John49

This thread is complicating what for me, was a straightforward issue – based on my personal experience. For many years, my PSA was about 4 - i.e. on the limit when you are supposed to show concern. I ignored it for years, as I understood that the rate of change of PSA (above say 4) that is the warning light. Recently, my PSA stated to creep up to 5, then 6, then 7. I had a prostate MRI that was inconclusive. This was a mistake, the wrong test, as this test lacks accuracy. I followed up with the more accurate mpMRI – cancer indicated. Followed up with transperineal biopsy, done under sedation. That was a breeze with no after affects. Subsequently, had 5 shots of external beam radiotherapy – that was not a breeze – tedious over several days with some painful urination. My story lacks detail – as it was relatively straightforward – easy decisions, obvious or reasonable – that I hardly remember it. As for ‘dying with it’, rather than ‘dying from it’ – up to you (and your doctor as someone will surely chip in) – depending on your age and health.

I just use my hands: – Palms, almost together = SMALL - Palms, wide apart = BIG Always works, no need to open your mouth.

I read this today in the Telegraph (UK): Why do I keep needing the toilet in the night? Anti-inflammatory drugs…the unexpected efficacy of the alternative remedy – aspirin and similar anti-inflammatory drugs – was discovered fortuitously by family doctor Eric Lewis as described in this column several years ago. “I have suffered from this annoying complaint for several years, passing up to one and a half litres of urine during four or five trips to the toilet,” he wrote. Until one evening he took a couple of aspirins to relieve some muscular pains and was astonished to wake the following morning to realise he had slept undisturbed throughout the night. His experience prompted a dozen similar anecdotal reports, subsequently investigated in a formal clinical trial with the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac – confirming the merits of “this novel treatment option for a common condition”. So, the proposition is that aspirin at night may reduce the number of bathroom trips. I’m already taking twice daily Apixaban so don’t think I will give it a try, unless I made a complete switch. He says a “couple of aspirins” – that could mean 2x300mg – sound seriously too much when compared with the daily 81mg, as taken by some. Be interested to know if anyone has been prescribed this aspirin or diclofenac solution to reduce night time bathroom trips?

Daily Mail says: An Irish backpacker has been found dead in a hotel room on Thailand's notorious Koh Tao island. Robby Kinlan, 21, was found lying on his bed by a long-time friend last week while staying at the BaanTao Bungalo Resort. He was discovered still holding his phone, which was connected to a wall socket and charging, police said today, without confirming a cause of death. Lt Colonel Theeraphat Sanjai said that authorities were looking to send the body for autopsy, but high waves have hampered efforts to reach the hospital on the mainland.

"Everyman likes the smell of his own farts." ICELANDIC PROVERB.

One of the things that prompted me to visit BLH, were the good reviews on Google. How does a public hospital manage to get a high score of 4.2? Must be doing something right.

I’ve started chemotherapy at BLH and I’m impressed with events to date. The key generic medication that I need is imported from India and it's immediately available at the on-site drug store at a not unreasonable price. This is contrary to my previous experience where there seemed to be large markups on imported generics of this type. The chemo ward is modern, clean and well organised. The only negative was picking up some additional meds at the pharmacy counter itself inside the main building, where I had a long wait.

When she woke up in the morning, her genitalia must have sticky and congealed, or otherwise leaking lubricant. I have read the French don’t like to use condoms, I guess sticky and congealed applies. More so, if multiple participants. Possibly, her husband cleaned her up. She should have been sore too, unless she lubricated subconsciously. Was this raw topic brought up and explained away at trial? When she woke up in the morning after being sedated for 12 hours, she surely had some sense of being drugged. I sometime take a mild sleeping tablet, and the sleepy effects continue on waking up for a few hours thereafter. Possibly, there are medical grade drugs that eliminate such consequences. On top of this, would there not some sort of addiction such that she cannot now sleep without similar medication. I wonder if she continues with some sort of strong sleep medication, now medically prescribed to cover this condition. Was this topic brought up and explained away at trial? Last, and least, how did a women of her age (72), manage to go for 12 hours without a pee?

I think the blue green building is where I registered and then talked to a very competent and helpful nurse. I think the nurse will advise you on the next step according to your medical issue. I did not need to go into the building as out front, there was like a desk for registration and a small nurse station/kiosk, next to each other. BTW I had an EKG at this hospital, as advised by my new doctor there. The nurse/technician gave me an on the spot result – something like “good, no problem”. I had an Angiogram overseas some months ago, that gave a good result. The EKG was not at all necessary, I went ahead with the test just to comply with doctor’s request and it was pretty cheap and quick, plus I was curious to see what they would do and the kind of result they came up with. The test was quick, I joined a queue of about 4 people, each took less than 10 minutes.

For the first public hospital that I visited, I found out the time that the ‘clinic’ started and arrived there about that time and then waited about 2 hours (plus?) to see the doctor. For further visits, I was given an appointment time. On arrival, I was given a queue number and waited about 1 hour to see the doctor. I have recently visited Bang Lamung Hospital . My first doctor’s appointment was easy for me as I had a doctor’s referral from another hospital. The nurse near the registration desk was very good – telephoned the doctor and gave me a form with some blood tests to do prior to appointment. I believe there are 10 buildings. I know Building 10 is the building for blood tests, and I think Building 3 is where I see my specialist. Buildings have a building number, plus some Thai writing underneath. There are very few sign in English. Easy to get confused, even on further visits. This same hospital had a mention recently – don’t know how to copy the post – look at my posts on page 3 on this topic: Foreigner friend - Broken leg - No insurance - 400k+ medical bills - What next? I mention a bit about a “gold card” as something on Google reviews of hospital (as translated from Thai) – looks like it may facilitate treatment – still don’t know what this is. Don't need it at the moment as my appointments are being neatly arranged. Previously, at another public hospital, I enrolled at their Special Clinic. It worked well, much as described by Sheryl above.

My prostate size is ‘normal’ at about 45 ml. I pee every 2 to 3 hours during the day, but at about 50% full bore - I put the reduced flow down to old age and it’s not a problem. Different story at night, I pee every 1.5 to 2 hours, and at like 10% full bore. Having to get up every 1.5 to 2 hours is tiring and tedious but I think it fits in with sleep cycles. The increased frequency and reduced flow at night is a mystery as I struggle to get a decent flow – more like a series of squirts.

More about Bang Lamung Hospital: If you check the reviews on Google, some mention (translated from Thai) a “gold card”? Did not find out what that was, maybe like Special Clinic where you pay a little more and are treated more expeditiously? Also, can be difficult to negotiate your way around the several buildings, numbered from 1 to 10. Having a Thai speaker with you could help a lot.

I’ve visited Bang Lamung (a government hospital) in Pattaya (three times), and I've suffered no long waits. Registration was easy and quick. I knew the name of the doctor and they called her and offered me an appointment date for another day. Blood test (two times) was a bit crowded, but in and out in less than 30 minutes. My doctor was in a separate chemo section and it was well set up with lots of clean, neat beds, with just a few patients having infusions. Absolutely no overcrowding; pleasant friendly nurses and lots of ceiling fans to cool the place down. My doctor spoke sufficient English and I see that she was talking to me and the other patients at length to understand and advise i.e. she was not rushed and working against the clock. However, I did see one large main area that was crowded (much like the first photo above) – looked like people crowding and waiting to see a doctor in one of the many side offices. BTW, the buildings look new and not fully utilised. I recommend a visit, if not satisfied transfer to private in Pattaya.

I commented previously on how I successfully imported meds via EMS, but held up in customs (several times), after payment of a fee to customs. That was customs at Prachuap. No such luck today with customs in Laem Chabang. After opening my package surrounded by friendly onlookers, I was directed to the offices of the FDA. I was met by an angry official who immediately jumped up and shouted out it was against the law if an import licence was not available. I tried to argue that it was a small amount for personal use (2 small bottles of tablets). This made him more angry. Bottom line – no meds today. Fortunately, I have a backup plan, same meds can be bought from a pharmacy outside Siriraj, but about twice the price of importing from India. My first delivery made it through without customs intervention at Laem Chabang. This was my second delivery. I will not import again if it potentially involves a visit to customs at Laem Chabang, friendly staff in the front office, but a nasty piece of work in the back office. Obviously, some customs offices are flexible on small amounts for personal use like Prachuap, some are completely inflexible like Laem Chabang.

Cannot help with meds or advice. I now have something similar, but less severe. After radiation treatment for prostate cancer – the sight of running tap water e.g. at the kitchen sink, gives me a sudden, desperate urge to urinate and I just manage to make it to the toilet. I took a one hour boat trip, no issues there; not sure what will happen on a rainy day.