Sheryl

This is a chemical additive with very bitter taste to discourage ingestion of toxic substances. I have never heard if it taken by itself and indeed, it would be unsafe. Can you please clarify what you need this for.

He might like to hold off on medication until he has seen recommended doctor in Bangkok. (Assuming he has not had any further seizures and feels OK). They are saying his EEG is consistent with having had a recent seizure and does not show any current signs of seizure activity or hyperexcitability (which is factor in epilepsy). In fact brain electrical activity is somewhat depressed, which can happen post seizure and also in conjunction with some drug use/medication -- not cannabis but sleep meds, anxiety meds etc. Less often this can be associated with onset of other neurological diseases. When he goes to Bangkok he should bring full EEG report and actual print out. Also very important he be completely frank with the doctor about all drug use whether recreational or medicinal.

Have you been diagnosed by a doctor as having gout, based on elevated uric acid levels and physical exam? As this is first step . Otherwise may be confused with arthritis and other conditions. Gout attacks seldom last much more than 2 weeks even without treatment.

That is not how SS works here. SS members must select a single hospital and all care including medications has to be obtained at nominated hospital. (Exception being if SS hospital refers patient elsewhere for care thry cannot provide).

With a few exceptions (very new drugs not on MoPH list) SS will fully cover medications. They have to be ordered by a doctor at your nominated SS hospital and obtained from that hospital pharmacy. Not difficult to arrange but will involve time/waits. Up to you if the savings are worth it. In few parts of the country (I think parts of Bangkok) govt is experimenting with system to let outside pharmacies provide refills to ease hospital congestion but this is a long way from full implementation.

OP, trouble sleeping related to time zone change is directly related to melatonin levels. Suggest you take a reliable brand of melatonin (I prefer Puritan Pride, usually available on Lazada or Shoppee). Try 3-5: mg taken about 2 hours before you want to go to sleep, repeat one time after that if needed (but not too close to when you need to get up). The other things that are very important are: 1. Get as much sun exposure during the day as possible. Doesn't have to be direct on your skin, you can sit/walk in the shade, but be outside so your body gets the message that it is day time. 2. Resist the urge to nap during the day. 3. No caffeine except when you first get up. 4. Avoid using computer for a few hours before sleep. If all this is not enough the drug Sominzr sold OTC at pharmdmacies often works but may cause drowsiness next day. Try without it first as outlined above.

This

"Buddhists typically favor cremation because they believe it is an important way to release the soul from the physical form" is incorrect. That is a Hindu, not Buddhist, belief. Buddhism does not believe in the existence of an immortal soul, period. In fact that is a central tenet.

The proboem with all these types of devices if self-used is that you can end up pushing the wax further in. Doctors can better visualize the inside of the ear and extract wax than one can by oneself, and it really does nto cost that much.

There is a Chinese Medicine Clinic at St Louis Hospital (on Sathorn). Not mentioned on their website, but it is there, ground floor. Though I am doubtful it will help, no harm in trying and should not be too costly. However I am not at all sure you have been adequately diagnosed as to cause of your loss of smell and taste. There is no feasible mechanism by which a CT -- even a double CT -- could cause this AFAIK, and despite the timing if its occurrence. it is is more likely related to either your head injury or a viral infection like COVID (sometimes loss of taste and smell are the only symptom, and can take many months to return). The other things you report the doctors as having said (e.g. reference to a "tumor") lead me to think communication was poor and to also be unsure of the quality of the care you received. I suggest you take all your records to the following for a consultation: https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Prayuth-Tunsuriyawong

OP do not, under any circumstances, let your son self treat like this. Can do considerable harm. BTW epilepsy by definition is misfiring in the brain not secondary to a known structural or metabolic cause. Amyone who has had multiple (let alone 26) seizures in the absence of such causes, by definition has epilepsy.

Agree with the above should the seizures recur or other symptoms emerge. In interim, suggest he see either of these doctors in Bangkok, bringing with him all records from Pattaya City Hospital including the CT scan on CD.: https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Sikawat-Thanaviratananich https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Kanokwan-Boonyapisit Consultation will run a few thousand baht. Tests would be extra but since he already has CT may not involve too much (EEG though will be essential if not already done). The main priority is to rule out possible underlying causes. The diagnosis of epilepsy (as opposed to seizures from other causes) is in part one of exclusion. I would not rely on what was determined by the doctors he has seen so far. As it has so far been only one seizure, if the EEG and neuro exam is normal and no underlying cause has been found, neurologist might opt to wait before starting him on meds, as sometimes these are a one-off event. In fact about half of people will not have a second episode (speaking of those without underlying known cause). Those who do, will usually have it within 2 years of the first. If it turns out he has epilepsy which requires medication ), there are a wide range of medication options, both newer and older drugs (newer is not necessarily better). I would not worry about that at this stage. The priority is to (1) rule out underlying causes and (2) if ruled out, determine, based on EEG findings, neuro exam and history, whether to start treatment or take a wait and see approach first. With no history of head trauma or family history of epilepsy, if EEG and neuro exam are normal the latter is likely advice but see what recommended neurologist advises. It is also possible it is due to something he ingested. While cannabis itself will not cause seizures, local product can contain insecticides which might and as you mention he regularly uses cannabis this has to be considered a definite possibility. For future reference, for general medical problems in Pattaya best to go to one of these: Pattaya Memorial Hospital Bangkok Pattaya Hospital Pattaya International Hospital Phyathai Sri Racha Samitivej Sri Racha Bang Lamung Hospital (government) Chonburi Regional Hospital (main government hospital, in Chonburi town) Queen Sirikit Naval Hospital in Sattahip For something specialized and acute (i.e. needing immediate treatment) I would narrow that down to: Pattaya Memorial Hospital Bangkok Pattaya Hospital Phyathai Sri Racha Samitivej Sri Racha Chonburi Regional Hospital (government hospital, in Chonburi town) As PIH , Ban Lamung and Queen Sirikit are smaller and do not have every type of specialist on hand daily.

Rutnin is the best https://www.rutnin.com/en/home/index.php

Likely not (they will usually nto even provide a written script when you purchase glasses) and more to the point the prescriptions issued by most glasses shops in Thailand are not very reliable and the people doing this are nto really opticians. You are better off seeing an opthalmologist at a hospital or clinic and getting an overall eye exam inclusive of, but nto limited to, vision tests. This would also help rule out any other problems that may be affecting your vision (cataracts, glaucoma etc)

6,000 is for the low dose CT only. Useful for screening for lung cancer in people with history of smoking. No reputable chest specialist is going to start with a CT i nthis lady's case. rather, PFTs and perhaps chest Xray. Basic blood work to look for allergy and inflammation markers as well.

This is for lung cancer screening. Not for diagnosis of asthma. If CT is needed to confirm diagnosis of asthma (usually it is not), it needs to be a hi-res CT. As noted by poster above CT would not be initially done, rather PFTs with CT only if diagnosis remains unclear. Seeing a pulmonary specialist at BPH and having PFTs done will likely run about 10k on total. But that is just a guess. Would be less costly at Pattaya Memorial or Phyathai Sri Racha.

While 23 C may be optimal most meds can be stored at up to 30C especially for short periods. Using the crisper (vegetable) compartment of refrigerator is an option as that is not as cold.

This is still going to be expensive and he needs also to consider that palliative care here is not as well developed as in the West. Frankly think he should reconsider this. As for your original question, there are a number of specialized government cancer hospitals but he is in for crowds, long waits, limited or no explanation from doctors, and quite possibly difficulty in getting his wishes about care honored. The norm is just to continue treating (with no patient input) and simply "tell" the patient what to do. In Bangkok, government cancer centers are: Chulabhorn Hospital (website seems not working) National Cancer Institute https://www.nci.go.th/th/New_web/index.html Chulalongkorn Hospital Cancer center https://chulalongkornhospital.go.th/kcmh/en/ec/ศูนย์ความเป็นเลิศทางก-17/ Of these, Chulabhorn likely to be less crowded/easier to deal with Personally I would suggest he get care at St Louis Hospital as they have an unusually good palliative care service including a special wing of the hospital for end of life care, are mid-range in price and will be much more patient-centered in approach. But it will cost. Even the government hospitals, will cost. Does he have a strong support system here in Thailand that is lacking in US? Certainly there is better hospice care in US than in Thailand so a better support system would be the only reason I can see why the move might make sense. And remember that family and friends will have to provide all the nursing care if he uses government hospital so need to be sure he has enough people willing and able to do this.

The government psych hospitdl for Bangkok is over in Thonburi https://www.somdet.go.th/public/Eng/main.php There is also a smaller govt psych hospital in Korat https://www.jvkorat.go.th/

A government psych hospital would be the best option. Where in Thailand are you?

It would help to know more about your friend's cnollondition and what he is looking for. What stage is his cancer?Are we talking about chemotherapy/ radiation therapy? Or just palliative care? Makes a huge difference. And lastly doees he have a lot of money? As this will run to quite a bit. Millionns of baht if chemo/radiation and even palliative card can run far into the 6 figures.

If neck is also giving her problems could be an issue with cervical spine.

Herpes simplex does not confer immunity to shingles. The risk of of shingles increases steadily with age. About 1 in 4 elderly people will get it eventually if unimmunized. That you have not had it yet in your late 60's in no way means you won't get it in the coming years..and believe me, it is no fun plus it can lead to permanent pain and disability.

Post of unclear authorship removed along with reply to it.

Thanks for the feedback and glad to hear no cancer.