My Partner has a Acer Laptop, still on XP  it is very old and tired/slow but was a daily heavily used for 13 years for work mostly never a problem.. last couple of years  uses a Tablet so laptop is in junk room

My very expensive Sony Laptop lasted 14 years, so thinks the Acer did very well.

Myself have a Acer Curved 32" Monitor a good few years also still perfect

6 hours ago, mstevens said:

 

There are very confusing messages about what we should eat to be healthy, and this is especially so for those who have chronic health conditions like diabetes.

 

All of the research I have done suggests that low-carb is the way to go (for both good general health and especially for those with blood sugar control problems / diabetics). Think keto or carnivore.

 

And the healthiest food you can eat? Red meat! Yes, it goes against the message that it is the mainstream media but this really does seem to be the healthiest way to eat.

 

There is a lot of really good information FROM DOCTORS on YouTube. As someone diagnosed diabetic, you might like to check out Dr Ken Berry or Dr Jason Fung or Dr Aseem Malhottra on YouTube as a good place to start.

 

Red Meat eating is not related to Diabetic problems but CHD as is no dairy products 

red meat intake is associated with increased risk for progression of CKD.

Diets high in animal protein from meats and dairy products can cause kidney damage because they can be very hard to metabolize. This places a heavy burden on the kidneys, making it hard for them to eliminate waste products.

a older UK friend Diabetic followed for many years the Atkins diet = lots of meat and fat, made me sick looking at what he ate, but it appeared to work for him [lived most of my life overseas so mostly ate the  Mediterranean diet]

trying to follow a health lifestyle  gets confusing

Diabetic since Feb 1991 [at that time Dr said I could have been diabetic for many years before this] as very high BS + very high BP

So so control on healthy lifestyle + Med's for years

2015 very bad = ER - outcome was Stage 5 CKD. worked hard on lifestyle change  No Salt, No Red Meat No Diet drinks = down to between stage 2 and 3 for a few years

about October last year things not right, Dr added Vitamins of all kinds... Last Friday not good on my normal 90 day Dr Visit, Low BP + Low BS + Stage 4 CKD !   extra blood tests ordered = will get full result this Friday  [Little Village Hospital so for extra test blood must go to big Hospital]

Low Red Blood Cell Count !!  appears healthily eating not correct ?  looking on web eat more Red Meat ??  the odd thing is Dr said do not take any more Vitamin B12, yet web shows many different places and Countries to increases Vitamin B12  ??   gets confusing

Dr also told  me to drink a glass of milk a day....  years ago told no dairy products !!

24 minutes ago, tomazbodner said:

These are not closed systems. Only continuous glucose monitors, which either only give reading and graph when you tap on then (like Libre) or continuously transmit information to reader and give alerts if readings go outside limits (like Libre 3). There are also closed loop systems which include an insulin pump. The reader detects too high reading from the sensor and instructs insulin pump to release insulin. Those are available, but cost in range of 250-300,000 baht for a pump that only works with some compatible sensors. Those sensors are also about 15-20,000 baht per month (each lasts 10-14 days) and then there are insulin capsules for the pump, generally only for a week's supply and costing about 800 baht per one, so that would be way over the budget of many people in Thailand to finance.

 

I know a few who have pump (not closed loop) in Thailand and paid around 200-250k baht for it, with about 3500 baht a month in insulin. And I know 1 in Europe with closed loop system, but there I would not know the cost as that particular person has it covered by insurance so he pays nothing.

 

Yes, it's convenient. But not many will be able to afford it here. As for just the sensor... this is what you'd get out of Libre:

 

Thanks

Yes about 4 years ago at a Hospital was told about  300k to start + around 300k per year for ongoing supplies

So guess while still able will finger prick + do my own 2 twice daily Insulin injection, there are 2 old people in the Village that cannot manage to self inject,   the one man 95 his Son goes there every day,  the Son and Grandson both Diabetic, the other Lady in her 80s the daughter moved into the house about 4 years ago so she is looked after 24/7 as well as is another Daughter living there [in wheelchair] also cannot manage, the Injections

14 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

You can purchase it. Check Abbott FreeStyle Libre on Lazada. About 2000 baht for one. On Shopee there was just promotion for about 1700 baht per one. They got a bit more expensive recently because of THB sliding, but still affordable. It can be used with FreeStyle Libre reader (~1500-1600 THB) or iPhone (or if you activate with iPhone or reader, you can also read from it with a phone if it has NFC). Libre 2, Libre 3 (which doesn't require tapping on it to read last 8 hours of data) are more expensive, both readers and sensors. The sensor lasts 14 days. There is also SinoCare available on Lazada, which is a bit more clumsy to put on, a bit less accurate but still close, which has 2 parts - a replaceable sensor and a transmitter - so you have to first apply sensor which is just that, and then put the transmitter on it. Never used it, just know some who do, so I am aware you need WeChat account to activate it, then use phone to read from it. Apparently it transmits all the time so you get alert when glucose is too high or too low.

 

I'm adding a couple of links where I purchased stuff from for my better half:

 

For FreeStyle Libre (same link for sensor, reader, or both):

https://www.lazada.co.th//products/i4129320146-s16186087767.html

https://www.lazada.co.th//products/i4248137921-s16806882918.html

 

And some which I did not buy:

Sibionics: https://www.lazada.co.th/products/sibionics-24-i4917068558-s20703981535.html

SinoCare: https://www.lazada.co.th/products/sinocare-cgm-15-i5012890537-s21186047871.html

Libre3: https://www.lazada.co.th/products/freestyle-libre-3-3-abbott-freestyle-libre-glucose-sensor-real-time-ver3-i4238285617-s16902949255.html?

Libre3 Reader: https://www.lazada.co.th/products/abbott-freestyle-libre-3-3-sensor-reader-mmoll-100-i4484157122-s18132930020.html

Libre2: https://www.lazada.co.th/products/abbott-freestyle-libre-2-ver-2-2-i4238288039-s16736937929.html

 

I don't know what the difference between Libre 1 and 2 is, both are 2 weeks duration but need different readers. Libre 3 is linked to device that activates it and that's what it communicates with. Libre 1 you can use several devices to read from it. Readers from above link for Libre 1 are in "European" mmol/L numbers, where normal fasting glucose is about 5, while application would read it like the "American" units mg/dl, which is x18, so normal fasting glucose would be around 90. I haven't seen readers that can use mg/dl, but the numbers are easy to convert, and if you really don't want to, use phone to tap on the sensor.

 

Libre 1 takes 1 hour from activation to start sending reliable readings, and lasts 14 days for Asia/Europe versions. But US version locks itself up after 10 days. No idea why, they look identical.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Ah yes, all these shops are in China so it takes 5-7 days to deliver. So far I haven't had a problem. Beware the expiry date. Currently most sold sensors are expiring 31 August 2024 or 30 September 2024. So mind the quantity purchased to make sure you use them up before they expire. They should be kept on 4-25C.

Still cannot work out what these are.. Just automatic blood testing only ?

or are they AID systems, also known as hybrid closed loop systems, can detect changes in a person’s sugar levels in real time and automatically adjust insulin doses in response. ?  last time I asked here in Thailand they were very expensive  + the on going cost every 10 - 14 days

13 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

She was probably slimmer before. They can eat a lot, but body can't absorb sugar in type 2 diabetes. When they take Metmorfin it helps absorb more, and that makes them gain a bit of weight. But they are still having severe insulin resistance, which is probably accumulation of fatty foods over prolonged period of time blocking insulin from working.

 

Slim shape no matter what they eat therefore makes quite a lot of sense. They eat a lot but very little of glucose gets into cells, hence they have no surplus to build fat.

 

Maybe it would be worth listing symptoms of hyperglycemia here so possibly someone here can recognise it early on their partner or themselves:

- eating a lot but not gaining weight, or losing weight without reason

- feeling hungry all the time

- feeling extremely thirsty, and having cravings for very cold drinks

- easily tired, sleepy, like getting into a vehicle and promptly falling asleep

- very dry mouth, often with cracked lips which heal very slowly

- blurred vision

- frequent headache that lasts hours

- frequent urination, like running to toilet all the time, rarely making it an hour in-between, even during the night

 

Some resort to lowering sugar through insulin or medication, but that can drop it too low, and that's even more dangerous. Symptoms of hypoglycemia are:

- most prominent one is intense sweating

- skin gets very pale

- person gets very easily irritated

- feeling very hungry, but not much different from insulin resistance where cells are undernourished

- sleepy, weak, in serious cases that last longer time unable to move

- confusion

 

In cases of too low sugar, somewhere under 3/56 it is best to get some sugary drink without any food to quickly spike sugar, say a few sips of a sugary tea or just sugar water, and 20-30 minutes later, when glucose increases, have some food with longer lasting effect on glucose (complex carbohydrates, proteins, fats...)

 

Had to graduate from this in the past 6 months and having a 40+ year veteran diabetic type 1 in family helped a great deal in this.

 

Hope it helps anyone.

 

frequent urination, like running to toilet all the time, rarely making it an hour in-between, even during the night,

been there but is good = kidney's are working and flushing out  the bad stuff,  worrying is a small amount 2 or 3 times a day, last hospital visit had gone from stage 2 to stage 4 CKD, WHY have no idea, last time this happened was 2015, went to stage 5 CKD and could not pee at all.  in Hospital 5 days, still keep to same diet No Salt, No diet drinks, only drink water, Red Meat no more than 2 x week..   would love to go back to running to toilet all the time,

Not all Diabetes are the same

I know a good few Thai Diabetics, very few are over weight, some are so thin  stick men and woman and still use insulin every day, think maybe there not that many type 2,  or not that I know 

So many things a small Village Hospital do not stock, wonder if the Dr remembers what they wrote to get from a Pharmacy outside + NO record on Hospital file

Dr said get from a Pharmacy outside as Hospital no have  

‘Dermatix’ wound care cream + cover with DuoDERM patch..  {appear to have Allage to glue on Patches ?}      Have also tried 3M waterproof patches as much cheaper still have problem with the glue

Also from Pharmacy out as Hospital no have  Antibiotics  [non Penicillin]

38 minutes ago, Doc Undies said:

You didn't mention that you have diabetes which can severely affect healing.

Has been well under control for years

a few posts ago clearly states

insulin 70/30 Mix   30 units Breakfast. + 20 units Evening Meal

Adjust dosage according to blood test reading…..

Metformine  850 mg  1 x Breakfast. + 1 x Evening Meal

Diabetic Lada since 1991   --------- CKD since 2015

11 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Quite possible many of the vitamins are unnecessary but this has norhing to do with your abscess.

 

Community  hospitals here usually have very limited capacities  Probably not the best place to manage a persistant abscess.  Among other things should get a culture & sensitivity of the pus which they would probably  not be able to do. 

 

I forget where in Thailand you are located? 

Near Sai Noi, use since Covid Sai Noi Hospital.

The Dr I normal see said she is moving on, she did ask if I want the April Appointment or go back to BKK Red Cross..so this next Visit will be another Dr..

Biggest problem is the very limited stock they hold....  they do have Computers now and my Prescription, many pill I have I have to cut in halve  as they only stock one type and MGs...  The other problem is if I need something they do not have the Dr writes it on a bit of paper to take to a outside Pharmacy..  That is good, but of course it is NOT in the Computer or on Hospital Files. = will take all meds to New Dr..  

The Red Cross Hospital = 5 outside patients per day the rest if IN + ward patients   San Noi Hospital see 30 - 50 per day, how can a Dr remember what she asked me to get form a outside Pharmacy 90 days before.

So will see this New Dr next week, then think about the very long trip back again to Red Cross.

2 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Ok then not pilonidal cyst. 

 

But do ask doctor if surgical drainage is indicated. 

Yes will do thank you

Something no idea about

Since 2020 + changing to local Village Hospital my meds have been changed a lot

+ get given more and more Vitamins is this needed + could this be a problem ?

Present Dr Prescription  + issued by Hospital Pharmacy

Insulin 70/30 Mix   30 units Breakfast. + 20 units Evening Meal

Adjust dosage according to blood test reading…..

Metformine  850 mg  1 x Breakfast. + 1 x Evening Meal

Diabetic Lada since 1991   --------- CKD since 2015

Vitamin D 2  20000U  1x week  morning

Vitamin B CO ED    2 x day

Vitamin  B 1- 6       1 x  day     morning

Vitamin  B 6 - 12      3 x a day

Vitamin A 25,000U  1 x a day    Evening

Omega-3 Fish Oil 1000 mg  1x day      morning

Vitamin  B 12  500mg     Evening  3 x week

calcium carbonate 1500 mg 1x day  morning

Calatab  1500 MG 1 x Breakfast

Oemeprazole  20 MG with Breakfast

hydrochlorothiazide  25 mg Evening [often miss as BP low]

Dozozin  2 MG 1 x  Evening

LO sar tan  40 MG  1x Cut in halve Morning [miss if BP to low]

Bestatin  20 MG  1 x cut in halve   Evening

Gabapentin  300 mg  1 x before bed

81 MG Aspirin  1 x mornings

19 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Is this on your lower back, near the buttocks in the middle? If so sounds like pilonidal cyst which often infects and is indeed difficcult to get rid of -- and once gone, can later recur.

 

Treatment is antibiotics, surgical drainage and in some cases surgery.

 

Whrlen you see your doctor ask:

 

(1) Is It a pilonidal cyst?

 

(2) Given how long it has persisted now, is surgery indicated? 

 

No it is on my higher back Shoulder blade high

Did have one at the base of my spine in my 20's, had to have it drained in Hospital then a week or so only sit on a donut cushion

2 hours ago, Photoguy21 said:

You could try just asking the question that you want an answer to. Also ask how long will it be before it is completely cured. Contrary to many peoples belief most doctors actually appreciate the patient questioning them. 

tried that. take 5 days Antibiotic + change the dressing every day should be gone within 7 - 10 days..

oddly every 90 day Diabetic Appointment the Dr always want to look to see if it has healed , but after so long [18 months next week] cannot work out why there is not another option..

1 hour ago, FritsSikkink said:

Have you told the doctor you have the problem for years?

Yes

\

Need help, suggestions Please?

Maybe start at the beginning, as a kid maybe 8 had what was called a back boil, my Mother would mix bread and warm water put in a cloth on my back, every day, months later went to the Hospital, forget what they did but ended up with a deep black hole..

All my life had that hole deep and black about the size of a 2 baht coin but no problems

About 3 years ago started to get puss + blood coming out 2 or 3 times a week, for the last year or so every single day.. have seen 5 different Dr’s  both at Government Hospital and at a Private Hospital…

All appear the same answer, it is a abscess go to A&E and get it dressed every day…  the Private Hospital gave me Antibiotics {cannot take Penicillin]   Government Hospital no not sell only have Penicillin, so must go to Pharmacy…  again get it dressed every day, problem with this the tape is no good at the Hospital and falls off within 1 hour. = blood/Puss on shirt and bedding..

6 months ago the Dr gave me a few 1lt bottles of ‘Sodium Chlorine irrigation’ fluid to clean the wound every day + get from a Pharmacy and use ‘Dermatix’ wound care cream + cover with DuoDERM patch..  

Appears nothing works + 5 lots of Antibiotics + 1,000s of baht of creams and dressings = Blood every day

Tried searching abscess on the Web but all appears for a few days or a week or so, not for daily problems for years !

Got to see a Dr again next week [my 90 day appointment] anyone any idea what to ask ???  Sick of different Drs looking then saying the same thing.

back in the 1950's  cars with big grills were called Glamorous Grilles

16 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I had no symptoms of my pre diabetes till the GP did a blood test.

So true, Maybe every person going to a Dr or Hospital should have a blood test ? maybe more are these days = record numbers of so say new cases ?

Myself 1991 visited the Dr on a number of occasions + had a Opp in Hospital 3 day stay, about a month later visited the Dr about a different ongoing matter, one look said I had advanced yeast infection so test were done, yep I was Diabetic, likely been so for years.

Back then did not know anything about Diabetes, these days more people are aware of it as are Dr's so run checks 

2 hours ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

Translation error?

Apart from busses, not a single EV is made in Thailand yet, right?

I think wrong

Great Wall Motors acquired the plant from General Motors in 2020  GWM  make Hybrid and Full electric motors there, the Oro Cat rolled off the line in Jan full EV I remember is was in the News

Believe the BYD Thailand production line is near ready 150,000 cars per years EV's and Hybrids 

Had varifocal lenses for many years, last new pair bought here 20 years ago @ 21,000 baht... frames fell to bits within 2 years managed to find a place that sold frames and cut the lenses to fit while I waited

for the last 12 years have bifocals on the 3 rd pair hate them, never got used to the sudden cut off no in between, do have a pair of reading glasses always at home + a pair mid range only use if eyes are bad for PC/TV etc.. [Monitor is 34" curved so mostly no need for glasses]

Tested for years at Chula Hospital [Red Cross]  present pair cost 1,200 baht, with Frames and bifocals and tests with prescription. 

21 hours ago, nglodnig said:

Checked my wifes passport (I've got the new "blue" [actually more black] one) - issued march 2015, expires June 2025. So - need to get a new one before March next year but otherswise she's safe to return to Europe.

Quote

(I've got the new "blue" [actually more black] one

I had expected this colour when I renewed mine in 2018, but I got a red one...  Valid to May 2029 with the added months because I renewed early

I read somewhere Red UK Passport will not be accepted in some places/Countries ??  I still have over 4 years to run on mine Confused  ??

On 3/26/2024 at 7:26 PM, mabio69 said:

I still live in Germany. My German dentist works together with a dental laboratory in Turkey. Very good work. But if I live in Thailand, I would rather have it done in Thailand in case problems arise

When I lived in Germany went to a Dentist his surgery was at his home in Berlin, you really have no idea what they do, years later had a problem in the same area, another Country the Dentist was shocked, the German Dentist had drilled and filled all 4 back lower teeth as one  so impossible to repair just one,. so lost 4 teeth in one go.

Why Implants, they are far to expensive...  maybe 20 - 30 years ago would have had this option, but not offered now at 74 not worth it.

They use to do Cemented pins with a Crown on top, but where  where is this done these days ?

I have 3 Cemented pins + 2 bridges done in a Hospital in Bangkok 20 years ago, never any problem and are still fine

now have 2 broken teeth + the 1 remaining tooth of my 'own' need sorting, have been to a number of Dentists, all are the same have Implants or plastic plate = 200,000 baht or 20,000 baht..  asking for Cemented pins they look at me as if I'm mad,  

the 2 broken teeth are no problem as no bottom tooth there so not needed, + broke off  6 years ago the other about 4 years ago = Dentist said no pain or problem just leave then there.. just need 1 x tooth to replace my only 'own' remaining one at the front...  

If a Cemented pin crown is still perfect after 20 years why not another ?

last year at my local Government Hospital, Dentist looked [back upper tooth] said out, injection 5 mins later pulled it out,  Dentist young guy looked about 16  !!

Total bill 320 baht............ always used local private Dentist b4  every visit no matter what was done 800 - 1,000 baht

Good idea

Main problem for me, I have the main blood work/urine tests done 1 x year = need to go to the Hospital, {I do FBS + BP tests at home every day for past 15 years] the rest of the time I need only my medications and Insulin, repeat prescription .. but 'can not'  must see Dr

Why ? waiting takes hours even at my local Village Hospital,  repeat prescription would be far less people waiting to see Dr = reducing hospital queues + Dr work load

If I am going to a shop near where I live which has shoes off then will go with slip on shoes

Normally when I go out will wear my Diabetic shoes = need a chair to sit to take them off/on, not possible to take them off standing with my sticks, so will stand at the door and get staff to come to me and run around getting what I want..

Dentist always come to me at the door and take my shoes off for me when I arrive + put them back on when done...  

So not a real problem