Sheryl

Moving this to Familues sub forum as may get better advice there.

Please let us stay on topic.

Medical visas are complicated to get and provide no added benefit vs a Tourist visa (or visa exempt entry if you qualify - -what is your nationality?). Most nationalities can enter visa exempt with a 60 day stay allowed, and can extend that an additional 30 days if desired. Tourist visa gives you the same (90 day stay but you're stamped in for 60 then must extend it another 30 if you need to) so no advantage to tourist visa vs visa exempt entry if you qualify for the latter. 90 days should be more than enough time, but in event of medical complications warranting a longer stay, theh ospital can assist you to get another 90 day extension on medical grounds (this is possible only if really ill, nto just for an upcoming outpatient visit and the like. Usually done for inpatients). The best doctor for this is https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/panya-wongpatimachai Prices for the surgery here https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/packages/robotic-assisted-total-hip-replacement 350k (for non-robotic, one knee) is about typical for private hospitals in Bangkok. Occasionally there are promotional packages for a bit less.

Be aware that not everyone can adjust to the more expensive lens types. And the basic, less expensive lens type does no harm to the eyesight and will correct vision just as well, though as she ages she will need reading glasses (as most people do). In other words you would be paying over 100k extra just to try to avoid the need for reading glasses with chance it does not work. Vast majority of people, both in Thailand and the West, opt for standard lenses and just use reading glasses as needed. More importantly cataracts only need removal when they are noticeably interferring with daily life. "Incipient cataracts" are early stage and usually do not yet need treatment. Indeed, if your wife is experiencing significant problems with her vision and the cataracts are only incipient then should consult a better opthalmologist to rule out other cause. For which I suggest Rutnin Eye Hospital in Bangkok. Alternatively, if she is not experiencing much trouble with her vision and the cataracts were just picked up on routine eye exam, then there is no reason to operate now. Should not happen but unfortunately I have seen cases where doctors/hospitals in Thailand push cataract surgery unnecessarily. Some even give patients the imptession it is an emergency. It is not. Cataracts will gradually worsen with age but cataract durgery is not urgent and, since all surgery carries some risk, should not be performed in the absence of significant visual impairment. From what you described in your initial post, I am concerned you may not only be being up-sold but also pushed into premature/unnecessary surgery.

He is referring to off label use, not to the medication as such being off label. He means taking it for other than approved purposes/indications.

No one, anywhere, has a map of landmine locations along this border. I worked there for many years, know the situation well. Most of these mines were planted (and dug up and replanted) decades ago. No one kept records. The only thing known are which areas have been effectively demined. These, for obvious logistical reasons, exclude rocky mountainous terrain and also a lot of heavy forest where no one lives or farms. in other words, you can know (with reasonable confidence) where mines are not. You cannot know where they are. Add to this that mines shift location in the rains, and deeper ones not previously a problem (at least for foot traffic) can become a problem The Cambodians living near this border, or frequently traveling there, , know well which areas are risky and best avoided where possible, but even they suffer injuries on occasion when travel through areas not previously demined is unavoidable, or when mines have shifted due to the rains. I think the problem is that Thai troops/personnel are now venturing into some of these areas for the first time. That someone was injured by a mine in such places does not necessarily (or even probably) mean that someone newly planted it there. This area has been a literal minefield for decades. That's one of the reasons no one lives there. Local people carefully stick to paths known safe and don't diverge from them, if they must enter these areas at all.

These reported off-label "benefits" are not actually proven benefits. Rather they are mas media misreporting/exaggerating of research that shows (or suggests, sometimes there are confounding factors nto well controlled for) some correlations (which does not mean causation) worth further investigation. A long, long way from proven benefit. If/when such benefits are proven the relevant usage will become "on label". All drugs have side effects, and this includes metformin.

Actually Zolpidem is off market now in Thailand though some hospitals & clinicd still have stock left over or import it themsrlves, often fom India. I don't think anyplace here has or had the brand you mention.

Formication is not a cause. It is just the medical word for your symptom. The cause needs to be ascertained and treated. First, consider possible reaction to a drug, either medical or recreational. If not due to that, should consult a neurologist.

Not just could. Probably will (about 90% chance). Continuing treatment is essential to preserve your eyesight. .

https://rsuhealth.com/ Besides luvrf, kudney, lipud panel should get CBC, Hba1c, PSA. Exercise stress test oflr echocardiogram should be vondidrted if not done in past few years.

Finasteride 1mg strength can be easily bought ibn Thailand. Brabnd names: Finasteride 1mg BLC Firide Harifin-1 Propecia (this is imported) Oral minoxidil, as noted elsewhere in this thread,is not available in Thailand.

In Bangkok normal package cost at private hospitals is 350k. The place above, which is not in Bangkok but rather Sri Racha, might be your best bet if 300k is your absolute max...but you need first to ascertain if it is inclusive of the prostheses as it does not mention that. If prostheses costis extra then will end up about same as in Bangkok Best knee surgeon in Thailand is https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/panya-wongpatimachai TKR there is 349K package proce

From the sound of it and given that dermatologist said not skin disease, should consult a neurologist specializing in peripheral neuropathies. If you can get to Khon Kaen, suggest https://rph.co.th/en/doctor/somsak-tiamkao-md/ He can also be seen at KKU Hospital (Srinagarind)

As it dmsounds like ENT issue ruked out suggest next consulting oral/maxofacial specialist as per my post of July 2. Could be issue with jaw/TMJ joint

A pist with unreliable information fom unqualufied source has been removed.

He was giving that as an example if an unrealistic attitude.

Depisit will drpend on estimated treatment cost. So quite variable.

Untreated, it will lead to blindness in most cases. But with treatment this can usually be prevented.

This will have been for "wet" age-related macular degeneration. (AMD). https://www.mdfoundation.com.au/about-macular-disease/age-related-macular-degeneration/amd-treatment/ Many older people have this and receive this treatment. Including expats in Thailand. The injections are costly, however as the drugs are imported. The injections prevent further vision loss in majority (90%) of patients so yes, worth it. https://www.optometrists.org/general-practice-optometry/guide-to-eye-conditions/guide-to-diabetes-and-the-eyes/how-is-diabetic-retinopathy-treated/how-do-anti-vegf-injections-work/#:~:text=Anti-VEGF medications have been,reduce any pain during administration. If you want to confirm availability in Thailand, find out and post the name.

There are well over a dozen different medicationd to conttol blood sugar and suitability for a specific patient depends on many factors. Trying to research med prices on your own is not the way to go with this. What you need to do is clearly tell your doctot that cost is a priority and ask for medications for which there are locslly made generics available. Do not buy the meds at the hospital or clinic, get the names & doses then buy at a pharmacy. Absent clear information from you, doctor will assume you prefer the newest and Western made brands.

There is no "universal" standard. Public health authorities & experts in different countries use different ones. But differences among these arr not great. The main differnce is how BPs with systolic in 130 - 139 range and diastolic in 85-89 range are classified : "high normal" vs "pre-hypertension" vs "Stage 1 hypertension". Choice of cut iff is not immune to financial considerations especially since the number of people in such borderline categories is quite large. At that level of hypertension/pre-hypertension, unless there are other risk factors like cardiovascular or kidney disease, the recommended management is lifestyle changes (diet, exercise etc) and often weight loss. These require time intensive counseling from health professionals, something very hard for overtaxed national health systems to provide. If the patient is also obese then treatment with GLP-1 agonists may be indicated, very expensive for a cash-strapped health system.

Yes, it is possible to have gastritis without h. Pylori. It is also very possible to get a false negative on breath test. Especially if PPIs (omeprazole etc) were taken within 2 weeks prior. Certain other medications also interfere including antibiotics and bidmuth preparations (includes Gaviscon and Pepto Bismol) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542286/ But what exactly do you mean by "intermittent gastritis" and how was diagnosis made?

In the case if trichomonal nfection partner (s) must also be treated or reinfection will occur. (Not applicable to candidal infection).

There is no brand of that specific drug other than imported Jardiance. There are many diffrent drugs which can be used to control blood sugar, choice of which is used must be individualized based on the patient's medical history etc. Do not try to make substitutions yourself. This is s conversation you should be having with your doctor.