the hot goddess

Midlife Surprises and Delights in Portugal

Nearly two years as a midlife solo expat/immigrant abroad sounds like a long time, but there continue to be new discoveries and surprises here in my new-but-not-that-new home on Portugal’s Silver Coast.

Surprise!

I continue to learn more about healthcare and medicine here.

Who knew that sedation protocols for hospital procedures differ in Europe from the United States and differ from country to country within Europe? I was shocked when I was told that an upper GI endoscopy would be done without any sedation. Only an anesthetic spray is used to numb the mouth and throat before the “uncomfortable” procedure.

A German doctor I met recently while she was vacationing here confirmed that these upper endoscopies are typically done without sedation in Germany as well, but patients can request sedation for an additional cost.

Um, yes please!

Source: PMC PubMed Central

I was also surprised to learn that some medications used in Europe are banned in the United States. Some other medications are not FDA-approved, but they aren’t banned. And others have different dosage and usage protocols in the States. This doesn’t mean they are bad medications. It’s just something to be aware of when doctors here prescribe drugs.

Sources: NIH National Library of Medicine
and Drugs.com

To be clear, I am always pleasantly surprised by healthcare in Portugal. It is top-notch, readily and quickly accessible, and unbelievably affordable. Three prescription medications recently totaled only 21 euros at the local farmácia. I have never had a bad experience with or adverse reaction to any medication prescribed for me here.

“Healthcare in Portugal is some of the best in the world but prior to moving be sure to consult your current physician. Know the generic names of any medication you need and check to see if they are available in Portugal. You may wish to obtain a copy of your current medical records to bring with you.”

“Many of Portugal’s hospitals have received the prestigious Joint Commission International gold seal of approval awarded to the best healthcare facilities in the world. Some of these include Hospital Particular do Algarve, a private hospital and clinic group in the south. Lusiadas has facilities in several locations, CUF is a hospital, clinic network in Central and Northern Portugal, and Hospital da Luz, in Lisbon, to name a few.”

Source: International Living

An MRI, which costs thousands of dollars in the United States, can be less than 300 euros here, without insurance. Typically, it does need to be approved by your health insurance provider, but approval is quick. I received a text within two working days with approval and the amount I have to pay CUF hospital: 90 euros. My visit to the CUF doctor who ordered the MRI was 17 euros. Can you say “pleasantly surprised” in Portuguese? “Agradavelmente surpreendida.”

Approval text

Delight!

August began with many delightful discoveries I’d yet to experience during my 22 months of living in Portugal. The most exciting for me was the Alqueva Dark Sky area in the Alentejo region. Triple-digit heat is the norm in this dry region near the Spanish border, making August a less than ideal month to visit. However, the New Moon on August 4 made the chance of seeing the Milky Way too much to resist. I loaded my tripod, night vision headlamp, and my Samsung Galaxy phone with PhotoPills and Stellarium apps into the car and off we went for three days of exploring the Alentejo, its wineries, castles, churches, landscapes, and night skies. It was a spectacular road trip that did not disappoint. Despite my impaired vision, I was thrilled to capture the images I’d hoped for. These photos were taken using my phone’s “Astrophoto” setting, with “Capture Time” set to “Long” (12 minutes).

Edited to maximize contrast and saturation.
Unedited
Edited to increase contrast and saturation.
Unedited
The road into Noudar Park Reserve in Barrancos was unpaved, rough, scary winding, and very dark. My boyfriend drove his car while I closed my eyes during the worst parts. I took this photo on our way out of the park around 1 A.M.
The PhotoPills planner helps track the position of the Milky Way on a given date and time.

Other delights included many unplanned Alentejo stops, and a post-Alentejo visit to an underground limestone cave network in Central Portugal’s Leiria region.

Monsaroz
Mourão, Amareleja, Alqueva
Wine tastings and tutorial
Mira de Aire caves, 110 meters below ground, are easily accessible via 683 steps.

Thank you for reading! ❤️ May your weekend find you happily surprised and delighted.

All images are my own.

The Hot Goddess

Instagram: retired_rewired_inspired

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27 comments

    • Thank you, Jane! ❤️ I watched several YouTube tutorials about capturing MW photos with just a phone, and was overjoyed when it actually turned out. I would love to learn about astrophotography using a DSLR camera.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  2. I had a lengthy comment written and then WordPress decided to challenge my credentials and they lost it 🤬.
    Anyhow…love your Milky Way photos and amazed it was from your phone! And am glad you are in a place with good and affordable healthcare!

    Deb

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    • Oh man, Deb, I know what you mean. My comments on other WP blogs have disappeared, been labeled as spam, and I’m randomly asked and re-asked to log in. Frustrating AF. Thank you so much for persevering and posting your kind words. I am glad too! ❤️

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  4. “Who knew that sedation protocols for hospital procedures differ in Europe from the United States and differ from country to country within Europe? I was shocked when I was told that an upper GI endoscopy would be done without any sedation. Only an anesthetic spray is used to numb the mouth and throat before the “uncomfortable” procedure.“

    I have had this procedure in Portugal twice and on both occasion I was sedated. My consultant in Portimao (HPA private hospital) added sedation to my endoscopy prescription. I don’t know about the public sector. But it is possible.

    Did you have private medical

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    • Thank you so much for commenting, Carole ❤️. Yes, CUF is a private, award-winning hospital, so I was surprised to learn sedation isn’t standard but must be requested. That wasn’t my experience in the US, but now I know.

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      Reply

  5. Geez, I feel for ya. Coincidentally I go in for a Colonoscopy next week. When I asked about sedation, it was ‘of course’. But then I asked about the Endoscopy possibility in a few years and was told sedation is often something that must be requested in places other than the USA…(to make me feel better about maybe needing it later). Yikes. You have my deepest ‘sympathies’ in this, Natalie and I hope you get what you need **how** you want it.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Olá, Laura, and muito obrigada! ❤️ Smart of you to ask about these procedures in advance. It never crossed my mind that sedation would have to be requested. But you better believe we are going to proceed with that request duly noted 😁.

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  6. Gosh all your photos are gorgeous! The Milky Way from your phone?! Just WOW
    I’m not surprised medical costs are so much less than in the US (appalling greed is even prevalent in the healthcare system 😟) but I am shocked that you have to request sedation for an upper GI 😳 Hopefully you won’t have any issues getting what you need/want!

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  8. Beautiful pictures, Natalie. It seems you are fully enjoying the Portugal experience, and that’s great. Most European countries have excellent medical services, though they are definitely different. My wife spent about a week in a Belgian hospital, and the medication she received there was better than what she was getting in the U.S. When we returned to the U.S., she had to ask her doctor to switch her meds to what she received in Belgium.

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