TimBKK

5 hours ago, Jeffr2 said:

There are no direct flights because it's too far.  There use to be 2, one to LAX and the other to NYC.  Neither were profitable, so they were stopped.

5 hours ago, hioctane said:

Thailand might be an ally, but they don’t do much business with the US. If they did, there would be direct flights between the two countries.

LOL at @hioctane…

Off topic but the real and actual reason there are no direct flights is because the FAA downgraded Thailand to a category 2 country in 2019 (only 14 , includes Ghana, Pakistan…good job Thailand!).  Thai Airlines is thus prohibited from flying into the U.S., by itself or through code share.  U.S. carriers could fly direct to Thailand but cannot code share, because of the category 2 designation - no way there is enough profit to justify a direct, non code share flight.   
 

Good category 2 info here: https://simpleflying.com/faa-category-2-meaning/

Recommendation for pure tramadol in Pattaya (if even available)?  Will try the pharmacy next to Tim’s on 2nd road, but if anyone has another suggestion please share.

20 hours ago, madmen said:

Nope 

Mods, possible to delete these trite, childish off topic posts?  

2 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

He would have fever & chills with dengue.

 

From the description and lab results this is most likely an autoimmune condition. Hence seeing a rheumatologist.

 

OP - one other possibility would be a drug reaction. Are you on any meds?

No meds.  That is my big fear, that it is early RA despite negative blood work - seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.  Fingers crossed it isn’t but better to know sooner rather than later if it is.

5 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Sudden onset of joint pain ........ Dengue fever?

hmm, hadn’t considered that @BritManToo.  I haven’t experienced fever or other typical dengue symptoms but it appears easy enough to test for, so why not?

3 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Don't try to treat until it has been diagnosed.

 

NSAIDs are fine for osteoarthritis but what you describe - sudden onset of pain in multiple joints - is unlikely to be that.

 

The 2 doctors you mention are good, so is this one

 

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Porawat-Makornwattana

Thanks @Sheryl

Its weird, I kinda hope its maybe a bacterial infection (I had an appendectomy at Bangkok Pattaya in early March) as the root cause of the inflammation, which would potentially be a lot easier to address.  
 

In any event, definitely will see one of these docs soon.

4 minutes ago, gearbox said:

Naproxen is relatively inexpensive here, they sell 500mg pretty much everywhere, no prescription needed.

Do you know already that you have arthritis (confirmed by a doctor before), or you only suspect it?

thanks @gearbox - will check out naproxen, as celebrex/celecoxib is not cheap - 560b per 10 from Boots.

Right now, only suspect arthritis, never been confirmed by a doc.

I am dealing with a rather sudden onset of joint pain and stiffness that has set in over the past month - an ankle, both hips, a shoulder and some fingers.  Blood/urine work at Dr. Olivier’s clinic in Pattaya is negative for uric acid (gout) and rheumatoid factors BUT c-reactive protein and ESR 1 hour (sed rate) are both elevated and well outside of normal ranges.  

Any recommendations for a rheumatologist in Pattaya (where I live) or Bangkok?  In looking back over posts the following have been mentioned, think by @Sheryl:

Dr. Virat Pinyopornpanit (now at the new hospital in BKK):

https://www.medparkhospital.com/en/doctor/dr-virat-pinyopornpanit

Dr. Hiroshi Chantaphakul:

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Hiroshi-Chantaphakul

Would welcome any thoughts on the above or others.

Also any advice about how you deal with arthritis?  A daily 400mg of celebrex (celecoxib) really helps but I am concerned about using it for an extended period of time so will try turmeric/curcumin with peperine and am researching CBD as well.

Much thanks in advance.

3 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

Some of my friends have said there are very few Bolt drivers and it can be hard to book a ride. This was at least a year ago so things may have changed.

interesting, never had that problem in central Pattaya to be honest.  Longest I have waited is 3 minutes.   Might be a different story when more tourists are here, however.  Bolt even has a “Ladies” driver option which I kinda like in an admittedly white-knightish way.

Make the lucky draw prizes Pfizer or Moderna jabs, that’ll drum up some interest.

37 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

Yes I pay cash. The times I've used the app or approached "Grab" branded parked cars, the drivers all want to negotiate a fare. I guess if one registers a form of electronic payment, if they accept the ride they would take the app based fare.

Use Bolt in Pattaya, cheaper and better in my experiences.  Never have I paid more than the pre-established fare unless 1) I decide to give extra for a tip or 2) the established route is impassable (for example, road construction) and the driver has to take a longer route, but even then Bolt recalculates the fare and that is what I pay.

Might be something of use to the OP in this thread?

If the OP has been vaccinated and qualifies for a long stay visa, I would argue that this is a great to relocate and to re-familiarize with Thailand 15 years on, given the lack of tourists/people.

Any recommended FB groups for general happenings in Samui, and for long term rentals? ????

16 hours ago, Fromas said:

 

Source, sir?

Exactly.  It is complete <deleted>:

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/vaccine-tourism-canadians-fly-south-shot-us-demand-falls-2021-05-05/

The Canadians used their hotel address in New York to qualify for the FREE shots.  If you are over age 16 and inside the U.S. It is pretty much a guarantee that you will get vaccinated, no matter your circumstances.

12 hours ago, Walker88 said:

The market is still young, however. New entrants will cut into the 30% and drive it down so that restaurants can survive. Grab is now facing Bolt and others in transport; they will soon face competition in food delivery, and their golden days of gouging restaurants will end.

HungryNow seems to be doing well in Pattaya...I think?  Have no idea what their fee structure is, though.  

37 minutes ago, bradiston said:

I visited Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya this morning. No waiting list, no vaccine, no registration procedure. I was treated there a month or two ago. They know my medical history and obviously my age. They simply weren't prepared in any way.

The email I posted is from the main hospital in BKK.

Received the following from Bangkok Hospital:

”Dear Sir or Madam,

Warm greetings from Bangkok Hospital!

We are pleased to inform you that we are in the process of acquiring the Covid-19 vaccine. At the moment, please download our Bangkok Hospital Line Official (@Bangkokhospital), once the vaccination is available, we will announce the news on the Time Line. Please find the link to add  Bangkok Hospital Line Official by QR code;
https://page.line.me/bangkokhospital?openQrModal=true “

I use it on my IPhone, could not be easier and no battery drain at all.  Takes seconds to check in using a QR code.  People who fake the QR code are being obstinate for no good reason.

Dr. Donna, medconsult clinic - see attached.

19 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

Comments/e.mails etc., in January this year is totally out of date. Lots of policies/ suggestions/ suppose lists etc., happened since then and it continues to chance every few days.

 

Nobody should be waiting by the phone expecting they will get a call from getting on a list in January or even yesterday.

 

Need to get new up to date info. As already wisely mentioned regular visits to the hospitals etc., is needed.

 

 

Posted for reference only - I thought this was quite obvious but for some, I guess it needs to be explained.  I am used to this though, my 6 year old requires the same kind of hand holding. 

From Dr. Donna’s clinic:

Thank you for using medconsult! We do have a Covid Vaccination Waitlist. If you wish to register your place on the list please click the link below to record your name and email:

https://forms.gle/hsRUz86j9mx2FmU16

We will keep you updated and once the vaccine becomes available we will let you know immediately. 

Best Regards,

MedConsult Team

From an email exchange I had with Vibhavadi Hospital, January of this year:

”We acknowledged your request. The vaccine is in the process to get authorization from Government.

We will record your name in our list. We will contact you after we have the vaccine.”

Email: [email protected], [email protected]
 

(gotta question an institution that uses a hotmail account though!)  

2 hours ago, Farang99 said:

No links to anything in this post - just a space to enter your email.

Previously there were links to specific hospitals (see attachment) - not sure what happened to change it to the current language “Thai hospitals are currently not allowed to advertise for COVID-19 vaccines. Please sign up for the mailing list to get notified when this changes.”