moldy

Not to disagree with the epidemiological experts, but I spent the first day of the century at the beach in Mexico, swimming with a recent Ph.D. graduate (London, specialist, tropical diseases) who told me to get on quinine, which I did. Eight months later, the director of the infectious disease clinic at Fort Sam Houston (whose predecessor discovered the cause of malaria) told me to stay on quinine, which gave me no side effects. However, quinine does not work for the mosquitoes common in Thailand, I believe.

You didn't specify what century? A definite article in this instance should only be used when reference has previously been made to the noun to which it is attached. Sorry old TEFL habits die hard.

That's the other thing with health nuts, sometimes I think it's anything to avoid a bit of exercise or hard work!! It doesn't matter how much yoghurt you eat, if you don't get the heart pumping you've had it.

How unkind. A name like 'moldy' hardly conjures up a picture of glowing health and vitality.

Why would you come down so hard on health 'nuts'? Hypochondriacs or those who have long standing niggling health issues usually have some basis for their obsession. They deserve understanding and compassion not condemnation.

Why don't you condemn the growing number of people who are obese? Those whose junk food diets make them listless? Those who have disappointments and heartaches and have lost their zest for life? Those who are too overworked to find time for the gym? Those who are too sick or in too much pain to get on your treadmill? Eating a yoghurt (fresh natural) or two is at least a step in the right direction.

When you have lost your health it becomes the most important thing in your life to get it back. When you lose your job, finding employment is the most important thing in your life. When you are hungry, it's food. Thirsty, it's water. And so on. Once health issues are resolved people will naturally turn their attention elsewhere.

I know one lady who found the only way she could keep her barfly husband at home was to fake illness. Eventually she came down with Rheumatoid Arthritis and really was sick. Who is anyone to judge her?

Or do you mean vegetarians or vegans who look like a good meal will kill them? I believe they enjoy better health than meat eaters.

As to earthly pleasures, affluent societies pay a price for their indulgences. In heart disease, diabetes and cancers.

I guess I'm coming down hard on health officials, some of the moderators on this board, and nutty vegans. It doesn't do to have an agenda against reality, some of those being our need to lead an earthly, soulful life, and eat meat for heavens sake! Time and time again I have made sensible suggestions only tyo have a long posting by a moderator point out the dangers- about as subtle as an axe murder really.

I live a life that includes pain as my postings reveal, and I go through the same pain as others.

Advice and stances which seems sensible, that we can all agree with, that are repeated almost as mantras, can often lack basic sensitivity to human needs. This causes fear of life, excessive guilt or shame, and can reveal itself as surprisingly militant and even fascistic.

Now on to your attack (had I have made it no doubt I would have received another warning). People like you you do like to sensationalise and look for angles where there are none don't you? So high and mighty yet you flame and cast me with all sorts of prejudices that are a product of your own imagination. Maybe you need to get a good bacon bacon sandwich inside or similar. Shall I send a gun over so you can shoot yourself in the other foot too?

I'm not sure what you are on about. Health "nuts" believe in regular exercise as much as you do. How can you say that they avoid hard work. They also think that we should eat a balanced diet. What is wrong with that?

In answer to 2 recent posters:

Who said anything about being an exercise fanatic ? 3 times on a treadmill hardly excessive? well not to anyone who actually bothers to go.

Balanced diet? yes with red meat and a bit of fat is it? Because a lot of people on this board seem to think a quart of yoghurt taken with 50 pills of various hue, constitutes balance.

Sorry to hear that.

No there is no half way house.

And yes you have to impart this fact the best way you can.

It's along business, but happily people do give up, maybe by asking for help she is coming to terms with problem.

A few places to read up on it.

CDC

Mayo Clinic

Bupa

concerned yes, these mossies get around more than a sukhumvit bar girl. But is very far from being a given. I believe malaria is wholly treatable until latter stages. Be wary that's all.

Well folks some time back I wrote a post about TB exposure.

Long story short, I tested positive, we are not sure if it was due to that exposure or a possible past exposure. I had a chest x-ray done 4 months post exposure & it is fine.

Issue currently at hand is that I developed a sore throat and it has been with me for a month, I think I have to go have this checked out. I have small white spots, that appear to be under the skin in the back of the throat, and some of the dots almost look like blisters.

any advice?

Yes go back and have some more tests done, hardly conclusive evidence, and many tests are not definitive anyway.

High blood pressue certainly doesn't have to be the death of you. Can be well controlled with medication.

Nicotine is a powerful addiction and I don't think there is much scope for "disciplined" smoking.

As for the stress, some of it may be the effects of withdrawal, and that will ease up with time. Thoie other parts are tensions you generate in how you deal with life and yourslf, which in the past were temporarily relieved through smoking. Minus that crutch, they are on the surface. It is possible to learn to gneerate less tension and stress and several ways to approach doing that: short-term therapy and meditation being two of the best.

This posting rings very true and I'll be reading it again and again, as it hits at the heart of the matter. I guess smoking was keeping a lid on things. I think this is just a blow to my ego, and a reminder that nobody can survive without adequate sleep, relaxation and good food.

Reading is down again. Maybe since I have a phobia about operations (even the prospect of having one) I was scared.

That's it I'm going out in a drug crazed orgy, hospitals frighten me rigid ( even very good ones).

Life stinks

Have a bit of a problem when it comes to sweets. Usually keep a bit of candy around (in case friends drop in, not for me) and after a meal I had a tendency to over indulge and rather than one or two pieces I would not quit until I had eaten a large handfull.

To solve the problem I ask my wife to put them away somewhere and leave me out 4 pieces each day, so I have 2 after lunch and two after dinner. Unless of course I eat all four after lunch, then none after dinner. It works quite well for me, have cut way back by doing this but still get my bit of sugar every day.

It was easier to quit smoking than to quit the sweet habit.

Worse things in life. we all need our sweeteners- otherwise what's the point ?. Reckon you need to get out and about a bit. They say Cowboy is on the up!

A friend recently had a Full Check up at a Large Hospital

under their Check Up scheme. Cost Bht 10,000

Cholesterol Control was diagnosed as necessary

and 3 Months supply of LIPITOR 10mg

was prescibed - cost Bht 5,000

Is Lipitor a "Wonder Drug" ?

Does it have any known side effects ?

My friend has initially declined the prescription

pending investigation of others experience of its use

and other (maybe) cheaper suppliers !!!

Any Comments would be welcome.

Bill

Do you think the odd helping of cabbage and seeing the inside of a gym now and then might help.

Still no contributions! Any body has any ideas?

Do you ever do any exercise?

I'm one of those fortunate to live close to Aloe Vera farms and have for the last month been taking fresh aloe vera juice, blended with a little fresh ginger to assist repair of my intestines. I was given 6 large plants to put in my garden.

I came across this article COMMERCIAL LINK DELETED which claims wonderful results for Aloe Vera and noted that I'm probably not drinking enough to have the effect I was hoping for and can also improve the taste!

I post this since the author states that Aloe Vera drinks in stores are unlikely to have any beneficial effect and can instead be harmful.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating so I'm trying it out for myself.

Will post if anything happens.

bet you come unstuck. Nobody gets off this planet alive my friend. Better to get a few bevvies in.

In a sense we're born to die, the compensation is some form of life ever after through soul connection, and a great deal of earthy pleasure if you can still get it up, or down - depending if you are talking about the ladies or the beer, or ghastly cats piXX that they serve out here (and in OZ too of course).

In advising a sensible strategy for health I'm not sure that health professionals are right. Over the coming years I'd rather have a full and exciting life, with plenty of naughtiness too. I'll be on the treadmill 3 times a week as well.

That's the other thing with health nuts, sometimes I think it's anything to avoid a bit of exercise or hard work!! It doesn't matter how much yoghurt you eat, if you don't get the heart pumping you've had it.

Guess we all go through the mill, perhaps the secret is to enjoy life to the full and make the sensible decisions on the very big things only.

Anything else and we are not sitting well with life and fate.

Which I suppose is what most Thais would recommend, assuming one of them was able to articulate it- big assumption that!

I took vitamins fairly often as a kid. I remember the flintstones or chalks vitamins. Since then on and off probably every year or two i buy some vitamins thinking well they say it might help. Now looking back I think what a waste. Vitamins are just like all that fitness equipment you buy that you end up tossing. Ther ear eplenty of people aroudn the world who have never taken vitamins and are perfectly healthy. I'm not saying that some people with serious problems need vitamins but I really doubt that most of us do.

Has anyone taken vitamins everyday since they were a child? How many people buy them every once in a while then stop taking them? The whole thing just seems to be another money making opportunity for companies. Most people in the developed world for the most part aren't lacking vitamins unless they are living on the street or some type of alcoholic.

Are vitamins just a scam in the end? For an industry which is supposed to be out to help people 75% of its products seem to be junk money-makers.

PS I'm not talking about people suffering from African river blindness or other diseases of the jungles.

For people in the west with a half decent diet, yes they are a scam

Hello just wondering about my sperm the amount that comes out is getting less and less as im getting older . what do you think ??

too much waXXing

Lucky you are not blind too

Hiv tests come in two flavors now. Anti-gen and Anti-hiv. The Anti-gen will pick up the infection after 2 to 3 weeks from date of infection while the Anti-hiv 3-6 months. I have never had a problem asking a new partner to take the test. We have always gone together and they go willingly. Thais seem to run their lives on luck and blind faith and this seems to be the case with STD's. There are a lot of sexually active Thai girls around who aren't making a living at it. Get the tests and don't make a big deal about it.

There's a lot of good strategies here, this being the best and I agree that Thais seem to regard themselves as lucky and wouldn't duck the test.

However, none have elaborated on the emotional consequences of a positive result.

There are those that maintain that a pos. result alone can play a kind of voodoo curse on the unfortunate pos. tester. It's not so far fetched. 10 years ago I was convinced I would test pos. after being in a rather unwise relationship, mynhealth suffered dramatically and I lost 10 percent or sao bodyweight. You guessed it neg. happily.

I don't like the way that we all assume the science behind AIDS is cut and dried fact. Far from it IMHO.

Did you have the surgery in Thailand, and if so who was your surgeon or who do you recommend? I've got a deviated septum that needs correction

Yes, I had the surgery at BNH Hospital on Soi Convent in Bangkok, and my doctor (who I can recommend) was Dr. Pasakorn.

Is it possible to describe what happened? the procedure, how long it took, and what the pain was like. Also I'd be greatly indebted if you could tell me the price.

Sorry, Moldy, but for some reason I didn't re-visit this thread until now. From your last post it sounds like surgery might not be in your future?

My surgery involved minimal pain. I was totally unconscious during the procedure and whatever tablets they gave me to take post-op (I think they might have been codeine?) numbed things sufficiently. I don't recall how long the procedure took, and I only stayed in the hospital one night, for observation mainly.

After the procedure, your nostril is packed with a looong wad of cotton, that you must keep moist by dripping a saline solution into it periodically. I was shocked to see how long the wad of cotton was when they finally removed it.

I'm not in Thailand right now, but if you want more info on the price, etc, let me know and I'll post more details after returning.

What doctor did you choose?

I speak too soon.

Just got an infection, usual place on the left. Not so bad this time. Nasal rinsing seems to mitigate it a lot.

I'll hunt out his name, my girl has alll the details, lol. I just go along, look doleful, ask a few questions and pay.

He's at Rama 9, and is the ENT specialist.

Thanks for the replies guys. I am 6'3" so I feel much better at 95kgs. Mobi, you put my mind at rest a bit. I've still got a bit of a beer belly (which no doubt will extend tonight watching the football in Silom tonight).

The suggestions of a check up - what exactly do I ask for? Is it a standard package of tests or is there something specific I should ask for?

Thanks again

Mick

I think your ideal weight for your height aren't you?

I'm about 6' and weigh 74 kilos.

Yes go see a general practitioner at a reasonable hospital. I expect you'll be told your well.

Those ants just get everywhere don't they?

Great match wasn't it?

Tony,

The idea that concern that someone might have acquired HIV somehow implies a lack of "trust" causes quite a lot of otherwise preventable infections.

Furthermore, unless the woman has represented herself to be a virgin, in what way does it imply lack of trust in her? Lack of trust in the man or men she has been with before maybe, but not of her.

One last caution. Remember that it takes 3-6 months for an HIV test to be positive, i.e. a person may test negative in the early months of infection. I mention this because another TV member got HIV after ceasing to use protection because the woman tested negative. Whether she was infec ted just before they got together or whether despite his trust to the contrary, she cheated on him, who knows. Needless to say, he's gone through hel_l because of that choice and I wouldn't wish it on you. So be very careful.

One other point - speaking as a woman -- it just may be that she has the same concern about you but can't bring herself to say it for fear of offending you. So suggesting you both you and be tested might actually be a relief to her.

Who said anything about lack of trust, I was just on about love, in sickness and in health, although I agree these things should not be taken lightly, one also has to stare at the possibility and make a decision. Although OP 60 or not you never want this sort of syndrome so I also understand why others urge a test I guess.

Part of that decision must also be the odds against a guy getting HIV from an otherwise clean, healthy woman in a wholesome relationship. Probably thousands to one (and as I've stated IMHO none at all). As a health professional Sheryl you will no doubt be aware that in the biggest study of it's kind not one guy sero converted during the active part of the study (Padian et al.) It's there as a fact unchallengable but I wouldn't be surprised if the posting gets pulled regardless.

It is a truly terrifying test too.

Maybe some things are just best left alone.

I'm sure I'm not the first to ask this, but I can't find anything by search.

I'm willing to use the usual protection early in a relationship. However, should it develop into a serious and "monogamous" relationship, I'd like to have both of us screened for HIV for each other's peace of mind. The women I'm interested in are seemingly not the bar girl type, but one never knows. Even so, they are widows or divorcees and who knows where their former husbands have been.

Is there a graceful (and reliable) way to ask and accomplish this?

Thanks to all who answer.

This is a very tricky one. It's quite stressful just taking the test. I agree with your tactics in part but love is supposed to be about sickness and health, and the suspicion is really notional, ie, she probaly isn't infected.

I have distinctly different views regarding the nature of HIV and also recommend you to do research on the subject area as a whole.

I think you need to ask yourself a couple of soul searchers in your own time.

The way I understand it, a bacterium develops resistance to an antibiotic substance when the blood level of the antibiotic is insufficient to kill the bacterium. This can happen when the dose of antibiotic is too low, when the antibiotic is taken at intervals that are too long, or when the antibiotic is taken for too short a time.

The OP did not cite any references for being "down on antibiotics". A danger exists, for example, when animals whose meat is intended for our food are treated with antibiotics shortly before being slaughtered. Eating that meat we will then take a low dose of the antibiotic that was given to the animal and if we happen to have an infection at this time the bacteria in our body will develop resistance to this particular antibiotic. If these bacteria are part of a contagious disease, we can then pass them on to other people and they will not respond to treatment with that particular antibiotic. If this happens often enough, the antibiotic becomes widely ineffective for for treatment of these bacteria in humans and newer antibiotics have to be researched and developed. Soon, these will again be added to animal feeds and the entire cycle continues.

It is basically the exposure of bacteria to insufficient blood levels of antibiotics that leads to incurable or difficult-to-cure diseases like MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus), c.diff (clostridium difficile), etc. It is not necessarily because of antibiotics in meat, that was just an example. It can also be, and often is, because patients fail to take antibiotics as prescribed, and sometimes because of poor hygiene in hospitals or elsewhere.

--

Maestro

I didn't cite a reference for being down on antibiotics . It's an opening line in a discussion.

If you're sure that what you have is susceptible to treatment by antibiotics, not just an "insurance measure" or a random "Monte Carlo" method of attacking an unknown ailment (both common approaches by doctors here), why, then, go right ahead. Otherise it's a "tragedy of the commons." You can gain some limited (but perhaps even no) benefit now by abusing a vast public resource in a way that makes it unavailable to others in the future.

It's assumed of course that one would take an approp. drug, and under medical supervision for a definite ailment, although in my view prophylixic (sorry sure bad word or wrong sp.) is also valid, eg, if someone is particularly prone to bronchitis and has suffered a heavy cold which has resulted in a determined cough, then surely a course of antibiotics is valid. Obviously my opinion only and without actual med. qualification. But arguably a matter of strategy and planning really.

Isn't it non compliance, weak and overly short prescription that lead to problems ?. In which case the drugs are surely not the problem at all.

Arguments against are can be based merely on fashion and politics. Apologies again I'm rather busy and can't go off and get the link, but I believe a recent study reported antibiotics being ineffective for sinusitis. A little digging showed the poor quality of the report, in fact they hadn't even established bacterial infection and had onlu used one type of antibiotic anyway. At best the assumption should have been amoxycillin largely ineffective against supposed bacterial infection.

We need to guard against getting caught up in militance and hype.

Maestro, well said.

Peace Blondie has a gem too;

I am no expert, but experience shows me that even experts in infectious diseases are not as smart as the bacteria.

Just goes to show that the old folks can teach the young'uns a thing or two.

(Old as in being on the evolutionary scale. Bacteria have been around since the beginning of earth and we humans are mere babes. Apologies to the creationists )

Sure, read all the postings from all the usual heavyweight posters, great reading too. An education.

Despite the problems should we diss antibiotics though?

And those that avoid using them- are they being smart?

I'd rather be cured!!

It's not unusual to come across the question "How do I cure this without taking antibiotics ?", and hear general warnings concerning this or that general antibiotic once one is recommended.

I don't understand this: earlier in my life I took 2 even 3 month courses for acne, and have frequently used them for many minor ailments without resistance or side effects.

Sure I understand other people may have different experiences, but we are talking fractions of a per cent, life can't be lived as if exceptions are the rule or we'd do nothing (with all respects to those who have had bad experiences). And a good doctor would counsel before hand anyway; hopefully.

I think my life would be much worse than without them, viral conditions frequently turn bacterial ,and infections tend not to just go away in the tropics too. So maybe that doctor is not so crazy or lazy when he dishes out the obligatory bag of amoxy candy.

Anybody agree?

Argh I cannot seem to eat or drink anything these days be it Thai or Western

without gas(belching) and some constipation.

The exception is if it is very bland like some (non milk based) soup or rice

with fish (not fried).

Is this a common problem for guys in their 40s? what is the solution

to drinking and eating like I was 25?

I am more interested in possible diagnosis since most doctors just dismiss it saying

eat less and that there is nothing physically wrong.

Also can acupuncture do anything here?

Well first of all, in your 40's (and even less so in your 50's, 60's etc) you cannot eat and drink or anything else as you did in your 20's.

As you get older your body is less able to take abuse. Many people also experience some degree of sluggishness in digestion. That's some, not severe.

Without knowing enough about your eating habits and severity of the constipation and gas, I would say:

1. Be sure you are eating a healthy diet with enough fiber.

2. Go easy on beer and other carbonated drinks and any other specific food that seems to cause gas.

3. If despite following #1 and #2, you still have chronoic constipation and/or bloating you need top see a GI specialist and have a proper GI work-up. Do not accept any doctor telling you there is "nothing wrong" if they haven't first done a colonoscopy or at least barium series. Ultrasound o lower abdomen would also be wise (in case problem is in pancreas or liver).

But to save a lot of time and money, don''t go for #3 if in fact you haven't done #1 and #2 yet.

I'd go along with this posting. Obtaining a correct diagnosis is essential. I wouldn't be thinking of self medication beyond antacids, and I don't think health foods will cure the problem if your lifestyle isn't right. I'm going through a similar thing in other directions.

I had a follow up with the doctor last week. I really am very impressed with him.

He confirmed that in his opinion I had allergic rhinitis caused by dust, and am generally effected by pollutants and irritants, such as car fumes, and the chemicals in the materials I have to handle, but that really I am no more effected than anyone else. The problem is the narrowed nasal passages that might lead easily to infection.

Happily simple medication and following a cleansing routine dilligintly has meant no reoccurrence- which is significant because I've had to be out and about quite a lot recently and the wet weather gives me the sneezes too. He is rotating use of Telfast and Nasocort, and is hopeful that I will be able to take medication breaks too. With luck, no surgery.

I thought I had been using nasal decongestants sparingly, but he told me not to use them at all for 1 month as they cause long term damage.

Certainly finding the right doctor who knows his stuff has made all the difference. In some ways it's a bit like having a trainer too.