Been having problems with bad stomach aches and bloating, so went for a checkup this morning. An ultrasound showed a blocked gallbladder as well as an infection, so removal recommended. I will probably have the op in a couple of days, but in the meantime he wanted me to take antibiotics and suggested Ciprobay. Knowing how hospitals charge for medication I opted to buy from Fascino pharmacy and nearly fell over when I found out in cost 850 baht for 10 capsules. I only used antibiotics once before and bought from local pharmacy and the cost was nothing like 850 baht, god knows how much it would have cost at the hospital.. Is Ciprobay anything special to warrant that price?

No, just an imported brand of ciprofloxacin. Plenty of locally made brands that will cost a fraction as much.

 

 

44 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

No, just an imported brand of ciprofloxacin. Plenty of locally made brands that will cost a fraction as much.

 

 

I had an idea I was paying through the nose, but as it's costing me 220,000 baht for surgery, I guess another 850 baht is neither here nor there.

Maybe costs for that operation have gone way up, too, but 10 years ago, and by laproscopic surgery, a whole lot less:

 

--  26 June 2007    Vibhavadi    Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gall bladder) 
                                                            b109,550     $3,341.49

 

Mac

My wife had the same op. last year, key hole surgery and we costed it at three hospitals, the most expensive was at Chiang Mai Ram Hospital at 88,000 baht. As it turns out she had it done at the District hospital Maharaj/Suandok and she paid 22,500 plus 1k extra for a room upgrade.

Generic Cipro 500, 50bht for 10 tabs in most pharmacy, exactly the same as your imported ones.

Gall bladder removal at NakornPing in CM, 40k

 

Although I didn't have my gall bladder removed (infection + blockage), no need to rush into an operation you may not need.

A course of cipro (or moxy 500) will solve the immediate problem, then keep a pack of tabs at home to take immediately if it repeats.

Control your diet, no fizzy drinks, processed food or grains, exercise until a reasonable level of fitness is achieved. 7 years now since they wanted to remove my gallbladder, all symptoms disappeared 6 years ago and haven't come back.

 

Gallbladder infections are mainly a lifestyle problem.

Fix your lifestyle and forget the surgery. 

4 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:

Generic Cipro 500, 50bht for 10 tabs in most pharmacy, exactly the same as your imported ones.

Gall bladder removal at NakornPing in CM, 40k

 

Although I didn't have my gall bladder removed (infection + blockage), no need to rush into an operation you may not need.

A course of cipro (or moxy 500) will solve the immediate problem, then keep a pack of tabs at home to take immediately if it repeats.

Control your diet, no fizzy drinks, processed food or grains, exercise until a reasonable level of fitness is achieved. 7 years now since they wanted to remove my gallbladder, all symptoms disappeared 6 years ago and haven't come back.

 

Gallbladder infections are mainly a lifestyle problem.

Fix your lifestyle and forget the surgery. 

I agree you can fix many aspects of gall bladder infection but stones are a tough thing to fix through diet and exercise.

12 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:

Generic Cipro 500, 50bht for 10 tabs in most pharmacy, exactly the same as your imported ones.

Gall bladder removal at NakornPing in CM, 40k

 

Although I didn't have my gall bladder removed (infection + blockage), no need to rush into an operation you may not need.

A course of cipro (or moxy 500) will solve the immediate problem, then keep a pack of tabs at home to take immediately if it repeats.

Control your diet, no fizzy drinks, processed food or grains, exercise until a reasonable level of fitness is achieved. 7 years now since they wanted to remove my gallbladder, all symptoms disappeared 6 years ago and haven't come back.

 

Gallbladder infections are mainly a lifestyle problem.

Fix your lifestyle and forget the surgery. 

Once a blockage has occurred, as in my case, there's no clearing it, and if the infected gallbladder is not removed you run the risk of pancreatic infection causing blood poisoning, which can be fatal. Besides, I have spent a few nights in agonising pain and don't want to chance that repeating itself.

1 hour ago, simoh1490 said:

My wife had the same op. last year, key hole surgery and we costed it at three hospitals, the most expensive was at Chiang Mai Ram Hospital at 88,000 baht. As it turns out she had it done at the District hospital Maharaj/Suandok and she paid 22,500 plus 1k extra for a room upgrade.

Was that a pubic or private hospital?

 

13 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Once a blockage has occurred, as in my case, there's no clearing it, and if the infected gallbladder is not removed you run the risk of pancreatic infection causing blood poisoning, which can be fatal. Besides, I have spent a few nights in agonising pain and don't want to chance that repeating itself.

The blockage quickly fixes itself, the infection doesn't. Nobody could tell me why.

The pain is caused by the infection, not the blockage, and the antibiotic cures the infection.

Sorry, but you've been frightened by a quack looking to make himself an easy 220k.

Even if you do have your gallbladder removed, don't let these robbers be the ones to do it.

 

Yes, I also had the agonizing pain, a result of not immediately recognizing the symptoms and visiting a doctor before taking antibiotics.

You need to start the antibiotics immediately you recognize the symptoms, and that avoids the pain.

 

 

Maybe the OP might consider a second opinion on this and perhaps, given the price difference,  at a different location. The OP is a two night stay so it's not impossible to think he could have it done in Chiang Mai for example, the cost savings would be massive. Dr Trichet at Chiang Mai RAM hospital is excellent for this surgery but there are many others also. Just a thought, perhaps Sheryl can advise better.

5 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

Maybe the OP might consider a second opinion on this and perhaps, given the price difference,  at a different location. The OP is a two night stay so it's not impossible to think he could have it done in Chiang Mai for example, the cost savings would be massive. Dr Trichet at Chiang Mai RAM hospital is excellent for this surgery but there are many others also. Just a thought, perhaps Sheryl can advise better.

I was quoted 70,000 baht at a public hospital, not including room costs, but it may involve a lengthy wait for the operation.

10 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

Maybe the OP might consider a second opinion on this and perhaps, given the price difference,  at a different location. The OP is a two night stay so it's not impossible to think he could have it done in Chiang Mai for example, the cost savings would be massive. Dr Trichet at Chiang Mai RAM hospital is excellent for this surgery but there are many others also. Just a thought, perhaps Sheryl can advise better.

There would be significant savings even including a return flight from Pattaya to Chiang Mai, but I'm not sure I want to have the hassle.

1 minute ago, giddyup said:

There would be significant savings even including a return flight from Pattaya to Chiang Mai, but I'm not sure I want to have the hassle.

As long as you are aware of your options you can make a choice that suits. If you decide to come up here I'm sure some of us can help if needed so feel free to shout.

25 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:

The blockage quickly fixes itself, the infection doesn't. Nobody could tell me why.

The pain is caused by the infection, not the blockage, and the antibiotic cures the infection.

Sorry, but you've been frightened by a quack looking to make himself an easy 220k.

Even if you do have your gallbladder removed, don't let these robbers be the ones to do it.

 

Yes, I also had the agonizing pain, a result of not immediately recognizing the symptoms and visiting a doctor before taking antibiotics.

You need to start the antibiotics immediately you recognize the symptoms, and that avoids the pain.

 

 

Millions of people must have been frightened by experienced surgeons, because gallbladder removal is one of the most common operation there is. The 220,000 included the price of a 3 day stay, if I needed only 2 nights the price would be reduced, but it seems you have no confidence in a surgeons recommendation if you refer to them as "quacks". Can you explain how the blockage clears itself when the gallbladder is already full of stones?

7 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

As long as you are aware of your options you can make a choice that suits. If you decide to come up here I'm sure some of us can help if needed so feel free to shout.

Thanks for the kind offer, I'm still doing a bit of ringing around getting other prices.

2 hours ago, simoh1490 said:

My wife had the same op. last year, key hole surgery and we costed it at three hospitals, the most expensive was at Chiang Mai Ram Hospital at 88,000 baht. As it turns out she had it done at the District hospital Maharaj/Suandok and she paid 22,500 plus 1k extra for a room upgrade.

The 22,500 would have been Thai price. My partner rang for a price at a public hospital in Pattaya and was quoted the same price, but when she specified the op was for a falang the price went to over 70,000 baht.

Some dangerously wrong advice has been given here.

 

Chronic GB disease and gall stones are one thing (and indeed, surgery is often avoidable/unnecessary). Acute cholecytitis is an entirely  different matter. There is risk of gallbladder rupture and peritonitis which can be life threatening.

 

Assuming the diagnosis is correct, you should not delay surgery. If you are in any doubt about the diagnosis then get another opinion but do so quickly.

8 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Some dangerously wrong advice has been given here.

 

Chronic GB disease and gall stones are one thing (and indeed, surgery is often avoidable/unnecessary). Acute cholecytitis is an entirely  different matter. There is risk of gallbladder rupture and peritonitis which can be life threatening.

 

Assuming the diagnosis is correct, you should not delay surgery. If you are in any doubt about the diagnosis then get another opinion but do so quickly.

I agree. The poster who called the doctor a quack and said just take antibiotics and all will be well, was certainly giving bad advice. I will probably go to Bkk/Pattaya hospital tomorrow for the op.

25 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Chronic GB disease and gall stones are one thing (and indeed, surgery is often avoidable/unnecessary). Acute cholecytitis is an entirely  different matter. There is risk of gallbladder rupture and peritonitis which can be life threatening.

If OP had Acute cholecytitis, he would still be in severe pain and in hospital.

He has been diagnosed as gallstone blockage plus infection and a first offense at that, now cured.

In the UK the NHS won't even consider a removal operation until 2-3 incidents in a fairly short space of time.

 

Please ...........

 

.

17 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:

If OP had Acute cholecytitis, he would still be in severe pain and in hospital.

He has been diagnosed as gallstone blockage plus infection and a first offense at that, now cured.

In the UK the NHS won't even consider a removal operation until 2-3 incidents in a fairly short space of time.

 

Please ...........

 

.

We know what Sheryl's medical qualifications are, what are yours!

4 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

We know what Sheryl's medical qualifications are, what are yours!

Way beyond a nurse.

2 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:

Way beyond a nurse.

Well?

27 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:

If OP had Acute cholecytitis, he would still be in severe pain and in hospital.

He has been diagnosed as gallstone blockage plus infection and a first offense at that, now cured.

In the UK the NHS won't even consider a removal operation until 2-3 incidents in a fairly short space of time.

 

Please ...........

 

.

Well, I have had 4 incidents in a short space of time and I am in severe constant pain. I have booked for the op tomorrow.

6 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:

Way beyond a nurse.

Can you be more specific?

30 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:

If OP had Acute cholecytitis, he would still be in severe pain and in hospital.

He has been diagnosed as gallstone blockage plus infection and a first offense at that, now cured.

In the UK the NHS won't even consider a removal operation until 2-3 incidents in a fairly short space of time.

 

Please ...........

 

.

You never explained how the gallbladder becomes unblocked, or why you assume it's a first offence or how it's been cured.

19 minutes ago, giddyup said:

You never explained how the gallbladder becomes unblocked, or why you assume it's a first offence or how it's been cured.

 

Well, I have had 4 incidents in a short space of time and I am in severe constant pain. I have booked for the op tomorrow.

Sorry Giddy, you've now offered more information than I previously read.

4 incidents + constant pain, they shouldn't have let you leave the hospital and operated immediately.

What on earth are you doing wandering around pharmacies? This should have already been cut out.

 

It's actually a narrow tube from the gallbladder to the stomach (for bile to flow through) that gets blocked, then backup bacteria from the stomach get the chance to infect a 'one way system'. The tube is flexible, and what can get in can also get out. Usually done before you even get to hospital, it's what the throwing up is about, unblocking is often visible by a sudden rush of green vomit (bile). Because the blockage is often gone before the hospital visit, it's often difficult to diagnose (many doctors miss it first time round often it's the ultrasound specialist that catches it), sometimes misdiagnosed as appendix as the pain is in the same general area although a higher pain by a few inches. It's usually a result of poor diet and lack of exercise, overweight (alcoholic) man over 50 are particularly susceptible, and will often have been suffering symptoms (heartburn and indigestion especially late at night) for 10 years or more before the first blockage and infection. 

Been constipated for 3 days, probably as a result of the pain. Wondering if it's safe to use Durolax to clean my bowels before surgery at 1pm tomorrow?

1 hour ago, giddyup said:

Been constipated for 3 days, probably as a result of the pain. Wondering if it's safe to use Durolax to clean my bowels before surgery at 1pm tomorrow?

My non medical opinion would be not to do if you have not been instructed to do so.  Even for bowel procedures it is my understanding there is debate as to if it is really helpful to cleanse as much easier to contain solids than liquids. 

If you mean oral durolax no, do not. The bowel contractions this would set off could be harmful.

 

What you can safely do if you like is glycerine suppositories, and/or eat some prunes or take some psyllium tonight.