Viegh's "Sichuan Travel Guide". The place advertizes that it specializes with work on foreigners. I actually called Matt while at the clinic because of communication problems and he was kind enough to have his wife assist me with translations. It was a great help at the time.

In retrospect, I think I was a bit harsh in my critisism of the dentist (in the first post)mostly because I was loopy with pain. The guy did his best I suppose. But, I'm a big guy and was wearing motorcycle leathers and had a Harley Davidson T-shirt on. I've been told before that I appear much meaner than I actually am. Many Chinese do double-takes when I walk by and verbally go "Whaaa". So, I guess I kinda frighten a few folks.

And I know how to read X-rays and I know much about dental procedures. So I was pointing to revelent spots on the X-ray and trying to tell the dentist exactly how I thought he should proceed. When he started working, he was shaking like a leaf in monsoon season, and beads of sweat were pouring off his head. Hahaa, The poor guy probably thought I was gonna globber him if things went badly. So he chisled nervously and quickly.

In truth, the molar was loose already and was in the beginning stages of an infection. I could have easily pulled it myself. But, I still appreciate the finer points of numbing with Novacaine/Lydacaine. But, the dentist was a little guy who apparently doesn't have much upper body strength and I guess he felt the need to blow the tooth out with a hammer.

Anyway, all's well now. The pains subsiding and it's rapidly healing. It was just another adventure in China that I can add to my memories. And what the "Hell", it gave me something interesting to write about and share with y'all. And some good information is being shared with others as a result. (Like the Dental School you mentioned in Chengdu.) Which is exactly what this site is good for.

[flameproof]

As the worst is over, to my surprise, Aspirin does not seem to be available in China. Any reason?

[liuzhou]

I've never had any problem buying aspirin.

[flameproof]

I've never had any problem buying aspirin.

Are you sure it's really Aspirin? I have checked at least 10 shops at different times and couldn't find it. I was always pointed at Paracetamol of various brands. I haven't check in 2007 though.

[liuzhou]

Yes, I'm sure.

[nitropuppy]

Quote : ;Aspirin does not seem to be available in China. Any reason?

Yeah, I don't think they manufacture it here. It's mostly a derivitive of the Willow tree's bark. But, it can be made synthetically. I don't believe willow tree's are widely populated throughout China. That could be the reason. However, I have found the some of the foreign stores carry some things not made here in China. I can find maple syrup, mouthwash, italian herbs, ect, ect, and I have even found Bayer aspirin. I think I found the Aspirin at a French supermarket chain called "Auchan".

Also in a lot of the major cities there are ex-pat specialty stores that carry foods, baking goods and medicines from their home countries. They import them in for sale to the local expats. Of course at a profitable markup. But, that's how business is run.

[liuzhou]

They do manufacture here.

The weeping willow is native to China (And Liuzhou is full of willows! In fact it means 'willow place'.)

[nitropuppy]

Thanks "liuzhou", I stand corrected. Thanks for that info. Actually the Willow and the Birch are my two favorite types of trees. There are some beautiful groves of Birch here in China as well.

[onebir]

Quote:

I've never had any problem buying aspirin.

Are you sure it's really Aspirin? I have checked at least 10 shops at different times and couldn't find it. I was always pointed at Paracetamol of various brands. I haven't check in 2007 though.

I recently had the same experience as Flameproof - no non-enteric coated aspirin for love or money in Kunming (& also a rural part of Yunnan I was passing through).

I was given two explanations:

1) aspirin is bad for your stomach (perhaps Chinese stomachs are more sensitive to it?) &

2) 'bad people use it to make illegal drugs'

If 2) is the more true reason, perhaps any restrictions could be regional, which might be why Liuzhou's had no trouble finding it...