Sheryl

Since the only money I remit to Thailand is US Social Security, I have no need to change anything.

Multiple duplicate threads have been merged. Please do not start multiple threads for the same thing.

It is illegal to import any sort of medication without an FDA license. That said, small quantities of non-controlled drugs often (but not always) get through if sent by regular mail (never ever use a courier -- and never try this with a controlled drug). Some Indian suppliers are apparently knowledgeable about how best to ship to Thailand, but I do not offhand know which.

Note that there will soon be additional tax applied to all goods mailed from abroad. Between this and shipping costs, and the fact that a large range of medications are made in Thailand and quite reasonably priced, it is usually not cost effective to get meds from India unless you happen to need something unusually costly for which there is no local product.

If you can list the specific medications you need I can advise better.

50 minutes ago, Startmeup said:

What do you do with an ingrown toenail in Thailand, Is there no podiatrists/chiropodist?
Looks like my big toe might be getting infected with this now. 

There are very few podiatrists. Where are you located?

otherwise dermatologist may be able to manage it

2 hours ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

I have had a sebacious cyst on my forehead for about 5 years now, which has slowly been growing in size. I just received this reply from Chao Phraya hospital in Bangkok...

 

 

I'm not keen on a general anesthetic and the price does seem very high. In the UK this procedure can be performed by specialist clinics, under local anesthetic, for 25 000 THB or less.

Whether or not it can be excised under local or needs general depends on its size and depth. Also, if it is really just a sebaceous cyst vs a lipoma.

Likewise, whether general surgeon (or even dermatologist) can do it vs need a plastic surgeon.

These are not things they can know in advance, need to be seen by a doctor.

Emails are responded to by clerks with no medical training, they look at various price lists they have and try to guess what is closet to what you are asking. Not at all a reliable means of ascertaining either cost or planned approach.

Invest 500 - 1000 baht in a doctor consultation, then you will have a clear recommendation and applicable price quote. Which may be far different from what you got by email. Indeed, if it is in fact a superficial sebacous cyst, might be able to remove it at the initial outpatient appointment.

More important is to get a good professional assessment of cause of problem and best treatment. Cortisone in any form might or might not be advisable drpending on undrrlying cause. 

Top shoulder specialist in Thailand is https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/mason-porramatikul

If dislocation etc are ruled out, the right type of physical therapy will be helpful.  

17 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Always good for a positive outcome..... over the past year I suspect my insurance has paid out a lot...  (about 700,000 baht in total) - its good to know that there are cheaper alternatives... i.e.  your 270k surgery can be had for 25k in a public hospital... 

Note quite.

The 270k surgery was laparoscopic.

The 25k will have been open.

Only higher tier public hospitals can fo laparoscopic and this will cost more like 50k. Still much less than private, of course. 

6 hours ago, Phuyai said:

The scan cost doesn’t seem excessive to me. Bangkok Hospital at Khorat slugged me 30,000 after quoting 15,000. They tried to justify the doubling of cost, stating that the doctor requested a head-to-hip scan (which was what I had done). The consultation after the scan attempted to extend to matters unrelated to the throat issue - Zenkers Diverticulum. The consultant admitted he had no experience in treating this condition but would order necessary surgical equipment and operate if I chose to return - I didn’t. I was aware of, and managing, the other conditions identified in the scan. The experience has reduced my assessment of Bangkok Hospital.

I am still looking for the right doctor. I would appreciate any recommendations, ideally in the Northeast. 

Please clarify what your throat issue is exactly. 

9 hours ago, John49 said:

 

I met with two separate doctors at Siriraj Private and decided to go with radiation treatment, rather than surgery.

Next week, I will have a 3 hour simulation procedure and then (after 2 weeks) 5 radiation treatments over 10 days.

They did not insist on hormone treatment, at this stage.

The machine is a MR Linac and the machine is located in Siriraj Public (not Private).

 

When I look at your case and mine there is quite a difference, especially on the type of machine (?) and number of treatments, and with your machine being located in Siriraj Private?

Maybe they have two machines, one new and one older?

 

I visited Siriraj Public to register and meet the doctor there.

This was on referral from the radiation specialist doctor at Siriraj Private.

(BTW, this was not because I said I was looking for a cheaper solution, etc. I fully expected treatment at Siriraj Private.)

 

Siriraj Public is really overwhelming with it’s large size and equally large number of patients.

Plus, the Out Patients Department (for registration, pharmacy and payments?) is undergoing renovation and was pretty chaotic, with dozens and dozens of patients waiting on trollies, I felt for a moment that I was in Gaza.

 

This did give me some second thoughts but I’ve decided to go ahead as the MR Linac is the right kind of machine, and I don’t want to incur further delay trying to find other hospitals/treatments.

The Siriraj public channel is more crowded and less convenient but quality is fine and equipment is top notch. 

If the radiation specialist at the private wing advised you to have the treatments done in the public, I think you can trust that. He knows what regimen/machine best meets your needs. 

6 hours ago, Neeranam said:

Strangely I wake up in the morning now with a very dry mouth and a horrible taste in my mouth, kina metallic. 

Maybe as I breath through my mouth, maybe antibiotics/omeprazole?

Yes, medication side effect. It will pass. 

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/oradee-chandavasu

Neonatalogist 

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/prinyarat-burusnukul

Pediatric neurologist

The second would be best for discussions about long term prognosis for periventricular leukomalacia . The first would be best if they wish to discuss the baby's current management in NICU. Periventricular leukomalacia will not be the only issue given how very premature the baby is.

There is no treatment for periventricular leukomalacia as such. As the baby grows, any developmental problems that might be noted would then be treated as appropriate (e.g. physical therapy if needed). Usually would know by around age 2.

And they have removed the premature baby from the NICU and brought it to Thailand???

Or do you mean the  brother in law is now in Thsiland and wants to talk to someone, and the baby is still in NICU in India?

Without being able to examine the baby not much a doctor here can say. This condition varies greatly in severity and prognosis. 

How old is the baby now? Makes a difference in terms of whether to consult a neonatalogist or a pediatric neurologist

13 minutes ago, gargamon said:

Someone asked and I didn't see a clear response.

 

What is/are the test(s) that can determine if someone has HP? 

 

Yes, you can get an endoscopy and they can take samples, but that seems quite cumbersome and likely expensive. There's apparently a breath test, and maybe other mechanisms able to determine whether the bacteria is present.

 

So if someone knowledgeable could tell the tests, and which are available in Thailand, and maybe the estimated cost, it would be greatly appreciated.

1. Urease breath test (important to stop PPIs if on them beforehand, preferrably for 2 weeks)

2. Stool test (antigen or PCR. Usally antigen). Not as widely available here as breath test but large hospitals can do. (Ditto re PPI). 

There is also a blood test (serology) but it is not as accurate as the 2 above and cannot distinguish current from past infection. 

3. I seem to remember paying about 2k for urea breath test. I don't know for stool test but might be 1-2 k. (Private hospital rate). 

Glad to hear you got it attended to, and in time.  

7 hours ago, David Rudd said:

 

7 hours ago, David Rudd said:

Hi Sheryl I have been taking pridel modified release for over 30y 800mg know moving to Hua hin I understand you cannot get can you help please 

You need to discuss with your pyschiatrist and explain to him that in Thailand only short acting forms of lithium 300 mg are available. Priadel is sustained release so not the same. Your doctor might advise to switch to a different medication or to switch to short acting lithium on a different dosage schedule. In either case, best to make the change and get stabilized on it before moving to Thailand.

I think you mean sodium vaproic acid not sodium valpuratte.  This is available in Thailand in both immediate and sustained release. It is essential to know exactly what dose and type you are on.

While these drugs in Thailand do not require a prescription, you should   be under care of a psychiatrist to monitor blood levels and adjust as needed.

The best source for that from Hua Hin is the government pysch hospital in Thonburi

https://www.somdet.go.th/

It will be about a 2 1/2 drive or bus ride from Hua Hin. Best to use their after hours clinic rather than public channel, the doctors are more senior and in less of a rush. 

Public channel is only Mon - Fri. After hours clinic includes Saturdays.

After hours costs much more. Also be aware that many treatments are nor available after hours. Mainly you can just do consultation. So depending on what you need you might have to come back during public hours for it. But being seen privately can expedite  getting appointment for procedures during publuc hours. 

2 hours ago, cooked said:

Many of us would disagree. Weetabix is not good for the digestion, meat is. You have a disease of the digestive tract, sounds like a digestion problem to me. You can completely change the wildlife living in your digestive tract by changing your diet.

He does not have a digestion problem or GERD.

He has an esophageal condition and h. Pylori was found incidentally after endoscopy to dilate a strictured esophagus.

7 hours ago, Phuyai said:

If both children were to attend a school in Bangkok before applying to migrate to the UK, then:

* the older child would be close to this magic age of 18 after graduation - requiring a visa application that is not under a family unit option?

* If higher education study is contemplated for the younger child, then the 3-year qualifying UK residence period applicable for non-international fee admission (mentioned by @richard_smith237) may suggest moving to complete school education in UK?

Yes the clock is ticking.  To my understanding not possible to get family visa once 18. 

For the qualifying residence period, always possible to take a gap year or two. For that matter cannot assume time needed to complete secondary studies won't be longer upon switch to UK schools.  Indeed unless they have been in very good private schools I would expect it to need 1-2 years additional time, and that is assuming already fluent in English. 

It is the age if the older child that is the limiting factor here. 

So unfortunately OP needs to decide one way or the other pretty soon.

36 minutes ago, theblether said:

 

Do not, under any circumstances, seek an area with a "substantial Thai population." They are overrun with a demographic that any decent Thai family would avoid like the plague. 

 

"Thai rak Thai" is a nonsense in the UK. No decent Thai woman flies 6000 miles to consort with rotten-hearted hookers. 

I did not say "substantial". Just enough Thais that they can have at least a few Thai friends/classmates. There are middle class neighborhoods in the UK with Thais -- middle class Thais, hardly "rotten hearted hookers". I am staying in one right now.

On 4/21/2024 at 6:36 PM, MangoKorat said:

 

Even if he was to try and move his wife and kids to the UK, he would have a very hard time getting a visa for the 16 year old.  Even the 13 year old wouldn't be so easy.  UK Immigration don't give a hoot about splitting families up. The older kids are, the harder it gets.

 According to UK gov website no issue until age 18. Below 18, whether age 1 or 16, same same.

He will of course have to meet the financials, and wife and each child are a separate visa application.

In terms of the kids' adjustment, I would recommend settling in an area with a Thai population, there are a fair number of them.

1 hour ago, iian23 said:

Something is going on, I know someone who has just been refused travel from UK (airline supposed to have contacted Bangkok immigration to confirm) having  travelled on exempt 2 times in the last year. Below from London embassy site. The first line says only 2 entries per year with no explanation but then further down it sepecifies by land and sea.

 

 

Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme

 

UK ordinary passport holders can travel to Thailand without visa for no longer than 30 days (maximum 2 times/year).

 

All UK travel documents (Refugee/Emergency) must apply for the visa before traveling to Thailand.

        - Foreigners entering Thailand by any means under the Visa Exemption scheme are required at the port of entry to have proof of planned travel (confirmed air, train, bus, or boat tickets) to leave Thailand within 30 days of the arrival date. Otherwise, a visa must be obtained before entering Thailand.

        - For traveling to Thailand by land and sea, UK ordinary passport holders are eligible for Visa Exemption Scheme with a maximum of twice in a calendar year. 

going on, I know someone who has been refused travel from UK having  travelled on exempt 2 times in the last year.

Having made 2 prior exempt entries is unlikely to be reason for airline refusal to board.

Airlines do not usually thumb through  prior history. They just refer to IATA listed requirements which are:

1. Return on onward flight within 30 days. (Usual reason for refusal). 

2. Passport valudity of at least 6 months and citizen of country eligible for visa exemption.

1 hour ago, RichardColeman said:

I would do the bloods on the autopsy first - telling someone their relative died from a depression suicide may well be different to saying he was so stoned he thought he could fly

It takes a month or more to get toxicology results. They can hardly delay that long to notify family of the death.