Medical Stuff

Many patients, when asked, have no idea what happened in their medical histories, if they had a procedure (everything is surgery), when it was done ("some time ago"), and what medications they were given ("some tablets"). It can be very frustrating when trying to obtain a clear medical history.
Going to the pharmacy is quite interesting. There's one big chain "SuperPharm" where you can shop around and get stuff you want like a Walgreens, but if go to a mom and pop store, or if you want "some tablets," you're gonna have to ask. First, the pharmacist is going to ask you what you want/need/symptoms/etc., and you're not going to have any privacy because the next person in line is breathing down your neck. Many Trinidadians are "Fast" (should've introduced this term much earlier...it means that they are all up in your business. They eavesdrop, spy, snoop, "maco" meaning all of those things. It's just a cultural thing. Maybe it's because the country is so small, you're going to know the person ordering drugs or their mother/aunt/sister/uncle/cousin, and it's always interesting to know what's going on with a person medically. It relates back to the personal space that doesn't exist here), and it's difficult to speak with a pharmacist over a 7 foot counter if you have anything that is embarrassing (also, being a "snobby" northeasterner, everything is embarrassing. I want my privacy!!!) that you want treatment for. And no matter what, you're gonna have to say it. And being the only white person in my area, it's easy to spot me out. I'm waiting for someone to go by whispering, "she's the one with the [fill in horrible condition that you want to keep private here]!"
One good thing about the pharmacy is you can get almost anything without a prescription, and the pharmacists know what to give you if you tell them your symptoms. You do need a 'script for antibiotics, however, and I haven't tried to get any other "good" medications, so I don't know what's really behind that counter. Also, forget about getting a bottle of tablets, you can just get one. Yesterday, at my friendly neighborhood pharmacy, a woman asked for Ambien...and bought just 2! I don't understand...either you have a sleep disorder or you don't. Whatever; guess I'm just being fast myself with all this wondering.