david_je

I have asymptomatic paroxysmal afib and a Chads-Vasc score of 1 and a HAS-BLED score of 1, both based on my age, 65. I've read there's no expert consensus on whether afib patients in this lower category of risk should take anti-coagulants. I do worry about possibility of stroke but also possibility of bleeding, and am struggling with the risk-benefit calculation of taking vs not taking anti-coagulants. Appreciate hearing from anyone else in this position, how you handled, if you found a good specialist in Bangkok to advise, etc. Thanks.

Can someone advise what shop in Bangkok I can purchase Aspent or other good generic? Have tried several places to no avail.

Thank you for taking time for that v. helpful info. Re your Sept 22 report: 1. You said going from Laksi on Red Line to CW doesn't work. How does it compare with going from Wat Phrasi Mahathat? 2. The same IO that does the retirement extension gives you your upcoming 90-day notification upon request, correct? I will go on Feb. 15 to do a Non-O retirement extension that expires March 6. My next 90-day notification is due April 30. They will go it that far in advance? Do they give you a notification receipt counting from the day you do the extension (in my case Feb. 15) or the day your current extension expires (March 6) or the day your current 90-day expires (April 30)? Meaning the notification after that is due 90 days after that date.

I need to do at CW by March 6 my first extension of my Non-O based on retirement. (I previously had Non-OA if that makes any difference.) 1) I can do this anytime starting now, correct? 2) Would someone who has done this recently confirm full list of required documents: A). passport, original and photocopies of photo page. What about TM.6 and Non-O visa or any other pages? B). Bank letter on morning of application, bank book and photocopies of account owner page and all pages of entries since date I got the original visa a year ago. C). TM.7. I saw mention here that they will hand out there other forms – do I need to prepare anything to fill those? Have I missed anything? Pls excuse, I know this is a frequent question; I searched for recent complete answer here but could not find. Thank you.

Sheryl, By any chance can you recommend a general surgeon at Chula? Or should we look at list and select one with Western qualifications?

Thank you everyone for your very helpful replies.

A friend has a painful, slightly reddish lump/swelling above her left collarbone. Not result of known injury to the area. Anyone has had such? Lymph node? What kind of doctor should she see? Recommendation at Chula Hosp. especially welcome. Thank you.

Thank you for taking the time to share your advice. I am using a Lenovo ThinkPad T450s, with matte screen and have activated Windows Night Lite function. But still migraines. I have tried the blue light blocking glasses, but like all types of glasses, they actually add to my headaches. I will try blue light screen filter -- is there a particular one to look for? What do you mean, "Lenovo has one laptop model with such display on the back, but not main screen"? I use laptop mostly for reading and writing, so if can't watch video, etc., on e-ink screen and the screen helps with migraines, it would still be beneficial for me.

I get migraines from screens (computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc.), from backlighting certainly but probably other factors. Has anyone tried e-ink or other displays that can resolve this problem? Thanks.

May I ask which public clinic in Saphan Kwai and what are the 8 public hospitals and clinics? Thank you.

Smart watch would be ideal for continuous monitoring but much more expensive. Cardiologist said it would be okay to use Kardia or similar on-demand EKG device twice/few times day because afib events only of concern -- as far as need for anti-coagulant -- if they come frequently or persist long periods. If they are frequent or persistent, then we are to decide to start anti-coagulant. He thought it would be better to monitor and then decide because apart from my age (65), I do not have risk of stroke from afib, and anti-coagulant does have bleeding risk (in addition to long-term high costs). Thank you.

You may be referring to Holter monitor, which I already used and detected an hour of afib during the 24 hours. But now I need to monitor rhythm longer-term with my own home device, to see how often it occurs over weeks and months. Thanks.

I will look into that. Were you in same situation as me, using it to determine frequency of afib before deciding to go on anti-coagulant? Thank you.

I have been diagnosed with paroxysmal afib and specialist says I should monitor at home to see how frequent/persistent it is before deciding whether to go on anti-coagulant. Has anyone done this and can relate their experience and recommend a monitoring device and where to buy? Thanks.

Has anyone ordered from BD recently with no customs or delivery issues? Are there other sites you would suggest? Seems much cheaper than ordering via bookstores here like Kinokuniya.

Are there any public libraries with a fair number of English-language books, near BTS stations if possible? And would be great to find one with magazines and newspapers like New York Times, Financial Times, Time, National Geographic, etc. Thanks.

I did that and today got back "date of arrival is incorrect." Any other ideas? Thanks.

My online report was rejected with note, "Arrival date invalid." I had put the date that Immigration stamped me in at the airport. Is that correct? After my arrival, I went to CW to apply for a Non-O, and then again to receive the Non-O. Should I be using one of those dates instead? Thank you for help.

Thanks for that. What was the specific log-in problem you had? Mine was system said my username or password incorrect (but it was correct). Also now that you're able to log in, is everything on the site normal? I can log in after clearing cache, but some links (Accounts and Balances and Secure Message, for example) on my account turn up only blank screen when I click on them.

Thank you for taking time for that very helpful reply. Physical exam is listed in Thai with basic package, but from experience at Chula, it is only cursory look aside from measuring blood pressure, weight, etc. -- should I be concerned about that? The one 3rd from bottom in Extras is blood group. They said, yes, digital rectal and stress need to be ordered separately at specialists. Do I need AB Index also? Anything else missing that I need ordered separately from checkup package? And should I get AFP -- is risk higher if father died of liver cancer and I have lived in SEAsia for 30 years?

That is very helpful. Thank you for taking the time.

Chula checkup tests.pdfI am American male, 65, in good health, with healthy lifestyle. I will do routine checkup at Chulalongkorn Hosp., the basic package on upper left but wondering which of the additional tests on the right column I may need. Also specifically wondering: At previous checkup, 4 years ago, my anti-HBs was 27.1, which doc said indicated I was immune to Hep B. That means I definitely do not need the HBV test on the list, correct? She also said I should get Free T4 and TSH tested at next checkup (it was slightly elevated in last test). Those fall under Thyroid on the list, correct? I recall Sheryl recommending digital rectal exam and stress test, but these do not appear to be listed here. If I request during checkup, perhaps they won't or cannot do? How to handle this? Thank you.

Are there shops in Bangkok that custom make athletic/running shoes? Can you recommend one pls? I wear 10.5 but extra wide. Thanks.

My deadline for enrollment in Medicare A+B without penalty is Aug. 31. On July 20 I emailed the FBU in Manila requesting enrollment. I just received an email from them scheduling a telephone interview in September. The email said, “Your protective filing date is 07/20/2022.” Does that mean they consider the date I sent the request to be the date that I enrolled, and I have thus already made the deadline for enrollment without penalty? The September interview date would be past the deadline. Secondly, what happens at the phone interview? What do they ask? Do I need to prepare anything? Do they officially enroll you during the interview, or will there be further steps? Lastly, any tips on how to phone FBU Manila? The line is constantly occupied, with no queuing system. Thanks.

Has anyone here who was not working full-time at the time of eligibility to sign up for Part B and did not get a group health plan from their employer managed to still qualify for the SEP? On what basis? Wondering if there are any other circumstances under which I qualify; info online sparse, tried calling SSA, line forever busy. Thanks.