Recommended Gastroenterologist in Pattaya or Chonburi

[leddie]

Does anyone have a recommendation for such a specialist?

 

Thank you.

[Sheryl]

Please i dicate the nature of the problem. GI specialists have subspecialties.



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[leddie]

On 12/4/2017 at 11:37 AM, Sheryl said:

Please i dicate the nature of the problem. GI specialists have subspecialties.



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Bloated stomach, intermittent dull pain in mid stomach

[Sheryl]

https://www.bangkokpattayahospital.com/en/doctor-profile?v_id=240&depid=11

 

She is only there on Sundays, rest of the time is in Bangkok

[leddie]

On 12/6/2017 at 12:48 PM, Sheryl said:

https://www.bangkokpattayahospital.com/en/doctor-profile?v_id=240&depid=11

 

She is only there on Sundays, rest of the time is in Bangkok

Sheryl, I am looking for the best bang for the buck option in terms of correct diagnosis and analysis.  I do not have an unlimited budget.

Would it be better to do the complete abdomen ultrasound at Phayatai along with blood tests at one of the private labs, since this is what the specialist you have indicated may recommend anyway.

[Sheryl]

Ultrasound is unlikely to be recommended and the only blood test likely to be helpful would be for h. pylori, and I am not sure any of the labs there can do that (and if they can, very expensive).  More commonly in Thailand something called a Urea Breath test is used. Alternatively, a direct test for h. pylori can be done as part of gastroscopy, and gastroscopy is where you are going to end up if  initial treatment fails. It would also be the most certain way of ruling out gastric cancer if that is what has you worried, and would identify any structural problems with the stomach and duodenum as well.

 

Most doctors would probably treat you symptomatically at first without any costly investigations. But if you want the most thorough examination then go for gastroscopy.  This can be done at very reasonable cost in Bangkok at this hospital:

 

http://www.chulabhornhospital.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JAS21]

22 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Ultrasound is unlikely to be recommended and the only blood test likely to be helpful would be for h. pylori, and I am not sure any of the labs there can do that (and if they can, very expensive).  More commonly in Thailand something called a Urea Breath test is used. Alternatively, a direct test for h. pylori can be done as part of gastroscopy, and gastroscopy is where you are going to end up if  initial treatment fails. It would also be the most certain way of ruling out gastric cancer if that is what has you worried, and would identify any structural problems with the stomach and duodenum as well.

 

Most doctors would probably treat you symptomatically at first without any costly investigations. But if you want the most thorough examination then go for gastroscopy.  This can be done at very reasonable cost in Bangkok at this hospital:

 

http://www.chulabhornhospital.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My wife and I have used this place for quite a few years now.

 

I organised a 'look down' for the same time as the 5 year 'look up'. The price was very reasonable and of course they put you out ...

[leddie]

1 hour ago, JAS21 said:

My wife and I have used this place for quite a few years now.

 

I organised a 'look down' for the same time as the 5 year 'look up'. The price was very reasonable and of course they put you out ...

The website looks to be in Thai...do they have any contacts there who speak English?

[leddie]

23 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Ultrasound is unlikely to be recommended and the only blood test likely to be helpful would be for h. pylori, and I am not sure any of the labs there can do that (and if they can, very expensive).  More commonly in Thailand something called a Urea Breath test is used. Alternatively, a direct test for h. pylori can be done as part of gastroscopy, and gastroscopy is where you are going to end up if  initial treatment fails. It would also be the most certain way of ruling out gastric cancer if that is what has you worried, and would identify any structural problems with the stomach and duodenum as well.

 

Most doctors would probably treat you symptomatically at first without any costly investigations. But if you want the most thorough examination then go for gastroscopy.  This can be done at very reasonable cost in Bangkok at this hospital:

 

http://www.chulabhornhospital.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey Sheryl, doing a bit of internet forensics, some website say the ultrasound could be used to detect certain anomalies as below.  Is it really of no value?

 

https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-diseases-ultrasound-test

Ultrasound testing helps in the diagnosis of a wide range of diseases and conditions, including stomach problems, gallbladder or pancreas problems, and abdominal pain. During an ultrasound test, high-frequency sound waves, inaudible to the human ear, are transmitted through body tissues using an instrument called a transducer. The sound waves then echo back and are picked up by the transducer, which transmits the information to a computer that displays the it on a monitor.

Ultrasound is used to create images of soft tissue structures, such as the gallbladder, liver, kidneys, pancreas, bladder, and other organs and parts of the body. Ultrasound can also measure the flow of blood in the arteries to detect blockages. Ultrasound testing is safe and easy to perform.

What Digestive Problems Can Ultrasound Diagnose?

Ultrasound may be used to detect many digestive problems, including:

Cysts or abnormal growths in the liver, spleen, or pancreas

Abnormal enlargement of the spleen

Cancer of the liver or fatty liver

Gallstones or sludge in the gallbladder

[Sheryl]

If gallstones/GB disease is suspected then yes. Otherwise, likely not.

 

Having tests done before seeing the specialist runs risk of wasting money on needless tests (and possibly still nto getting what was needed).

 

My best advice is to see the doctor first. If expensive tests are recommended, can then get them elsewhere and return with the results.

[joealx]

On 12/6/2017 at 10:47 AM, leddie said:

Bloated stomach, intermittent dull pain in mid stomach

Get an endoscopy at Bangkok Pattaya.

[leddie]

On 12/10/2017 at 1:38 PM, joealx said:

Get an endoscopy at Bangkok Pattaya.

Thanks for advice.  Do you know what the approx. cost is?

Also does anyone have other recommendations for this procedure in Pattaya area.  Looking for the best value combination of quality and cost as this will not be covered by insurance.

Edited December 11, 2017 by leddie

[Sheryl]

It will cost more at BPH than elsewhere. The least expensive option is the cancer hospital in Bangkok which I mentioend previously.

 

However I again warn that you may waste money on unncessary tests if you proceed with tests without first seeing a doctor. "Shot gun" testing is not an efficient way to go. Need to start with a tentative diagnosis  or list of differential diagnoses, which dioctor will make after taking detailed history and exam,  and then do such tests, if any, needed to confirm the diagnosis.

 

If, for example, the doctor believes based on history etc that the problem is likely your gallbladder then endoscopy would nto be indicated or helpful.

 

 

[joealx]

14 hours ago, leddie said:

Thanks for advice.  Do you know what the approx. cost is?

Also does anyone have other recommendations for this procedure in Pattaya area.  Looking for the best value combination of quality and cost as this will not be covered by insurance.

I had it done at BPH about 5 years ago. It wasn't too expensive. I forgot the cost. This is the gastroenterologist's primary procedure to see what's wrong.

[Sheryl]

It i primary procedure for visualizing esophagus, stomach and duodenum. It is of no utility for problems involving liver, gallbladder, or due to parasitic infection like giardia.

 

Hence the importance of first having a tentative diagnosis, which in turn requires consulting a doctor.

 

 

[joealx]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

It i primary procedure for visualizing esophagus, stomach and duodenum. It is of no utility for problems involving liver, gallbladder, or due to parasitic infection like giardia.

 

Hence the importance of first having a tentative diagnosis, which in turn requires consulting a doctor.

 

 

The OP stated his problem was with his stomach! Also when a patient wants a  endoscopy, a consultation is required by the doctor.

[leddie]

Is Queen Sirikit Hospital down Sattahip way a viable option?   Knew someone who had stomach surgery there, and said it was good value, but no idea how it works.  Do you just show up or can you request an appointment with a specific Doctor.

Thinking ahead 2 steps and assuming after initial diagnosis, that an endoscopy followed by surgery is required, is this a cost effective option?

Also, any views or recommendations on Pattaya Memorial?

 

Thank you to all.

Edited December 13, 2017 by leddie

[Sheryl]

Queen Sirikit is a viable option yes, but you cannot make appointment nor choose your doctor and waits will be long. You will also not be able to see a specialist straight away, you will have to run a gauntlet of medical students/interns/GPs first and likely have to come back another day to see specialist. Also possible they will initially want  to treat you symptomatically before  referring to a specialist or undertaking any major investigations.

 

I don't have any info on GI specialists at Pattaya Memorial.

 

If it were me I would see recommended specialist at BPH first to find out where things stand and then, if expensive investigations and/or surgery are recommended, see about going elsewhere for them.

 

Uninsured you would nor want to have surgery at BPH (nor probably at any other private hospital) but the costs of investigations, even at a private hospital,  would be affordable for many people.  Couple thousand baht for ultrasound if indicated, approx 25K for endoscopy, few hundred baht fort stool test etc.

 

Having already seen a specialist and having written recommendation for tests or treatment in hand will expedite process at Queen Sirikit or other public hospital compared to starting out at them.

 

 

[leddie]

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Queen Sirikit is a viable option yes, but you cannot make appointment nor choose your doctor and waits will be long. You will also not be able to see a specialist straight away, you will have to run a gauntlet of medical students/interns/GPs first and likely have to come back another day to see specialist. Also possible they will initially want  to treat you symptomatically before  referring to a specialist or undertaking any major investigations.

 

I don't have any info on GI specialists at Pattaya Memorial.

 

If it were me I would see recommended specialist at BPH first to find out where things stand and then, if expensive investigations and/or surgery are recommended, see about going elsewhere for them.

 

Uninsured you would nor want to have surgery at BPH (nor probably at any other private hospital) but the costs of investigations, even at a private hospital,  would be affordable for many people.  Couple thousand baht for ultrasound if indicated, approx 25K for endoscopy, few hundred baht fort stool test etc.

 

Having already seen a specialist and having written recommendation for tests or treatment in hand will expedite process at Queen Sirikit or other public hospital compared to starting out at them.

 

 

Thanks Sheryl, that is very practical advice!

[gamesgplayemail]

On 12/13/2017 at 12:10 PM, Sheryl said:

Queen Sirikit is a viable option yes, but you cannot make appointment nor choose your doctor and waits will be long. You will also not be able to see a specialist straight away, you will have to run a gauntlet of medical students/interns/GPs first and likely have to come back another day to see specialist. Also possible they will initially want  to treat you symptomatically before  referring to a specialist or undertaking any major investigations.

 

I don't have any info on GI specialists at Pattaya Memorial.

 

If it were me I would see recommended specialist at BPH first to find out where things stand and then, if expensive investigations and/or surgery are recommended, see about going elsewhere for them.

 

Uninsured you would nor want to have surgery at BPH (nor probably at any other private hospital) but the costs of investigations, even at a private hospital,  would be affordable for many people.  Couple thousand baht for ultrasound if indicated, approx 25K for endoscopy, few hundred baht fort stool test etc.

 

Having already seen a specialist and having written recommendation for tests or treatment in hand will expedite process at Queen Sirikit or other public hospital compared to starting out at them.

 

 

 

 

Hello, sorry I posted a question before I found your post. Do you know how difficult it will be for a Thai to have his stomach checked with a camera ? There is no outpatient at Sirikit hospital sattahip ? So we cannot ask to do the maximum possible even if we pay more ? Are you saying that it's possible to visit Sattahip with some results from other hospitals and then try to get an endoscopy done ? Thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

[Sheryl]

Please see the reply already posted in your other thread.