Pain in negril

Any stories of getting hurt/ And if so what dod you do and how did you cope with the situation?. What avenues and tools did you use to handle what happened. I slipped broke my ass during hurricane gustav rode the storm out on my belly hey no jokes now jajajaja. Ive had my elbow blow up bunch of times the dr chris had stop by at sea star was great. Its just an aspect not given much thought by some when traveling. Anyone by health insurance incase of da emergency/. Older i get the more i thing about it. puff.

I always fly with medivac insurance to get me to the states if needed once stabilized. As we age I think it is a good thing to plan ahead.

Mushroom omelette washed down by a couple cups of Ganj Tea and shots of Overproof should fix just about anything!!!

Other then being eaten alive by the critters and by the grace of GOD no injuries...(knocking on wood):D

I injured myself last reach. The second night. We were walking the road back from Alfreds. It was very dark, I saw Niah coming out of Wavz so I turned to say hi. My ankle turned over on loose gravel/rocks and I skinned my leg badly and had 2 large cuts. One on my knee and one on the top of my foot. That was March 15th. The scab on my knee finally came off 9 weeks later. Looking back I should have had stitches in my knee and top of foot. I basically bathed it in the sea, then applied fresh aloe to it and I had brought antibiotic cream which helped a lot. And I didnt cover it as the breeze helped dry it up. A young person from our place, Nirvana, kinda did the same thing only it was sand burn. He dove to catch a frisbee and really skinned the front of his shin on the hard sand. Both of us limped around Nirvana comparing healing stories. LOL
I always buy medvac insurance. you never know when you may need it.
PS I limped over to Niahs the next day to thank him for helping me. He cut a piece of aloe and rubbed it all over the cuts and scrapes and he didn't hold back rubbing the aloe in. I saw stars!

I have my favorite Doctor in Sav. They try their best and will take the time to talk to you. A friend of mine suggested checking into an all inclusive if in need of medical care. They are supposed to always have medical care available. As a side note my neighbor had very good medical care for her and her family as part of her employment package at the RIU.

I also had a great Dentist from Santiago Cuba in Sav. Like the police they are working with very limited resources. And the price of medical and dental care in Jamaica is very affordable.

Lady Jane there is nothing like the sea and aloe to cure all kinds of ailments. I often tell my Doctor here that graduated from the University of the West Indies Medical School that all I needed was a couple of weeks in the sea to take away my aches and pain. We also have an awesome Jamaican Doctor overseeing the Interns at the Western Michigan School of Medicine. We have been blessed with many great Jamaicans here in Kalamazoo including a visit from Michael Manley.

I was staying in Whitehouse at the South Sea View Guest house back in 2001. On my birthday, I decided to climb down the ladder into the sea to snorkel. Well, the ladder broke and cut my leg (side note- be careful on ladders from the sea. I bet they generally rust quickly, and don't last long). Not life-threatening, but it was obvious that I needed to be stitched up. Luckily, I was traveling with a friend who was raised in Bluefield's Bay, Jamaica - but lived in Athens, GA, like me. We jumped in our rental car and he flew to the Black River Hospital.

I signed in, and waited in the ER with several Jamaicans. It seemed like they gave me special treatment, as I didn't have to wait that long. I remember them asking for me before some of the Jamaicans that had been sitting when I arrived. But, there may have been other reasons for that. Specifically, they called me before a child with a burn injury. I declined, and they took him first. Shortly after this, they took me back, stitched me up, gave me a tetanus shot, and prescribed me an antibiotic. It was way more clean and professional than I had expected. And more efficient than in the US.

Then, I was given a bill and my prescription and told to go to the pharmacy (on site). I got in a line, handed in my prescription, and waited. They called everyone back up to tell them what the meds would cost and see if they wanted to fill the scrip. I was shocked that my medication only cost about $13.00 US. And, when I went to pay the bill for the surgery, it was about the same!

I had seen Blue cross sign in the billing office window, and contemplated whether my insurance from the US would be accepted there. But, when the whole thing cost me around $26 US, I was amazed. On the way to the hospital, I thought I was about to spend the reminder of any money I had for the trip. Overall, I was very impressed with the care I received. In a strange way, I am glad I was injured, so that I could have the experience.

I remember the hospital sitting right on the sea. There are several long buildings that sit out behind the main building, and overlook the sea. Whenever there is a hurricane threatening Jamaica, this image pops in my head, and I think "What do they do with all of the patients in those buildings during the storm?"

The year was 2001 and was our first day in Negril and after a whole day at the pool bar it was time to go back to the room to and get ready for dinner. My wife got out of her wet suit first and was heading out to the balcony to hang it up. on her way out she put her beer down on the likkle table with the glass top that was right in front of the door. i came out of the bathroom with my wet suit in hand heading out to hang it up. Just as i got to the door i stepped in a puddle of water left by her bathing suit I felt my feet going out from under me. I bumped the table the beer bottle fell and smashed as the table started falling over i took one more step to try and save the glass top and stepped right on the broken bottle. by the time she came in it had looked like a murder scene, blood everywhere. I fell back onto the bed and asked her to look and see if there was any glass stuck in my foot. WELL! one look at my foot and she goes down screaming like she was hit by Muhammad Ali. Out to the balcony she goes losing all that precious Red Stripe that took her all day to consume and 15 seconds to get rid of. I sat up on the bed and called reception and informed them what had happened. what seemed like forever Security and Housekeeping showed up and right away called for the nurse. housekeeping later told me she used 22 towels to soak up the blood on the floor. The nurse arrived, took one look at my foot and called for the Dr. In the meantime i asked the nurse to check on my wife(still hiding on the balcony hates the site of blood) the Nurse came back in and informed Housekeeping that there was a clean-up needed on the balcony. I asked if there was any chance of getting something to eat as I was starving security said no problem and came back with two plates of jerk chicken. He took a plate out on the balcony to my wife... and there it goes again...yup more dam Red Stripe wasted. The Dr. arrived told me to get on my belly took one look at my foot and said Mon dis gonna hurt. after he got all the glass out and cleaned it up and a tetanus shot where the sun don't shine it was time for the freezing. Keep in mind i'm still eating my chicken when I hear him ask are you ready? I wish I had a bullet to chomp down on but the next best thing was the biggest bone on the plate. I have never felt pain like that before as he stuck the needle in the cut three times that chicken bone did not stand a chance snapped it in two along with knocking out a filling in my back tooth. Well 22 stitches later a massive bandage wrapped on my foot a sore tooth and $422.00 later Dr. had a credit card swipe in his bag found that hilarious. $10 tip for Security $25 for the housekeeper considering all she had to clean up and then sat with my wife while all this was going on.
The Dr. gave my wife some Gravol and before you knew it every body was gone. Every morning 9am sharp I was first in line at the Nurse's office to have the bandage changed. Next night at the bonfire i was dancing on the beach.

One vacation, staying at the Club Hotel Riu, I went out into the water {very murky in front of that Riu!} I dove, came up, then stepped on a black Sea Urchin! Ouch! A couple people helped me limp to the nurses station. Gosh, it really stung! Laid down on the table {wifey didn't want to pee on the stingers, like they say you're supposed to do ??}. The nurse proceeded to flick out the stingers with a long surgical needle {about 14 to 15 stingers in all} Couldn't walk on that foot for 2 to 3 days. This wasn't a major thing, like a broken leg or car accident, but it was my incident. I've had other self inflicted screw-ups...too embarrassing to mention. But, yeah, it is something to think about... What would happen if a person gets really hurt? But if it does, you just roll with it, and given the kind hearted dear Jamaican people & other people to help, we're in good hands ! Good Luck, be careful, use common sense, think ahead mon' Respect. This Negril.com forum is the coolest thing! Have ta go on it everyday!

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Originally Posted by brihinds

A friend of mine suggested checking into an all inclusive if in need of medical care. They are supposed to always have medical care available.

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In a previous life when we stayed at Sandals Negril that was NOT the case, one of their parrots bit my wife's hand cutting her pretty good,we went to the nurses' office which it turned out was closed, this was late afternoon, there was no one on the premises to help any further than a bandaid the front desk was able to dig up

Had my share of bumps, bruises, cuts, Jelly Fish stings, sea rash and Black Sea Urchins.

But my last trip in 2008 was interesting...

Developed a sore on the top of my foot (don't know how or why), but it became progressively worse as the vacation continued. Probably because I wasn't going to slow down and let it heal.

Last full day on the Rock and I'm in tough shape recuperating at The Canoe Bar and Grill. All the Boardie Ladies are fussing over my bandages and what not, Patty serves me an awesome fish lunch, Kirby mixes me one of his famous Five Rum Punches that not only kills the pain, but almost kills me!! LOL

Sucks being hurt in Paradise.

Enjoy,

VVHT

Ever wake up and UM,have a cut,some blood,A bruise? A ripped shirt and UM you're like "how did that happen?"

[FONT=comic sans ms][SIZE=2]Staying a an all inclusive,afternoon shower afer some rum punch's slip in the shower,fall OUT of the shower onto the toilet bowl. The toilet bowl is now knocked off its seal and water coming up from the floor,,,,,, Wife asks,"you O/K honey?" ??????? I respond,naked from the floor in the toilet water "yeah man,no problems here" in my best Joe Cool voice ????I then call the front desk and say "Hey man,we have a leak in the toilet and I need a new room"?It worked.

read this...its the last half of vol 6 of our First Trip.............http://negril.com/forum/entry.php/64...ol-7?goto=prev

for the whole story go to the link listed below

friend from chicago just came in for a 2 week vacation and were on the road and didn't see a drainage ditch,she fell against the upward slant with her right ankle,breaking it,then she tried to soften her falling to the ground,by catching herself by her hands,breaking her wrist too.they took her to sav.in the back of a pickup truck sitting in a chair.got her fixed up and the whole thing cost $300.00 US.including all pain meds .

2 years ago i thought it was a good idea on our 2nd day to go for a late supper at Jah Bs across the road from Rooms where we were stayin after drinking all day on the beach, after dinner and a few more redstripes i decided to run across the road in my bear feet, the pavement was very rough and i stubbed my big toe, i look down and there was major blood, told my wife lets go to our room and check out the damage, well, there was a huge flap of skin hanging and part of the toenail was gone,she bandaged it up and the next morning off to the pharmacy at the west end to get gauze, liquid bandage and 5 pairs of latex gloves, each morning i bandaged the toe up and cut off a finger of a glove to cover up the toe, many people asked if it was a condom on my toe , l.o.l, soon come

no major incidents for me; plenty of mosquito bites, blisters, scrapes, bruises. I pack first aid supplies so I can deal with those.

I am ever mindful of the slippery tile floors and the famous uneven Jamaican stairs and random little steps installed for no reason! Usually bruise my shin at least once per trip on the bed corner.

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Originally Posted by goldilocks

the famous uneven Jamaican stairs and random little steps installed for no reason!

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Goldilocks, I thought the uneven stairs were done to accommodate all the drunken tourist??? LOL

Never had a problem with the uneven stairs due to my consumption of alcoholic beverages!! But I have missed a few drainage ditches and potholes in my time!!

We went to sandals a few years back, and I either caught something on the bus, or their buffet. My wife blames the sugar cane I bought, but I'd prefer to place the blame elsewhere. Second day of the trip, I became horribly ill, could keep nothing down, was so cold I wrapped myself in blankets and tried to sleep on the balcony. Three days later, dehydrated, still sick, unable to eat or drink anything, had the doctor come to the resort. Finally said I give up and paid a small fortune to have the plane tickets changed, and went home. Remained sick for four days after arriving home.

The best part? I got laid off from work when we got home.

Trip insurance actually covered the cost of the doctor, about 70% of the hotel and the difference in the airfare home.

Ah...you too have fallen victim to the ....."for no reason step"...or "path goes straight"- "pavement goes left"..........
those are the reasons for those dark bruises and sore spots you find when you wake up come from, not a "little duppy that comes and beats you while you sleep, I think?
yes I'm sure of it :)

Thankfully, never any serious injuries while in Jamaica, which is amazing.
HOWEVER, after some near disasters, I have learned that:
Unless you have Cirque de Soliel training, it's probably best to leave high heels at home - flats are the new "Sexy" (since traction is definitely NOT)
If travelling with NEW shoes, polysporin and bandaids are a Godsend and don't take up much luggage space
If you aren't planning to listen to the locals tell you that a dish is SPICY, you might want to carry some Tums
If Jamaicans put up a Caution or Danger sign, there is probably a REALLY good reason, and you should trust them and not investigate "but why, I wonder ....?"
Water shoes are a good idea (even if really ugly) - rough seas bring in creatures usually out way past where you would normally walk, and having a good looking life guard pull
thingies out of your feet is not a cool way to meet people .....(or so I have heard, you understand .... I have no personal experience in this matter ..... seriously, I don't)
Listen to the local Jamaicans when they say "just hold still" if a stink bug has landed on you. Freaking out and jumping up and down and screaming "getitoffmegetitoffmeGETITOFFME" is not the best or healthiest way to go (again, I am just saying what I have heard! I have NEVER had a crowd of Jamaicans around me laughing at such a situation! Seriously, I don't!
Overproof rum is good as a mosquito repellant; stomach stabilizer; headache cure; after-bug calmer downer; and generally good for the soul!

Just my observations!

In Mexico, I once slipped on a bottom step of stairs and hurt my tailbone REALLY bad .... It took a long time to recover from that injury but I still had a good time. In Negril, I had an unusual flare-up of arthritis that forced a hospital visit, and for $75 a shot in the tushy took care of it; it's all on Trail of Ashes.

Also, had a scooter spill that wasnt so bad, just some scrapes that did not require stiches; I did the same thing in Mexico years earlier.

Suffered through some broken hearts in Negril through the years, but I also vow to keep coming back for more, and sure enough mi soon come in July.

All of the stories really suggest that a Hospital in Negril would be a great idea. I know that it has been floated around that somebody has already suggested that but I haven't really heard any follow up. The reality is funding and lack thereof, perhaps the developers of the mega hotels could consider a private or co-op facility. With the tourist and local populations in the greater Negril area a Hospital certainly is worth serious consideration.

Yes a hospital or some type of emergency clinic would definitely be an asset to Negril. Negril has come a long way from the Times my husband and his siblings were born in a lean to across from Pee Wee' s. His Mother Miss Ella who passed in 1992 cooked her entire life on an open fire. Not because she was forced to but simply because that was the way of life she was accustomed too. My Husband often commented that his Mother would be amazed to see a Doctor so close to her yard in Negril in later years.

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Originally Posted by brihinds

Lady Jane there is nothing like the sea and aloe to cure all kinds of ailments. I often tell my Doctor here that graduated from the University of the West Indies Medical School that all I needed was a couple of weeks in the sea to take away my aches and pain. We also have an awesome Jamaican Doctor overseeing the Interns at the Western Michigan School of Medicine. We have been blessed with many great Jamaicans here in Kalamazoo including a visit from Michael Manley.

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I grew up on the ocean, i still live near the ocean. Step on a nail? go into the ocean. Cut your hand on glass, go put it in the ocean. Salt water is a great healer

I learned that if you jump from the cliff at Ricks and go in just a "little" crooked your tailbone will hurt for a week. I shall jump no more forever!

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Originally Posted by Fred Stripe

I learned that if you jump from the cliff at Ricks and go in just a "little" crooked your tailbone will hurt for a week. I shall jump no more forever!

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Amen, FredStripe! I landed in a seated position because I could tell on the way down I had no control....the plan had been to go in feet first. I don't know how those divers control their bodies so well. Anyway, I couldn't sit down comfortably for at least a week.

MedVac Ins? I know I can google it to learn about details, but has anybody needed or used it?

I pay $75/yr for DAN insurance (diver's alert network) that covers medical costs and repatriation if necessary (not just for dive accidents). I've never had to use it. I've had pain in JM ... sprained an ankle on the rocks - I grinned and limped for the rest of the vacay. I've been stung by jellies ... treated w/vinegar and aloe. I've had similar experiences w/ Jamaican doctors when I needed to update my dive qualifications for working at the marine laboratory and needed a physical - affordable and very professional (I used the doctor clinic assigned to Kaiser Aluminum employees in Discovery Bay).

I used to jump from Rick's way back when it was a little joint on the cliffs. After jumping several times from the jumping spot that used to be by the original bar, barefoot and naked I took to wearing sneakers and shorts holding my nose closed with one hand and my vitals with the other. Too many salt water enimas, stinging nuts and water in my nasal cavity taught me the hard way. I've seen many people injured from jumping at the cliffs especially after too many drinks and / or puffs. 30 to 40 feet down into ocean leaves little room for error. Don't know if there have been any deaths there as a result but wouldn't be surprised, especially since who is there to save you if don't come up or get the wind knocked out and start to drown????

I don't know who would be there to save you,but that's quite a picture you just painted there!;)

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Originally Posted by brihinds

Lady Jane there is nothing like the sea and aloe to cure all kinds of ailments. I often tell my Doctor here that graduated from the University of the West Indies Medical School that all I needed was a couple of weeks in the sea to take away my aches and pain. We also have an awesome Jamaican Doctor overseeing the Interns at the Western Michigan School of Medicine. We have been blessed with many great Jamaicans here in Kalamazoo including a visit from Michael Manley.

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Hey Brihingds - I see that you are from Kzoo - are you going to the Reggae Fest next weekend? I am from Dearborn and always wanted to go - is it good?

The best. Michael Rose is the Headliner Saturday night. Sorry I won't be there this year. My best friends son is getting married in Florence, Mississippi that Friday night. I have to be there. She should be arriving today to pick up me along with other family members. Maybe next year.

This is a little colour I got on the last reach in November. Just walking up to DeBar for supper and my foot went over on an uneven bit of pavement. Ironically, just a couple of feet from the only sidewalk on the west end, right accross from Rock House. I could have come up with a more exicting story than that but thats the truth.Attachment 28124

Ouch George

I was riding on the train headed to Germantown and points up and while I had my old VHS recorder stuck out a window going under a bridge I felt a tiny piece of stone lodge into my eye. It bothered me for days to I walked into MoBay looking for a doctor or someone that could help. I found this eye doctor who had a small office on an off road who looked at me and said I did have something there. I had gotten metal chips in the eye before from the work I did in a machine shop so I wasn't new to what had to be done but that was back in the US where they had the head vice and eye drops but this Asian wonder did it with tweezers. He plucked that stone from the surface of my eyeball like he knew what he was doing. I still get the shutters thinking about it.

George,

Have a hard time orienting which body part you've posted. Just hope it ain't the top of your melon!!!

When in Jamaica and in need of help, medical, spiritual, etc.... Dr. Joseph is your man!!!! Go Leafs!!!!

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...ews/news1.html

Busted, this is Mrs George, and thats my hip.