Dateline: A Medical Consultorio in Guadalajara
When I got to Ajijic a little more than a month ago, I thought I was about to die. As in “much sooner than expected” going to die. Of course I’ve never had illusions of immortality, at least not since my 30’s. But shortly before leaving for Mexico, I wrote my first will, designated a pair of executors, and handed a copy to a friend.
During November and December I had been suffering from some mysterious intestinal malady which left me very tired, and with a host of vague and varying symptoms. (Most of which are too gross to detail here.) My oldest and dearest friend, “W” whom I’ve known since about 1975 is a nurse, and had become my personal consultant on the problem. The symptoms were puzzling and didn’t lend themselves to any quick diagnosis. We discussed various possibilities, but easily-cured problems seemed to be ruled out. According to the web searches I did, the most likely things all seemed to be horrible — colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, and bowel obstructions, though the latter felt instinctively wrong to me. From research, it seemed like even arriving at a proper diagnosis could be a long and expensive process. This all happened over a fairly extended time frame, and my condition waxed and waned. Some days I’d feel fine and start to think that whatever it was was improving. Other days I’d have little energy and would spend the day in bed watching YouTube videos.
Worse, in late 2017 I let my health insurance lapse. It was a calculated risk. I was one of the healthiest people I know, with normal weight, normal blood pressure, good blood chemistry, regular exercise, good diet, and not on any maintenance medications at all, this despite being in my late 50’s. And frankly, at $650 USD per month, my Romneycare didn’t strike me as a particularly good deal, given my up-until-then good health. Also, no one in California had ever heard of my Massachusetts-based insurance company, much less were set up to bill it. I also figured that if something went badly wrong I could always fly to Mexico and get treatment, and not be bankrupted. Which was precisely my plan in December.
But because I was moving my mother and lots of details still needed to be worked out, I couldn’t drop everything and fly right away either. And the symptoms, while tiring, weren’t debilitating. So I got sicker and sicker. By the time I got to Ajijic, I had lost 22 pounds, and was down to a scrawny 148, way too light for my six-foot frame. Fortunately my friend, Lisa, had found a gastroenterologist in Guadalajara, (Dr. Antonio Orozco Gámiz) and I booked an appointment immediately. Fortunately he could see me the next day.
When I arrived in his office, he ushered me in and we talked about my medical history and symptoms. He poked and prodded me, then we talked some more. At this stage he resolutely refused to speculate about what might be wrong, and was very clear about not even thinking about ruling out cancer. To me, this seemed quite professional. Speculation is never a good thing, when you can get real information in a matter of days.
As we spoke, he wrote up orders for a battery of tests — blood work, stool samples, chest x-ray, ultrasounds of my abdomen, among others. My fears of a complicated diagnostic process were indeed confirmed. He strongly urged me to go to his favorite lab the “Unidad de Patología Clínica e Imagenología,” which I would later learn is a world-class operation, accredited by the College of American Pathologists, and full of friendly, professional, and efficient folks. And then, seemingly almost as an afterthought he wrote me a prescription for anti-parasite medicine, which he urged me to take as a low-risk, cheap way to rule out parasites. Oh, and he also gave me his cell phone number and said I shouldn’t hesitate to call it. Has such a thing even once ever happened in the annals of U.S. medicine? They (and their myriad assistants) won’t even do email in my experience. By the way, Dr. Orozco charged me $1,000 MXN, about $52 for a 40 minute consultation. Such a deal!
A few days later, I had my most amazing medical laboratory experience ever. With a branch located in Guadalajara’s “Ladrón de Guevara” neighborhood, I arrived at 9:00 AM for my tests, somewhat grumpy due to the fact that I had been told to neither drink nor eat after midnight the night before. Within a few minutes, I was registered, and whisked away to have my blood drawn. From there, I was taken to have my X-ray. After that, I was brought to a room where I’d have my ultrasound. A pleasant nurse got me ready, and then the doctor came in to do the ultrasound. Afterward, I was handed a one-liter bottle of water, told to drink it all plus another half-liter of liquid (coffee, in my case), and not to pee under any circumstances. They also suggested I go eat breakfast, and then to report back at noon. By then it was about 11:00, and I didn’t need much urging to either eat or drink. I found a restaurant across the street and ate with gusto.
When I returned, they made me wait some more, then did another ultrasound, this time to measure my bladder’s capacity. Then I was allowed to pee, and they did one last ultrasound to see whether I was retaining urine. Finally, when I went to check out, the total for all of this work came to $7,090 MXN, about $1,050 MXN more than they had initially quoted. So I complained, and guess what? They honored the initial quote after a quick call to the woman who had made the original appointment. So my total cost came to $314 USD. Compare that to my last HIV test done at Mass General which cost me a princely $287, and you can see what an amazing deal I got. I shudder to think what an uninsured person in the USA might have paid for this battery of tests, never mind the cost of the specialist visit.

Battery of Tests Ordered
And the best part? I got my results within a day, via email. Everything inside of me looks fine: stomach; kidneys; liver; spleen; prostate; bladder; lungs; and general viscera. Not only that, but within about six hours of having started the parasite medicine, I began to feel better. After I completed the medicine, four days later, I felt like myself again. Woo hoo! I was going to live after all! About a week later I had my follow-up with Dr. Orozco.
By then it was pretty clear that my problem had been parasites. Since taking the medicine I had been eating like a newly-released prisoner, (“comiendo como un huérfano” in Spanish) and I had regained my former energy level. Dr. Orozco basically gave me a clean bill of health, but wanted me to do another blood test a month later, along with another stool sample. Though my blood work had been more or less normal, my lipid levels were all ridiculously low, due to the parasites’ having blocked my absorption of fats, as well as having blocked my bile ducts. Bile is a key ingredient in fat digestion, and it turns out that being bilious is a good thing, haha.
All this happened during the third week of January. Yesterday I went for my second set of lab tests. Let’s hope they look good. At this point I feel great, though I’ve only managed to regain about 8 pounds. And my knees are a little sore from all the running I’ve done lately. But I’m now pretty sure I don’t have any form of cancer, and have regained my former excellent health. And I’ve found an excellent gastroenterologist in the process. I couldn’t be more thankful.
Saludos and thanks for stopping by!
Speaks Fluent English — Did a year’s sub-specialty post-doc at Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center.
Good news! VERMOX, buy it over the counter at the farmacia and keep it on hand. If you start having those symptoms again, just take the ONE pill and it will be gone! I kid you not………Sorry you went through all that angst. All my Drs. here in SMA have given me their cell #s plus email addresses. I have, when necessary, communicated with them that way. Sign up for IMSS in Mexico which costs about $300 USD a year and is superior to Seguro Popular which is for the poorest of the poor. You can also get health insurance from companies like Metropolitan Life, etc. I wrote a blog about it all years ago. You can find that info by putting a request in the search box.
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Hola Barbara! Good advice, I’ll have to take it. I also have the prescription that Dr. Orozco wrote me, waiting the next spell of intestinal trouble. Hopefully this doesn’t happen again; it was a first for me. As for health care, I’m still stuck between the USA and Mexico, and wherever I end up living remains to be seen. I’m probably going to go back to Redding fairly soon to begin the process of selling my mother’s house, and then onto Boston to salvage what remains of my “normal” life. Thanks so much for your comment. Have a great day!
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Hola Kim,
All’s well that ends well. Although, all that ends the sooner, the better. Which doesn’t appear to have been the case for you. Sorry to hear you had to endure. But nonetheless, what ends without killing or disabling you, well that’s the best end result of all, no? We’re most fortunate in our respective parts of the world to not have to worry about most of the worst things a person can catch.
What was the parasite? Some can take quite some time before showing symptoms. Mrs P and I took a strong dose worms tablets every six months when we lived in Mexico. Not since relocating here. But thinking about it, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to take a dose before we go off on our next trip to the far east.
Mexico’s health care is worthy of praise, but it always works best when you’re not a Mexican living on the sort of wages that most Mexicans earn. It’s an important caveat.
I recently had to make use of the NHS here. Nothing serious. I’d show you the bill, but there wasn’t one. The reassurance of having a free at the point of use health care system is priceless.
Take care amigo.
(And perhaps think about that health insurance policy…!)
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Hola Gary! It’s so nice to see your comment. As for the type of parasite, I don’t know. By the time I got to the lab, I had already completed most of the medicine, and thus they didn’t find out what kind. But I’m glad it’s gone. As for healthcare if you’re an average Mexican, yeah, it’s like everything else here. Though the costs of many goods and services are very low by our standards, they aren’t nearly as accessible to the working folks here. But then my blog isn’t really directed at them either.
As for my health insurance, I’m stuck for 2019 not having in the USA. Yes, if I get hit by a bus, I’m screwed. But I’m not riding my motorcycle, and that’s the most dangerous thing I’d be likely to do. Meanwhile, I’m here for now where medical help is cheap and easy. Saludos and thanks so much for stopping by!
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But I’m glad it’s gone.
I bet you are! I do hope that Part 2 of this series is less traumatic…
But then my blog isn’t really directed at them either.
Good point. But you do know that as soon as news of this wanton discrimination gets out, literally millions of Mexicans who have never visited your blog will be boycotting you… 🙂
And Babs has named the brand that was on the tip of my tongue when writing my original comment. Vermox. Every six months, without fail.
I had two students that I know of who succumbed to parasites. One forgot to take his Vermox pills and paid the price. From what he told me, the consequences were such that he’d never forget again. I understand that dog poop from CDMX’s many strays are the usual cause.
Another young lady had that parasite that you get from either pork or strawberries. I had no idea such a thing existed prior to living in Mexico. It’s a pretty grim one to catch by all accounts. She had to have a bit of skull cut off to get at the bugger.
There’s some nasty stuff out there in the world just waiting for the chance to get at our innards…
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Hola Gary! Now after reading your comment, I’ve decided to leave Mexico for good. While cheap margaritas and endless parties are quite attractive, the prospects of getting a parasite that will require skull surgery is just too horrifying. When I get back to the USA, I plan on ordering one of those bubbles for immunocompromised people and spending the remainder of my days safely ensconced within, haha.
Seriously, though, she had to have part of her skull cut out? That sounds beyond horrifying. And I now think I’ll probably never eat a strawberry again either. Just as well; they’re full of pesticides anyway.
Saludos and thanks for your chilling comment.
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Welcome to Mexican healthcare. Can’t beat it with a stethoscope. From the dates you mention, it appears the parasites caught you in California, not Mexico. Stay out of communist lands, and you’ll feel better in general. Glad you’re feeling improved.
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Hola Felipe! Yes, you have a sharp eye, as usual. Alas, I have to return to sell my mother’s house. Then, who knows what? Saludos and thanks for your comment.
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So happy to hear you’re pretty much back to your usual self. Thank you for posting this – I learned a lot, and it’s something I need to pay attention to now that I’m living in Mexico. Though all things such as this aside – Viva!
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Hola Barbara! You know, if you start to research parasites, you’ll be surprised you haven’t already had them before. Watercress (which I happen to love) is a big risk factor. I’d be very careful with it here SOB. Thanks for stopping by. Saludos!
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I never cease singing the praises of the Mexican medical system. It works almost like the doctor in our mountain town in the 1950s. But better.
Around here, when I get the symptoms at which you hinted, I grab the parasite medicine. I usually take it twice a year even without symptoms. That reminds me, I need to take another dose.
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Hola Steve! I’ve thought about stocking up on the parasite meds to take back to California. The total treatment costs about $25 USD, and is nothing compared to the cost of going through what I went through. Oh well, live and learn. Saludos and thanks for your thoughts.
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When you were describing your symptoms. I was thinking parasites. I have native Guatemalan friends who take anti-parasite medicine, every six months, prophylactically. I think it all comes from eating vegetables. The cities pump groundwater for use at the household tap, it goes down the drain as a matter of course. That drain does not see a sewer plant in many cases, but just goes into the river. Downstream the river water gets pumped out onto vegetable plantations. Now here is the kicker, most of those streams would be dry most of the year but for the water coming from the drains so the water is pretty full of eggs, spore and bacteria . It is best to soak your vegetables in a disinfectant solution just for vegetables. Just washing them in tap water is not going to do the job. I have a rule about restaurants in Latin America, if the place has a line out the door go somewhere else because the first thing that is skipped, in a busy day, is the soaking of the vegetables. Glad you are feeling better.
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Hola Norm,
Well you were absolutely right. And reading up on parasites, I find that they are much more widespread than I had thought. Also lots easier to catch, too. I’m thinking of stocking up on he medicine. Saludos and thanks for stopping by.
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Thinking about all the time you were sick, losing weight and thinking the worst–what a terrible, frightening ordeal to have gone through! I don’t mean this as a criticism, particularly because I don’t know all your symptoms over that time period, but I am surprised you and your nurse friend didn’t think of parasites right away. I only say this because so many of my friends who have vacationed in Mexico (fortunately not me yet) have had to deal with a parasite or an amoeba when they come home–the problem seems fairly common.
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Hola Christine, well I thought about parasites, but my friend thought it quite unlikely. Oh wel, at least I’m not seriously ill, and I’ve gotten a mid-life cancer screening. That’s the upside. Saludos!
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I’ve also had great experiences with English-speaking specialists in Guadalajara. A rheumatologist (Dr. Javier Orozco Alcala, also in Ladrón de Guevara) quickly diagnosed an autoimmune disorder that my primary care physician in Vancouver couldn’t; worse, she wouldn’t refer me to a specialist.
About your will: better to have one from California than none at all, but it won’t be easy for your executors to have it recognized in Mexico. In September, notarios offer half-price wills (I kid you not!). And your mom will need a power of attorney/healthcare directive. We and our expat friends here recommend Spencer McMullen with offices in Chapala and Guadalajara. Buena suerte!
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Hola Deborah,
Thanks for the tips. I wrote out my own will on the theory that it’d be better than nothing, and signed each and every page. Of course it could possibly be contested, but I was pressed for time, so I just did my best. As for Mexico, for now I don’t have any property to speak of here, so I don’t need a will that the Mexican authorities would recognize. Of course that will hopefully change. As for the September sale, I’ll have to keep it in mind. Thanks for your comment and have a great day! Saludos!
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