richardjm65

DVT is no small matter - although it is frequently, (and rather casually), referred to as 'economy class syndrome'. In my own case, I had not been on a flight for several years, so it had nothing to do with flying. If your leg feels swollen and a bit hot, and there's a bit of an ache, get yourself to a hospital. The procedure then will usually be blood tests to establish INR and also to check if there could be nutritional deficiencies. In my case, I was lacking potassium. So, in my hospital bed, I went onto an intravenous drip to re-hydrate, which was supplemented to replace potassium, and when that was accomplished, the next step was a Doppler ultrasound scan to locate and quantify the size of the clots.

That done, a foot to thigh compression stocking was the next step, with instructions to sleep with the affected leg elevated. Next, virtually painless injections of Heparin in the belly button area for a few days before switching to Warfarin tablets - the reason being that Heparin has an almost immediate effect, whilst Warfarin takes a little time to become useful. At this point, it's important to understand that the meds provided do not do much for the existing clots. They are really to thin the blood to prevent further clotting. The body's own defence system is supposed to deal with the slow assimilation of the clots.

This is the high risk period, because if the clot, or parts of it, break free and travel on through the circulatory system, it fetches up in the lungs, where it causes something called a pulmonary embolism, which, if you're unlucky, could be fatal.

Since you are now on Warfarin, the most important thing is to establish the correct dosage, which is ascertained by frequent blood checks. If your blood is too thin, you have a problem. If your blood is too thick, you also have a problem - this is the reason for those checks and the doctor will adjust your Warfarin dose according to your INR results. This is crucial.

You may expect, if all goes well, to be under treatment, with repetitive checks, for about 12 months. From thereon, as David has said, the veins never quite recover their original integrity and elasticity and you should pay particular attention to proper and adequate hydration, a healthier diet and some modest exercise to prevent the possibility of further incidents of blood pooling in the lower limbs.

DVT is a serious condition - do not ignore the symptoms.

I'm hoping that we can expect passenger safety to be further enhanced by the addition of a nice ceremony just prior to take-off, with chanting monks going up and down the aisles and flicking lucky water around. Not sure how that would work in the cockpit, but something could be worked out.

Once that's all done, passengers and crew can settle down secure in the knowledge that the flight will be a safe one. And think of the tourists - experiencing real Thai culture at the click of a seat belt.

Well, a possibility worth trying might be to fill the compartments on the side where the cubes don't stick.

Do not repeat a friend's mistake. Ask your lady about the ablutions facilities. The big jar outside is not a bath - it's their drinking water.

Thanks, Nienke. Guess we'll try the folk at khon Kaen and see what they can do.

I get my Glucosamine OTC at a nearby pharmacy at 420 baht for 30 sachets. For treatment of other conditions I too have been prescribed meds which I neither needed nor wanted. There was a slight problem from the fact that the slip given to the patient to give to the cashier does not detail the meds - probably because of the magic of computer talk between doctor and pharmacy.

When with the doctor, I now make sure we agree on the meds to be paid for and issued, as the cashier has not been too keen on backtracking on over-prescription. Maybe worthwhile to make notes ahead of and during the consultation.

Yes, a good result, and perhaps the young doctor has gained both knowledge and experience. As you've said, I also think that there's no need to take it further unless, of course, it is repeated. Which is unlikely.

Isn't this just typical of these hi-so models - slipping mercury into the mixing bowl when they think no-one's looking. Just goes to show, a little education, and next thing you know, these young ladies will be operating nuclear power stations or running the country! Bad, bad girls!

Thanks, Sheryl - feline runny nose was the first thing that came up on that site. We're based in Lahansai, which is close to Nangrong (Buriram). I think our vet, though kind and well-meaning, lacks the ability for in-depth diagnostics and would therefore be grateful to learn of any nearby vet facility that might offer a fuller diagnostic service.

I think it's clear from your post #8 that you were unfortunate enough to be attended to by an inexperienced doctor whose field of expertise and experience does not include pulmonology. It's not a particularly common calling, you'll agree, and certainly she would probably not have been prepared for a LVRS patient going through an exacerbation. You've spoken kindly of the treatment you receive, (and have received), from the other staff at the hospital. If this particular, inexperienced doctor has been advised by her fellows that there was a better way to handle the situation, (and also by the hospital admin), perhaps she may learn from the experience and will be better prepared for the next patient with a condition like yours.

We all have to learn - and perhaps some good will come of this. Easy breathing.

Our spayed female, approximately 13 -14 yo and in otherwise good health, has a repetitive problem with her respiratory system. I'd describe the symptoms as being as if she had a cold, with nasal discharge, occasionally with blood. Appetite remains good, weight is normal, and she still likes to play - fur and skin condition remain good. She now spends around 1 week in 4 at the vet where she gets antibiotic injections and nose/eye drops. When we get her back, she's OK for a while, but then she gets poorly again within a couple of weeks.

Any ideas on what else we should or could try? All her feline injections are up to date.

I, similarly, have to deal with COPD - though my condition is deemed 'moderate'. I would expect that the doctor dealing with my case and the regular tests involved, should be a pulmonologist and who, therefore, should be familiar with my symptoms and previous treatments and who should be consulted in the event of an exacerbation, especially if that involves a repetitive infection which you, (as the patient), recognise, even if the pulmonologist himself is not immediately available to see you.

COPD patients, (especially after LVRS), are well aware of their condition, the potential for repetitive infection, and the treatment that previously alleviated the situation, and should be listened to, even by the available doctors who are not (themselves) pulmonologists and not familiar with your particular case.

Stick to your guns, Harrry. And good luck and better breathing.

Since I originate from the un-smiling UK, I rather enjoy the Thai smile.

However, I'm aware that there is frequently another agenda.

Thai smile 1:- I have picked you out as a mark, and you are about to get shafted.

Thai smile 2:- You are in the process of being shafted.

Thai smile 3:- I have successfully shafted you.

Although, sometimes it can just be wind.

Note to self:- in the interests of good health, continue to avoid proximity to big cats. And cougars.

Country pub food, a village green cricket match played in front of that pub, the long summer evenings, early morning birdsong, real ale and the almost wondrous experience of being able to communicate in English without first thinking how to simplify what you want to say. Now that's a luxury.

Wouldn't be too keen on the winter months, though.

Had a bit of good news. Last year in a two bit karaoke joint near me a guy was shot and killed, last week a guy was killed with a blade.

The police have now closed it down.

There are some who might regard that as three bits of good news. Not me, of course.

'96 or possibly '97. On Sukumvit, having just crossed Asoke. There were (possibly still are), two or three phone booths on the kerbside of the sidewalk. No warning at all - guy stepped out from behind the booths and hit me in the face with a lump of wood and I went down. Semi-conscious, I was aware of him going through my back pockets and getting my wallet, then he was gone - it was very quick. As a result I lost four top front teeth and the top lip was split. A Thai couple offered assistance, managed to get a taxi and escorted me to my home in Huay Kwang.

Fortunately, I never keep money in a wallet. My cash was in a separate pocket and my wallet contained business cards, bank cards and a Foodland credit card, all of which were easy to cancel. Lip was nicely stitched but new teeth were a bit spendy. So, even on a main street like Sukumvit it can still happen. And yes, I was stone cold sober.

life is short, love is fleeting. immediately fly to thailand and spend time with her. i'm serious, not joking. prove to her that you will do anything to help. if you can afford to go, do it. can you imagine how much it would mean to you if you got hurt and she flew over to see you? exactly. this is the only way to really know. if you rely on skype and phone calls, ah, that is not true love. or, if you don't have the cash to travel now, maybe send flowers. something unique. she needs you now.

Not so sure about the flowers. Long, long ago, I thought I'd surprise my girlfriend with a dozen, imported long stem roses, for her birthday. Did the same the following year, but this time there came the question, 'why did you buy the roses? I can't eat them. Better if you just gave me the money'. My take is that the Thais are far more pragmatic than western romanticists trying to score love points.

Money does the job better. Every time! But I could be wrong.

No flash, no big showmanship - the guy just sits and plays his stuff. Remarkable!

Knowing nothing about your specific needs, or about prosthetics in general, I did see in one of the English language Thursday newspapers, in their business section, news of the upcoming Thailand Research Expo 2013, to be held in Centara Grand at Central World from Aug 23-27, some information regarding a flexible prosthetic leg which, they state, can be made for only 40,000 baht compared with the price tag of 420,000 - 600,000 baht for imported versions.

Possibly worth checking out? It has apparently been developed by a mechanical engineering student at Prince of Songkla University.

Just today, I noticed a smell like cat piss in my Fortuner. I tracked it down to wet carpets, a result of water slopping out of a water container. Easy to fix.

A week or so ago I also noticed unusual noise and also spotted black foam fragments in the driver seat well. That turned out to be a rat attack on the seal that fits around the brake pedal at the bulkhead - without the seal, engine noise intruded. That required the whole damn fitting to be replaced, it was both costly and time-consuming.

Bugger the rats!

I don't believe in God and I never pray for God. I pray for the truth that if what I have just done is a good thing, please empower me with wisdom. That's all.

So, to whom, or what, do you pray for this empowerment?

It is not called praying. In Buddhism this kind of 'determination' is called Attithana . The determination to attain a certain insight or level of practice. In meditation one might determine to see a past cause for one's present karmic vipakha ( the fruit of past karma), or see a past existence.

There is no god who grants this wish. It is all due to natural laws and consequences...Dhamma. By practising with determination one might attain the result.

The power of the mind, the laws of karma and nature, are beyond our understanding.....but they are laws which apply to all beings, no matter what their beliefs or desires or understanding.

Thanks for your response. I too, am unsustained by a faith in religion, but find Buddhism, (in its essence, and not as popularly practised in Thailand), to be the most credible code by which to live. Your post gives me something to think about.

I don't believe in God and I never pray for God. I pray for the truth that if what I have just done is a good thing, please empower me with wisdom. That's all.

So, to whom, or what, do you pray for this empowerment?