So, just back in from a wonderful vacation in France. Have to start out with people were so NICE. Yes, the French were pleasant and helpful.
But I did end up with a head cold. It wasn't bad, but I had trouble sleeping at night because of the cough. So I popped into the little pharmacy in Avignon with Pool Boy. For the Americans on the board I should explain that a pharmacy in Europe is just that. Pretty much drugs and maybe a toothbrush. It doesn't sell milk, bread, greeting cards and makeup. Just drugs.
I was pleased the pharmacist spoke better English than I did French, though the hacking cough kind of was a hint of what I needed. I asked for some cough drops, and some syrup. She took me over to shelves and handed me some drops and assured me they would be safe to take as they were "homeopathic". Pool Boy stepped back knowing the storm about to follow. I said, "Non!" Then I explained as best I could that if I wanted to just drink a glass of water to feel better I could get that for free. She then kindly took me over to the OTHER real drug section and explained about the cough medicine I could take, but that I had to be "very careful" as if I took too much it could make me ill. She said she usually offers homeopathic medicine to foreigners as she knows they can take as much as they want and it won't hurt them. She said many foreigners, especially Americans are very bad about taking drugs. She pointed out the cough syrup I was getting had codeine in it, and in the US you needed a perscription to purchase it in the US. She was afraid I would take it more frequently than I needed to and would become ill (I take it this had happened before). She admitted that homeopathic medicines did not work in her opinion, but was forced to sell them by the pharmacy chain. She figured my cough wouldn't kill me, but too much codeine could!
I have to admit the cough syrup packed a punch, and I only took it at night after that first day. I pretty much just fell asleep in a park in the sun after taking it that first afternoon. But then again, Avignon with the sun shining is a perfect place to catch a nap.
I see the pharmacists point, European medicines are often more powerful than their American counterparts. But, she picked the wrong tourist to try to give homeopathic meds to!
But I did end up with a head cold. It wasn't bad, but I had trouble sleeping at night because of the cough. So I popped into the little pharmacy in Avignon with Pool Boy. For the Americans on the board I should explain that a pharmacy in Europe is just that. Pretty much drugs and maybe a toothbrush. It doesn't sell milk, bread, greeting cards and makeup. Just drugs.
I was pleased the pharmacist spoke better English than I did French, though the hacking cough kind of was a hint of what I needed. I asked for some cough drops, and some syrup. She took me over to shelves and handed me some drops and assured me they would be safe to take as they were "homeopathic". Pool Boy stepped back knowing the storm about to follow. I said, "Non!" Then I explained as best I could that if I wanted to just drink a glass of water to feel better I could get that for free. She then kindly took me over to the OTHER real drug section and explained about the cough medicine I could take, but that I had to be "very careful" as if I took too much it could make me ill. She said she usually offers homeopathic medicine to foreigners as she knows they can take as much as they want and it won't hurt them. She said many foreigners, especially Americans are very bad about taking drugs. She pointed out the cough syrup I was getting had codeine in it, and in the US you needed a perscription to purchase it in the US. She was afraid I would take it more frequently than I needed to and would become ill (I take it this had happened before). She admitted that homeopathic medicines did not work in her opinion, but was forced to sell them by the pharmacy chain. She figured my cough wouldn't kill me, but too much codeine could!
I have to admit the cough syrup packed a punch, and I only took it at night after that first day. I pretty much just fell asleep in a park in the sun after taking it that first afternoon. But then again, Avignon with the sun shining is a perfect place to catch a nap.
I see the pharmacists point, European medicines are often more powerful than their American counterparts. But, she picked the wrong tourist to try to give homeopathic meds to!
