Child with Epilepsy - diagnosis and treatment

[turgid]

Family friends 10 year old boy in Vientiane has developed what appears to be epilepsy over the last 5 months .  He is currently taking medication which doesn't appear to help. 

She is looking for a formal diagnosis   and i would assume a strategy for long term treatment.

Anyone have experience with Epilepsy and can recommend either in Bangkok or North East competent sympathetic resources?      

I suspect she will need support groups as much as doctors advice if such things exist here. 

[Sheryl]

New onset of seizures requires a detailed medical work up including EEG, brain scans to rule out brain tumor etc. Only if other causes are ruled out can it be assumed to be idiopathic epilepsy.

 

Unless they have a lot of money (or insurance) I suggest they go to the regional government hospital in Udon Thani. Bring any and all records with them and medications taken. Expect it to take at least 2 weeks and be prepared for long waits and initial red tape. Except for CT or MRI (one ofwhich will likely be advised) it will not be too expensive.

 

If they run into problem of long wait list for MRI/CT (common) they can go to a private imaging center, hospital can refer.

 

If they do have money or insurance then ket me know, and I will recommend a doctor at a orivate hospital in Bangkok.

 

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

 

[turgid]

Thanks  - within reason they do have money although i'd prefer to avoid the hospitals with piano players in the lobby.

If you can suggest  a doctor /  hospital would be useful.

 

 

[Sheryl]

Unfortunately the hospitals with the fancy lobbies also often have the largest range of specialists, and pediatric neurology is a distinct specialty

 

https://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Charcrin-Nabangchang

https://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Thitiwan-Simasathien

https://www.bangkokhospital.com/index.php/en/find-a-doctor/doctor-profile/?id=5543&doctor=Dr._SORAWIT_VIRAVAN

The above can also be seen at Siriraj  http://www.siphhospital.com/th/home

Might cost a bit less there but less convenient location

 

To control costs, tell them not to buy any meds at hospital pharmacy - it is unlikely any will be prescribed that cannot be bought OTC at a pharmacy.  Biggest costs are likely going to be scan (CT or MRI) and EEG. Scan can be done for less at an imaging center but I hesitate to recommend that in Bangkok given that contrast media must be used and it is a child. Small minority of patients have serious adverse reaction to the contrast media and emergency transfer to a hospital in Bangkok travel is not a situation one wants to see.