Indigestion or ulcer on Koh Chang.

[geisha]

Hi, a little advice needed. Before coming to spend a week on Koh Chang, I went to Pattaya International hospital to see a dr about a bout of what I thought was indigestion and heartburn. He gave me Air X which is for dyspepsia, 
Ranitidine 150 for antacid , and Pepto Bismol which I later found I couldn’t take as it constipated me badly. Well, after a few days nothing worked and I still had pain under chest bone down to navel, occasional pain in stomach , lots of burping and gas. ( the dr had told me I was *full * of gas. ) No nausea , vomiting, blood in stools, nothing. Anyhow, stopped those medicines and tried Meteospasmyl 3 a day. ( french dr had prescribed me these for abdominal discomfort and are always part of my medicine bag) . Anyhow, don’t know what to do. I’m not enjoying my stay that’s for sure, diet, no fun, and worrying a bit as I have this for 9 days now. Bit worried that it’s some sort of ulcer, or does indigestion take so long to heal ???? Pain is 3 or 4 times a day. I’m sleeping ok.  Should  I leave now ?  Any advice welcome as the International hospital here has astronomical prices ( start at 4000B) for Dr visit, and I’m back in Pattaya this Sunday 23 rd. Thanks. 

[Sheryl]

"indigestion" is not a medical diagnosis. just a lay term for symptoms.

 

You may have gastritis, with or without ulcer, but if so one would expect at least some relief from the ranitidine (though a PPI like omeprazole would work better).

 

Gall bladder problem is also possible.

Was the doctor you saw at PIH a GI specialist?  Since this has gone on for 9 days you should see a good GI specialist and have at minimum an abdominal  ultrasound.

 

You won't be able to get what you need on Koh Chang and sounds like you aren't having much fun anyway. If you will be travelling back to Pattaya overland you might try Bangkok Hospital Chanthaburi/

 

 

[geisha]

Thank you Sheryl. I do have Omeprazole with me. I don’t think the Meteospasmyl work either. I was wondering if it’s a problem to switch medicines like this ? No, the Dr at PIH was a generalist, I had just turned up there to get some medical advice. He did say my abdomen etc was full of gas, a problem I’ve had before. I eat very healthy and hardly drink, last one was Xmas. I might advance my departure date before going into a whole series of tests in Pattaya.  Does what I have sound urgent ?  I can live with a few pains for a week more . Thanks.++++

[Sheryl]

If you are moving your bowels normally and have no fever or vomiting it can probably wait.

 

You need GI specialist not GP.

[geisha]

Thank you Sheryl. No fever, no nausea or blood in stool. I feel quite ok most of the time , then the pains last a few minutes , about 3/4 Times a day, no more. I’d rather wait till I go home to France and I was going to advance my booking anyway , In the meantime , if ever it got worse I would go straight back to the hospital and see a specialist. Thanks again.

[yuiop]

18 hours ago, geisha said:

Thank you Sheryl. No fever, no nausea or blood in stool. I feel quite ok most of the time , then the pains last a few minutes , about 3/4 Times a day, no more. I’d rather wait till I go home to France and I was going to advance my booking anyway , In the meantime , if ever it got worse I would go straight back to the hospital and see a specialist. Thanks again.

I had the same kind of problems and symptoms and thought of a heartburn.

It lasted for about one week, saw a GI specialist too, until one night the heartburn/pain was stronger than usual and did not stop, so I run to the first help Bangkok hospital where they realized the heart condition.

I ended up with an angioplasty and one stent, it was a heart problem and not a GI problem as we were thinking.

I don't want to scare you, just report my experience that maybe can help others.

I'm not a doctor but I would do a ECG when you have the pain and an eco-heart at least.

 

 

[geisha]

Yuiop , thank you. But that’s why I went to the hospital at first, just to check. I know the symptoms of pain are similar. Also, as I have a monitor at home, I check once a week or so or when I feel I need to. Always handy.