I just had a scary episide

[theguyfromanotherforum]

I have been having a high fever since Sunday. It was getting better than worse, so I didn't go see a doctor. Last night, however, it was very high, so I took 2 tylenols to sweat it out at night. I did, changed my soaked shirt and continued sleeping.

 

At around 3am I woke up feeling sick probably due to dyhadration. I got up to get some water and the next thing I remember is just a loud bang and my wife standing over me. The next thing I noticed is floor full of blood. I touch the back of my head and feel the deepest cut I ever experienced in my life. Funny thing my head doesn't hurt at all, but I remember Liam Neeson wife story and request we go to hospital right away. At the hospital the nurse confirms a cut all the way to my skull and asks if I could stay a night for observation. Normally, I would except that today I had important matters to do from home. She suggests a cat scan. They stitch me up and send me off for a head scan. Cat scan says I'm 100% ok. They give me a tetanus shot, some antibiotics and send me home.

 

A few questions. 

 

Can an there be a delayed head injury that a scan wouldn't show. I took it about 3 hours after falling down.

 

Should I go back to a hospital for observation? I feel really fine which is amazing considering the injury. Actually, my back hurts more and can barely move my right leg which I think I must have hurt a nerve or something during the fall. I'm saying this because it will be a rather uncomfortable 24 hours in a hospital bed.

 

If anyone is curious a 128 slice CAT scan at The Ram hospital was just over 7000 baht.

[NanLaew]

Since you haven't sussed out what the cause of the initial fever, nausea and blackout was, I would take the sore back and gammy leg back to hospital and spend at least couple of days under observation. There's no telling if the aches and pains are related to the fall or the fever you had before it.

 

Scalp wounds always look more dramatic than they are with loads of blood but knocking yourself out needs a bit more attention. I will defer to someone with medical knowledge to confirm if the early CAT scan is some kind of 'silver bullet' diagnosis but it sounds like you had a mild concussion at least and surprised they let you out the door so easily.

[Sheryl]

CT will have ruled out any collection of blood within the brain now.

 

It is possible to have a delayed bleed, which can manifest in symptoms anywhere from a day to a week or more later. The risk of this is much higher if you have been on aspirin or other anticoagulant

 

There is also the issue of why you passed out to begin with, if you are that dehydrated 24 hours in hospital on a drip might not be a bad idea

[katana]

When you've been lying down for a long time eg sleeping and get up quickly it's not unusual to sometimes feel faint and very occasionally pass out. The dizziness occurs because of a transient drop in blood pressure. When you stand up quickly, gravity pulls your blood toward your feet. As a result, low blood flow to the brain causes you to feel dizzy and lightheaded for a few seconds.

[al007]

Approaching 73 and a bit overweight

 

When I wake at night for bathroom , I sit on the side of the bed for a min or two, until my strength returns and slowly stand, with the bed supporting the backs of my lower legs

 

Many many older people die eventually as a result of falling, this seldom being recorded as the cause of death

 

Then one tends to sit on the toilet and fall asleep there but not so far to go

 

In any case better than nodding off when driving, which is why if I ever feel that coming; stop immediately and say to wife you drive a bit

 

Keep smiling , enjoy and be careful

[theguyfromanotherforum]

Thanks for all the replies. The head injury was scary. I took the picture right after "woke up" and I still wonder how I banged my head and survived this. I don't know why, but Thailand makes me very weak physically....It's like the heat sucks out all the nutrients out of my body. I don't smoke or drink.

 

http://oi67.tinypic.com/2janfc5.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Rc2702]

8 minutes ago, theguyfromanotherforum said:

Thanks for all the replies. The head injury was scary. I took the picture right after "woke up" and I still wonder how I banged my head and survived this. I don't know why, but Thailand makes me very weak physically....It's like the heat sucks out all the nutrients out of my body. I don't smoke or drink.

 

http://oi67.tinypic.com/2janfc5.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No chance, that's a machete attack that is all day long. Someone caught up with you? What did you fall onto a guillotine tipped bathroom step?

 

You must be fine, you are more informative than ever before. 7000 for a cat is pricey though. You can get em free if you look hard enough.

[al007]

2 hours ago, theguyfromanotherforum said:

Thanks for all the replies. The head injury was scary. I took the picture right after "woke up" and I still wonder how I banged my head and survived this. I don't know why, but Thailand makes me very weak physically....It's like the heat sucks out all the nutrients out of my body. I don't smoke or drink.

 

http://oi67.tinypic.com/2janfc5.jpg

 

Yes it is scary and that scar pretty awful

 

Stay vigilant and keep watching, 24 mths ago when loosing big quantities of blood and a few days in ICU, and CAT scan about same as you paid, and colonoscopy I was discharged

and told do not worry, the answer I wanted

A year later at another hospital cancer found, and the evidence was misinterpreted by the first hospital

 

However stay lucky, but watch and watch

[scubascuba3]

Thanks for all the replies. The head injury was scary. I took the picture right after "woke up" and I still wonder how I banged my head and survived this. I don't know why, but Thailand makes me very weak physically....It's like the heat sucks out all the nutrients out of my body. I don't smoke or drink.
 
http://oi67.tinypic.com/2janfc5.jpg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Am i the only one who can't see an image?

[Sheryl]

12 hours ago, Rc2702 said:

No chance, that's a machete attack that is all day long. Someone caught up with you? What did you fall onto a guillotine tipped bathroom step?

 

You must be fine, you are more informative than ever before. 7000 for a cat is pricey though. You can get em free if you look hard enough.

Actually 7000 for a CT is quite reasonable especially if it was with contrast. I have known it to cost more in govt hospitals.

 

I a not aware of anyplace an expat can get a CT for free.

[Rc2702]

Just now, Sheryl said:

Actually 7000 for a CT is quite reasonable especially if it was with contrast. I have known it to cost more in govt hospitals.

 

I a not aware of anyplace an expat can get a CT for free.

Attempt at humour sheryl. 7k for a cat. Meow

Edited September 16, 2017 by Rc2702

[Rc2702]

On a serious note. I think given you are part ukranian you will come back stronger and that scar will make people wary so there is an upside. Get better soon Guy.

[al007]

8 minutes ago, Rc2702 said:

Attempt at humour sheryl. 7k for a cat. Meow

I too have to tread carefully, my english humor also and often misunderstood, unfortunately on TVF there is not enough

 

I originally had guessed your meaning and was waiting and watching for the fish to bite

 

In any case Rc2702 you make me laugh, thank you

 

But then simple things please simple minds 

 

Keep smiling everyone, and stay light

[Rc2702]

12 hours ago, al007 said:

I too have to tread carefully, my english humor also and often misunderstood, unfortunately on TVF there is not enough

 

I originally had guessed your meaning and was waiting and watching for the fish to bite

 

In any case Rc2702 you make me laugh, thank you

 

But then simple things please simple minds 

 

Keep smiling everyone, and stay light

Apart from the OP, any light headed ness may need attention. Bravo though Al, bravo.

[Odysseus123]

On 9/16/2017 at 1:43 AM, theguyfromanotherforum said:

Thanks for all the replies. The head injury was scary. I took the picture right after "woke up" and I still wonder how I banged my head and survived this. I don't know why, but Thailand makes me very weak physically....It's like the heat sucks out all the nutrients out of my body. I don't smoke or drink.

 

http://oi67.tinypic.com/2janfc5.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes,I found that the heat and humidity had precisely the same effect on me.

 

Altho' I was dealing with a number of serious health issues anyway, I did decide to return to my own temperate homeland and my general sense of well being has improved.

 

I can now tackle the medical problems with far more energy than hitherto.

 

Best of luck for the future and watch out for the postural hypotension-I suffered from that extensively in Thailand.

 

Edited September 17, 2017 by Odysseus123
spelling

[1FinickyOne]

Always better safe than sorry - - nothing to lose but a few $ by getting checked out and plenty to lose if you don't. I would be more worried about the lack of feeling in the leg and why you fell... the head wound sounds like peripheral damage... 

[NancyL]

The question would be why are you running a fever, esp a high fever?  It appears that made you weak and dizzy, thus the fall.  

 

Two weeks ago, I started to run a fever for no apparent reason and after a couple episodes where it was so high that I was chattering in the bed, feeling very cold, despite wearing extra clothing and having extra blankets, I called a friend with a medical background and he ran through a checklist.  Runny nose, coughing, ear ache, nope, nope, nope.  Lady problems, as he said delicately?  Then I realized it had been something like 18 hours since I'd urinated, even though I was drinking a lot of water.  So next time I felt the urge, I collected my urine in a glass jar and had my answer.  Gads, it was very dark, smelling very off and I swear there was stuff floating around in it.  Since it was 3 am, I decided to wait until first light and get myself to Bangkok Hospital - Chiang Mai, bringing a few personal items because I figured they'd want to keep me for 24 hours for some IV antibiotics and a fluid drip.

 

Actually they kept me for 5 days for a serious kidney infection and blood sepsis, pumping me full of antibiotics and an IV medicine to reduce fever (it was very slow to go down) and did a cardiac ultrasound to be sure the sepsis hadn't crossed into my heart and infected my already compromised heart valves.  Fortunately, the heart was just fine and the care at Bangkok Hospital - Chiang Mai was great.  

 

 

[al007]

Thank you NancyL, God Bless may you fully recover soon

 

By sharing you remind us all that we need to remain vigilant on our own health, it is not as easy to get good medical attention here as it is in our home countries, and for those from the UK no GP in the loop makes it harder

 

I choose to live here and my options for returning to the UK small, I have no family there and most of my friends are dead, in reality that might medically be the best place for me, so I have to be extra careful

 

One observation, my wife knows if I am bad 24/7 get me to A&E at Srinakarin, she knows the way, and has my registration card, go straight to A & E and give them the car keys

 

Often arriving in the middle of the night the queues are smaller and even if left on the trolley you are hopefully at least in the right place and at the front of the que in the morning

 

 

Odysseus123

Good to see you home and doing OK I have similar problems to you and face major surgery soon

 

 

I face surgery in about five weeks time, at the moment I am suffering severe hip pain, this thread reminds me I am responsible and must take some action, so doctor next week I need to be as fit as possible for operation, and am unqualified to know what to do, YES WE MAKE SOME OF OUR OWN LUCK

 

 

Addendum

For those who live alone a plan to get you to hospital at say 3.00am is maybe a good thing to have, even by neighbor and with blanket in pick up, as always just thinking

 

 

Edited September 17, 2017 by al007

[Odysseus123]

20 minutes ago, al007 said:

Thank you NancyL, God Bless may you fully recover soon

 

By sharing you remind us all that we need to remain vigilant on our own health, it is not as easy to get good medical attention here as it is in our home countries, and for those from the UK no GP in the loop makes it harder

 

I choose to live here and my options for returning to the UK small, I have no family there and most of my friends are dead, in reality that might medically be the best place for me, so I have to be extra careful

 

One observation, my wife knows if I am bad 24/7 get me to A&E at Srinakarin, she knows the way, and has my registration card, go straight to A & E and give them the car keys

 

Often arriving in the middle of the night the queues are smaller and even if left on the trolley you are hopefully at least in the right place and at the front of the que in the morning

 

 

Odysseus123

Good to see you home and doing OK I have similar problems to you and face major surgery soon

 

 

I face surgery in about five weeks time, at the moment I am suffering severe hip pain, this thread reminds me I am responsible and must take some action, so doctor next week I need to be as fit as possible for operation, and am unqualified to know what to do, YES WE MAKE SOME OF OUR OWN LUCK

 

 

Yes-some things have to be and often decisions are hard to make on the spur of the moment.Therefore having a plan is essential even tho' it meant retiring from the field of play as far as I was concerned.

 

Considering the fact that most expats in the area in which I lived were elderly men I was astonished to see them playing so fast and loose with their health-dehydrating under a hot sun for example-and one that I knew barely made it home alive after suffering a DVT which he simply ignored until it was almost too late....strange stuff.

 

All the very best for your major surgery and may you live long and prosper.

[impulse]

1 hour ago, al007 said:

Addendum

For those who live alone a plan to get you to hospital at say 3.00am is maybe a good thing to have, even by neighbor and with blanket in pick up, as always just thinking

 

That's a good start, but I'd add a plan for how you're going to arrange payment for at least the initial treatment, especially if you're not ambulatory, or not even conscious.  Does someone know where you keep that emergency cash hidden, where you bank (and how to get at those $$$ in an emergency), and where to find your insurance details?

[NancyL]

2 hours ago, impulse said:

 

That's a good start, but I'd add a plan for how you're going to arrange payment for at least the initial treatment, especially if you're not ambulatory, or not even conscious.  Does someone know where you keep that emergency cash hidden, where you bank (and how to get at those $$$ in an emergency), and where to find your insurance details?

Very good point.  When I realized at 3 am that I should pack a small bag for an overnight stay and go to the hospital at first light, Hubby was out-of-town.  I gathered up my passport, insurance card, our overseas credit cards, local bankbooks and ATM cards and the registration card for the hospital.  As it turned out, no advance payment was requested, but they know me at the hospital.  

 

Actually, much of that stuff is in my handbag all the time.  Also, the mobile phone charger (and mobile phone, of course) and contact info for where Hubby was staying overseas.  Plus my computer, its cord and a power strip, which was needed in the hospital room due to the lack of power points in convenient places, even in a five star hospital.  A few toiletries, like toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, deodorant, body lotion.  I should have brought several changes of underwear, in retrospect, too. 

 

Unlike gov't hospitals here and every hospital I've ever experienced in the U.S., it was no problem to get an English-language newspaper, Coke-Zero, or other small item at Bangkok Hospital-Chiang Mai.  You just dial 24-hr room service like you do in a hotel.  What a concept!  In the U.S., I've gone nearly mad in hospitals for lack of a newspaper or a Diet Coke!  And a shower!  In the U.S., even in a private hospital, you have to beg to get a shower.  The shower rooms are at the end of the hall and the nurses act like it's a big deal.  ("Can't you just wait, you're scheduled for discharge tomorrow.")  At Bangkok Hospital-Chiang Mai, each room has a private toilet and shower and I was hustled into the shower on multiple occasions so they could change my high thread count bed linens, soaked from my fever, and clean me up.  A couple days I was showered three times.  

[balo]

You should start exercising daily , just walk a few miles to keep blood circulation, when you get older you will feel weaker so important to stay physically strong. 

[theguyfromanotherforum]

14 hours ago, balo said:

You should start exercising daily , just walk a few miles to keep blood circulation, when you get older you will feel weaker so important to stay physically strong. 

 

I think the gym is what got me sick in the first place.

 

Thinking back, they had these wet towels at the hotel (famous chain). Feeling all hiso, I spread some on my face after running on a treadmill. Who knows how clean that stuff is.....

[Rc2702]

4 hours ago, al007 said:

Thank you NancyL, God Bless may you fully recover soon

 

By sharing you remind us all that we need to remain vigilant on our own health, it is not as easy to get good medical attention here as it is in our home countries, and for those from the UK no GP in the loop makes it harder

 

I choose to live here and my options for returning to the UK small, I have no family there and most of my friends are dead, in reality that might medically be the best place for me, so I have to be extra careful

 

One observation, my wife knows if I am bad 24/7 get me to A&E at Srinakarin, she knows the way, and has my registration card, go straight to A & E and give them the car keys

 

Often arriving in the middle of the night the queues are smaller and even if left on the trolley you are hopefully at least in the right place and at the front of the que in the morning

 

 

Odysseus123

Good to see you home and doing OK I have similar problems to you and face major surgery soon

 

 

I face surgery in about five weeks time, at the moment I am suffering severe hip pain, this thread reminds me I am responsible and must take some action, so doctor next week I need to be as fit as possible for operation, and am unqualified to know what to do, YES WE MAKE SOME OF OUR OWN LUCK

 

 

Addendum

For those who live alone a plan to get you to hospital at say 3.00am is maybe a good thing to have, even by neighbor and with blanket in pick up, as always just thinking

 

 

Hi AL this srinakarin hospital, would that be the one in khon kaen centre? How far are you from the hospital and have you been there previously and if so what do you think of the place?

[al007]

12 minutes ago, Rc2702 said:

Hi AL this srinakarin hospital, would that be the one in khon kaen centre? How far are you from the hospital and have you been there previously and if so what do you think of the place?

Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University

http://www.khonkaensearch.com/khon-kaen-university-hospital/

 

The link has a map just about 1 to 2 kms north of the underpass on the Udon road going north, Modern buildings do not confuse with the adjacent Queens Heart hospital, we live 25 kms away

 

I am registered there, ( and another ten hospitals in Thailand, until two years ago never went to hospitals and still on no daily medication other than my Samsong !) originally it was a choice for the radiology but equipment a long way behind Chulalongkorn in Bangkok, I go to Srinagarind regularity for blood tests it is very substantially cheaper than the private hospitals in town

 

Last time I went I parked by the front door on the yellow lines, pointed to my disabled sticker on my windscreen and was back to the car in less than 20 mins, they are busy and have twelve people taking blood, ( three check points before blood taken, I take the requests from Chula in BKK) the results can be picked up two hours later at a different building

 

IT IS NOT CAR PARK FRIENDLY

 

I had a friend stay there and have intestine surgery and he was very happy

 

Most the private consultants in the private hospitals in KK also work there

 

Any one who lives in this area should check it out and register, saves time in event of emergency, IF IT IS YOUR HOSPITAL OF CHOICE TAKE YOU WIFE THERE AND LET HER DRIVE SO SHE CAN FIND IT IN THE EVENT OF NIGHT EMERGENCY

 

It has also been recommended to me in the event I am in final days and need IV painkillers, I will at some stage check out pain management there

 

I am these days not experienced in UK hospitals but my impression is that it would be equal to any

 

Again turn up in the middle of the night and you might just bypass waiting lists

 

I am self insured so cost is important, but even if I were not I think it is maybe better than any of the private hospitals and we have the major names here in KhonKaen, one of which made some major errors of judgement on me, have to be careful what I say

 

Also checked out Army hospital very small

 

Old Government Hospital in KhonKaen, visited people there really awful, but care may be ok, have to walk over all the families sleeping in the corridors

[Rc2702]

Just now, al007 said:

Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University

http://www.khonkaensearch.com/khon-kaen-university-hospital/

 

The link has a map just about 1 to 2 kms north of the underpass on the Udon road going north, Modern buildings do not confuse with the adjacent Queens Heart hospital, we live 25 kms away

 

I am registered there, ( and another ten hospitals in Thailand, until two years ago never went to hospitals and still on no daily medication other than my Samsong !) originally it was a choice for the radiology but equipment a long way behind Chulalongkorn in Bangkok, I go to Srinagarind regularity for blood tests it is very substantially cheaper than the private hospitals in town

 

Last time I went I parked by the front door on the yellow lines, pointed to my disabled sticker on my windscreen and was back to the car in less than 20 mins, they are busy and have twelve people taking blood, ( three check points before blood taken, I take the requests from Chula in BKK) the results can be picked up two hours later at a different building

 

IT IS NOT CAR PARK FRIENDLY

 

I had a friend stay there and have intestine surgery and he was very happy

 

Most the private consultants in the private hospitals in KK also work there

 

Any one who lives in this area should check it out and register, saves time in event of emergency, IF IT IS YOUR HOSPITAL OF CHOICE TAKE YOU WIFE THERE AND LET HER DRIVE SO SHE CAN FIND IT IN THE EVENT OF NIGHT EMERGENCY

 

It has also been recommended to me in the event I am in final days and need IV painkillers, I will at some stage check out pain management there

 

I am these days not experienced in UK hospitals but my impression is that it would be equal to any

 

Again turn up in the middle of the night and you might just bypass waiting lists

 

I am self insured so cost is important, but even if I were not I think it is maybe better than any of the private hospitals and we have the major names here in KhonKaen, one of which made some major errors of judgement on me, have to be careful what I say

 

Also checked out Army hospital very small

 

Old Government Hospital in KhonKaen, visited people there really awful, but care may be ok, have to walk over all the families sleeping in the corridors

Thanks Al. We were there just the other day. Last Monday.  We're looking to move to KK so I wanted a quick look at the hospital but as you say parking is difficult but I regularly ask this question and I'm yet to find any dissatisfied customers. 

[al007]

2 hours ago, balo said:

You should start exercising daily , just walk a few miles to keep blood circulation, when you get older you will feel weaker so important to stay physically strong. 

 

We all need to do this , ME ESPECIALLY  I have been down and depressed, and my fight to loose weight continues, and it is going down, but I am not walking enough, did fix the bicycle last week but wheels too small and me too big, and just too dangerous

 

Sensible advice some good walking

 

Thanks for the reminder

 

RC2702  We have lived in KK  nearly 10 yrs if you want to talk or need any help PM me

[KiChakayan]

On 16/09/2017 at 11:47 AM, Sheryl said:

Actually 7000 for a CT is quite reasonable especially if it was with contrast. I have known it to cost more in govt hospitals.

 

I a not aware of anyplace an expat can get a CT for free.

Why on earth would an expat get any free medical treatment ???

[al007]

1 hour ago, KiChakayan said:

Why on earth would an expat get any free medical treatment ???

Read post 11 in this thread

 

 

S  M  I  L  E

 

 

[adammike]

I got knocked off my bike by a scooter was out for the count, might have been only for seconds, the ambulance took me to the hospital, the doctor asked me my phone number but I couldn't remember the same for the name of my doctor,so they gave me a scan no bleeding but I had to stay the night or be with someone who wake me every two hour's.so I stayed at a girlfriends and set a timer to wake me up every two hours and she would know I was not ok if I did not reset it.in your shoes it may be a good idea to stay in for a day.