Pappap

2 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

One of these doctors (do nto be put off by fact they are on the cancer service, they handle any type of pain)

 

https://www.bangkokhospital.com/en/doctor/asst-prof-dr-pornpan-chalermkitpanit

 

https://www.bangkokhospital.com/en/doctor/dr-laksamee-chanvej

 

https://www.bangkokhospital.com/en/doctor/dr-pramote-euasobhon

 

They work with other specialties like neuro etc.

 

If they cannot address headache prevention, suggest you also see

 

https://www.bangkokinternationalhospital.com/doctors/dr-chakorn-chansakul

 

and ask specifically if you are a candidate for Botox or triptans

 

Re NSAIDs, concurrnet use of PPI likeo meprazole can help prevent stomach issues and you might alternate between the tramadol and an NSAId i.e. each just 2-3 times a week

Thank you ever so much, this is so much appreciated. 🙏😊

14 hours ago, Lorry said:

25mg Tramadol is such a low dose that you should be able to leave it away completely or use other forms of pain management (Paracetamol, physical therapy,  acupuncture)

yes my thoughts as well but for some strange reason non of the over the counter pain killers even touch it, and have done the physio acu etc, acu did start to ease the heads so will prob go back to that, thanks..

3 hours ago, Sheryl said:

I still think you should see a headache specialist and consider botox or preventive med. Where in Thailand are you? why would you prefer to kerp taking these meds ehen the headaches csn be prevented or reduced in frequency?

 

as to other treatments for the back pain it depends on cause. If due to inflammation, NSAIDs will do more than tramadol.  Be sure to take with food and lowest dose needed as heavy usage can be rough on the kidneys. A single dose a few times a week shoulx be fine if you have no kidney or stomach problems. 

 

If the pain is due to muscle spasm then heating pad, massage, maybe accupuncture (in addition to PT) are helpful.

 

If the pain is voming ftom a doecific nerve, nerve blick migjf help.

 

You should see a pain specialist. Again, where in Thailand are you? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you, am in Krabi but am happy to travel up to Bangkok which may be the sensible answer. As mentioned the back pain is caused by incorrect walking posture for many years, weak muscles due to severed nerves in the neck, actually started the Tramadol/Ergot route after taking way to many NSAIDS over the years, stomache started complaining!!!... I'll go with your first suggestion and decrease the regularity, using various Physio/Acu and gentler painkillers, when it flares up. Was hoping that longterm small dosage of Tramadol may be ok but seems not to be the case as you kindly pointed out. Will ease up for a month or two and reasses after that. Once again thank you for your time, and a pain/nerve specialist in Bangkok would be much appreciated.

2 minutes ago, Pappap said:

Is that Gabapentin?

Blimey seems worse than I'm using! 🙂 worth a look though ta..don't think so though..

Just now, Pappap said:

Thanks will have a look..

Is that Gabapentin?

18 minutes ago, bubblegum said:

Nerve damage would be cabapentin, no?

Thanks will have a look..

42 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

First of all, ergotamine has no effect whatsoever on back pain, it is not a pain killer as such. Its utility is only for throbbing (vascular) headaches i.e. migraine.

 

Are you actually having severe throbbing  headaches 5-6 times a week? If so, you need a preventive treatment and should see a specialist in migraines.  There are medications suitable for long term use that can prevent, or at least decrease, these headaches. Also, botox injections work well for some people (repeated about every 3 months). Botox is especially helpful for people with 15 or more headaches a month. Such treatments should make it possible to greatly reduce the ergotamine usage to an occasional level.

 

Note that Cefergot also contains caffeine, also an issue if taking regularly.

 

The back pain is a different matter. Ideally, the cause should be addressed. Prior nerve damage will not cause pain now (though it could cause functional limitations -- but sounds not so for you if you can regularly work out), but current compression of nerves will cause pain (as I know all too well first hand myself! This  can often be effectively treated with newer, minimally invasive surgical techniques. Have you seen a good spine specialist? (There are only a handful in Thailand, all in Bangkok).

 

Long-term tramadol use is definitely unadvisable. Addiction aside,  it is highly likely to cause GI problems (chronic constipation, IBS-like symptoms), and can also cause liver and kidney damage, cardiovascular problems, and weakened immune function. Nobody can tell you exactly how many doses/how often will have this effect but 5-6 times a week  is pushing it IMO. If you can get it down to say not more than 3 doses a week and never 2 days consecutively, you'd be safer.

 

 

Thank you, no the egotamine is only for the head pain and for some reason it seems to work even in a very small dose, not throbbing heads but seems to clear them, may be related to the back issues which are caused by bad walking gait due to neck nerve damage years ago, nothing I can do about it, hence the gym to build spine muscle support. Yep if I can cut them down to fewer times a week would be a sensible solution, think I've tried most other remidies! diet acupuncture physio etc, had enough! Maybe someone will suggest a similar pain killer with less side effects, thanks..

HI, I've done a lot of research but can find no definitive answer to long term use of Cafergot (ergotamine) and Tramadol in "small" doses.

 I know it's suggested that both are not for long term use and Tramadol can become addictive, but since using for constant back pain (nerve damage) and headaches (possibly linked) life is much happier. Been taking for a year or so, and am not needing to increase the doseage as the body gets used to it.

 I’m only taking half a tablet (25mg tramadol 50 mg Cafergot) prob 5 or 6 days a week,sometimes together, sometimes alternated, when necessary.

Mid 70s very fit, gym 5 days a week, minimal aclohol and no other health issues whatsoever, but need to know if anyone else has been using any of these for a long time? And any issues that may have developed. I've tried all the usual pain killers etc but none really work. Any info/advice much appreciate thanks.

2 hours ago, AAArdvark said:

incorrect, i did not have to,  Did not have the 800K and I was able to get an extension using 12 65K deposits after my 1st year..

That would be brilliant, if the OP's friend is able to do this then I can use mine a lot earlier than I thought..ta...

25 minutes ago, Brick Top said:

I am doing the same thing   switching from.the 800k to the 65k monthly. 

I renewed my recent extension in Mid January as my visa expired on March 1st. I strated sending 65k via Wise on 3 January 

I checked with the immigration officers in Phuket , they were very helpful and told me everything will be ok next year but to make sure i dont go below the 800,000 for a full 3 months from March 1st 2024.

They informed me they will still require a 12 month bank statement next year showing i did not go below the 800k and another 12 month bank statement showing the 12 International 65k bank transfes .

I use different banks , Krungsri for the 800k deposit and Bangkok bank for 65k transfers.

They did confirm that after the 3 months is up from March 1st  to June 1st , i can use the full 800k to spend ot transfer out if i want to .

Asked the same question re changing from 800k to 65k a few months ago and this seems to be the correct proceedure, therefore if OPs friend has used the funds from the 800k before the 3 months was up seems whole procedure, eithere 800 or 65 metchod has to be started again. as Brick Top did aks the IO then you'll def know  😉

Just been on a quick return to UK, LHR...1 week  with Thai Airways, business, 130.000 baht, excellent, from the lounges to the service and food on the plane. Have improved a lot since pre covid, can't be bothered with a stopover just want to get there..and back!!

Been taking these for years, slowing trying to ease of the amount taken, Tafago doesn't seem to like me but no problems with Cafagot. Average twice a week but can feel when a migraine is coming, moods, different food wants etc so ! tablet usually stops it. Now using Tramadol 50mg as an alternative to get the body away from the Cafegot, yep I know addictive but use sparingly and at then back to the Cafegot.

The big one is I've started Accupuncture once a week, 5 weeks now and down to ! attack a week and not so severe, also the general well being is improving, probably because of less meds. been through all the foods, drinks, sleep tests etc. Very fit,etc for an old git!! Good luck. 

16 hours ago, bbko said:

Yes, after a few months of me doing monthly transfers and feeling sure about how to do it, I started using that money for other things. 

One small mistake I learned about was; that time I was using that one bank account for daily shopping, cash w/d, bill payments, etc. and I didn't update my bank book right after the overseas transfer and after several weeks, all my payments, deposits, w/d got consolidated and the FTT code wasn't in my bankbook but easily obtainable from the bank.

Now I have 2 bank accounts, one only for the monthly transfers, and the other for daily transactions, less photocopying during visa extension time. 

Perfick 🙏 yep have two accounts already to keep transfers easily visible, thank you 🤗

4 hours ago, bbko said:

About 3 years ago I switched from parking my money in a Thai bank, to doing monthly international transfers using Wise.

The way I did it was about two-three months before my annual extension using the money in the bank method, I started doing FTT transfers (just to learn the system), then once my money in the bank extension was approved, I let it sit there for a few more months but continued the monthly transfers.  The following year, about 3 weeks prior to my extension, I requested the bank letters (they take 5-7 business days) and got my extensions from then on, no problems.

Thanks,thats exactly my plan...just one unknown, did you use/withdraw the 800k after a few months? 

1 hour ago, Brick Top said:

I did the same thing 4 years ago , but i never did anything with the 800,000 , i just left it in the Krungsri bank.

Then as the GBP to THB strated getting low and UK interest  rates were still around 1% , i went back to the 800,000 way. 

 

Last month,  i did my extension again using the 800,000 but i started again transferring 65,000 via Wise into my Bangkok bank with the intention of doing the 2025 extension using the income method. 

I asked the very helpful female immigration officer who dealt with my extension last month at Phuket about the procedure for changing over . She clearly told me all i have to do is make sure i keep the 800,000 in my bank for 3 months from my extension date which is actually March 1st. Then obviously make sure the 65,000 are done in every individual month and show international transfer which is easy to fo using Wise and Bangkok bank.

 

Thanks 🙏

Have been doing my yearly retirement extension with the 800k method. I'm intending to change to the 65k per month income method. Theory is if I start transfering 3 to 4 months prior to this years renewel but still keep the 800 for this years extension then the following year I can extend usuing the 65k per month. Do I have to keep the 800k for the following 3 months before I can withdraw it as the extension this year will be granted on the yearly system? therefore do I have to maintain the 400k as well? and is there any other criteria needed in order to change from one system to the other? UK based. Thanks.

Just now, saintdomingo said:

Thank you for that Pappap, I am already here so wil that confuse them.? 

No they'll just want to know when you left, the pension is frozen at that level from then, some will say as you have a uk address maybe consider delaying telling them so as to get the pension increase, I'm not getting into the issue's regarding that but it appears some don't inform them. :-)

10 minutes ago, saintdomingo said:

I wil be living here permanently, so what is the drill with informing the DWP.? 

A simple process or do they make a meal of it.? The pension will still be going into my UK bank so minimal change for them. 

Simple, just phone them up and tell them when you are leaving, they will need an address to send the confirmation you are still alive every couple of years.

25 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

Each will should acknowledge the existence of the other, that's as far as it need to go.

Thanks, can now get all sorted...:-)

Thanks, seems the answer is two totally separate wills in both countries, different executors and update in each country if necessary. Those who have done this are the other countries/lawyers/executors notified of the other will? Thanks for all the answers.

Hi, has anyone experience of having two separate and different wills in two countries, i.e. one in Thailand and one in the UK. Seems this would be easier for the relevant executors/administrators in each country, one dealing with each country. Thanks.

The government hospital, (where I live, Krabi) End/Colon are as have been quoted 10/11000k for both, go to a clinic in the town/city that offers these, sometimes the sign outside will only say Endoscopy and usually all in Thai, but they usually offer both, the one I found was the doctor that performed the test in the government hosp, I paid a consultation fee of 1000bht and the endoscopy was done within 3 days, colon next week. I had done the same research as most here and was expecting 30/40k....... hope this applies to wherever you live.

1 hour ago, FarangRimPing said:

I've gone on this cruise about 10 times with different guests. Everyone has really loved it.

 

The Manohra Cruises rice barges are antique and carefully restored to preserve the original artistry. Carved from teak and with a traditional reua krachaeng canopy, the setting is intimate and guests enjoy a cool river breeze. These iconic vessels were once the primary mode of transport on the river, particularly during the Thonburi period in the mid 18th century, harking back to a golden era when Bangkok was a major trading destination.

 

https://www.manohracruises.com/default/special-offers/manohra-dinner-cruise

I'll second this one, absolutely delightful, classic Thai music and dancing, very friendly and not very big.

Updated bank book showing all of last years requirements.

Letter from the Bank

Copy of Passport

Copy of Visa

Copy of house rental contract

Photo of you outside of where you live

Map of where your house is

TM 7 Form

Passport picture

This is what I took 3 weeks ago, all done within 20 mins, wait time 30 mins, went early am 9ish this time of year really quiet and pretty helpful as well, enjoy Krabi.

Excellent replies, thank you.