Annual check up - Bangkok hospital , Khonkaen- A worrying experience!

[KannikaP]

3 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

'fanny'?

That should be blocked! 

 

 

[KannikaP]

Just now, KannikaP said:

 

Or maybe it should be LOVE, be tender with my F***y.   555

[gargamon]

33 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

If you say your height hasn't changed for decades I'd say that's incorrect 

I think they're talking about penis size, not height. 

[Scouse123]

1 hour ago, Neeranam said:

They are right.Same with me in Bkk Hospital Hua Hin. Said I had a serious heart issue and needed to see the specialist. Next day, after little sleep, I saw the specialist and he said nothing was wrong at all. 

Also suggested I might have a Pulmonary Embolism, but I said no to seeing the expert there. 

I had COPD after Covid, gave me medicine and it got better. When I recovered, he said the results were weird and I have emphysema and needed an ultrasound, only 8,000 baht. I got a second opinion and I don't have emphysema. 

It's criminal! 

In Khon Kaen, Rajapreuk gave me a good service for a check up. 

Next year I will return to Ratchaphreuk for annual medical

[KannikaP]

1 hour ago, moogradod said:

???? Not so much that it would matter I suppose. I probably lost 1 cm in 68 years.

You mean you were 175 at birth? 555

Some people ask 'what was your minimum weight?      3lb 2 oz I usually answer.

[Burma Bill]

15 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

My other half was convinced she was just trying to generate revenue for the hospital.

Very sorry to read of your concerns and I have heard other peoples comments (as above) when I lived near Khon Kaen. Similar with the local RAM hospital - both very expensive (medical insurance). I used the private Rachapruek Hospital around the corner, northwards on Route 2, not "5-Star Hilton Hotel" luxury but ideal for me as I did not qualify for medical insurance being an insulin dependent Type 2 diabetic. I wish you well.

[Ralf001]

4 hours ago, KannikaP said:

How, and more importantly, WHY did you put on 12 kg or 20% rise in weight in 7 months?

Saying that, 72 seems far healthier than 60kg for a 'grown man'.

What started out as a one meal a day diet grew into one meal every two days/one meals every 3 days/ETC ETC.

As I got sicker and sicker.

 

[Sheryl]

I share your wife's concern.

 

After you get the ultrasound get picturss and report both from this year and last time and bring to another doctor in a  different hospital for evaluation.

 

Small asymptomatic gallstones are a common incidental finding on ultrasound and usually go not require treatment. 

 

No public authority  advises  abdominal ultrasound as part of routine check ups...precisely because they often detect a lot of benign things that lead to expenlsive and unnecessary tests. 

 

The other thing you have to watch out for on higher end check up packages in Thai hospitals  are so called blood tests for cancer (tumor markers).  Except for PSA these are  not suitable for  screening purposes with many false positive  and false negative results. 

 

 

[Pumpuynarak]

17 hours ago, gargamon said:

Why do you believe this is only a problem in Thailand?

 

Got a CPAP machine? You may not need it. But the Dr who sold it to you made thousands of dollars. Etc. 

I live in Thailand and could'nt GAF whats happening in any other country.

To be fair i did in fact mention dear ole blighty which is the only other country i have experience of its medical services lol

Have a nice day.

Edited July 23, 2023 by Pumpuynarak

[Pumpuynarak]

FYI guys......

 

 

[pomchop]

16 hours ago, KannikaP said:

You mean you were 175 at birth? 555

Some people ask 'what was your minimum weight?      3lb 2 oz I usually answer.

Reminds me of the school joke:

 

Teacher to 6 year old:  How old is your father?

six year old.  My father is 6 years old

Teacher:  How can that be?

six year old:  Well he was not a father until i was born.

[Gandtee]

I'm 89 pushing 90, despite the medical professions best efforts. I avoid doctors as much as possible.????

Edited July 23, 2023 by Gandtee
added words

[Scouse123]

1 hour ago, Pumpuynarak said:

FYI guys......

 

 

I think he is definitely on to something.

 

That's how I felt I was being treated.

 

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, Gandtee said:

I'm 89 pushing 90, despite the medical professions best efforts. I avoid doctors as much as possible.????

Well done, what's your secret? food and general health?

[bbko]

My question/concern from the OP, is if they were looking at last year's abdominal films and didn't mention anything about gallstone or tumor last year, would you feel safe on anything they say from now on? I mean you could have gone a whole year with the "tumor" getting bigger and bigger. 

[Neeranam]

20 hours ago, KannikaP said:

You mean you were 175 at birth? 555

Some people ask 'what was your minimum weight?      3lb 2 oz I usually answer.

I guess he 75 years old. 

[KannikaP]

2 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

I guess he 75 years old. 

What does this mean in English please?

[NanLaew]

The OP should see if there's a government hospital nearer Kalasin that can do the whole abdomen ultrasound. If not, then get it done at Srinagarind, the Khon Kaen university teaching hospital. Rather than faff about with the obviously inefficient and expensive Bangkok Hospital there with their preconceived notion that you need a CT scan, see if the Sringarind's ultrasound diagnosis requires CT scan investigation.

[NanLaew]

On 7/23/2023 at 10:38 AM, scubascuba3 said:

Probably once you get a high blood pressure reading insurers may use to deny claim due to pre-existing condition

Happened to me last year. In late 2021, PC accepted me with my statement of no pre-existing conditions and no need for a medical as I was then under 65.

 

During 2022, I needed a medical procedure that required my medical history before processing my claim. The only medical history I had were the industry-approved medicals for offshore work, a total of 4 medicals dated 4 and 8 years previous to the claim carried out at Bumrungrad and Samativej in Bangkok. They found a single instance of 1st stage hypertension from one of the 2018 medicals. They subsequently charged me 10% loading on my year's premium because I hadn't declared the hypertension. Note that the medical procedure was not related in any way to hypertension or anything remotely cardiac related. Unfortunately, now it's in my medical history so obtaining economical health insurance will always be challenging regardless of my current health.

[Scouse123]

19 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Happened to me last year. In late 2021, PC accepted me with my statement of no pre-existing conditions and no need for a medical as I was then under 65.

 

During 2022, I needed a medical procedure that required my medical history before processing my claim. The only medical history I had were the industry-approved medicals for offshore work, a total of 4 medicals dated 4 and 8 years previous to the claim carried out at Bumrungrad and Samativej in Bangkok. They found a single instance of 1st stage hypertension from one of the 2018 medicals. They subsequently charged me 10% loading on my year's premium because I hadn't declared the hypertension. Note that the medical procedure was not related in any way to hypertension or anything remotely cardiac related. Unfortunately, now it's in my medical history so obtaining economical health insurance will always be challenging regardless of my current health.

I've been on the phone with the broker Pacific Prime regarding PC and stories I have heard about ' disputes over payments ' in the event of surgery..

 

I declared one pre existing regards Laryngeal cancer some 18 years ago and fully recovered for which I am not covered for and accept that.

 

 I mentioned to them ( the agent Pacific Prime) that I didn't want to be needing anything that required emergency surgery and then faffing about until PC had gone through everything with a fine tooth comb whilst I was in a hospital bed clocking up hours!

 

They assured me the number of rejected claims or disputed claims was for undisclosed pre existing conditions.

 

I mean now, they are saying I have a possibly tumor or gallstone, which has been discovered way after being insured with PC.

 

I'll know more on Tuesday but if this turns out to be true, it's a direct result of me being pro active in safeguarding my health by having an annual medical.

 

Would they then penalize me for this and say it's a pre existing condition?

 

Because if that's the case, annual medicals and health insurance are both jointly and severally a ' waste of time ' in Thailand.

 

I have now been with PC for three years and I was previously with other insurers and this is now my fourth annual medical.

 

I take on board as well, once an insurance company doctor has said something as in your case with slight hypertension, it is then in your records as a pre existing.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 24, 2023 by Scouse123

[Scouse123]

29 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

The OP should see if there's a government hospital nearer Kalasin that can do the whole abdomen ultrasound. If not, then get it done at Srinagarind, the Khon Kaen university teaching hospital. Rather than faff about with the obviously inefficient and expensive Bangkok Hospital there with their preconceived notion that you need a CT scan, see if the Sringarind's ultrasound diagnosis requires CT scan investigation.

Nanlaew

 

It has been in my head listening to you and another poster and looking at two courses of action regarding this issue.

 

I get both reports from the hospital and get a second opinion AND I get it done at Sringarind, killing two birds with one stone as I will make the reports available to the doctors at Sringarind, and take their advice!

 

 

[jak2002003]

22 hours ago, Neeranam said:

They are right.Same with me in Bkk Hospital Hua Hin. Said I had a serious heart issue and needed to see the specialist. Next day, after little sleep, I saw the specialist and he said nothing was wrong at all. 

Also suggested I might have a Pulmonary Embolism, but I said no to seeing the expert there. 

I had COPD after Covid, gave me medicine and it got better. When I recovered, he said the results were weird and I have emphysema and needed an ultrasound, only 8,000 baht. I got a second opinion and I don't have emphysema. 

It's criminal! 

In Khon Kaen, Rajapreuk gave me a good service for a check up. 

This exact same thing happened to a friend of mine in Chiang Mai.  

 

They basically told him he was seriously ill with complex heart problems and could actually have a heart attack and die any moment and he was immediately admitted to the hospital. 

 

It was a very upsetting time and he was  hooked up to machines and family stayed with him. 

 

Turned out there was nothing wrong!... Well apart from the massive hospital bill for his care and the specialist surgeon brought up from Bangkok. 

 

 

 

 

[TimeMachine]

Definitely shifty stuff happens when private wealth is involved. Lucky in Australia that we still have a tax funded public system so generally there is no need for greedy managers. They get a big chunk either way. 

[Ralf001]

3 hours ago, bbko said:

My question/concern from the OP, is if they were looking at last year's abdominal films and didn't mention anything about gallstone or tumor last year, would you feel safe on anything they say from now on? I mean you could have gone a whole year with the "tumor" getting bigger and bigger. 

CT scan showed a 3cm tumor on my kidney in January.

CT scan yesterday.. tumor is now 5cm.

They get bigger quickly.

[Mavideol]

19 hours ago, Mavideol said:

one has to wonder why there is always a "confused" smart arrrrssss, if English is not your primary  language and you don't understand the content of the post, just ask and an explanation will be given otherwise you will still be confused for quite sometime.... I am stating a fact of something that happen to me, please have the booools to explain what confuses you

I guess he still confused  555

[spidermike007]

On 7/22/2023 at 11:30 PM, The Fugitive said:

First time I went to a dentist in Thailand I was asked if everything was OK at my last annual medical? At the age of 66 I'd never had one. I answered "yes". I assumed it was an American thing and my dentist believed all falangs had them. I suppose it depends upon your age, medical history, whether you need to take regular medication etc. From reading your most informative report it does sound as though it's a money making racket. No doubt there is (eventual) benefit for some in an annual 'MOT' but I don't consider myself at the stage where it's warranted. Maybe better safe than sorry though. Are there any suitable high street clinics locally that offer thorough health checks (vitals, full blood count analysis and physical examination?). 

I found a local clinic in the smaller town I live in, which offered a full blood workup, for around 3,000 baht. It was quite comprehensive. Also get uric acid tests from him for 200 baht. Bangkok Hospital charges 2,200 for the same test.

 

A recommendation from a private hospital has to be taken with a grain of salt. They are very profit oriented, and I would not be surprised if the doctors were compensated for those recommendations, if they resulted in significantly higher costs. I would always get another opinion, before moving forward with anything substantial.

Edited July 24, 2023 by spidermike007

[kennw]

On 7/22/2023 at 10:54 PM, Scouse123 said:

I went for annual check package and chose the executive package at just over 13,000 baht.

 

All went well and results were fine and no major concerns........................ at first.

 

The doctor who does the summary at the end and hands you the printed report said they were unsure and had a slight problem.

 

They were not sure whether or not I had a small gallstone or a tumor. On closer investigation and with me looking at the screen, we pointed out, by the date shown, that what we were looking at was from last years medical report, not this years!.............!!

 

It turned out another nurse had mistakenly removed my whole abdomen check from the list of procedures to be carried out that day and it had not been done at all on this hospital visit

 

By this time, I had dressed and already eaten and drank as they told me everything was done and finished, and so it was impossible that day to then have the abdomen checked.

 

They asked me to return on Tuesday July 25th, at which point I pointed out, it was a 4 hour round trip from our house in Kalasin and I was best pleased and neither did  a  'we apologize ' cut it.

 

After profuse apologies, I must now return on Tuesday to get the whole abdomen checked and find out whether or not this is a gallstone tumor or not. Another 4 hour trip.

 

All my blood tests were either within range or normal except for one slightly ' elevated ' cholesterol level. The accepted range being up to 200 and I was 205. So nothing untoward was flashing up during the blood tests.

 

She stated if further investigation was needed regards gallstone or tumor, then a CT scan would be required and if it was an operation, it would be a two day stay in the hospital. I'll be honest, when she gave me some symptoms I told her I had experienced nothing of what she was talking about and nothing unusual such as bloating that she mentioned.

 

I said it was early days to be saying such things so prematurely without even having the abdomen checked and speaking about a load of options that were not as yet known or on the table.

 

This is not the first time this doctor has quickly tried to recommend procedures and possible operations, she did the same last year and had me fretting over nonsense.

 

Last year she was talking about my carotid arteries and that it was partially blocked by 23% and 30%

 

When I checked in the UK with my ENT nurses they said these arteries were massive and that the doctor was talking nonsense with these levels for a 60 year old man that it was nothing out of the ordinary.

 

My other half was convinced she was just trying to generate revenue for the hospital.

Listen to your better half. then check out if Pathlab have a site there if so look at their packages .They just do the tests and send you a written report. 

 

[Dirk Z]

Check-ups in persons without complaints (other than compatible with age) are grossly overrated and an easy way to make money. The chance that something will be found that saves your life is very small (albeit, I admit, not zero). But the chance that something irrelevant will be found leading to further tests, to even tests that involve risky procedures, is a lot higher. In large surveys the disadvantages seem to outweigh the benefits.

[KannikaP]

On 7/23/2023 at 12:11 PM, chickenslegs said:

You can't even say <deleted> Manchu - the famous fictional villain.

Or Sweet Miss Adams.

[Bangkok Barry]

On 7/22/2023 at 11:30 PM, The Fugitive said:

First time I went to a dentist in Thailand I was asked if everything was OK at my last annual medical?

First time I went to a dentist in Thailand he said I needed three teeth extracted. I thought not, and nearly 30 years later I still have them. They have the morals of sewer rats, interested only in money.