I work for the UN and am stationed in Sudan. I tested posted for malaria, and took coartem, then felt fine. I did not go back to the UN doctor for the follow-up test to see if it was gone, because I was in the field. About three weeks later, the malaria symptoms returned, but I still could not get to the doctor, so instead I decided to self-diagnose and bought the coartem again, which is “over-the-counter” here. After the third dose of coartem, I began to feel very ill. I had extreme watery diahrrea, couldn’t eat a bite, lost a lot of weight, was very dehydrated, very low blood pressure. I literally could not lift my head off the pillow. I went to the UN doctor, and was medically evacuated to Kenya. I started getting better on my own. Then, the doctor I saw in Kenya said that since I was still having the diahrrea, accompanied by gas, it was likely not malaria, but an ameoba. However he did not perform a test for this. He gave me two antibiotics for an ameoba, and I took the full dose. I finished the antibiotics about 9 days ago. After finishing the antibiotics, I still had diahrrea, but not as watery, and it gradually has gone away, as of two days ago. I was sick for a total of two weeks, and extremely sick for about 7 days in the middle of that timeframe. I’ve gained the weight back, and am no longer dehydrated. Eating fine. full energy. Feel like I’m back to normal. My period just ended two days ago, and was unusually light. ?
?
Three days ago, I started having pain in my upper middle abdomen. It almost feels like a knot. And i can momentarily massage the pain away. It is in the middle of my back, too. It is constant and sharp, but not very intense. I can work with no problems. Eating does not seem to affect it. I’m having strong cravings for cheese and ice-cream.?
?
I’m now in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, which is much more developed. However, they don’t particularly like Americans. The main hospital here is owned by Osama Bin Laden. I really do not want to go to the doctor here. I’ll be in sydney, Australia in a week. The pain isn’t that bad. ?
?
Do you think I need to go to a doctor right away? Can I wait a week and if the pain hasn’t gone away, go to the doctor in Australia? Any ideas what this might be? Pancreaitis? Ulcer? It doesn’t feel like heartburn at all. Other than this pain in my abdomen, I feel fine. No fever. No vomitting or diahrrea anymore.
Dr. Joshua’s Answer
If you feel fine, and have no fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and you keep getting slightly better by the day, and you won’t get any worse, you could wait until next week to see the doctor in Australia. However, I’d need to examine you myself before I could say this for sure, as I’m sure you’ll understand. Therefore if you get any worse, you need to see the local doctor. Worst case scenario, you could be developing an appendicitis or extrauterine pregnancy which needs emergency surgery and can be life-threatening. While your description does not immediately suggest this, and I’m happy that your symptoms are getting better instead of worse, I can’t make the call from over here. Here’s a list of doctors in Khartoum recommended by the U.S. Embassy:
These physicians are fully trained and many received part or all of their training in England, elsewhere in Europe or in the U.S. With few exceptions, most work in government hospitals during the mornings. Most private clinics are open in the evenings, usually from 0600 to 2100. Many are closed on Fridays and/or Sundays. Patients are expected to pay for services at the time they are rendered.
THE FOLLOWING LIST OF DOCTORS AND DENTISTS HAS BEEN MADE ON THE BASIS OF POSITIVE EXPERIENCE. IT IS FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE AND DOES NOT/NOT CONSTITUTE EITHER AN ENDORSEMENT OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE AMERICAN EMBASSY.
(or doctor Joshua for that matter)
General Medicine/Internists:
Dr. Asma I. El Sony
Allan Woodruff Medical Center
Street 43 (three blocks from Airport road)
Amarat
Tel: 00249-183-465459 (clinic)
Saturday - Thursday, from 1430 to 1600, Walk-ins
Saturday - Wednesday, from 1900 to 2030, by appointment only
Friday from 1100 to 1200noon
Will see children as well as adults.
Dr. Suliman Fudel
Specialist Gastroentrologist
Tel: 00249-183-780678
Sudan Clinic, Hospital Street
Surgery
Dr. Ahmed Hassan ElFahal
Soba University
Contact: Doctors Clinic - Airport Road
Tel: 00249-183-464419/471973
Dr. Ahmed El Tigani
Chief of Surgery
Khartoum Teaching Hospital
Contact thru Khartoum Clinic
Tel: 00249-183-471472/471401
Dr. El Rashid Ahmed
Flat 4, above Hawi Grocery
Street 15 Amarat - Khartoum Clinic
Tel: 00249-183-460409
OB/GYN
Dr. Sayda Dardiry
Modern Medical Center or Call Khartoum Clinic
Tel: 00249-183-471472 (o) or 00249-183-770101 (h)
Discuss this topic on the Health Forum
More answers in Abdominal, Family Doctor, Infection, Stomach-Colon-IBS-Reflux
