Fili’s world
A different look at Asia, China and Taiwan
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It is my own medical expert opinion that foreigners in Taiwan, even those who are not working or studying very hard, are usually in a constant state of almost dangerous exhaustion. The symptoms are everywhere. Although most of us try to deny that by showing a mask of okayness to the world and maintaining somesort of appearance of an active life, we fail, and it shows. Sometimes it explodes.
Today was the breaking point for my recently fragile body. It’s probably a combination of a diet that I’m not used to, messed up sleeping routines, weather and overall mental sensory overload here in Taiwan. Going to sleep at around four in the morning, I woke up to Chinese class at eight, feeling that I’m a bit tired but still okay. A few casual yawns and a tired face got me through the two hours, I later went on to sort out finally getting my ARC, and already on the motorbike I could feel that something is wrong. On one of the intersections I met one of my Taiwanese classmates who seemed concerned about how I looked, but I just waived that off saying that it’s the fact that I just woke up too early in the morning. By the time I got back home, my body was in ruins, and with my last energy resources I made it inside only to crash on my living room sofa with all my clothes and bag still on me. I woke up 6-7 hours later, feeling like I was run over by a truck and extremely thirsty, I open the fridge to realize that I ran out of water. I decide that after sleeping for 6-7 hours I’m fit enough to go to the KT-mart and do some shopping. I get to the KT-mart, start strolling around, and suddenly felt like my legs can’t hold me anymore. In the middle of the busy supermarket I sit down on the floor and try to fight the fuzzy spots in my eye sight. I’m sure some Taiwanese around me were concerned about this strange situation, but they kept away. After a few minutes, I make another attempt at getting back by energizing myself with some fresh orange juice and finally arrive at my home, completely exhausted, crashing down on my bed. Now, almost 7 hours after that I feel a little bit better, but my body still feels like it’s not functioning right.
I try to keep a healthy life, but it’s not easy. I guess it will take some time till I completely adjust, and in the meanwhile - need to take extra care.
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Todd
| October 19th, 2007 at 1:20 am #
I was in a similar situation about three months ago. I actually had to have an MRI done because the neurologist I saw at Veteran’s Hospital in Taipei believed based on my symptoms (numbness and weakness on the left-side of my body)that I had experienced a minor stroke. Luckily, the test showed that there was no neurological reasons for my symptoms, which were at their worst for about 2 weeks and gradually disappeared after seeing an acupuncturist twice a week for two months. That’s the shortened version of the story at least. See you in Hukou.
fiLi
| October 19th, 2007 at 11:14 am #
Oh, wow :O thanks for sharing that. I’ve met quite a few foreigners who experienced similar things throughout their time in Taiwan.
An acupuncturist, you say? maybe I should try that. Is that part of the national health insurance deal or did you go to a private one?
Todd
| October 19th, 2007 at 11:40 am #
After I had seen the doctor who put me on a three week waiting list for an MRI, one of my student’s mother had told me that her husband was an acupuncturist and I could see him that day. She also called the hospital and had my MRI appointment rescheduled for THE NEXT DAY (it’s all who you know around here I guess). The acupuncturist I see is covered by the national insurance system, so each visit is only $200 NT, except on days that I get more herbal medicine then the price is $500 NT for the visit and the medication. Oh yeah, and originally I was supposed to wait 3 weeks for the test and wait an additional week for the results. She told me exactly what steps to take and who to talk to in order to get the results that day. I can’t thank her family enough, they turned what would have been 4 weeks of sleepless nights into a sigh of relief.
Take care of yourself! I hope you feel alright for the Hukou meet-up… I look forward to seeing you there.
fiLi
| October 19th, 2007 at 11:54 am #
Thanks. I’m afraid I still lack local connections to help me do the same. I actually don’t even have the national health insurance as I just recently got my ARC and am expected to wait 4 months before I could apply for it.
Now I understand what you meant by the Hukou meet-up :$. I’ll take this day off for rest to see if things improve, as I’m feeling shaky, and decide about the trip tomorrow. Hopefully, I’ll be there.
Todd
| October 21st, 2007 at 5:13 pm #
Fili, I hope your starting to feel better, we missed you in Hukou but your health comes first. You would be surprised about finding connections, just start talking about how are feeling to your professors, the place you always buy breakfast, the ladies at the fruit market, ect. There is always someone who can give you the name of someone who can help. I don’t know what the costs of acupuncture is if you are uninsured, but if you can’t do that the least you can do is go to a pharmacy (traditional or western) and get a few days worth of medicine for probably not more than $250 NT.
fiLi
| October 24th, 2007 at 3:36 pm #
Saw all the posts and photos from the get-together. Does seem like you had a good time. Hopefully, we’ll have other chances to meet up.