Sheryl

A lipase level of 64 is not consistent with pancreatic disease. In fact it falls within many lab's normal range. In pancreatic disease the levels are in the hundreds, even the thousands. What your doctor told you is correct.

As has been explained, the Spike Protein tests measure antibody, not spike protein itself (which indeed does not last very long in the body) Although understanding of Long COVID is still in early phases, it (and other COVID complications) seems to be immunological in origin i.e.aan abnormal and prolonged immune response may underlie it. Same may be true of some vaccine reactions as well.

I suggest you try doctors at Bumrungrad (1) https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/hiroshi-chantaphakul He is an immunologist. The symptoms you describe may be consistent with Myalgic encephalomyelitis (AKA Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) which is thought to be immunological in origin. If those symptoms worsened after the natural COVID infection then Long COVID may also play a part, and this too is thought to be immunological in cause. (2) https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/ketchai-suavansri A specialist in cognitive disorders. Be sure to bring your MRI result.

Could be due to cardiac arrythmia. You really should see doctor to get this checked out. And if it recurs go to the nearest emergency room for evaluation.

Choice of doctor is more important than hospital as long as hospital has up to date equipment (Bumrungrad and Bangkok Hospital for sure do). It would help to know what type of cancer you have. That said, the Bangkok Hospital Wattanasoth Cancer Center has a good array od specialists for comprehensive cancer care including a good palliative team (contrary to what many people assume, you do not need to be terminal to consult palliative specialists, and they can be helpful with things like treatment side effects. )

Phyathai Sri Racha is offering a number of packages. https://www.phyathai-sriracha.com/product/heart-screening-program-1/?lang=en The CTA with dye is not indicated for simple screening in the absence if symptoms and there is some small risk with the dye. Regular calcium CT is fine for general preventive screening.

The 2 person bickering/flamefest is over. Cease and desist. Posts removed.

Coronary cslcium CT can be done at any large hospital. There are promotional packages from time to time.

Several such studies have been done. Long COVID can occur in both vaccinated and unvaccinated people but is significantly more common in the unvaccinated. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(24)00082-1/fulltext

A post filled with misinformation has been removed. @retarius you mention possible long COVID vs vaccine effects. Did you have a confirmed case of COVID and if so when in this timeline? If you had COVID then long COVID is quite likely. But obviously not if you did not have it. The "spike protein test" does not test for presence/amount of COVID spike protein in the body. It is a serology test that measures antibody levels. While it can apparently help differentiate between Long COVID and vaccine-related effects this distinction has no individual clinical application. In other words, it won't help you to know this. Severe COVID and Long COVID both appear related to the immune response as are vaccine side effects. In other words, in a minority of people the vaccine triggers immune system-mediated complocations of the same type seen in some COVID infections. It does so at a much lower rate/severity than actual COVID infection but that is not much comfort if you happen to be among the minority who suffer such effects. Where in Thailand are you located?

A second opinion from a dental suggeon seems wise.

Costs do vary by dosage but as others have said, it is never cheap. You won't get it for less from a Thai online pharmacy than what is shown above.

Can also buy an inflatable cervical traction device gor few hundred baht, achieves same without turning you upside down. Especially good if you can get someone to massagd shoulders while it is on.

These can be difficult to find in Thailand and are very costly. Worth it for people on insulin or with very otherrise "brittle" (unstable) diabetes but for most people with Type 2, regularfingerostick device to check fasting BS once a week or so is fine.

I had not thought of that but indeed a possibility. @still kicking had you taken Viagra/Cialis in the 24 hours before this episode? Or any other meds?

Yes, dehydration can lower your BP and is especially dangerous for people in antihypertensive meds. If you have further episodes you should see your doctor as your meds may need adjustment.

The point is that he would like to know the cause and what, if any, treatment(s) might help. He would also like to know if massage etc is safe for him. And, for planning purposes, he might like to know where this is going, i.e. is it likely to worsen? How quickly? Might he in the future need surgery? Could it resolve with conservative measures? If so, what? Spine issues likely to resolve on their own do not usually last this long. Pain lasting beyond 3 months -- and certainly beyond 6 months -- is more likely to prove chronic. There are in fact a range of treatments that can help with pain stemming from age-related spinal degeneration. These may include physical therapy, anti-inflammatories and other oral medications. improved ergonlmics, use of cervical traction, epidural injections and, in severe cases, surgery.

I have seen people with permanent brain damage from this. Years ago, working in refugee camps on the Thai border, one of the western relief workers got this and was in coma for many weeks in a Neuro ICU. Not to be risked IMO. Exception being those who live in cities and spend no time in rural areas. Urban risk is very, very low since resevoir is pigs. The advise to "never mind" is based on Thai populations -since most adults will already have been infected in childhood and thus immune. Same is not true of farangs.

AccuChek brand is recommended and has good support from the company if any problems with the machine. A good pharmacy will not only sell one but teach her to use it.

Various Youtibe and other social media links have been removed in keeping with forum rules: "18. Social media content is acceptable in most forums. However, in factual areas such as, but not limited to news, current affairs and health topics, social media cannot be used unless it is from a credible news media source or a government agency and must include a link to the original source." https://aseannow.com/forum_rules/

There is no question but that the first line of approach should be diet and lifestyle. And this will be enough for some people, maybe even most people. For others, it will be enough initially but as they age, it may not be. However there are people for whom no amount of dietary control and exercise etc will work -- especially those with familial dyslipidemias, which are genetic. There are also people who are unable or unwilling to sufficiently alter their lifestyles/diets, and they should not be shamed or criticized if they opt for medication instead. The topic of this thread is medications, specifically medication alternatives to statins. Please stay on topic.

You need to see not just an ortho but one specializing in spine. The best are in Bangkok. https://www.bnhhospital.com/search-doctor/entry/4093/ Is the best spinal specialist in Thailand. And worth going to Bangkok for. You will need an MRI and an Xray. Yu can save money by getting the MRI first at https://mrithailand.com/en/

the resevoir for Japanese B is pigs. Anywhere with pigs being kept is a risk and I would think that would be much of the villages along the Mekong. I would (and did) personally get the vaccine.

Googling what you want to believe is not "research". And Google is not designed for, or appropriate for. medical research. When you google something, what comes up on the screen is whatever most other people using similar search terms clicked on. Making it an excellent source for spreading misinformation. Use scientific search tools like https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ And enter neutral terms. Medscape.com is also good but you have to register a subscription. Steer clear of youtube videos. Even when taken from a credible source the clips may have been edited to suit someone's ideology.

The best medical care in the Southern Provinces is at Prince of Songkhla Univeristy Hospital in Hat Yai --- but that is so far from Phuket, thta one might just as well fly to Bangkok (where there are some world class endocrinologists). In Phuket itself there are a handful of endocrinologists. Of the 3 at Bangkok Phuket Hospital this one seems the most experienced https://www.phukethospital.com/doctor/chukiat-somjit/ I believe (not 100% sure) there is one at Mission Hospital but I have no specifics on him/her. And there should be at least one at Vachira.