Sheryl

Off topic/trolling post, and reply to same, removed

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Probably just a record of verbal information received. Either from the family (who mistakenly assumed he had reached Pattaya) or a member of the public upon seeing the notice of missing person with picture. Either way, no explanation for why the long delay in notifying the family. He would have shown his passport on check in so police who retrieved the body, even if unable ot locate passport then, would have known his name and nationality and informed the Embassy. When Embassy then, days later, got missing person report they should have checked their own records of reported deaths to UK citizens. Very odd.

First of all - biscodyl is not a stool softener, It is a stimulant laxative meant only for short term use. And 15 mg is a maximal dose. Not surprising that you would have diarrhea after such a dosage and that then would normally be followed by a period of no bowel movements. While it may not be the sole cause of your issues, overuse of laxatives like this should be avoided. it is possible what you thought was "food poisoning" was just the onset of the bowel symptoms that continue to this day (aggravated by, or at least not not helped by, use of laxatives, enemas and antidiarrheals). All that said, at age 72 any change in bowel habits warrants a thorough work up as can be a sign of colon cancer. For which, colonoscopy is the gold standard. In addition, even if asymptomatic (which you are not), at age 72 you are far overdue for a colonoscopy. If possible I recommend you go to the Special Medical Clinic at Khon Kaen university Hospital (Srindakarind). I realize it is a 2-3 hour drive but this is the best medical facility by far in Issan. https://www.smckku.com/smc-gastroenterology-clinic/ I can't find the link now but other members reported a nearby hotel. Have a Thai speaker call to ask about appoibtment scheduling and hotel, as I anticipate that once yo usee a GI specialist you'll be pretty promptly scheduled for a colonoscopy. If it is impossible to travel that far, then given the reported long wait for a GI consult at Surranaree, you could try at the main government hospital in Korat city. (Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital). Go through the "after hours" clinic (clinic nawk wela), usually this starts from around 4 PM but get in the queue around 3. This way wait is less plus you see a more senior doctor. Specifically request a GI specialist. Or if you find it just as easy to ocme ot Bangkok then see this doctor, best colon specialist in the country: https://www.bch.in.th/find-doctor/72 He is also at Bumrungrad but more expensive there. And, also at Chulalonghorn but longer waits. I do not recommend getting colonoscopy at a private hospital upcountry, as I have seen cases with tragic results. (e.g. ; symptomatic patient told results where normal when later review of the film clearly showed an obvious large tumor, which by then had spread). When you see GI specialist please do not start with story about "food poisoning", will just confuse matters, and you likely never had food poisoning. Just explain, concisely, that for X months now you have been suffering from constipation with occasional diarrhea, have been treated with XX medications and enemas with no improvement, are 72 years old and have never had a colonoscopy. Best not to delay.

When he spoke to his mother in the 12th, he said he was going to Pattaya. So they assumed he had and that this is where he went missing. Turns out he never left Bangkok, body was found in his Bangkok hotel on the 14th. But took a week for news to reach his family despite missing persons alert. (So much for the utility of the TM30...should have been easy enough for Thai authorities to identify his last whereabouts. For that matter, hotel should have had copy of his passport even if original not found in the room, and authorities should have informed UK Embassy). )

Top knee specialist in Thailand: https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/panya-wongpatimachai You can expect a physical examination and Xrays. Beyond that would depend on the findings, these might be enough.

A bowel movement a few days ago is a very difftent scenario than you seemed to be describing (and likely described to the doctor). Can you explain why you believe you are constipated -- is it just less frequent bowel movements than you were used to? Is the stool rock hard and difficult to pass, or normal but just less frequent? When you say that the 6 enemas did not work what exactly do you mean? Did just clear enema solution come back out, or was there also any stool? It is not expected that after 6 enemas you would resume dalily BMs since they would usually, have cleaned out whatever was in your colon. Please describe your high fiber diet How long have you lived in Thailand? How old are you? Have you ever had a colonoscopy? I ask all this as I am not sure there is really a problem vs just the effects of polypharmacy, diet and (previously) immodium use. Lastly aside ftom GI matters do you take any medicstion or use drugs recreationalky? Opiods (including Tramadol) are a frequent cause of constipation. If you do need a GI specialist there are several options in your area but please reply on these points first.

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Of the innumerable medications you were previously prescribed, are you still taking any of them? If so, which? Exactly how long is it since you had any sort of bowel movement? Where are you located/ Which government teaching hospital was this?

The Institute of Dermatology near Victory Monument. https://www.iod.go.th/home go as early as possible to get queue number. this is assuming it is a superficial skin lesion and nto something deeper.

In governmeng hodpitsld you ard not hiven a time. You just eait. You can (if you speak Thai well enough, or have a Thai speaker with you), ask the nurses for an approximslate estimate but it will just be approximate and there is some risk in leaving. Best to just bring reading material with you. The Derm Inst is better than many govt hodpitls in terms of comfort. A/c, usually enough seats. One can however certainly nip out in the interval between receiving queue number and when they actually start seeing patients. Usually 8 am ish. Certainly not 6.

It is not an "opposite effect". Depression can led to inertia. As depression first begins to lift, some people with suicidal impulses they were previoudly unable to act on, do.

Absent soecific pathology, blood pressure should be the ssme on both sides. Doesn't matter which is used in a normal person.

16:30 is for the "after hours" clinic. Regular public channel is around 8AM - 4PM. You can register anytime but they do not issue cards, at least not when I have gone. What is being discussed is obtaining a queue number for a specific visit. It used to be that one could do this at 4-4:30 but it's over a year since I went there and according to @Lorry process has now changed, you have to get the queue number in the morning then return. See this thread https://aseannow.com/topic/1368645-any-real-skin-clinics-in-thailand/#comment-20171662 As you have to go in the morning anyhow might prefer to just go through the public channel. Arrive by 8 AM would be best. Note that in any event, if you need excision or biopsy that will only be done through the public channel during normal government working hours, all you can do i nthe after hours clinic is ocnsultation.

Therd are many factors that can give higher than usual reading in a health care setting: Anxiety ("white coat syndrome") or pain, coughing or sneezing Reading done when not really at rest e.g. immediately upon arrival. If you think this was an issue, ask them to wait 10 minutes or so. Or, if hesitant to do that, then rest yourself a while outside the room first before going in. Using wrong size cuff. Very common. Most farang need a larger cuff than is usually used. Uncalibrated machines. Home reading done at same time each day is most reliable provided the machine is reliable. As others have mentioned, Omron brand is good. Note that BP is not stagnant, it fluctuates and that is normal.

For psychiatrist: https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Suttiporn-Janenawasin She is in high demand so may be a wait for appointment but well worth it. For therapy: https://psibkktherapy.com/ Or https://ncsbkk.com/ncs/ with therapy, the interpersonal chemistry is very important so may take some trial and error to find the right fit. Don't give up.

For accupuncture I suggest the Chinese Medecine Clinic at St Louis Hospital on Sathorn

This is true, but I think we can anticipate greater than before scrutiny of tourist visa applications, especially by people with family in the US, due to suspicion that they may actually be looking to immigrate and applying as tourist instead now that immigration channel is suspended. I have a very close friend interviewing on the 21st for tourist visa to visit her son and grandchildren in the US. Genuine, not looking to immigrate, but I fear her chances have just taken a nosedive. ☹️

A reminder to please stay on topic. The thread is about US visa processing in Thailand.

Moved to main Hralth forum.

If you do decide to get follow up in Thailand, do so in Bangkok at previously recommended urologist whose English is fluent. Do not try to do this in the province.

The issue is not the hospital but the surgeon. Suggest you discuss the issue with Dr. Wicharn and ask his recommendation for a surgeon at a hospital that your indurance covers. (Presumably more than just Bumrungrad) First time I have ever heard of an insurer covering Bumrungrad but not BNH. Usually the opposite. Are you certain of this? Which insurer/policy?

Moved to Wellness subforum

Where are you located/ which Bangkok Hospitsl ard you referring to? Follow up process will be according to the judgement of the individual doctor.

Depends on what one asks for and who does it. I have been doing it for decades. I always ask for a completely natural look, and I get it. I look 10-15 years younger than I am. Nobody ever thinks I've had anything done, just that I look well rested and younger than my actual age,.