Update for Sheryl

[Stevon]

Good morning Sheryl, you very kindly helped me a few months ago with my numbness in my legs as advised by you I went for the MRI scan the doctor advised me that my spine is not too bad a gave me Gabapentin tablets then on the same day as the MRI scan I had a terrible pain on top of my foot which I have had now for 5 weeks. It’s obviously stopped me from walking and without rest swells up.

i have been for an ABI scan in Phitsonaluk advised not too bad more tablets and 15,000 Baht still pain on top of foot went back 7 hour round trip given more tablets 13,000 Baht today still the same not one painkiller I take helps.....any ideas. I’m going insane, today up Phetchabun private hospital but not holding my breath.

 

regards

[Pilotman]

Oh dear.  I am no doctor and Sheryl will advise you, but it sounds like something that doesn't need even more tablets, but needs deeper investigation. Maybe a Bangkok hospital and a specialist can help you. Sheryl may have a contact for you, I hope so. 

 

I nearly said that you should hot foot back to the hospital, but that would have been insensitive.   Sorry!  

[lopburi3]

You might want to advise what medications were prescribed each time rather than just more tablets as will allow her to understand what doctors are treating better.  Gabapentin can cause swelling and pain along with many other side effects (wife had for nerve pain in leg and could not take as made worse).  

[Sheryl]

Yes list names of the medications given and also where you went for care each time - name of hospital and type of specialist

 

If you are in Phechabun the best medical care to be had is at Khon Kaen university hospital )Srinagarind0

 

Upcountry private hospitals are usually best avoided

[Stevon]

Hi so for delay the hospital I went to was the Phitsanuvej in Phitsonaluk the doctor gave me Neurontin 1 tablet 4 times a day and for the pain Arco XIA 90 mg but does not stop the pain....and that was it....?

[Stevon]

Sorry and Aspirin 

[Stevon]

Phetchabun hospital said today that if Phitsonaluk can not fix me I should start looking further afield nothing they can do

[Pilotman]

Just now, Stevon said:

Phetchabun hospital said today that if Phitsonaluk can not fix me I should start looking further afield nothing they can do

That seems to be very painfully obvious.  Seek other medical help 

[Lacessit]

Part of the problem in Thailand seems to be doctors will not or cannot prescribe effective painkillers such as endone, morphine, fentanyl etc.

[talahtnut]

This may or may not help, but costs nowt.

Works for me, no pills for ages.

 

A pure vegetarian diet, and this:-

 

[stouricks]

5 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Upcountry private hospitals are usually best avoided

The two 'big ones' in P'lok certainly are. Useless.

The big one near the University know what they are talking about.

Personal experience.

Edited May 25, 2020 by stouricks

[madmen]

What strength gaba tablets? That plays a huge part. Sounds like you have neurological issues. 

 

They are supposed to slowly titrate up until pain is controlled. 

 

Edited May 25, 2020 by madmen

[stouricks]

44 minutes ago, Stevon said:

Hi so for delay the hospital I went to was the Phitsanuvej in Phitsonaluk the doctor gave me Neurontin 1 tablet 4 times a day and for the pain Arco XIA 90 mg but does not stop the pain....and that was it....?

I've had Carpel Tunnel Syndrom and neck vertebrae compaction analysed for a shoulder trapped nerve. Pleanty of tests and meds, and charges to my insurance company at that place.

However the insurance would not pay for the meds as they, the hospital,  classed them as psychiatric drugs. Amazing.

Edited May 25, 2020 by stouricks

[Sheryl]

You need to gp either to Khon Kaen Univ Hospital or Bangkok, whichever is easier for you.

 

If KK, use the after hours clinic and ask for an acharn in orthopedics specializing in spine problems. Bring the MRI CD with you.

 

If you prefer Bangkok let me know and I will advise who to see there.

 

The cause of the pain and the numbness needs to be identified, that is the first priority not masking the pain with pills.

 

Pain on the top of the foot is usually extensor tendonitis but should resolve in a few weeks.

 

Do you still have numbness in the legs as well?

[Stevon]

Hi Sheryl, many thanks for your reply. Yes I do still get numbness in my bum and feet if I walk more than 50/100 metres. So the doctor in Phitsonaluk put me on Gabapentin but then all of a sudden this pain on top of my foot cropped up and this of course limits how far I can walk....nightmare.....it would be nice if this goes away then I could concentrate on the numbness....do you agree plus what with this blooming Covid about I’m not happy traveling to BKK or KK....?

[stouricks]

40 minutes ago, stouricks said:

The two 'big ones' in P'lok certainly are. Useless.

The big one near the University know what they are talking about.

Personal experience.

PM me pineapple and I shall tell you why.

[Sheryl]

55 minutes ago, Stevon said:

Hi Sheryl, many thanks for your reply. Yes I do still get numbness in my bum and feet if I walk more than 50/100 metres. So the doctor in Phitsonaluk put me on Gabapentin but then all of a sudden this pain on top of my foot cropped up and this of course limits how far I can walk....nightmare.....it would be nice if this goes away then I could concentrate on the numbness....do you agree plus what with this blooming Covid about I’m not happy traveling to BKK or KK....?

 

The symptoms you describe require urgent assessment by a spinal specialist.

 

If there is nerve root compression and you delay treatment any nerve damage will nto be reversible.

 

If it were me, I would certainly make the trip. Take reasonabeleprecautions of course and if possible don:t use mass transport. Is there anyone who can drive you, or can you hire a car with driver?

 

 

[Stevon]

Hi Sheryl, okay probably KK is best for me what do you mean by a acharn...is this somebody’s name...?....and when you say out of hours clinic do you mean evenings 

regards Stephen 

[VocalNeal]

Stevon,

 

Any other symptoms? Taste buds? Beer still tastes OK. 

 

I'm not a doctor but I have had numb feet before.

[lopburi3]

4 minutes ago, Stevon said:

Hi Sheryl, okay probably KK is best for me what do you mean by a acharn...is this somebody’s name...?....and when you say out of hours clinic do you mean evenings 

regards Stephen 

She means senior teacher level.  In government hospital expect it will be a team with such doctor at its head.  Know that was the case at Chula here in Bangkok when wife had spine operations to release pressure on nerve bundle caused by calcium deposits.

[Stevon]

Thanks Lopburi 3 okay understand that....Sheryl is the hospital name srinagarind

[Silent Number]

Foot could be gout. Very painful 

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, Stevon said:

Thanks Lopburi 3 okay understand that....Sheryl is the hospital name srinagarind

 

Yes, that is the name. ALso referred to as Khon Kaen University Hospital.

 

The after hours clinic usually starts around 4 PM on weekdays and also open on Saturdays from morning.

 

An acharn as Lopburi says is a senior physioian/professor. See if Assoc. Prof Surachai Sae-Jung is  available. He can also be seen at Khon Kaen Ram Hospital on Tuesdays from 5 - 8 PM and since I gather you will have al ong trip might be worth the extra cost to see him there since you can make an appointment in advance. Also, private hospitals are much less crowded.

 

http://www.khonkaenram.com/en/doctors/23

 

Besides the MRI scan on CD, bring also the results of the ABI

[Stevon]

Thank you Sheryl much appreciate.

 

regards Stephen.