ThaiPauly

I am trying to source a western booster vaccination for my wife who is going in hospital for a month next week

The doctor who is admitting her has said that there has been quite a lot of covid cases in this particular hospital. She could really do without being infected while being ill already.

She has had two Chinese vaccines and one Moderna.

I would like to give her a second booster before she goes in.

I have tried Ram  Bangkok Hospital , Rajevej and Lanna with no success.

So has anyone any experience getting one elsewhere

Many thanks

I am shocked to hear  this news.

Having been a member of this forum since 2004 I have had many interactions with Nancy down the years.

A kind caring, considerate lady who gave a lot if herself to the foreigners living, or having problems living here.

My condolences to her husband, the forum will never be the same again without her.

RIP Nancy

22 hours ago, simon43 said:

Slipping over in the shower is quite a common cause of death for older folk I think.  I've read of several deaths of forum/other forum members in this manner.

Ron from The Chiang Mai Saloon is one old boy I can think of who died in this way

RIP.

Good one at Ram, she is only there 5pm to 7pm on Mondays.

Sorry but I can't recall her name but she was pretty switched on.

She is the only one they have there so....

Good luck

1 hour ago, mstevens said:

Your diet is quite limited, but if that is what works for you, then stick with it while you figure out what is going on with your stomach. Don't stick with a limited diet forever because we need a variety of foods. Is the diet this limited because you have reactions / intolerances to various foods? If that is the case, I'd Google dysbiosis and also SIBO. You *might* have one of them. That said, you're eating bread which contains gluten and many people with stomach issues react to gluten, even if they are not Celiac. Ditto with eggs.

 

I note another poster suggested a low FODMAP diet. I agree with them and think that could be something to try. Again, Google is your friend - there are a lot of low FODMAP lists out there.

 

One other hint. While your diet is limited, it would certainly be worth taking a quality multivitamin.

Thanks.

I am taking multi vitamins and electrolytes.

I have previously been tested for Celiac disease and I am clear.

Things seem to be calming down, I have just eaten Tuna fish for lunch and an hour later have had no stomach issues so far today.

I obviously don't intend to stick to this diet for life, but until I have recovered I will carry on

50 minutes ago, mstevens said:

What did they test for in the stool sample? Did you get a printout of the results? Often hospital stool tests just look for H Pylori. Did they look, for example, at the fat content (which would show whether you have trouble digesting fat and can manifest itself as loose stools and indicate a liver or, more likely, gallbladder issue). I imagine Thai hospitals don't go in to details about strains of bacteria present - but that might be needed as you might have a serious cases of dysbiosis which is manifesting itself as diarrhea.

 

Also, where exactly is your stomach ache. The location of the ache might indicate an issue with one of the organs which supports digestion - and if there is an issue with an organ it can result in diarrhea. Upper right quadrant would be liver / gallbladder. Upper left would be pancreas etc.

This is a lot to take in

I don't think hospitals up here look into these kind of things

I have never heard of disposis!!

Things have improved a bit since I started this thread.  I have only been once since Wednesday night, and although the stool is not that firm, it is not dioreah. 

Similarly, I have not had stomach pains for the same length of time.

Regarding you next post, I have not been eating any green vegetables 

My diet is white bread  eggs potatoes tuna fish, chicken and I drink camomile tea.

Thank you for putting so much into your reply, it is appreciated, even if it's a bit scary.

11 hours ago, Sheryl said:

The Albemed is albendaxole and treats several types of worms. However these do not usually cause diarrhea.

 

Parasites  that commonly  cause diarrhea include things like giardia...but the treatment (flagyl?) Is difficult to tolerate ?(nausea etc) so not a great idea to treat for ot without a positive stool test. 

 

Bioflor might help, can't hurt.

 

I have no idea why nexium. 

 

Who diagnosed your UC, on what basis and when? 

 

 

It was a Doc at Ram many years ago  at least 10 Sheryl.

I can't remember the name of the doctor now.

27 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Wait and ask the doctor. Possible that you misunderstood him and he just meant no other new problem was seen, nto that no sign of UC was seen. (But if really no sign of UC then you really need to consult the Bkk Dr I mentioned).

 

Nexium is not a probiotic. It is a PPI which decreases acidity in the stomach. Won't do anything for diarrhea and I am not sure why prescribed unless GP was concerned that the parasite medication would irritate lining of the stomach. Exactly what parasite medication where you given?

HI Sheryl    She prescibed  me Albemed/Allendale 200mg 

2 tablets before bed

Also Bioflor probiotic which she said is superior to what I normally use

Combif AR

As it goes of course, after starting this thread I have not been to the toilet today but have still had stomach pain so I took one Ultracet for it and it seemed to work.

I have had worse days than today

3 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Should have led with that, as UC flare up could be  the culprit. Though I am puzzled by your statement that the colonoscopy "found nothing wrong" -- UC should be evident on colonscopy and if it was not then that diagnosis may be in question.

 

UC is very rare in Thais so few doctors here have much expertise in treating it. Unfortunately I do not know of a single one in Chiang Mai. In Bangkok, this doctor seems the 

 

https://sriphat.med.cmu.ac.th/en/doctor/detail/63

Who is there tomorrow

 

 

 

 

This is the same  doctor who performed my endoscopy Sheryl.

I have an appointment next Friday to review it and get the results of the biopsy from him.

I have just got back from my GP who said that I should resume taking Nexium  a better pro biotic, and tablets for parasite control...it could be because of that  but probably not  but does no harm.

The report said that I had a history  of Ulcerative Colitis but you said that it would have shown up on the endoscopy report, which as you know it did not.

So reducing my doseage back from 4 a day to 1 may be prudent?

What do you think Sheryl?

7 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

You need to verify with the Sripgat specialust: did endoscopy show no sign of ulcerative colitis? If so you need to see a UC specialist as may have bern misdiagnosed.

 

Salofalk can cause severe diarrhea as a dide effect  so if that dose change preceded the problem -- or the problem got worse after dose increased - this could be the culprit.

The increased doseage hasn't really made any difference.

I will discuss  this first with my GP this afternoon.

Thanks Sheryl

50 minutes ago, Seppius said:

Are you absolutely sure of your water supply? Both for drinking and washing?.

 

I remember a friend a few years ago was having terrible medical problems, skin and stomach, turned out when he had his water tank examined it was full of rotting dead roacher's and other debris.

 

Long shot, but might be worth checking out, also change drinking water supplier

 

I clean my tank regularly  but as I mentioned before we do have an Amway water filter, have had it 10 years or so and has never caused me the kind of problems I have now.

However, to be sure I have switched to pre-bottled water as you never know?

44 minutes ago, Eff1n2ret said:

Are you on medication for that? I only ask because at a check-up nearly 3 months ago I was diagnosed having high blood sugar, borderline type 2 diabetes. The doc prescribed metformin (Glucophage 1000mg). Over the next 6 weeks I suffered headaches and 3 bouts of stomach pain and severe diarrhoea. The leaflet with those pills mentions gastric upsets as a common side effect, also that they are largely ineffective for over-75s and not recommended. I am 78. I stopped taking them and have been fine ever since. I have a follow-up appointment in just over a week and will tell the doc that if there is no alternative chemical, then I will reduce my blood sugar as best I can.

Just another possible cause to consider. I hope you get better.

My doctor reduced my dose of Glucophage from 1600 to 800 mgs a day.

Really has not made any difference.

That was about 10 days ago  so cannot be sure  it may not have registered in my gut yet.

16 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Should have led with that, as UC flare up could be  the culprit. Though I am puzzled by your statement that the colonoscopy "found nothing wrong" -- UC should be evident on colonscopy and if it was not then that diagnosis may be in question.

 

UC is very rare in Thais so few doctors here have much expertise in treating it. Unfortunately I do not know of a single one in Chiang Mai. In Bangkok, this doctor seems the most experienced:

 

Assoc.Prof. Sathaporn Manatsathit

https://zeekdoc.com/en/doctor/assoc-prof-sathaporn-manatsathit-252?clinic_id=98

can be seen at https://www.vichaiyut.com/en/profile_doctor/dr-sathaporn-manatsathit/

or

https://chaophrayahospital.com/?doctors=sathaporn-manatsathit-md

or

Siriraj Hospital - he is nto listed on their private wing web site but you could call and ask https://www.siphhospital.com/en

 

 

You should definitely consult him (especially given what is now doubt re accuracy of your UC diagnosis) but I can appreciate right now would be difficult with the uncontrolled diarrhea.

 

in the interim best option in CM appears to be:

 

https://sriphat.med.cmu.ac.th/en/doctor/detail/63

Who is there tomorrow

 

 

By the way, what medications are you on and have there been any recent changes i nthese (drug or dose)?

 

Thank you Sheryl

I was on 1700 mgs of Glucophage 

But the doctor has cut this dose in half.

Salofalk, normally 1 x 500mg daily but now 4x 500mg.

Then there is heart meds Like Avrostatin 2mg, Blopress 4mg Apolet blood thinner.

It was tge specialist at Sriphat that carried out the endoscopy, they results show everything is normal, but he took a biopsy, and don't know why?

I am seeing him for follow up in 10 days.

I'm seeing my GP this afternoon to discuss further action including perhaps getting meds in case it could just be a parasite.

I have had them before and the meds cured me.

We will see where we go from here

Thanks so much for your imput

2 hours ago, In the jungle said:

I have never liked greens since I was a child but still eat them.

 

Yummy, broccoli again ????

I don't  mind Brocolli and normally eat it several times a week

53 minutes ago, ThaiPauly said:

Thanks,

 

I contacted my local pharmacy and they do not have any

Do you happen to know the name?

I will try my doctor  next

My doctor has them

1 hour ago, Lacessit said:

The reason I raised the possibility of a parasite was my former boss acquired giardia on a trip to the USA, and his symptoms were identical to yours.

It's also worth noting it took doctors in Australia about 3 months to diagnose his illness correctly, with one highly qualified physician claiming it was psychosomatic.

Thanks,

I contacted my local pharmacy and they do not have any

Do you happen to know the name?

I will try my doctor  next

21 minutes ago, Denim said:

Apart from what you eat , has the time you eat changed and if you skip a meal does it effect you ?

I try and eat 3 times daily, but small portions.

I was on a  keto diet with time restricted eating (18/6) 2 months before all this started.

Don't know if that could have anything to do with it?

53 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

What are you eating?

Has anyone analysed a stool sample?

It sounds to me like you may have acquired a parasitic infection, such as giardia or cryptospiridia. Such infections AFAIK are not treatable with conventional antibiotics, in fact they may make the diarrhea worse.

I would suggest asking Sheryl.

Yes a stool sample was the first thing they asked for  but initially I went about the stomach pain  and the stool analysis was OK then, but I have not given one since the dioreah  commenced.

Think I will have to have one in my next visit to the hospital.

I have had Ulcerative Colitis for ten years.

I take Salafalk every day but have increased my dose ×4

My gastro doctor suggested this  but it does not seem to have made any difference

8 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Apart from the eggs, a high carb diet. Not good for Type 2 diabetes.

It's what Google recommends I eat for my problem

My diebetis is under control

3 minutes ago, nigelforbes said:

Alcohol?

None since I came down with this

5 minutes ago, 3NUMBAS said:

whats ya diet now ?? and safe water ,,,any electrolyte ??

Diet is eggs, white bread, mashed potato, bananas.

My wife filters the water  but I prefer to drink bottled water.

Yes taking electrolyte once a day as I feel quite week, I can't even walk round my moo Baan right now  before I got sick I could do it four times

I have had the runs for six weeks.

Also have bad stomach ache frequently.

Went to see the gastro doc at BK Hospital here in CM .

Initially she put me on 2 lots of antibiotics for 3 weeks  Cevit being the main one.

The tablets did not cure the problem so she gave me a CT Scan and said the results were "unclear" and I needed a "special" endoscopy that was only available  at Shriphat Hospital. This endoscope can apparently see what other endoscopy in CM cannot  and costs 30k.

So I had it done Monday, doc said in a very brief conversation that he could find nothing wrong, but had taken a biopsy just to check.

But I still have acute dioreah and stomach pain.

He said I did not need a colonoscopy  as I only had one 20 months ago.

So what now?

I am pretty much housebound, I have to sit down to pee as I "go" when I pee.

Anybody with similar experience  or ideas of what to do next?

I am due to see the doctor at Shriphat again Monday week  but I can't wait that long  and he is not my usual gastro doctor.