Why I Had To See The Doctor in New Zealand | Takaka GP Experience

I was on the other side of the world, unrecognisable and $130 down. My first overseas doctor visit won’t be forgotten. I’d taken a week off work in Melbourne to visit family across the pond in New Zealand and it was as much a holiday as a rest from working flat out since August.

I think it may just have been that rest that sent me to the GP though. My body responds when I rest after working a lot in all sorts of ways but this time I couldn’t wait for it to go on its own… 

Please don’t judge the awful photos below (lol)

Why I Had To See The Doctor in New Zealand

It started on Sunday, a dull ache in my lower left jaw, my cheek was a little red and some shooting pains in my ear. I’ve since seen my friend’s baby with the same pain. Why? We were both teething.

My wisdom tooth was pushing its way through and I didn’t think much of it. And then the morning came and I felt like I had a gobstopper sitting between my gum and lip and I needed to get myself and this thing out of bed. I felt it and touched it so I knew something was there but when I looked in the mirror I was shocked.

I could barely open my mouth let alone speak so when I walked into the living room where everyone was sat with cuppas discussing what we could do that day, I managed to mumble, look at my face.

It confirmed what I was doing that day. Seeing a doctor.

Doctor or Dentist?

I’ve since had a similar thing while in the UK and immediately the doctor sends you to the dentist for things involving your teeth but fair play, the GP in New Zealand told me to come in.

Visiting An Overseas Doctors – Takaka GP Experience

As I was staying with family, they were able to drive me to the GP and all I had to do was fill out a form and wait until the doctor could see me. I waited for about 15/20 minutes and seen the nurse who could clearly see why I was there.

Thankfully I was in a town where the population is around 1,300 so the demand for the Takaka GP wasn’t huge. So much so, the GP wasn’t there in the morning so I waited (with a boulder in my jaw) until the afternoon to see them. My Takaka GP experience was a very positive one and I’m pleased with their service.

I went back that afternoon and seen the doctor who confirmed that I had an abscess in my mouth probably caused by an infection in my gum. She explained that they would be giving me a syringe to drain some of the abscess and to brace because it will be painful.

I’m not joking, I didn’t feel a thing! I don’t know if it’s because my nerves were that numb or what but I asked to see what it was she drained and it was lots of white puss and blood.

I was given a prescription for antibiotics that I couldn’t drink on, painkillers and mouthwash. I went into Takaka town to get the prescription which took about 10 minutes.

While we were waiting Scott got a wrap from a little food van and I couldn’t open my mouth but it smelled so good and he said it was really nice. I was fuming I couldn’t eat.

Cost of My Doctors Overseas Experience

Seeing the doctor for just an appointment was NZ$90 and the prescription costs $40 and I had travel insurance of course. I’m just thankful it wasn’t anything more serious. Make sure you have travel insurance people!

I’m also thankful for the NHS in the UK. When this happened a few months later back in Wales, it didn’t cost me a penny.

Future of the Lower Left Wisdom Tooth

After a week of antibiotics, the abscess cured and my face finally went down. The doctor did tell me that I’d probably need the tooth removed eventually and an abscess could return. Got that to look forward to then.

Although it happened while on a week holiday, I’m grateful because I was with family and they were so caring and helpful. I hope this experience will help you if you ever need a trip to the doctors in New Zealand as a visitor. 

Read Next: 1 Day in Nelson, New Zealand

The Boulder

I wasn’t going to add a picture of what my face looked like but you got to see it because it will add visuals to this story. Here it is, my gobstopper friend in New Zealand.

Read: Go on your own New Zealand South Island Road Trip!

Thanks for reading my New Zealand Docs Story!