I'm Recommending a Great Urologist in Chiang Mai (other than Ajarn Bannakit)...

[Phebotalus]

Hi everyone.

 

Recently I had some problems with my urinary tract: I went to my GP to get checked for STIs, UTI, etc.etc., and was put on a course of anti-bios to clean everything up, but I still felt like I was getting pain. I was honestly freaking out as health sh*t stresses me out, and decided to go see a specialist.

 

I searched these forums and found Dr. Bannakit recommended a lot, but he was hard to track down. Supposedly he's sometimes at Sripat, or at his local clinic, but I couldn't make an appointment, the front staff didn't speak much English, and wanted to see someone ASAP.

 

RAM didn't have urologists on staff when I called them, so I decided to book an appointment to see someone at Bangkok Hospital.

 

The urologist I ended up seeing was one of THE BEST DOCTORS I'VE EVER SEEN.

 

Dr. Siwat at Bangkok Hospital was really nice and patient: He listened to me and didn't rush anything. He also thoroughly explained what might be happening. While he said he didn't think tests were necessary because of my symptoms, when I told him I didn't think I could relax until I had proof that everything was OK, he responded with, "No problem! I'd be happy to prove to you that everything is OK. It's up to you."

 

He checked everything "down there", and also did some standard blood tests. I ended up opting for a CT scan as well to make sure everything was clear.

 

One of the BIGGEST things that made this guy a star in my book is that even though he wasn't scheduled to work, he specifically came in to the hospital the day after just for me, because, in his words, "I know this has really been worrying you, and I didn't want you thinking about it over the weekend, so I decided to come in just to see you for this appointment so we can talk about it."

 

I've had some really shi*ty doctors back home in Canada and here in Thailand. The Doctor you choose can make or break how comfortable you feel while getting treated and if they know their stuff.

 

Highly recommend anyone who needs a urologist go see Dr. Siwat Phuriyaphan at Bangkok Hospital here in Chiang Mai.

 

Cheers all!

 

P.S. I know some people think Bangkok hospital is a rip off, but I'd rather pay extra and know I'm getting a good doctor, vs. paying less and or taking risks and getting a Doctor who doesn't care as much, or doesn't know as much. If you're just going in for a consultation, it'll be 400b, which I don't think is that bad. If he's gotta run tests or something like a CT scan, then the prices start adding up.

[NancyL]

So, after running all the tests was the doctor able to do anything to relieve the pain you've been experiencing?

[Bill97]

Yeh, did he fix anything besides your worry?


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[NancyL]

The reason I asked is because I was hospitalized at Bangkok Hospital in early September for five days with blood sepsis because of a "silent" bladder infection that spread to my kidneys and became a blood infection with very high fever.  I had great care at Bangkok Hospital, but the doctor who treated me wasn't a urologist, but rather a female internist, actually a neurologist.  She may have simply been the only doctor available when I turned up on their doorstep with the shakes, dehydrated and running a high fever.  She consulted with another internist who is a infectious disease specialist during my hospital stay

 

Two weeks after discharge, after I'd finished the course of take-home antibiotics, I continued to have pain in the region of my bladder -- something I hadn't had with the initial infection, incidentally.  I called Bangkok Hospital for an appointment.  They had me see the female infectious disease specialist.  She ordered a urine test to be sure the infection was "cleared" and prescribed some pills, to "calm" the bladder.  She said it was still irritated after the infection.  Those pills worked pretty well.

 

After that course of medication was done, the pain still remained, so this time I called and asked if they actually have a urologist, hopefully a female urologist.  Nope, but an appointment was set with a male, a different one than the doctor the OP saw.  This guy barely spent any time with me and didn't touch or look at anything.  He said he would prescribe a different medication, something he said was better than the first, that sometimes it can take a while for the bladder to "calm down" after an infection.  I had to press him to order a urine test to be sure I didn't have an infection.  When I went to the pharmacy, I couldn't believe it, but he'd prescribed low dose neurontin, basically a "junk medication" often given to women who complain of vague psychosomatic symptoms.  As Hubby said "at least he didn't refer you to a psychiatrist" 

 

I know men have problems that may be "more interesting" to a male urologist, what with various things that can go wrong with the prostate, erectile dysfunction, etc.  But, it isn't fun living in a dull ache "down there" that really wears you down by the end of the day.  It would be nice to have a doctor take it seriously.

 

 

[Bill97]

Maybe it really does take a while for a bladder to "calm down".
Try the OP's guy?


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[Phebotalus]

@Bill97 - Actually he didn't need to because with all the tests we agreed on together (CBC to check for infection, CT scan, etc.) plus a urinalysis before, he proved to me that I had no more infection and no stones, tumours, etc. He actually took one look at me and guessed it was due to stress, and while I guessed that he's right because I know my personality, I needed those tests to see for sure :p.

 

I think it started off as a minor infection, and then my mind was playing tricks on me stressing me out. I'm supposed to go for a re-test of my urine just to double check that everything is gone in ~ a week.

 

Most of what I have to do involves relaxation of the tense muscles down there, which can cause you to feel all sorts of pain in your urethra, testicles, etc...but there's no infection. The Doc explained it to me like the muscle down there causing pain like muscles in your head cause a migraine.

 

@NancyL - Sorry to hear about that :(. Since everything is pretty "compact" I'm sure it could still be irritated, but a few quick tests could double check that you def don't have infection. I don't know how comfortable you feel getting checked out by a male urologist, but I can tell you that I basically came in like I wrote, and told him "Doc - I'm worried. Can we run some tests?" and he had no problems with that.

 

Also I want to mention that HE didn't push anything like the CT scan or whatever on me, I elected to do that, so it's not like he was trying to upsell me on expensive crap I didn't need...He actually mentioned that while there are meds to relax the muscles or control the bladder, he'd prefer that I try some behavioural therapy before, and if I needed to, I could come back for something. So again, sounds like the opposite of what you experienced.

 

I'd say go back and see Dr. Siwat, explain your story, and I'm sure he can get you checked out/fixed up. Each time I saw him like I said he was SUPER detailed and patient, and I think he talked to me for 30-45min each time. Didn't feel rushed at all.

 

Like I said, I'd take paying more @ BKK hospital for great doctors like this.

Edited October 21, 2017 by Phebotalus
More info

[CM4Me]

A month or so ago, after having a medical checkup, my GP recommended I see a urologist.

 

An expat friend suggested I see a Dr Jakkrit Jun at Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai. My experience with him was identical to what the OP said about Dr Siwat. 

 

Dr Jakkrit's patient manners were the best I've ever been party too. He listened to me, he examined the information I presented him with, calmly discussed with me my problem & offered me 3 options (which, by the way, were identical to that which I found previously on the net through some thorough searching via Dr Google). At no time was there any pressure on me to choose a specific option. I am now scheduled to see him again next month.

 

Similar to what the OP said,  I I'd rather pay extra and know I'm getting a good doctor at a good hospital, and that's my experience at Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai.

 

Sorry to hear Nancy that you had a different experience.

 

 

[NancyL]

I didn't want to mention names, but the urologist I saw was Dr. Jakkrit. 

 

In reading up on my condition, yes it can take a while for the bladder to "calm down" after an massive infection similar to what I had.  However, more can be done, such as the medication the first doctor prescribed and, interestingly specialized physical therapy, by someone who really knows what they're doing to guide and manipulate the legs and hips to stretch, strengthen and condition the muscles in the pelvic and hip area.  Apparently it isn't the type of exercise that you can do yourself.   That certainly wasn't suggested and it may be that they don't have someone on staff with that type of training.

 

I'll give the neurontin a couple weeks (it is helping somewhat, but it could just be because I've stopped using my exercise bike, also)  and if there isn't an improvement go back and see Dr. Siwat in hopes he's not so dismissive of the bladder pain of an older woman.

[elektrified]

2 hours ago, NancyL said:

I didn't want to mention names, but the urologist I saw was Dr. Jakkrit. 

 

In reading up on my condition, yes it can take a while for the bladder to "calm down" after an massive infection similar to what I had.  However, more can be done, such as the medication the first doctor prescribed and, interestingly specialized physical therapy, by someone who really knows what they're doing to guide and manipulate the legs and hips to stretch, strengthen and condition the muscles in the pelvic and hip area.  Apparently it isn't the type of exercise that you can do yourself.   That certainly wasn't suggested and it may be that they don't have someone on staff with that type of training.

 

I'll give the neurontin a couple weeks (it is helping somewhat, but it could just be because I've stopped using my exercise bike, also)  and if there isn't an improvement go back and see Dr. Siwat in hopes he's not so dismissive of the bladder pain of an older woman.

Or go see the good Professor and get it sorted out w/o multiple visits???

Edited October 22, 2017 by elektrified

[cmsally]

On looking at pics I have realised that I know Dr. Siwat as he is married to one of my neighbours !

He is very pleasant and down to earth. If you have had a bad experience with other doctors just let him know what the problem is and why you are not happy. I don't know him as a doctor, but he doesn't seem to be the type that would be dismissive and take shortcuts etc.

[NancyL]

1 hour ago, elektrified said:

Or go see the good Professor and get it sorted out w/o multiple visits???

What professor is this?

[elektrified]

5 hours ago, NancyL said:

What professor is this?

Bannakit

[jonwilly]

Dr B is a Surgeon and usually goes for the knife.

 

john

[hmficc]

After reading the above, I am resolved to only speak of my health with my doctor 

[elektrified]

4 hours ago, jonwilly said:

Dr B is a Surgeon and usually goes for the knife.

 

john

I've been a patient for several years now and he's never even suggested any surgical procedures to me; other than a biopsy.

[jonwilly]

4 ops for me, including removal of a kidney stone and circumcision which left me with the original problem.

 

john