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Medical tourism for life-altering reason: thoughts on quality of hospitals in Phuket?


weelittletimmy

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I'm in my early 30s and for the past ten years I've had major erectile issues, as in total absence. Viagra pills did almost nothing, barely a half-chub. The doctor I saw told me I'd be like this for life, but in my country they really make no effort.

 

I want to do an MRI down there to see if there's something that could explain the issues I've been having, other than "that's just how it is forever" or "what if it's mental? try a psychiatrist". Based on the MRI results, and whatever other diagnostics Thai doctors recommend, I might go for something more, such as treatment or surgery, again per their recommendation.

 

I recently lost my job and am using what's left of my savings on this extended trip primarily to lose weight but I'd also like to hopefully fix my sexual issues which have prevented me from having the normal 20s/30s other people have.

 

But I'm worried Thailand is the sort of place where they'll just take you on a ride and run unnecessary diagnostics (or worse: unnecessary "treatments", especially surgeries) just to drive up your bill, and I'll leave broke but no better off. Or with some new issue due to complications from some surgery they told me to get.

 

Am I right in having those worries?

 

Also, I'll be in Phuket, is their Bangkok Hospital the best place to go for this? I care more about quality care, but at the same time I'm not rich, I have about 25k USD to last me for 6 months in Thailand.

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It's really just this one issue I'd seek medical care for, how is it a basket of issues.

 

I don't drink or smoke, and although I'm overweight at 240 lbs, surely that can't be it? People way bigger than me have no problem using their dick.

 

You seem to have a really poor opinion of Thailand's medical system. I heard good things when googling "medical tourism". Is it just paid marketing?

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Just now, NCC1701A said:

Dude! That is it.:shock1:

 

Get below 20% body fat and your penis will work again.

Well that's the plan too. ????

 

I expect to drop 60 lbs while I'm there training, 10 a month. So you'd wait until that was done before even seeing a doctor?

 

I'm a bit cynical cause I know several guys fatter than me don't have these issues.

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18 hours ago, geriatrickid said:

No. Phuket is not  the place for the treatment of the  basket of issues you describe. There will be no cure, little likelihood of success  and nothing but heartache and potential complications. 

Any surgical intervention will most likely result in a serious infection or more serious complications.

 

If you are truly intent on addressing the issue, the expertise is in your own country of USA. Other  countries with specialists who can  address this are in Canada, Japan, the EU, and Australia.

 

If you are morbidly obese as I expect that you are, your issues are linked to your weight and circulatory condition. Address the obesity issues first and the ED will most likely resolve on its own. If you smoke, stop. And if you consume alcohol, stop that too.

You should have told go and be a Monk 

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Ever considered you may have the wrong stimulus? It happens. You think something isnt working but in fact its just not the right arousal.

 

Like viagra etc, only works if you get aroused. Make sure you are getting the right stimulus. Have fun exploring that first, damn site less expensive researching that than in a hospital thats for sure.????

 

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2 hours ago, Trentham said:

I know that this is not a response to your specific problem but I am posting this as a warning. It is a copy of something I have posted in the past..........

 

I do not want to sound alarmist but be very careful. Ten years ago I went to Bumrungrad for a simple headache that had been around for a few days. I was sent to a neurologist who diagnosed early onset Alzheimer's and sent me for an MRI at a cost of 30,000 baht. In addition he prescribed several drugs - Stilnox, Tranxeme which is used to treat anxiety, acute alcohol withdrawal, and seizures and a number of other drugs that I cannot remember which were extremely expensive. Obviously it was not Alzheimer's because I am able to write this story. 

 

I also had laser surgery on my eyes at Bumrungrad for acute angle glaucoma about 6 years ago. Upon returning home to Australia I was told by an eye specialist that the surgeon had done the operation the easy way, into the lower hemisphere of my eyes instead of the upper and therefore I now suffer with glare very badly. I then had to attend the hospital for checks - at first weekly, then monthly for a long time and finally every 3 months. That too was very expensive 3000 baht per visit.My Australian doctor told me that was a blatant rip-off because once laser surgery is performed no more than one check-up is necessary. A second eye specialist has since told me that I have never had glaucoma at all. 

 

In addition, I once had very bad shoulder pain and went to BNH Hospital and was put onto a neck stretching machine every day for a month at several thousand baht each day. It was diagnosed as a pinched nerve in my neck. They tried to talk me into an operation on my neck costing  300,000 baht. Thank God I declined. I subsequently found out, upon another trip home that it was indeed an injured rotator cuff in my shoulder.

 

One time I was staying at Khao Luk and wanted to extend for 2 days. Air Asia would not allow me to change my ticket without a medical certificate. So, fit as a fiddle I went to the local hospital and told the doc I had a bad virus in my throat and a head cold. She examined me and told me I had acute pharyngitis. There was nothing wrong with me.

 

Also at BNH I had been treated for reflux for many months and in spite of presenting myself at the hospital at 1 or 2 AM several times with extreme pain in my abdomen nothing was ever done apart from giving me reflux pills and once, a pill to push up my rear for constipation which I did not have. In 2010 I returned home and went to my doctor for some reflux pills and he refused them and sent me for a CAT scan. It was cancer in my pancreas and I was immediately operated on and I am one of the 3% who survive that disease.

 

I can relate other less dramatic stories that have happened to me and also friends of mine in Thailand. It seems to me that medicine in Thailand is not a health service but an industry devoted to making money.

 

I do not doubt that Thailand has some good doctors but Bumrungrad in particular seems to be only interested in making money. PLEASE BE CAREFUL.

 

 

 

 

Living in Thailand I am worried to have to go to hospitals which are listed on the stock exchange and with doctors who may have a commission on their turnover.

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Don't waste your money.....there will be lots of tests, recommendations for expensive and ineffective treatments. Lose some weight. It is likely that your arteries in and around the area are clogged with plaque. Cholesterol medicine may help. Get yourself checked for Type 2 diabetes when yogurt home.

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I see mostly good advices and comments above. 

 

Phuket is certainly not the place. 

Famous hospitals such as Bumrumgrad and the Bangkok Hospitals chain are here to rip you off... avoid them at all costs, that's the word indeed! 

Start to lose weight, lots of it, before visiting the hospitals. 

And the most efficient way to lose weight is less calories and more exercice, just that simple... 

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8 hours ago, Trentham said:

I know that this is not a response to your specific problem but I am posting this as a warning. It is a copy of something I have posted in the past..........

 

I do not want to sound alarmist but be very careful. Ten years ago I went to X hospital  for a simple headache that had been around for a few days. I was sent to a neurologist who diagnosed early onset Alzheimer's and sent me for an MRI at a cost of 30,000 baht. In addition he prescribed several drugs - Stilnox, Tranxeme which is used to treat anxiety, acute alcohol withdrawal, and seizures and a number of other drugs that I cannot remember which were extremely expensive. Obviously it was not Alzheimer's because I am able to write this story. 

 

I also had laser surgery on my eyes at X Hospital for acute angle glaucoma about 6 years ago. Upon returning home to Australia I was told by an eye specialist that the surgeon had done the operation the easy way, into the lower hemisphere of my eyes instead of the upper and therefore I now suffer with glare very badly. I then had to attend the hospital for checks - at first weekly, then monthly for a long time and finally every 3 months. That too was very expensive 3000 baht per visit.My Australian doctor told me that was a blatant rip-off because once laser surgery is performed no more than one check-up is necessary. A second eye specialist has since told me that I have never had glaucoma at all. 

 

In addition, I once had very bad shoulder pain and went to XX Hospital and was put onto a neck stretching machine every day for a month at several thousand baht each day. It was diagnosed as a pinched nerve in my neck. They tried to talk me into an operation on my neck costing  300,000 baht. Thank God I declined. I subsequently found out, upon another trip home that it was indeed an injured rotator cuff in my shoulder.

 

One time I was staying at Khao Luk and wanted to extend for 2 days. Air Asia would not allow me to change my ticket without a medical certificate. So, fit as a fiddle I went to the local hospital and told the doc I had a bad virus in my throat and a head cold. She examined me and told me I had acute pharyngitis. There was nothing wrong with me.

 

Also at XX Hospital I had been treated for reflux for many months and in spite of presenting myself at the hospital at 1 or 2 AM several times with extreme pain in my abdomen nothing was ever done apart from giving me reflux pills and once, a pill to push up my rear for constipation which I did not have. In 2010 I returned home and went to my doctor for some reflux pills and he refused them and sent me for a CAT scan. It was cancer in my pancreas and I was immediately operated on and I am one of the 3% who survive that disease.

 

I can relate other less dramatic stories that have happened to me and also friends of mine in Thailand. It seems to me that medicine in Thailand is not a health service but an industry devoted to making money.

 

I do not doubt that Thailand has some good doctors but X in particular seems to be only interested in making money. PLEASE BE CAREFUL.

 

 

 

 

you really got stitched up at bumrungrad, went there for an opinion on my hips, outrageous prices, ended up at the recently departed kings private hospital, 100s bart cheaper, great result and absolutely first class, better than any thing in aus, and american trained surgeon and aus anatheist. My mate had his eyes done in aus, was going blind, while in thailand they played up, so he went to a eye doctor at korat, who rushed him to khon khen university eye hospital where , luckily they saved his sight, there is some great hospitals and doctors in thailand, you have to do your home work and shop around, you can get a hip replacement at udon thani ,now for under 200k bhart, and the results are great, dentistry is first class too at udon

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Sheryl
hospital names removed from quoted post due to defamation laws
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22 hours ago, weelittletimmy said:

It's really just this one issue I'd seek medical care for, how is it a basket of issues.

 

I don't drink or smoke, and although I'm overweight at 240 lbs, surely that can't be it? People way bigger than me have no problem using their dick.

 

You seem to have a really poor opinion of Thailand's medical system. I heard good things when googling "medical tourism". Is it just paid marketing?

I can't really give you any advice on your particular problem. However, I have had some wonderful and effective treatment (not referring to ED) in Bangkok Hospital in Bangkok. I would try them. They are not cheap, but you do get your money´s worth.

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the op can do the free erectile ability test with a strip of 4 to 6 postage stamps.

Erection Self-Test

Definition

An erection self-test is a method to determines a man's ability or inability to achieve an erection during sleep.

Alternative Names

Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) stamp test; Nighttime penile tape test

How the test is performed

A strip of four to six postage stamps (any kind) is used for each test. The test needs to be done for 3 nights. The man needs to wear brief-type undershorts that have a fly. Place the penis through the fly, leaving most of the pubic hair against the body.

Wrap the strip of stamps snugly around the shaft of the penis. The stamps need to overlap so the overlapped stamp can be moistened to seal the ring. When the stamp has dried, carefully place the penis back inside the shorts and wear them while sleeping. (They help protect the stamps from falling off).

In the morning, check to see if the stamp ring has been broken along the perforations. If the tearing of the stamps awakens the man during the night, check for an erection and how rigid the erection is.

 

https://www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/tests/003339.html

 

 

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2 hours ago, fvw53 said:

Living in Thailand I am worried to have to go to hospitals which are listed on the stock exchange and with doctors who may have a commission on their turnover.

I really can't speak for all hospitals on the stock exchange, but I would strongly object to Bangkok Hospitals being labeled as just money makers. They are expensive, but from experience in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, I can say with absolute certainty that they give you a first class service and the doctors there know what they are talking about.

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Good afternoon,

 

If you want to find very good hospitals for a cheap price, I would recomend going to India..

You have specialized hospital in each and every matter.. You just have to choose the one for your problem..

Have a good afternoon

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I’m a nurse and usually avoid giving medical advice. But 1. You cannot count on a good standard of medical care here. The door greeters, suwatdee ka’s, and immediate service at first tier hospitals do not assure satisfactory treatment. Many internet postings similar to replies above. 2. As someone who has to watch his weight, and also exercises regularly, I can tell you that weight=calories in vs calories used. Weigh yourself every day and get an app to record every bite you eat and all your exercise. I use LoseIt, but there are many similar apps. Thailand is a good place to lose if you eat Thai food, don’t drink, and walk a lot. 3. As for medical evaluation of your problem, get labs done, see if anything’s abnormal–cholesterol, A1c (checks for diabetes), thyroid, etc. I have USA Medicare, I made decision to keep it with good supplement just in case, it costs more than my condo rent. Best wishes.

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Much input with various advice..

Sheryl is one of the most knowledgeable of medical needs.

 

However I would like to add some other considerations. Are you on any prescription meds? Some strong meds can create or worsen the effects of ED. I was on a cocktail of about five various meds for rheumatoid arthritis which also led me to have ED for a long period.. When the cortisone was removed from my mix so were most of my issues.

 

Many men work well with Viagra and many don't as is well known.

Others get a greater benefit from trying Cialas. It's more a 2-3 day pill and gives greater arousal but at a much higher cost as well. My home GP gave me a free sample pack, and it worked like magic in my case.

But forget the fakes sold here. They work like a paracetamol.

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11 hours ago, Trentham said:

I know that this is not a response to your specific problem but I am posting this as a warning. It is a copy of something I have posted in the past..........

 

I do not want to sound alarmist but be very careful. Ten years ago I went to X (hospital name removed)  for a simple headache that had been around for a few days. I was sent to a neurologist who diagnosed early onset Alzheimer's and sent me for an MRI at a cost of 30,000 baht. In addition he prescribed several drugs - Stilnox, Tranxeme which is used to treat anxiety, acute alcohol withdrawal, and seizures and a number of other drugs that I cannot remember which were extremely expensive. Obviously it was not Alzheimer's because I am able to write this story. 

I also had laser surgery on my eyes at X (hospital name removed)  for acute angle glaucoma about 6 years ago. Upon returning home to Australia I was told by an eye specialist that the surgeon had done the operation the easy way, into the lower hemisphere of my eyes instead of the upper and therefore I now suffer with glare very badly. I then had to attend the hospital for checks - at first weekly, then monthly for a long time and finally every 3 months. That too was very expensive 3000 baht per visit.My Australian doctor told me that was a blatant rip-off because once laser surgery is performed no more than one check-up is necessary. A second eye specialist has since told me that I have never had glaucoma at all. 

In addition, I once had very bad shoulder pain and went to X  Hospital (name removed) and was put onto a neck stretching machine every day for a month at several thousand baht each day. It was diagnosed as a pinched nerve in my neck. They tried to talk me into an operation on my neck costing  300,000 baht. Thank God I declined. I subsequently found out, upon another trip home that it was indeed an injured rotator cuff in my shoulder.

One time I was staying at Khao Luk and wanted to extend for 2 days. Air Asia would not allow me to change my ticket without a medical certificate. So, fit as a fiddle I went to the local hospital and told the doc I had a bad virus in my throat and a head cold. She examined me and told me I had acute pharyngitis. There was nothing wrong with me.

Also at X (name removed)  I had been treated for reflux for many months and in spite of presenting myself at the hospital at 1 or 2 AM several times with extreme pain in my abdomen nothing was ever done apart from giving me reflux pills and once, a pill to push up my rear for constipation which I did not have. In 2010 I returned home and went to my doctor for some reflux pills and he refused them and sent me for a CAT scan. It was cancer in my pancreas and I was immediately operated on and I am one of the 3% who survive that disease.

I can relate other less dramatic stories that have happened to me and also friends of mine in Thailand. It seems to me that medicine in Thailand is not a health service but an industry devoted to making money.

I do not doubt that Thailand has some good doctors but (name removed) in particular seems to be only interested in making money. PLEASE BE CAREFUL.

 

 

 

 

To the Poster,  I had ED as well, a simple test in Bumrungrad showed I was producing zero testosterone.........and was started on Nebido 1000mg injections every 4 weeks for 2 months, and the past year now only every 8 weeks, hair started growing back on my body, muscle mass increased and fat dissolved around my belly like an ice cube in your beer, skin tone is healthy where it used to be kind of ruddy.   T levels are above normal now for a late sixties something guy, morning woodies are the norm rather than a distant memory.  People say I look 20 years younger.

 

You need to go to Pattaya, there is a Testosterone clinic on Pattaya Thai road, can't miss it the sign is so large, or like I did Bumrungrad Hospital (Expensive) in Bangkok they have a Mens Clinic specializing in men's health.

Edited by TunnelRat69
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22 hours ago, Trentham said:

I know that this is not a response to your specific problem but I am posting this as a warning. It is a copy of something I have posted in the past..........

 

I do not want to sound alarmist but be very careful. Ten years ago I went to X (hospital name removed)  for a simple headache that had been around for a few days. I was sent to a neurologist who diagnosed early onset Alzheimer's and sent me for an MRI at a cost of 30,000 baht. In addition he prescribed several drugs - Stilnox, Tranxeme which is used to treat anxiety, acute alcohol withdrawal, and seizures and a number of other drugs that I cannot remember which were extremely expensive. Obviously it was not Alzheimer's because I am able to write this story. 

I also had laser surgery on my eyes at X (hospital name removed)  for acute angle glaucoma about 6 years ago. Upon returning home to Australia I was told by an eye specialist that the surgeon had done the operation the easy way, into the lower hemisphere of my eyes instead of the upper and therefore I now suffer with glare very badly. I then had to attend the hospital for checks - at first weekly, then monthly for a long time and finally every 3 months. That too was very expensive 3000 baht per visit.My Australian doctor told me that was a blatant rip-off because once laser surgery is performed no more than one check-up is necessary. A second eye specialist has since told me that I have never had glaucoma at all. 

In addition, I once had very bad shoulder pain and went to X  Hospital (name removed) and was put onto a neck stretching machine every day for a month at several thousand baht each day. It was diagnosed as a pinched nerve in my neck. They tried to talk me into an operation on my neck costing  300,000 baht. Thank God I declined. I subsequently found out, upon another trip home that it was indeed an injured rotator cuff in my shoulder.

One time I was staying at Khao Luk and wanted to extend for 2 days. Air Asia would not allow me to change my ticket without a medical certificate. So, fit as a fiddle I went to the local hospital and told the doc I had a bad virus in my throat and a head cold. She examined me and told me I had acute pharyngitis. There was nothing wrong with me.

Also at X (name removed)  I had been treated for reflux for many months and in spite of presenting myself at the hospital at 1 or 2 AM several times with extreme pain in my abdomen nothing was ever done apart from giving me reflux pills and once, a pill to push up my rear for constipation which I did not have. In 2010 I returned home and went to my doctor for some reflux pills and he refused them and sent me for a CAT scan. It was cancer in my pancreas and I was immediately operated on and I am one of the 3% who survive that disease.

I can relate other less dramatic stories that have happened to me and also friends of mine in Thailand. It seems to me that medicine in Thailand is not a health service but an industry devoted to making money.

I do not doubt that Thailand has some good doctors but (name removed) in particular seems to be only interested in making money. PLEASE BE CAREFUL.

 

 

 

 

As I have said in this forum before: When I am old and sick, I want to die a less painful death in a wealthy western country.   

 

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On 12/27/2018 at 2:07 PM, geriatrickid said:

No. Phuket is not  the place for the treatment of the  basket of issues you describe. There will be no cure, little likelihood of success  and nothing but heartache and potential complications. 

Any surgical intervention will most likely result in a serious infection or more serious complications.

 

If you are truly intent on addressing the issue, the expertise is in your own country of USA. Other  countries with specialists who can  address this are in Canada, Japan, the EU, and Australia.

 

If you are morbidly obese as I expect that you are, your issues are linked to your weight and circulatory condition. Address the obesity issues first and the ED will most likely resolve on its own. If you smoke, stop. And if you consume alcohol, stop that too.

Prefer private hospitals in Bangkok over those in my country USA.

quality of service is better facilities are better and cost is a fraction of the USA. These would also be the reasons medical tourism is prevalent here.

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