John49

As they cannot own land, there must be a leasing document from the landowner. So, the dispute is really between the landowner and the neighbour claiming part of their garden. Does not seem wise to engage in dispute with an angry neighbour, especially in a foreign country.

My small package of meds has now arrived back in India, having been forcefully returned to India, by highly agitated Thai customs at Laem Chabang. From the beginning, when I started receiving meds from India, I understood that EMS was the best with a handwritten address – to appear non-commercial. It worked well with Customs elsewhere; if held back, I paid a small fee as import tax, but not at Laem Chabang. Not sure where I got this advice from (EMS, plus handwritten address) – probably Google. My supplier in India is now telling me the following: "To send you by Fedex , we just need this details as below DR prescription Any id proof E-mail id “ I then asked him the following: “Are you saying that if you had sent via Fedex, with correct listed documents, my package would not be held back in Thai customs?” He replied "yes". So, looks like I could have been using Fedex all along, with zero visits to Thai Customs? For anyone who has spent time in India – this kind of misinformation makes sense, and yet it may still not be reliable... Shortly I will in Australia, and will be arranging for my shipment to be sent there. Be interested to know if any has any actual success using Fedex from India into Thailand – for small packages of meds.

My Prostate MRI on the 1.5 T gave a result of PI –RADS 3, with categories as follows: PI‐RADS v2.1 Assessment Categories PI-RADS 1 – Very low (clinically significant cancer is highly unlikely to be present) PI-RADS 2 – Low (clinically significant cancer is unlikely to be present) PI-RADS 3 – Intermediate (the presence of clinically significant cancer is equivocal) PI-RADS 4 – High (clinically significant cancer is likely to be present) PI-RADS 5 – Very high (clinically significant cancer is highly likely to be present. An inconclusive result - not really "good enough" in my case - I decided that I would monitor my PSA. It showed continual slight movements upwards, I decided I would wait until my next visit to Australia. In Australia (with a PSA of 7), my Prostate mpMRI showed a “large area of signal abnormality, categorised as PI-RADS 5”. This Australian mpMRI was done some 6 months after the Bangkok MRI – could explain the difference in results (from a 3 to a 5). However, the MRI in Bangkok – unfortunately me was a waste of time as basically inconclusive – ok just my bad luck. BTW the Prostate MRI was done at an Imaging Center that advertises widely and was about 10,000 Baht, plus extra for dye. No problems there, the service and expertise seemed good. One interesting point, I asked my urologist in Australia why he was not giving the obligatory DRE, he said ‘we don’t do that anymore’. I sense a reason way – on my prostate journey – looking for a suitable Thai doctor- probably 5 doctors put their finger up my bum and it seemed ok – prostate ‘firm and round’, despite this being the easily reachable part of the peripheral prostate area where I had cancer. Seems to me like you need a really bad case of prostate cancer for the DRE to be useful?

Camp coffee tastes good - but too sweet last time I tried it - threw it out. Like having 2 teaspoons of sugar in your coffee, when you only need one. Good if they had a no sugar or less sugar variety - after all, I think it comes without milk?

Quote from my recent post on 5 Feb.: "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." This may be relevant here. My first prostate MRI was done on the wrong kind of machine (I wish they had told me). I waste several months of possible treatment, until I was tested on the more modern and expensive machine (Tesla 3). Another quote: "MRI scans produce pictures from angles all around the body and shows up soft tissues very clearly. The multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) is a special type of MRI scan that produces a more detailed picture of your prostate gland than a standard MRI scan does."

As a side sleeper, I’ve always had a problem with ‘placing a pillow between my knees’ – basically uncomfortable. Even tried pillows and cushions of different sizes. My solution is to leave the lower leg straight, bend the upper leg and put the small pillow under the knee of the bent upper leg – much more comfortable. The legs, or rather the hips, are ‘parallel’ – that is the point about ‘putting the pillow between the knees’.

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.

I find I get diarrhea very easily here in Thailand – but it may be old age related? I started making mental notes how often I’ve eaten at a certain outlet and how often I have got diarrhea thereafter, from the same item. It’s like up to half the time – this makes me think it’s something to do with their food preparation or hygiene standards. Especially, as I recently spent several weeks in Europe and had no diarrhrea. Lately, I’ve tried just having have cake and coffee outside and prepare other meals myself – no diarrhea.

She has not tried the original Sumatriptan, only the Thai generic. Her history is several years of Ergotamine and then recently onto Eletriptan, and more recently again the generic Sumatriptan. I tried to get her off the Ergotamine as she complained of stomach pain. I checked and found that it come with potential fibrosis of stomach tissue, etc. The latest is that she is back on Ergotamine as apparently that is a good if taken ‘early’, but comes with stomach side effects. I’m trying to get her to eat and drink with the Ergotamine. We have just switched to a half tablet of Ergotamine from the full tablet, and that works just as well. She says that half a tablet of Eletriptan is good and has the added benefit of still working, even if taken ‘late’. Not the case with Ergotamine – must be taken ‘early’. Looks like we will not be going back to generic Sumatriptan. We try to identify the triggers for migraine, especially foods, but the only definite trigger is very bright lighting. Migraine attacks come every 3 or 4 days, we do not exceed half a tablet though she may be ill for several hours. At a weight of 50 kg, the half tablet seems appropriate.

This is all about the “sum” - that will be considerably larger than 1,900 baht?

I did manage to find Sumigran at one drug store in Pattaya, price was 110 baht for 6 tablets. Problem now is my other half, who actually suffers with migraine, says that both Sumigran and Siagran, allegedly containing the equivalent of 50 gram of Sumatriptan – ‘do not work’. The bigger picture is that she has been using Ergotamine tablets for several years but these come with some side effects. We switched from Ergotamine to Replax (40 mg of Eletriptan) and not Sumatriptan, as we read that Eletriptan gives longer relieve than Sumatriptan, etc. We cut one tablet of Relpax in half and it ‘works well’. The cost 2 tablets of Relpax manufactured by Pfizer is 275 baht. So, a bit on the expensive side and the recommendation is not to use more than 2 times in one week, but on the other hand, the maximum recommended dose is 80 mg in 24 hours. For us, one 20mg dose (half a tablet), 2 times in one week would come to a restriction of 40mg in one week, 'low' compared with 80mg in 24 hours. Anyone else with experience of both Sumatriptan and Eletriptan, and if Eletriptan is available generically in Thailand?