Doctors And Their Diagnoses

[Prakanong]

"I was told by a U.K Doctor milaria has the same symptom's as the common cold, maybe that's why everyone goes to the Doctor's over here. "

Here are the symptoms of Malaria.

Its the severity that will count.

I have never known a Dr have the "cold" patients tested for Malaria

Diagnosis

Your doctor will examine you and ask you about your symptoms. He or she will need to know which countries or regions you have recently visited, including any stopovers.

Your doctor will usually do a blood test to see if you have malaria. This may need to be repeated as the levels of malaria parasite in your blood can vary. If you have taken antimalarial drugs for example, the levels of parasite may be too low to detect. Repeating the test can help to confirm if you have malaria.

[Prakanong]

As Guesthouse points out it is the "Concomitant" medications that can cause real problems where the dr prescribes willy nilly and does not take a proper medical history together with details of any concomitant medication.

I have always volunteered any other medication to Thai Dr's and have only ever been treated at Bumrungrad though.

A half decent pharmacist should also question you on other medications if they are aware that the medication they are dispensing has interactions with other medications

[Losangels]

This is a great discussion.

From what I am reading here there are problems with health care in Thailand also. Are the doctors arrogant?

I'm afraid to that they are arrogant. Doctors here are considered the elite class, with very high education and what have you. Most patients here will rarely second guess their opinion much less question it. It's pretty much the same as in the US, that they are profit motivated, though its a lot easier to go for malpractice suite in the US than here.

[GuestHouse]

"I was told by a U.K Doctor milaria has the same symptom's as the common cold, maybe that's why everyone goes to the Doctor's over here. "

It depends on the context of how this advice was given.

Before moving to Thailand we were given a medical briefing, the things to look out for sort of guide to staying healthy.

The advice I recal very well was this:

"Many tropical diseases exhibit early symptoms very similar to a common cold, or flu. It is important you take all illnesses seriously and get medical advice as soon as you can. If you feel the need to self medicate then you are already at the point where you should be seeking medical advice"

[soundman]

This is a great discussion.

From what I am reading here there are problems with health care in Thailand also. Are the doctors arrogant?

I'm afraid to that they are arrogant. Doctors here are considered the elite class, with very high education and what have you. Most patients here will rarely second guess their opinion much less question it. It's pretty much the same as in the US, that they are profit motivated, though its a lot easier to go for malpractice suite in the US than here.

I am afraid that I totally disagree with you. Over a period of six years I have run into, and used the services of, for both myself, my wife & my daughter at least twenty doctors in Thailand and have not had one of them exhibit one bit of arrogance.

Lack of arrogance, however, does not take away from some of the arguments put forward in this thread.

Cheers,

Soundman.

[PeaceBlondie]

I'm arrogant enough to recognize arrogance in a doctor, and I wouldn't use that term to describe the 20 or so Thai doctors I've encountered here. It's more a case that Thai people defer to the doctor and give him or her too much respect. The doctor almost never says "I don't know" (with one notable exception among those 20 or so who treated me). If he's hasty in his diagnosis and doesn't bother to get the right tests, he'll still make a diagnosis and prescriptions which may be fatal.

[qwertz]

I'm arrogant enough to recognize arrogance in a doctor, and I wouldn't use that term to describe the 20 or so Thai doctors I've encountered here. It's more a case that Thai people defer to the doctor and give him or her too much respect. The doctor almost never says "I don't know" (with one notable exception among those 20 or so who treated me). If he's hasty in his diagnosis and doesn't bother to get the right tests, he'll still make a diagnosis and prescriptions which may be fatal.

Being an expat in Europe I found it saved a lot of time and possible misdiagnoses by having a copy of my medical history sent here from England. Now they have a quick reference that I'm allergic to penicillin and have some natural immunities e.g. to diphtheria, typhus and hepatitis B.

Edited March 27, 2007 by qwertz

[GuestHouse]

As a foreigner who has had to use the Thai (Private) medical system to deal with serious illness, my observation is there are quite a few interesting 'Cultural Issues' to consider with Thai medical professionals.

I'm going to use the term 'Disconnect' where there is something that is cultural going on that makes using the Thai medical system, shall we say a challenge, for foreigners. I should add, I'm a fluent Thai speaker, so there is no lack of communication ability between me and Thai medical staff.

One of the real 'disconnects' of the Thai medical system in my eyes is the absence of addressing a patient with any illness, especially serious illness, on an emotional level. I can't really describe this other than to give the contrast I experienced. I was treated by the very best doctors in Thailand for several months, I have absolutely no complaints about their clinical medical skills and knowledge but they completely missed the plot when it came to dealing with the emotional side of my illness. - 'Cold and Clinical' is the only way I could describe it.

The difference I experienced on arriving back in the UK (having been medi-vact) was complete, an absolute 100% change. Every single member of the medical staff nurses, specialists and doctors, even the cleaning staff on the wards all took extreme care of the emotional side of my illness. Its a way of giving information, treating and respecting the patient, helping the patient understand. It is a huge part of medical care that I found missing in Thailand.

As I have said before, my experience of being a patient in a Thai hospital prompted me, when I returned to Thailand after my own illness, to volunteer visiting foreigners in Thai hospitals. I heard this complaint of lack of care for the emotion of patients time and time again.

Think how odd that is when we contrast it with the admirable Thai culture of being very human (but not expressive) in their contact with others.

Then there was a really disturbing article in the Bangkok Post a few years back about the Thai attitudes to death and dying. The report included an account of how terminally ill patients are routinely (the article claimed), moved to side wards and left to die alone with no body near at hand. I still recall how distressing reading that was. Contrast that with the fabulous work done in UK NHS hospices for the dieing and terminally ill.

Again, I find it a very interesting paradox in Thai culture and values.

[soundman]

As a foreigner who has had to use the Thai (Private) medical system to deal with serious illness, my observation is there are quite a few interesting 'Cultural Issues' to consider with Thai medical professionals.

I'm going to use the term 'Disconnect' where there is something that is cultural going on that makes using the Thai medical system, shall we say a challenge, for foreigners. I should add, I'm a fluent Thai speaker, so there is no lack of communication ability between me and Thai medical staff.

One of the real 'disconnects' of the Thai medical system in my eyes is the absence of addressing a patient with any illness, especially serious illness, on an emotional level. I can't really describe this other than to give the contrast I experienced. I was treated by the very best doctors in Thailand for several months, I have absolutely no complaints about their clinical medical skills and knowledge but they completely missed the plot when it came to dealing with the emotional side of my illness. - 'Cold and Clinical' is the only way I could describe it.

The difference I experienced on arriving back in the UK (having been medi-vact) was complete, an absolute 100% change. Every single member of the medical staff nurses, specialists and doctors, even the cleaning staff on the wards all took extreme care of the emotional side of my illness. Its a way of giving information, treating and respecting the patient, helping the patient understand. It is a huge part of medical care that I found missing in Thailand.

As I have said before, my experience of being a patient in a Thai hospital prompted me, when I returned to Thailand after my own illness, to volunteer visiting foreigners in Thai hospitals. I heard this complaint of lack of care for the emotion of patients time and time again.

Think how odd that is when we contrast it with the admirable Thai culture of being very human (but not expressive) in their contact with others.

Then there was a really disturbing article in the Bangkok Post a few years back about the Thai attitudes to death and dying. The report included an account of how terminally ill patients are routinely (the article claimed), moved to side wards and left to die alone with no body near at hand. I still recall how distressing reading that was. Contrast that with the fabulous work done in UK NHS hospices for the dieing and terminally ill.

Again, I find it a very interesting paradox in Thai culture and values.

That really is distressing. I have seen it with my own eyes, when going to visit a friend in the local govt. hospital. There was a room containing about 30 odd breathing "corpses" off from the side of the main ward. Hardly any relatives at all at the bedsides.

In the private hospitals most rooms are single patient bed rooms with a living area, & rollout beds from under the couches. i guess it understood that anyone there being treated will have many of their family staying in the room too. Each time a close family member goes to hospital there are usually between 2 & 8 people coming to stay as well. That is probably how the thai's deal with the emotional side of recoopperation.

Cheers,

Soundman.

[GuestHouse]

That really is distressing. I have seen it with my own eyes, when going to visit a friend in the local govt. hospital. There was a room containing about 30 odd breathing "corpses" off from the side of the main ward. Hardly any relatives at all at the bedsides.

I'd rather hoped it wasn't true.

I take what you say about family support in hospitals and I think that is indeed a good thing. At some of the provincial hospitals there are crowds of people sleeping out on the street, waiting for the doors to open in the morning so they can sit with their loved ones.

One thing for sure, being old in Thailand is surely easier than back home, but hel_l I'd not want to be on my last legs of severely ill in a Thai hospital without the raft of family support.

[soundman]

That really is distressing. I have seen it with my own eyes, when going to visit a friend in the local govt. hospital. There was a room containing about 30 odd breathing "corpses" off from the side of the main ward. Hardly any relatives at all at the bedsides.

I'd rather hoped it wasn't true.

I take what you say about family support in hospitals and I think that is indeed a good thing. At some of the provincial hospitals there are crowds of people sleeping out on the street, waiting for the doors to open in the morning so they can sit with their loved ones.

One thing for sure, being old in Thailand is surely easier than back home, but hel_l I'd not want to be on my last legs of severely ill in a Thai hospital without the raft of family support.

I think a lot of the death "phobia" is related to religion in Thailand. People in general really hate to kill things. This maybe translates to the dying as well. Better to leave it alone lest you become involved in the dark karma or whatever evil spirits thai's believe in.

I am going to cite an incident I have seen that have left me scratching my head.

A guy gets cleaned up by a truck in front of our service station. He is pretty F...ed Up, probably going to die, a crowd gathers, however nobody does anything in the way of emergency recussatation or even to move the guy slightly off the busy road, they all just wait for rescue to come. When the rescue comes ten minutes later, they just pile the guy into the back of a pick-up by himself & drive off. The guy died, he might not have if there was a state funded ambulance service available. (thai ambulance service, another topic to post on??)

Soundman.

[GuestHouse]

(thai ambulance service, another topic to post on??)

Absolutely, like 'Road Side Trauma Treatment' is non existant.

The guy who was driving the Virgin Train that crashed in the UK was on TV a few nights back, he looks well, strapped up and rigged up because of a broken neck, but alive, well and not paralized.

Imagine the rescue team in Thailand, they'd have probably pulled him out by his head, and then spent ten minutes on the phone calling around hosptitals to see which gives the biggest back hander for bringing a farang patient to their doors.

[soundman]

(thai ambulance service, another topic to post on??)

Absolutely, like 'Road Side Trauma Treatment' is non existant.

The guy who was driving the Virgin Train that crashed in the UK was on TV a few nights back, he looks well, strapped up and rigged up because of a broken neck, but alive, well and not paralized.

Imagine the rescue team in Thailand, they'd have probably pulled him out by his head, and then spent ten minutes on the phone calling around hosptitals to see which gives the biggest back hander for bringing a farang patient to their doors.

If the subject wasn't so serious (serious defecincies), as to helping the fellow human being who is in peril, I would be pissing myself over that comment.

About 10 years before I even knew thailand exhisted, my father in law drove into the back of a truck, which didn't have his lights on. He was knocked unconscious & badly hurt. It took about 2 hours before an ambulance reached the scene. They then sat there & debated for ten minutes as to whether my father in law could afford the hospital bills. (He was driving a brand new Range Rover at the time). Another ambulance turned up, the two teams of ambulances then proceeded to have a negotiation about which one would do the pickup. (This is a third hand story, but my uncles all attest to it) Litterally 5 hours from accident to treatment.

All whilst my father in law was unconscious & bleeding to death. (He survived after another couple of hours of rough transport to some dingy hospital miles away from the scene)

Un - fuc!ing - believable.

Soundman.

[tc101]

This is a great place to discuss the good and bad points of medical service world wide. I am from the USA and I know there are lots of people here from Europe and Australia.

Our medical system in the USA is in bad shape. It is the most expensive in the world, and in spite of all the money you spend you are not treated with any courtesy or respect. The doctors make lots of money and drive expensive cars and live in big houses. They are very arrogant and everyone complains about it but of course no one lets the doctors know how arrogant they appear because they want good medical care.

On the positive side, you can usually get an appointment with a GP on the same day, or the next day. You can usually get an appointment with a specialist within a week.

In the USA the nurses are often caring and emotionally supportive if they are not too busy and over worked. The doctors tend to be more cold and clinical.

I am 57 and single and spend about $7000 a year on health insurance.

How does all this compare with your country?

[qualtrough]

My asthma is now completely controlled, something a western doctor never managed.

As an asthmatic myself my experience, and that of two other expat asthmatics I know is that our asthma is very much easier to control in Thailand's warm humid climate. We all of us report the same thing, retuning to colder drier climates brings back our asthma. So perhaps more to do with the climate and less to do with the doctors.

Here's two not so encouraging Thai medical experiences:

#1

Back in the late 90s I was taken ill with food poisoning, it was clearly not going to get better so my wife carted me off to the PIC (They were covered by our company health plan and had the quickest time to see a doctor of any of the hospitals in the area.. so s0d the price!)

The doctor decides to wack some anti convulcents into me, so gives me a jab - I went into allergic shock.

I left hostpital two days later, with a huge bill and in compliance with my company medical procedures a copy of my medical report was sent to our doctors in the UK - Surprise surprise, no mention of anti convulcents, no mention of allergic shock.

#2

My wife and I arrived at my wife's family home to find the whole house full of family, sitting around my wife's mother who was trembling - I took her pulse and it was all over the place, like a missfiring two stroke.

So we carted her off to hospital, I told my wife to bring the bag of smarties her mother had been subscribed.

The discussion was had that I was not going to be allowed to go into the examination room with MiL, so I remained outside and took the oportunity to take the smarties over to the pharmacy counter and ask if any of these are listed as not to be taken together. She immediatly spotted that two of the drugs should not be taken together. MiL's prescription was changed and it looks now as though she'll outlive me.

These two experiences illustrate to me what is wrong with medical treatment in Thailand - Carelessness and a disregard for the patient.

Talk to Thais who use wester medical care, mainly expectent mothers and mothers with small children, and they are full of praise for the western medical care.

Yes, Thai medical care is cheap, but in almost every case you are getting what you pay for.

Luckily I have had the exact opposite experience here:

Two children born here, wonderful experience at Paat Rangsit hospital near our home.

On a trip to Koh Chang with my sister's family from D.C. we swung by a local government clinic because one of my daughters had a cut that became infected. Sister could not believe the swift and excellent treatment we received, and almost fainted at the bill: something like 80 Baht.

On another ocassion my oldest daugher managed to run into a wall and open a gash on her forehead. Visited the government hospital in Prachuab Kirikan, wonderful treatment, friendly staff, and cost was again something like 5 dollars.

Had minor in-patient surgery at Paolo years ago, very professional and reasonably priced.

Wife had surgery at Camilian. All went well, but I found the atmosphere much like a hospital back in the US for some reason--i.e. not as friendly and welcoming as other care I have had here.

I have talked to many Thais and Farangs about medical care in both countries, and I would say on balance I have heard more favorable comments about Thailand than US care. In fact, I cannot recall too many really positive stories about the current state of medical care in the US.

Speaking of which, my last few dealings with US medicine were not very positive:

Spent a lot of time and money trying to diagnose and cure an ailment. Finally told by US practitioner that there was no answer and I would just have to learn to live with it. Returned to Thailand and was cured with one visit to the outpatient clinic at Paolo--Literally within 24 hours.

Scratched or bitten by monkey in Burma. Returned to Thailand and had two of three Rabies courses at an outpatient clinic, walk in, expensive then at about $15 or so a shot. Had to return to grad school in the US before I could get the final shot. Covered by school insurance I went to the school facility. They had no protocol for rabies shots, so please go visit clinic X. Visit Clinic X, we have no protocol for that too, visit the emergency room at the local hospital. Local hospital--yes, we can do it, but it will cost $285. The vaccine was the exact same brand as the one I had in Thailand. I wasted about a week going through all those hoops.

Last experience was a year ago. Ears wouldn't unstuff after one week. Went to one of those emergency clinics that are popping up all over the US along with check cashing outfits and pawn shops, paid my $85 in advance, and was told there wasn't anything they could do except give me an antibiotic that might help. Took that prescription to Target (unlike Thailand you have to schlep your way to a pharmacy) and was astounded to find the bill was $150. All told, $235 and the pills didn't seem to have any effect.

YMMV as they say...

[GuestHouse]

If the health care in the US is so bad, why are Thai hospitals so eagre to publicize the fact they have US trained doctors?

I am 57 and single and spend about $7000 a year on health insurance.

How does all this compare with your country?

In the UK medical treatment is free at the point of need - you need treatment, you get it - regardless.

God bless the NHS!

[a2396]

This is a great discussion.

I live in the USA and one of the reasons I have considered retiring to Thailand is to get better medical care at a more reasonable price. I am 57 and will have to pay my own health insurance until I am 65. It gets more expensive every year. In addition to the high price, the doctors in the USA are very arrogant and it is hard to deal with them.

From what I am reading here there are problems with health care in Thailand also. Are the doctors arrogant?

I have lived here for over 2 years and generally have had positive experience with the health care and doctors. They have certainly not been arrogant. They are usually very polite and in keeping with the general politeness of society here. I have found no shortage of arrogant doctors (and nurses) back home. The speed of access to care is far superior to USA. I can get seen by a specialist in the NE city where I live, within 30 minutes. Such a thing is unheard of back in my "developed country". Some of the costs I have paid are one-tenth of what I would be billed for in USA. If you are looking for some highly advanced and sophisticated treatment outside of Bangkok, then I would stay in USA, if you can afford it. As for "pill happy" doctors, I would say they are more prevalant in USA also. There are countless stories of poor saps (Americans) taking dresser drawers full of medications, of which I wonder whether they really need. Some have to choose between eating and purchasing their medications.

[qualtrough]

This is a great discussion.

I live in the USA and one of the reasons I have considered retiring to Thailand is to get better medical care at a more reasonable price. I am 57 and will have to pay my own health insurance until I am 65. It gets more expensive every year. In addition to the high price, the doctors in the USA are very arrogant and it is hard to deal with them.

From what I am reading here there are problems with health care in Thailand also. Are the doctors arrogant?

I have lived here for over 2 years and generally have had positive experience with the health care and doctors. They have certainly not been arrogant. They are usually very polite and in keeping with the general politeness of society here. I have found no shortage of arrogant doctors (and nurses) back home. The speed of access to care is far superior to USA. I can get seen by a specialist in the NE city where I live, within 30 minutes. Such a thing is unheard of back in my "developed country". Some of the costs I have paid are one-tenth of what I would be billed for in USA. If you are looking for some highly advanced and sophisticated treatment outside of Bangkok, then I would stay in USA, if you can afford it. As for "pill happy" doctors, I would say they are more prevalant in USA also. There are countless stories of poor saps (Americans) taking dresser drawers full of medications, of which I wonder whether they really need. Some have to choose between eating and purchasing their medications.

Ditto on the wait issue. My parents live in the Phoenix area, and they sometimes have to book specialists months in advance. For example, my mother had to wait three months to get in with a dermatologist. Thailand? Just walk in. I cannot recall waiting longer than 15 minutes before I am sitting with a doctor.

[uptou]

i went to a clinic in the north with ear ache,& expecting just to need a wax clean out.i was surprised when i was given this huge bag of anti-biotics for an ear infection,& the doctor looked a little worried when i questioned him,but i didnt pursue it any further as i knew that i would just get the famous blank look accompanied with silence.

after talking to a thai freind i went to a clinic that she recommended,& all i needed was a clean out,& i had no infection so i threw the drugs away.

[qualtrough]

If the health care in the US is so bad, why are Thai hospitals so eagre to publicize the fact they have US trained doctors?

There is a big diference between the training and technology and the way in which that is and isn't being delivered in the USA. The problem isnt't the level of care, it is the hurdles put up by the high prices, the lack of affordable insurance, and the high co-pays, etc. for those lucky enough to have insurance. I won't even go into all the paperwork involved. There can also be long waits. As I mentioned in a previous post, my parents have to wait weeks and even months to see specialists in the Phoenix area-- and they are well-off and have good coverage. I also got the feeling I was on an assembly line visiting doctors in the US. All very hurried. Here I have never felt rushed by a doctor, and find that they are more than willing to chat about any illness, etc.

One more thing I like about the Thai system is the fact that the family can camp out with you. Our daughters have been hospitalized several times for high fevers and we were able to stay with them 24/7. I can't even imagine leaving them alone in a hospital. When I was out for five days once the wife and kids were right there with me too.

I also have not experienced the emotional coldness you did. I do think Thais have a different take on things like that, but I don't know if that is a fault so much as a different approach.

[tc101]

One poster said health care if free in the UK, but other than that we haven't heard from anyone other than the USA. Are there any other Europeans or Australians or Canadians here who want to talk about the healt care system in their home countries?

[Neeranam]

Some Thai doctors are very good and some aren't. My experiences with Thai doctors have been mostly positive. I think one should make their own judgment and always seek a second opinion from a different doctor......

Very true, especially the second opinion.

A few weeks back I went with my wife to the hospital when she was pregnant. She was feeling a bit dizzy. She was diagnosed as having Pulmonary Embolism. The doctor came outside to tell me that it was very serious and she was probably going to die, but not to tell her yet. Man, my emotions were all over the shop trying to tell my wife that everything was ok. Luckily we were friendly with a doctor there and she got an expert/specialist in and everything was OK. Thai doctors are terrible at giving information to family/friends, especially after a death - sometimes they just shout it out across a busy room that someone has died.

One problem with Thai doctors is that their egos are too big. They are not willing to admit they don't know something and would rather sweep a problem under the carpet rather that help. An example of this is giving tranqs to alcoholics - getting them addicted. There is one doctor who is famous for doing this. On Monday mornings his surgery is packed out the door with guys with zombie eyes. He keeps doubling their dosages of valium etc. It's criminal, but try telling him!

[t.s]

Are they trying to say that medical tourists are "not the class" the TOT want? Who would come here for surgery with even less assurance that it will be done right?

nobody has called into question the ability of thai docotors to successfully complete a procedure. diagnoses is the issue here.

[Luckydog]

I have found the doctors, (one is a close family member & does exactly what I am describing here) in thailand to be extremely generous with their prescription methods.

My wife might go to see a doctor, (nothing less than a BKK hospital (vichayuit) doctor mind you which is about a two hour drive), for a common cold. We then walk out with about fifteen different pain relievers, antibiotics & vitamin suppliments.

All for a 48hr cold. I go ape about it, & the wife looks at me like I'm sending her to the gallows.

Go figure!!!

Soundman.

Don't you know they (Doctors in Hospitals) get a piece of the action old bean?

[Luckydog]

Some Thai doctors are very good and some aren't. My experiences with Thai doctors have been mostly positive. I think one should make their own judgment and always seek a second opinion from a different doctor......

Very true, especially the second opinion.

A few weeks back I went with my wife to the hospital when she was pregnant. She was feeling a bit dizzy. She was diagnosed as having Pulmonary Embolism. The doctor came outside to tell me that it was very serious and she was probably going to die, but not to tell her yet. Man, my emotions were all over the shop trying to tell my wife that everything was ok. Luckily we were friendly with a doctor there and she got an expert/specialist in and everything was OK. Thai doctors are terrible at giving information to family/friends, especially after a death - sometimes they just shout it out across a busy room that someone has died.

One problem with Thai doctors is that their egos are too big. They are not willing to admit they don't know something and would rather sweep a problem under the carpet rather that help. An example of this is giving tranqs to alcoholics - getting them addicted. There is one doctor who is famous for doing this. On Monday mornings his surgery is packed out the door with guys with zombie eyes. He keeps doubling their dosages of valium etc. It's criminal, but try telling him!

What;s the difference between a Doctor and God? Well God doesn't think he is a Doctor!

[Luckydog]

As Guesthouse points out it is the "Concomitant" medications that can cause real problems where the dr prescribes willy nilly and does not take a proper medical history together with details of any concomitant medication.

I have always volunteered any other medication to Thai Dr's and have only ever been treated at Bumrungrad though.

A half decent pharmacist should also question you on other medications if they are aware that the medication they are dispensing has interactions with other medications

I was prescribed a powerful antibiotic in Sattahip Hospital recently. But they failed to tell me it should not be taken with the Zinc suppliment I was taking. In fact they didn't ask me what I was on?

[Luckydog]

i went to a clinic in the north with ear ache,& expecting just to need a wax clean out.i was surprised when i was given this huge bag of anti-biotics for an ear infection,& the doctor looked a little worried when i questioned him,but i didnt pursue it any further as i knew that i would just get the famous blank look accompanied with silence.

after talking to a thai freind i went to a clinic that she recommended,& all i needed was a clean out,& i had no infection so i threw the drugs away.

That's nothing! One Quack in Sri Racha wanted to cut my Balls off! "You have Cancer" he said.

But a second opinion in Sattahip Hospital said "All you need is some Antibiotics".

(See my Prostate thread for the full story)

[donna]

i have a few stories about doctors in asia and back in australia.

first one was a few yrs ago in indonesia. i was reeeeally sick. platelets dropped to around 47, and the doc was thinking i needed a transfusion. at that stage i just wanted to die. my temperature was over 40, i was shaking like crazy, i was vomiting weird coloured stuff, and dying seemed to be my best option.

they med evac'd me out to perth. where the 'lovely' australian doctor told me 'oh your not THAT sick you know'. well, from my end, i was that bloody sick. i stayed in hospital there for about 5 nights, and grew a tad tired of seeing the blood on the ceiling of my room, as well as on the walls. it was the same in the emergency room where i was first seen.

after a month in australia with no diagnosis i returned to thailand. 6 weeks after that, i came down with the same symptoms again. was taken by ambulance from sangkhlaburi to kanchanaburi (2 hour trip by ambulance - beats the 5hr public bus trip) where i was diagnosed with malaria within about 20 mins.

i then wanted to be taken to bkk, as thats where my office was, and i would have been alone in kanchanaburi. no problem. they arranged an ambulance to take me there.

after another few bouts of malaria, i came down yet again with the same symptoms. i went to my usual infectious diseases doctor at bumrungrad, who is a lovely man by the way, and he admitted me immediately. after a few days, the doctors there were unable to find anything wrong with me. they did colonoscopies, MRI's, ultrasounds, heart monitoring, hourly blood tests etc. they even went so far to tell me that they wanted me to go to the sleep clinic as they suspected that i had sleep apnoema (spelling, sorry).

how on earth would my fevers, liver malfunction, and general feeling of being unwell be related to sleep apnoema? (i do not snore, and never have).

i decided to check out of the hospital and was discharged with a diagnosis of 'spleenomegaly' which is an enlarged spleen. once i was at home, i checked this on the internet, and found out that the causes of spleenomegaly is either trauma or MALARIA. the doctors failed to advise me of this, and im sure they had joy in treating me as a basket case. (thats what it felt like anyway).

a doctor in phuket recently told me i was menopausal and wanted to put me on a concoction of hormones without offering me any explanation of why i should be taking them. 6 months later, i got my blood tested again and found out that i am not, in fact, menopausal (ok, hormones CAN change, but the lack of care and understanding by the first doctor was pretty rank).

a second doctor told me that she thinks i have cancer and i must undergo surgery immediately (that same day). i elected not to and have been seeing a very nice doctor who is trying to find out the cause of my problem by process of elimination, rather then just jumping to the worst possible case scenario immediately.

my experience with doctors in thailand has been very mixed. some have been really lovely, some have been really horrid. my doctor in australia is lovely, but the doctors i experienced when i was med evac'd out were really horrible. its all trial and error and luck of the draw i guess.

sorry, this is a bit long winded.

[WaiWai]

The doctor came outside to tell me that it was very serious and she was probably going to die

Come to think of it, that's one diagnosis that would always be correct - in fact, "probably" is on the conservative side !

Seriously, that must have been quite traumatic, as would other experiences described here.

I always google for information about the medicines given to me here, esp. side effects, and compatability with other drugs. Some very expensive stuff has been placed directly in the bin.

[soundman]

I have found the doctors, (one is a close family member & does exactly what I am describing here) in thailand to be extremely generous with their prescription methods.

My wife might go to see a doctor, (nothing less than a BKK hospital (vichayuit) doctor mind you which is about a two hour drive), for a common cold. We then walk out with about fifteen different pain relievers, antibiotics & vitamin suppliments.

All for a 48hr cold. I go ape about it, & the wife looks at me like I'm sending her to the gallows.

Go figure!!!

Soundman.

Don't you know they (Doctors in Hospitals) get a piece of the action old bean?

Maybe, maybe not. I don't know which hospital you have studied..... but ..... This is straight from the source.

My cousin in law (wifes cousin) most certainly does not get a cut from prescriptions made within the hospital where she works. She does, however, make a reasonable profit from selling everything she prescibes in "outside" work. She does also work for "free" about twenty days per year in govt. hospitals.

Cheers,

Soundman.