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tim armstrong
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Hi all,
I have just been contacted by someone who needs a bereavement counsellor in Krabi following the recent death of a close friend. Their professional background is less important than their understanding of the issues around grief and bereavement. I can provide support from a distance but it would be better to find someone (expat) who lives locally.
Thanks, Tim
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From Todays Nation Sat, March 24, 2007 : Last updated 0:10 am (Thai local time)
Quote:-
JUST A THOUGHT
Please return to lost and found: public safety
Living in Thailand at this particular juncture requires a tough mind-set.
Politics is a mess, the baht is rising too fast, too furiously, and the South is literally a war zone. To make matters worse, road accidents and criminal offences are becoming more insane, as if Thailand is ruled by lawlessness.
You take a coach and it might just burst into flames; you walk down the street and suddenly you might be caught up in a school gang fight; and if you get into a verbal fight with someone, your arm might be cut off.
The point is that people living in Thailand in general, let alone the southernmost provinces, are taking unwarranted risks every time they step out of the house. Life is getting cheaper by the day.
Yesindeed it does seem that life is becoming more unsafe. Being aware
The call for public safety will be sounded whenever a fatal accident takes place, but in the end it will not materialise into anything substantial. The coach accident in Saraburi that killed 29 passengers this past week was not the first of its kind and it will definitely not be the last.
The high death toll shocked the nation, but actually similar unnecessary deaths occur every now and then within Thailand's transportation system. Passengers are not safe on buses, boats, trains or taxis.
And it's the same story every time. Carelessness on the part of the driver, or the operating company as a whole is to blame, and officials announce that stricter precautions and harsher punishments will be put in place.
However, time has proven that there are no prevention and punishment mechanisms in place at all. The Saraburi accident reflects how lax the laws and the enforcement of them are. There's no fear of punishment on the part of the coach operator at all as regards the way it maintains its buses. This particular one had been running for 36 years!
On an emotional note, there has not been a single word of apology from the coach company. To take a cue from previous cases, the operator will be allowed to run buses on the same routes pretty soon despite a one-week ban for now.
Even if the operator's licence is revoked, how can the authorities guarantee that a new operator will abide by the rules that are never respected nor feared in the first place?
The call for more stringent measures will fall, once again, on deaf ears. Just like the recycling of Thai lakorn (soap opera) plots, this whole vicious cycle will repeat itself when a tragic accident takes place in the future.
When will authorities get serious about setting public safety as a top priority and making these "accidents" unforgivable?
Meanwhile, leniency and nepotism prove to still be alive and well in Thai society. The fact that a girl got her right arm chopped off by a gang of three men for not playing their flirting game is just simply outrageous.
More disgusting is the fact that one of those involved is a police officer while the other two are security volunteers. The case was filed with the police station in Saraburi on February 26, but until the victim made it to National Police Office headquarters this past week, no progress had been made.
Local police officers, who worked at the same station as the accused policeman, tried to make the case seem as if it were an accident, and the victim has not yet received any compensation, even medical expenses, from the three so-called law enforcers.
In a case as appalling as this the three were granted bail and released temporarily. How can anyone expect to find peace of mind about personal security if officials are given bail so easily despite the gravity of the case and the fact that they are supposed to be the upholders of the law?
In fact, any government official, especially a member of the police force, should face tighter legal procedures and harsher punishments.
Since no real changes are in sight, the best policy is therefore to watch out for yourself. Make sure you are on alert at all time, ready to jump out the bus window, swim in the klongs or the Chao Phya River or run for your life if need be.
Actually, we're not the only ones leading risky lives - even fish are suffering with safety concerns as well.
The greatest mystery of the Ayutthaya-Angthong massacre that even Agatha Christie's detective Hercule Poirot might not be able to crack is who killed the fish? What caused the sudden lack of oxygen in the water? Will the culprits ever be found and more importantly, punished?
Human life, fish, fish, human life. Sadly, they face more or less the same fate.
Veenarat Laohapakakul
Unquote.
This for me is a good article and constructive in it,s comments as it covers safety in general along with some recent horrific incidents that we are at present debating.
How simple it would be to address and drastically reduce such happenings if the will of the Authorities, Politicians and not least of all The Thai People.
Please remember we are debating Thailand and not all the other countries of the world should anyone feel like submittng a cynical observation on it seeming to be O.K. here because X is the same or worse.
Safety and a reasonably safe enviroment along with quality of life are far more important.
It would also i am sure be sorted out in a heartbeat if some of the Puyai / Authorities and Officials also had to rely on public transport and thus putting themselves and Their Loved Ones in these constant
areas of life threatening enviroments.
Can you imagine what would happen for instance if one of them had to endure and go through what one of the parents has in the recent bus tragedy which claimed so many innocent lives.
I quote the following refering to one such unfortunate parent from one of Georges posts today :-
Quote:-
Manee Buriram, who received the body of her 16-year-old son Wittaya yesterday, said she would not take him yet pending a search for her eight-year-old son Arthit, who has yet to be identified among the remaining 15 charred bodies.
Manee said she had been working in Bangkok and her two sons, who lived with their grandparents in Maha Sarakham, were to visit her during a school break. "I still can't believe that I've lost both my sons at once," she said.
Unquote.
How sad and heartwrenching this must be for her and all the others who are effected on a daily basis with such sadness.
Lets us hope and pray their is now a serious and positive move to put an end to it where ever humanly possible along with rather than covering up for the offenders.
Anyone doing so should get the sentence their criminal actions deserve and they are incarcarated for many year to come.
Shame on those that constantly turn a blind eye while encouraging the companies, some of which they have vested interests of course
marshbags
Yes indeed, life here does seem to be less safe than a few years ago. With the Saraburi incident in mind I was a little disconcerted last night to notice the coach I was travelling on had a noticeable but not major, wheel wobble. Other passengers (all Thai) didn't notice as they probably thought it was normal, and anyway they were still celebrating after a function we'd all been to. When we stopped for a break I pointed out to the driver that he may have a tyre problem, or a simple wheel alignment issue. He just smiled. On closer examination the tyre was bald. But at 1am in the middle of nowhere what can be done? It explained to me why the driver seemed to be going so slowly, particularly around corners. 4hrs later we arrived 'safely' home.
On reflection I wonder if some of the apparent carelessness in these matters comes down to good old Thai fatalism?
Anyway, I'll probably stick to driving the car for a while now.
Tim
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While it is true that many psychiatrists and hospitals over medicate, it is also the case that many people who need antidepressent or other psychotropic medication fail to get it, in part because of stigma and well meant but dead wrong advice. Such people often turn to "recreational" drugs or alcohol in an attempt at self-medication.
Another factor to consider is the Thai penchant for forgeting a problem as soon as its manifestations stop...with all types of medications, Thai doctors and hospitals tend to give too short a course.
Your wife sounds to me like she has a definite chemical imbalance in her brain and will certainly need medication, possibly for a long time. If depression is the problem, the shortest time recommended for a course of anti-depressent medication is 6 months, and many people require much longer...some, for life. Even when they also get therapy to resolve the "underlying" issues. Especially people who have been depressed for a long time, their brain chemistry may just not be able to straighten itself out in the absence of medication.
Can't say whether this will be the case with your wife or not, but just be aware that she may need to be on medication a long time and don't hesitate if it is helping her.
Also - be aware that these medications should never be stopped abruptly, they have to be tapered off while under a therapist's or psychiatrists' care.
There is now a large volume of research that indicates that antidepressants are no better than several behaviour therapies. Diagnosing illness that has its roots in social and family problems rather than dysfunctional brain chemistry is a big big issue for mental health services everywhere. Whatever you do, do noy assume medication alone will resolve this issue.
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Prostate cancer is the second most prevalent cancer in non-Asian men, so many TV readers either have the disease -- or will someday. And as has been mentioned, treatment in Thailand is either scarce or expensive. And I would venture, when available, it is probably not world-class (but I hope I'm wrong in this assumption). The latter point is very important because, with all my reading about prostate cancer this past year, the one point that sticks out is that you need an artist physician to deal with it, whether or not you have it cut or fried. Why? To minimize the many possible side effects -- many of which sound worse than the disease (unless you've watched your father die in pain from PC that has spread to the bones).
Why my interest? Two years ago, at age 60, a PSA of 6.7 led me to a 12-core biopsy (the DRE was negative, but because of family history, I elected to skip the antibiotics step and go right to the biopsy, which, incidently, was relatively pain free). The odds were that nothing would show up (65-75% chance), but two cores were found to be cancerous -- but not too aggressive (Gleason 6) nor extensive. So, I had the option of brachytherapy (radioactive rice-sized seeds) without additional external radiation. This is what I finally chose (but living close to Johns Hopkins, the premiere hospital for PC surgery, I *almost* had DaVinci robotic surgery there -- but flipped a coin and radiation won).
Anyway, I'm now in another form of 'watchful waiting,' namely, watching the PSA numbers fall, a process that takes a couple of years before they know if they "got it." Except for a month of 'frequent and urgent,' I've had absolutely no side effects. (With radiation, it's possible I'll need Viagra in a few years -- but, hey, that apparently works for those who've had seeds.)
A month after my procedure, a friend (54 years old) had PC surgery at Johns Hopkins by one of the veteran surgeons there. Today he's impotent and incontinent. They're talking about an artificial sphincter for him. Just shows you that even with an artist (who maybe was having a bad day), dealing with PC can be tricky.
Which gets us back to Thailand. Fortunately, I still have one foot in the States, so I was lucky to be able to have this dealt with there. But what if I were full-time in Thailand?
Hmmm. Maybe the do have a world-class set-up here to deal with prostate cancer. I just don't know. I just know treatment requires talent and experience -- and for a country where DREs aren't routine (short, stubby fingers?
), dealing with prostate cancer probably isn't either.The Samitivej specialists do routine DRE's irrespective of other results. Their treatment results are up there with the best. Dr. Thanoo Choovichian is the one I use. Surgery is more likely to be successful only if the lesion is still contained in the prostate - which usually applies to cancers with lower Gleason scores. This applies to most prostate cancer sufferers, and yes the side effects and complications are higher in this lsrge population. As a health professional of 30 years I would say Thailand has generally good health services and high awareness of prostate cancer. The problem, like every other public system is funding, and competing priorities, not expertise. In the public system try Lopburi hospital. They specialise in a variety of cancer treatments.
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I'm not convinced. I'd have coconut oil, milk or whatever in anything, especially curries, but a few years of ingesting it in Indonesian and Timorese cooking haven't helped my waistline. (Or maybe it was the Bintang?)
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Before worrying yourself to death about a High PSA Blood test result read this -
http://www.prostatecancerwatchfulwaiting.co.za/PSA101.html
Wish I had before I had a biopsy and a lot of very expensive scans....
Least I can do now is to try to save you blokes from going down the same road.
Good luck!
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Before worrying yourself to death about a High PSA Blood test result read this -
http://www.prostatecancerwatchfulwaiting.co.za/PSA101.html
Wish I had before I had a biopsy and a lot of very expensive scans....
Least I can do now is to try to save you blokes from going down the same road.
Good luck!
Jusy a few points of clarification:
1. The PSA test is not definitive as the article says, but does give Drs. enough info to proceed/or not to a biopsy, MRI, and bone scan. The PSA standards are set by US research and currently a score of 4+ equals some concern, 10+ needs further examination, ie biopsy, etc. There is ongoing debate about these numbers.
2. The biopsy result is usually taken after 10 or more samples are taken via probe from the prostate. (not too painful)
3. If you have a positive result for cancer you will be given a Gleason score out of 10. Its composed of 2 numbers the first for primary lesions and the second for secondary lesions. Mine was 4 + 4. ie. A score of 8, which is high.
4. You may also be given a t score (tumour 1-4) to identify its location and whether or not the cancer has spread beyond the prostate.
5. Even with high tech MRI's and bone scans its still difficult to be accurate as some cancer cells are microscopic and may not be obvious in an MRI.or scan.
6. The severity of the cancer and the age of the patient then determine the treatment options. If the Gleason score is below 3, 'watchful waiting' ie monitoring only may be suggested. If the patient is younger (50's), has a Gleason score of 2,3 or above and the CA is still in the prostate, several options incuding, prostatectomy, chemotherapy and radiation may be offerred. If the patient is older ( 70s +) and has a an aggressive cancer and high gleason score, watchful waiting may still be suggested, as treatment may not be seen as likely to succeed.
7. Success rates are largely determined by statistical data received from different treatment centres. There is now a huge volume of this which is regularly reviewed and fedback to centres around the world. BUT, it doesn't take into account individual patient circumstances, case of spontaneous remission, etc. In other words the treatment offerred will be based on what has been successful statistically for your type of cancer.
8. I am about to have intensive internal and external radiotherapy, having already started hormone therapy. This because I have a high Gleason score, and a T3 tumour. But also because I am 57years old. If I was in my 70s or 80s where this kind of cancer is more common , the choice may be just to monitor it, as I have few symptoms other than more frequent night time urination.
9 Success rates are usually given in terms of the probability of surviving cancer free for 5 years. After I have all the treatments my chances are currently about 50%. After that it may or may not return. (Iam dertermined to meditate it away.
10. Finally, to anyone who is Australian,or has access to Oz health care, the treatment centres are excellent and surprisingly cheaper than Thailand. In Thailand the best choice, but expensive is Samitivej Hospital , Bangkok.
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Started getting up 3/4 times a night for a Pee, so decided to have a PSA Blood Test. It was 13! 4 is as high as it wants to be......So I went to Sri Racha Hospital to see a Urologist. He ordered an MRI, Catscan and a Ultra Sound tests. He also did a Rectal exam with the dreaded finger. "You have Cancer" he said "And it has got into the Lymph Nodes.
"So I will cut your balls off. Give you an injection every three months, and you will have to take a pill every day to keep your Testosterone down". I gulped. Well wouldn't you?. "How much will all this cost, doctor?" I asked. "Special price for you, as you do not have insurance,
25000bht for the operation. 30000bht every three months for the jab and the pills are 250bht each".
I said I would think about it and staggered out to my Car.
THE BIG 'C'........Suddenly I began to see the World differently.
The beautiful Trees and Plants. The Birds (both kinds). The warmth of the Sun. Everything looked wonderful..........
I told my Quack in the UK by Email. "Get a second opinion" he replied.
So I did. At The Queen's Hospital in Satahip.
I told the Urologist there about the diagnosis and showed him the test results. ""Where are the results of the Biopsy?" he muttered.
I said the Urologist had said he was SO sure I had Cancer that a Biopsy wasn't necessary.
With a hard look he insisted that no one can say you have Cancer unless a Biopsy shows it be there......
I had a Biopsy a few days later. After an agonising three days the results came back.......they were NEGATIVE!
"All you have Sir, is a quite bad Prostate infection which we will treat with some Antibiotics" the doctor assured me " Come back in three months for another PSA".
The infection seems to have gone now, as I am just getting up once a night. I am taking Saw Palmetto. A Herb that is good for Prostate health and Zinc Suppliments.
So today, although I am nearly 40000bht worse off, I am much happier
and I still have my Balls!
I support Sheryl's recommendation of Dr Choovichian at SamitivejHosp, Bangkok. I have locally advanced prostate cancer and use him for PSA tests and blood counts. But Samitivej is a large international private hospital, so be prepared for the bill. My checkups and routine blood tests take about 1 hour. Cost 4000 baht. Still cheaper than many western hospitals. But If you do need inpatient treatment including radiotherapy etc., expect around 500,000 baht for a 3 day admission. That why I'm going back to Australia for mine, which is largely covered there by public and private health funds.
Glad that you only seem to have prostatitis. But be mindful of the statistics and have regular checkups. Currently in Australia and most western countries 1 in 4 men over 50 have some form of prostate problem, and 1 in 2 ! men over 70 have prostate cancer (yes 1in2) there is lots of good stuff on the net about it all and useful info about alternative treatments, diet and lifestyle etc. The US leads the field in research - they also have the highest incidence of CA. In thailand as with many asian countries the rates are quite low, thats why the advice is varied except for the big private hospitals as they just dont have the experience even though Thai medical expertise is generally good.
Cheers, Tim
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Hi,
I'm coming to Thailand in May and will be visiting places along the border with Cambodia and Laos, which I'm led to believe are areas prone to malaria. Is is possible to buy doxycycline over the counter in Thailand and is it quite cheap?
Thanks
I agree with all the cations about doxy. I worked in East Timor for 4 years, which has one of the highest rates of malaria and dengue fever inthe world. Luckily never got anything. Many of my colleagues On doxy did get malaria or dengue. But I used tropical strength Rid - with high% of DEET. Also used vitamin B12 daily- it acts like garlic - the mozzies dont like the smell. Other preventatives - dont use scented deodorants, shampoo or perfume - unless Tea tree products. Eat less red meat, and try to stay inside for an hour after rain has stopped. Otherwise have a great holiday
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Not sure why I have this , think it may be the salty and fried food in Thailand that I have been eating on a daily basis.
What is the best way to control it ?
If its still very high you may have no choice but to get on meds. But an excellent alternative is fish oil - at least 2000mg per day. It will help other things as well. eg heart, prostate etc. But lifestyle still come first ie less fat, carbs, including rice more green vegies, fish X 3 per week and exercise.
Tim
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Not to mention the highly addictive qualities of valium, and the long term effects of Xanax. If your friend actually wants to treat anxiety, there are several much safer and easier ways, both with and without medications . If your friend has a drug dependency problem already - you are already liable for even trying to find him/her more drugs in this way.
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Hi all,
The cost problems with the NHS and most other western countries is largely about the cost of drugs, 'pathologizing' every minor complaint and the absence of real health education, and promotion campaigns that would reduce doctor visits for preventable complaints.. Some Drs groups and most drug companies do not really want to change this situation.
In developing countries its about very basic health care, eg clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, and not enough interest by drug companies, because there is no money ther for them.
Tim
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Hi Simon,
Speaking as a mental health professional, I would say yes, your wife does have a mental health problem exacerbated by the cocktail of drugs. A thorough assessment is the first step, preferably by someone who is not going to automatically prescribe medications, and understands some of the potential psychological issues involved. Unfortunately there is a tendency to first go for medications in Thailand, which in this case is not the best place to start.Your wife has many other behavioural symptoms that are complicated by your marital, financial and social situation.
Feel free to email me if you want some help to find the best options.
Tim.
//edit to remove email per forum rules - lopburi3//
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I shall be moving to Thailand in the next month and living in Samut Songkram on a small farm.
The local people have tapwater but drink rainwater stored in the usual earthernware containers and use this for drinking water.
I always understood that it was unsafe to drink stored water, and have been spoiled by living in an area of the Uk where it is perfectly safe to drink the tapwater.
I had intended to buy bottled water when in Thailand however my Thai family laugh at this and point out that they do not suffer from drinking the rainwater.
What do you guys do??? Do you have a water purification system ( charcoal filters and UV light etc) to make the stored water safe or do you boil everything?
I've used stored water in many countries most of my life. Generally few problems. the one that hasn't been mentioned isthe nasty little bug -- Giardia - very common in thr tropics and often in water tanks that are not kept full.ie. it breeds in the hot space at the top of the tank. Easily treated but debilitating, so keep the tanks full.
Tim
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Here is another tale of confusion --
I am legally married to a Thai wife and now have 2 houses here. I'm self employed, aged 57yrs. Given a 90 day non-O visa from East Timor June 05. Went for extension at Bangkok Immigration - extended until July 2006 after providing marriage, house documents and police check. Fee - 2100 baht. Visa run to Cambodia -one month visa prior to returning to Australia -Sept 06.
Returned to Thailand Jan. 07. Due to airline problems and not reading this forum didn't get a non O in Brisbane before I left. Given a 30 day stamp on 9 Jan at airport. Now, this is the interesting bit. Went back to Immigration Bangkok last Monday, 5/2/07. to ask for multiple entry non O. Sent upstairs R303. They said their office could only give me a 90 day visa (2000 baht). But, my wife would have to go to the marriage bureau where we were married to pget proof that we were both single when we were married ?? Fortunately we were married in Bangkok registry. So went there - surprise surprise no fee for documents , only photocopies- very helpful -some digs at immigration. Back to immigration R 303. Fee paid Passport stamped with a new O visa, but red stamp across it saying USED ? Also a second stamp with non O on it saying I can stay until 5 May 07.
Then, they said to me that I could go downstairs and try NOW! for a one year Multiple entry non O (1900baht)because we lived so far from Bangkok (Nakhon Sawan). I thought this was a bit strange as I'd just been given the 90 day visa. Anyway went downstairs, with bank letter and passbook if needed, and all other documents. Asked about 1yr non O. -Do you have income from job - no but I have more than 400,000 baht in a Thai bank. -Doesn't matter! -must have income. But I'm married have 2 houses and more than 400,000 baht etc etc. By now - struggling to get a grip on oneself. 'You over 50 yes - you don't have enough for retirement visa.! I dont want a retirement visa?! decide to retreat -Left office exhausted.
Some questions:
1. If you are married to a Thai, and have more than 400,000 in a Thai Bank do you need an income as well to get a one year multiple O non immigrant visa?
2. Maybe its easier for me to put 800,000 baht in the bank and get a retirement visa here. Do I still need income as well, as I'm of course not old enough yet to get a pension from Australia ?
3. I assume retirement means you cannot work for someone else, but can I have a business - in my wife's name ??
I need help ! -any advice appreciated. I am trying very hard to work on my bureacracy tolerance level .
Tim
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Hi Andy,
Funny that, so am I. Are you interested in a partner and turning it into a travel guide/ book ?
We have a homestay near Nakhon Sawan at Banphotphisai. Its not your usual tourist place as there is no commercial airport. But it has probably the best food in Thailand. I'm never sure if we are Central or North but anyway the homestay details are:
2 comfortable cabins - can sleep 3/4 in each. More space in our large modern house, and a small network of English speaking Thai friends also with space in their houses. Our property is 6 Rai has a pond, and recently developed tranquil garden. Activities include meeting some fascinating locals, cycling by some beautiful rivers, learning local crafts, visiting national parks,temples and markets , birdwatching on the largest inland sanctuary in Thailand; cooking classes; massage; retreat centre, world heritage bat caves, and more. We will soon have a website. Rates are 500 baht per night per for 2 per cabin, including a big breakfast.
Address:
Tim and Yuwadee Armstrong Ph: 0878087028
98/2 M1 Bantangai, Banphotphisai,
Nakhon Sawan. E: [email protected]
Its about 4hrs drive north of Bangkok off the main road to Phitsanulok. Trains/ buses to Nakhon Sawan. We can also collect from Bangkok.
I hope this is useful,
Tim
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I use OPTI-FREE I've tried many over the years - it has fewer preservatives than the others, seems to use fewer chemicals, is especially good on the protein removal, is kind to the eyes and is sold widely. (I don't work for them by the way).
Tim
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Its a pity so many tourists only ever see Bangkok, Phuket, Chiangmai, Pattaya, Phuket, etc and never visit regional centres or the country- that behaviour would be quickly sorted out in most rural areas - if the tourist was stupid enough to stay around.
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Hi Tim
Good luck with the treament.
Very good advice too about check ups - so many of my pals have never had it done - luckily mine is funded yearly by the company but would still go now myself.
HI PRAKANONG,
jUST TO LET YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE KNOW, i HAVE JUST BEEN TO THE Dr. and hospital located through this forum.
ALL MY BLOOD TESTS WERE NORMAL, AND MY PSA LEVEL WAS DOWN FROM 25 TO 1.4 AFTER ONLY 3 WEEKS OF HORMONE THERAPY !! I'm also into various supplements including zinc, ginseng, and fish oil. (A normal PSA is 0 - 4) I'm currently finding out what else I need to do, but it doesn't seem that radiation is now necessary. I will have another PSA check in 2 months, but I am a very happy camper as they say!! I'm told that this is about a 1/100,000 event!
Cheers, and thanks to you all. Tim
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There's a doctor in Bangkok that uses stem cells from sheep. It's very expensive, around $6,500 but he says it can be the answer to improving the health of the whole body. Has anyone taken the proceedure or known anyone that has?
As an ex sheep farmer in Australia, I guess it depends on what breed of sheep you're using. The merino, famous for wool, is not noted for its MENSA IQ . The black faced Suffolk on the other hand is highly intelligent, is not frightened by savage dogs and will readily leap barbed wire fences in search of pastures greener. The Jacob sheep however, would be my choice. They are arguably. native to the Hebrides - off Scotland, have 2 sets of horns, a multicoloured brown, black and white fleece, and are just about impervious to all known diseases. ( for the doubters - this is indeed true)
But the serious problem with most sheep is that they tend to live in large groups, don't have too many visionary leaders, consume everything around them without a care for the environment, and spend a lot of time thinking about sex -so whats new ?
Tim
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Being a northern farang I sweat extensively in LOS.
I change cloths / shower several times per day.
2 large laundry bags per week .. way more 'dirty cloths' than at home.
but, always get a 'crotch rash' from hel_l .. 'always' get a rash within 10 days of landing in Bangkok
this past trip it was a serious rash .. painful & scarlet red from 1/2 up my bum to down my legs!
antibiotic creams & cortisone creams multi times per day for the last 4 weeks of my stay & for another 10 days after returning home .. cleared up 10 days after my cloths returned to my hot water washing machine & Tide + my 'Dial antibiotic (?) liquid bath soap'
my rash 'stung' with soap & the medical creams!
I was 'taken apart' by US customs .. thank goodness I had legit prescriptions for the antibiotic creams & cortisone ...
could it be the laundries do not use hot water?
could it be the laundries use little (/ save on) soap?
.. rely on hand wash abrasion for cleaning? ... my shirts are noticeable 'worn' after a few Thai washings?
drying in the 'humid' air instead of heated drying?
or is hotel soap is for fragrance not cleaning?
in the future I will bring my bath soap with me.
no way I could get the laundry to use more soap .. even if I supplied
I'd agree with the methylated spirits tip or the canesten cream. The first dries out the area which will stop itch, its also good for tinnea. The second is cheap and easily available. Three more suggestions. If you're a bit overweight the rubbing of your inner thighs will exacerbate the problem. Second = wear the boxer shorts to let the air circulate, or none at all.
Third - consider some diet changes - like less beer, red meat, and more vegetarian/ fruit - it really makes a difference.
cheers, Tim
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G'day,
Is there anyone out there who has experience of treatment for prostate cancer in Thailand. I can go back to Oz but would rather stay here. I have just had the good news that I have a locally advanced cancer with a Gleason score of 8 - for those who have been down this path.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Cheers, Tim
Tim, hi !
Am an advanced Prostate Cancer case and can absolutely recommend Samitivej.
My Cancer specialist : Dr. Wirote Lausuntornsiri
Urologist : Dr. Isares Saisorn
Good luck with the treatment !
Hi Erwin,
Thanks for the contact details. Both you and Sheryl have been very helpful. I hope your Ca is now in remission
If you are still in the middle of it all and want to talk about it please contact me - [email protected]
Cheers, Tim
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Tim,
The doctor was Dr. Thanoo Choovichian. You can see his qualifications and schedule on this link:
http://www.samitivej.co.th/samitivej_front...01410&Img=1
As I said, my friend was very happy with him and with the other docs he recommended. (Depending on what treatment route you decide on, you may also need a radiologist and/or oncologist -- but start with the urologist. Once you and he have decided on a treatment plan he'll recommend the other specialists.)
Dr. Thanoo is board certified in the US and worked there for some time, and from the feedback I got, is quite good at straight talk and involving the patient in the decision making process. Always important, but especially so in Ca of the Prostate since there are so many different treatment options and the treatment choice needs to take into account personal concerns and values (i.e. different treatments have greater likelihood of impairing sexual function or causing incontinence than others do, and obviously this needs to be weighed along with cure rates but only the patient can decide how much relative weight to give to which factor).
Samitivej has recently changed their website, if you need to go to it (www.samitivej.co.th) be sure to immediately click on "international services" (upper right part of the page) otherwise you'll get lost in a labryinth of requests for passwords and tours of their renovated lobby (literally). The international link puts you right into the menu where you can search for doctors and review their bios.
BTW, did you know that there is actually a "Prostate Cancer for Dummies" available? I believe can be found in Bangkok.
Good luck, feel free to PM me if I can be of further help.
Thanks very much again Sheryl,
I will follow up all the contact details. I've seen prostate for dummies. There is a better one - The Prostate Cancer treatment book by Peter Grimm et al ( unfortunate name). It deals with brachytherapy well and other options. Available from Kinokuniya Bookshop in the Emporium, Bangkok.
You have been very helpful indeed. Its great to have such a useful forum.
Cheers, Tim
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G'day,
Is there anyone out there who has experience of treatment for prostate cancer in Thailand. I can go back to Oz but would rather stay here. I have just had the good news that I have a locally advanced cancer with a Gleason score of 8 - for those who have been down this path.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Cheers, Tim
Hi Tim,
I had a good friend and colleague (Canadian) with Ca of the Prostate, referred him to Samitivej where he was successfully treated with radium implants and VERY happy with the quality of care and willingness of the doctors to involve him in treatment decisions. If you like I'll get the name of his urologist for you. (Implants may or may not be an option in your specific case. I forget his Gleason score, but I know the cancer was growing aggressively and there was possible invasion of the bladder wall but no other evidence of spread. Due to the possible bladder wall involvement, they had him undergo local radiation first before the implants.)
Thanks too for the title...guys really need to be reminded of this. Both the PSA and the manual exam are an absolute must. Personally I would say even by age 40, altho of course the risk rises with age. I've done oncology nursing and seen plenty of men in their 40's with Ca of the Prostate.
Thanks Sheryl,
Yes I would like the urologists name. Your right about the age - 40's+ should be checked especially those like me, who have enjoyed a western diet/ lifestyle. I have only recently experienced the "doctor knows best" attitude here which has all but disappeared in OZ I think. So it would be good to find some sympathetic medicos here. Of course I am now an instant expert ! - having read much literature both conventional and unconventional on treatment options. Its even more annoying that I am a mental health professional of 30 yrs experience so probably should have been more aware of public health campaigns. Anyway thanks again.
Cheers, Tim
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