I am 77 now and have prostate problems. Is there a hospital/doctor/surgeon you could please recommend in the Chiang Mai/Lamphun area?

 

(I am willing to go to Bangkok if necessary)

 

Many thanks.

In Bangkok I would suggest Dr Viroj Chodchoy at Bumrungrad Hospital. I have been a patient of his for 15 years.

BNH Hospital in Bangkok is a very good hospital and they gave me a good price for a prostate biopsy (I self insure).

I was seeing Dr Suntchai Wirotsaengthong back then.

I have just had my prostate removed here at BHS Samui (Bangkok Hospital Samui). Good surgeon/staff. Tired and old building. Expensive. They eventually gave me a discount.

Bangkok Hospital Phuket might have been a better option for me. Cheaper than BHS and a much better hospital/facilities.

I saw an interesting program on youtube several months ago recommending using a blender with citrus fruit but leaving the peel on. Apparently, apart from there being more vitamin C in the peel than in the fruit, the peel contains many oils and minerals which can reduce a substance in the body which changes testosterone into estrogen which is responsible for prostate enlargement, a prostate reduction should occur, I have been drinking this for around 10 weeks every day and I have seen an improvement, no urgent need to urinate for example.

I've had prostate problems for a few years now, similar age to OP.

I see Dr Assawin at McCormick Hospital regularly and he recently changed my prostate reducing medicine to a stronger one after my PSA started rising again.

At his suggestion I went to Sripat Hospital for an MRI scan - results "highly unlikely to be cancerous".

That put my mind at rest, now just have to deal with the continuing 'peeing' problem.

Dr. Wittawat Rawiyotai at Bangkok Hospital in Chiang Mai speaks very good English. I have used him before for check cystoscopies.

 

Medications can control prostate problems for extended periods. I am currently on a combination of dutasteride and tamsulosin. It depends on what problems the OP is having.

 

According to my highly qualified and experienced urologist in Australia, surgery should be regarded as a last resort, due to the potential side effects.

 

18 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

I saw an interesting program on youtube several months ago recommending using a blender with citrus fruit but leaving the peel on. Apparently, apart from there being more vitamin C in the peel than in the fruit, the peel contains many oils and minerals which can reduce a substance in the body which changes testosterone into estrogen which is responsible for prostate enlargement, a prostate reduction should occur, I have been drinking this for around 10 weeks every day and I have seen an improvement, no urgent need to urinate for example.

And if possible, go on a raw food diet for a couple weeks juicing vegetables and fruits, lots of kale juice 

47 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

BNH Hospital in Bangkok is a very good hospital and they gave me a good price for a prostate biopsy (I self insure).

I was seeing Dr Suntchai Wirotsaengthong back then.

I have just had my prostate removed here at BHS Samui (Bangkok Hospital Samui). Good surgeon/staff. Tired and old building. Expensive. They eventually gave me a discount.

Bangkok Hospital Phuket might have been a better option for me. Cheaper than BHS and a much better hospital/facilities.

What does "self insure" mean?

Go to Dr. Supon in the MEDICINE Department of the Sripat Hospital in CM.

51 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

surgery should be regarded as a last resort, due to the potential side effects.

 

this comes up a lot when i search about prostate etc. just coming off my first ever health issue and it was a prostate one.

1 hour ago, soalbundy said:

I saw an interesting program on youtube several months ago recommending using a blender with citrus fruit but leaving the peel on. Apparently, apart from there being more vitamin C in the peel than in the fruit, the peel contains many oils and minerals which can reduce a substance in the body which changes testosterone into estrogen which is responsible for prostate enlargement, a prostate reduction should occur, I have been drinking this for around 10 weeks every day and I have seen an improvement, no urgent need to urinate for example.

 

Your suggestion is interesting, citrus fruit unfortunately contains many parasitic products in peel and this is why it is removed. But in any case I think that the ones least treated by pesticides should be chosen, what was your choice?

 

4 minutes ago, BE88 said:

 

Your suggestion is interesting, citrus fruit unfortunately contains many parasitic products in peel and this is why it is removed. But in any case I think that the ones least treated by pesticides should be chosen, what was your choice?

 

I pick limes from my neighbour's trees and use oranges bought from Tesco, I was the citrus with soap and water before use to get rid of left over pesticides (which my neighbour's trees wont have, they are pretty much wild and unattended, Isaan)

12 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

I pick limes from my neighbour's trees and use oranges bought from Tesco, I was the citrus with soap and water before use to get rid of left over pesticides (which my neighbour's trees wont have, they are pretty much wild and unattended, Isaan)

 

Thanks for the information, oranges are known to be among the most polluting, however I advise you to change the system for oranges, that is to put them in water with a spoonful of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and leave them for half an hour and then rinse this system again a couple of times and is very effective cleaning.

 

1 hour ago, Lacessit said:

 

 

According to my highly qualified and experienced urologist in Australia, surgery should be regarded as a last resort, due to the potential side effects.

 

That is a bit misleading ALL surgery should be regarded as a last resort, due to the potential side effects 

 

I had mine removed at Bangkok/Pattaya Hosp by Dr Nitti - no after effects apart from an age to "get it up" - and would recommend him as a Doctor for any prostate problems

I use Dr. Wittawat Rawiyotai at Bangkok Hospital in Chiang Mai.  I rate him far above my American urologist back home.  His English is perfect and he is the best doctor I've ever had in any specialty.  

1 hour ago, MrBrad said:

What does "self insure" mean?

that you have no insurance and pay your bills as you go along. a kind of a gamble.

6 minutes ago, orchis said:

that you have no insurance and pay your bills as you go along. a kind of a gamble.

Isn't buying insurance another kind of gamble?

1 hour ago, stoner said:

 

this comes up a lot when i search about prostate etc. just coming off my first ever health issue and it was a prostate one.

There are posters who claim there are no side effects after their prostate surgery. I consider they are just lucky.

I've had surgery for my knee, 2 hernias, appendix and double carpal tunnel. All improved my quality of life. IMO the prostate is a different kettle of fish.

In any case, I am more inclined to believe someone with FRCS, FRACS after their name, than any poster here.

3 hours ago, MrBrad said:

What does "self insure" mean?

I pay for my own treatment. No insurance company.

My last premium was over $12,000 USD and I had only claimed 3 times in 12 years.

Quote

According to my highly qualified and experienced urologist in Australia, surgery should be regarded as a last resort, due to the potential side effects.

I totally agree but after 7 years of 'issues', drugs, examinations etc etc I risked the side effects.

Surgery was only one month ago but so far, the side affect are annoying but liveable.

2 hours ago, Moonlover said:

Isn't buying insurance another kind of gamble?

Not as you get older. Everyone needs to use it eventually, unless you just die suddenly.

4 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

2 hours ago, Moonlover said:

Isn't buying insurance another kind of gamble?

 

4 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

Not as you get older. Everyone needs to use it eventually, unless you just die suddenly.

I disagree. All insurance is a gamble And as far medical insurance goes as one gets older the 'Law of Diminishing Returns' becomes more and ever more applicable. Surviving serious intervention as one ages becomes much more of a struggle and can make life, for many unacceptable.

 

Which is why I prefer an Advance Directive (Living Will) to a medical insurance policy. (They're also much cheaper)

 

Albert Einstein understood this. He had a serious heart condition, but he declined medical intervention. 'I've done my bit, it's time to go' he said. Accepting medical treatment is not compulsory, it's up to the individual.

1 minute ago, Moonlover said:

 

I disagree. All insurance is a gamble And as far medical insurance goes as one gets older the 'Law of Diminishing Returns' becomes more and ever more applicable. Surviving serious intervention as one ages becomes much more of a struggle and can make life, for many unacceptable.

 

Which is why I prefer an Advance Directive (Living Will) to a medical insurance policy. (They're also much cheaper)

 

Albert Einstein understood this. He had a serious heart condition, but he declined medical intervention. 'I've done my bit, it's time to go' he said. Accepting medical treatment is not compulsory, it's up to the individual.

If you're happy dying then none of it matters I guess. Have fun!

Just now, JimTripper said:

If you're happy dying then none of it matters I guess. Have fun!

We all die. Some folks fear it, others are more accepting of it. As you've probably gathered, I fall into latter category. In fact what I fear more than death is living without being able to live a full life, as I am doing at the moment. Even at 77 years.

 

Enjoy your day.

 

 

2 hours ago, Moonlover said:

Which is why I prefer an Advance Directive (Living Will) to a medical insurance policy. (They're also much cheaper)

I have one of those as well. Registered is with BHS before my op. When I check in, I asked if they knew about it. 'Yes' 

When I saw the doc in the operating room, I asked if he knew about it.  'Yes' 

Same with the anaesthetist. 'Yes' 

Three outa three aint bad.

2 hours ago, JimTripper said:

If you're happy dying then none of it matters I guess. Have fun!

I am with Moonlover on this one.

I watched my son die slowly over two years. He had brain tumours. The last nine months were awful. He was a cabbage but his wife wanted him kept alive as long as possible.

I am not happy dying, but I am not afraid of it. It is how you live that is important to me. If there is no quality in life then - goodbye.

I discussed this with the doc when he asked if I was worried about prostate cancer. I said 'not worried'. We all die eventually. Until then, live life to the max.

I can recommend Dr. Pisanu in the ram Chiangmai.

I can see his mind working to make good balanced decisions.

At the same time, I believe I’ve long ago read that he has spent a good time abroad dealing with difficult cases.

I had a biopsy from him, which was somewhat painful, but I think it had nothing to do with his competence, in fact, he was clearly adept and wasted no time.

Nice manner too.

 

On 12/1/2023 at 11:35 AM, Moonlover said:

Isn't buying insurance another kind of gamble?

Life insurance.  You are betting you will die early and the insurance company is betting you won't.

19 minutes ago, pomchop said:

On 12/1/2023 at 11:35 AM, Moonlover said:

Isn't buying insurance another kind of gamble?

 

20 minutes ago, pomchop said:

Life insurance.  You are betting you will die early and the insurance company is betting you won't.

No, not quite right. I've never reckoned on dying early. As I've previously mentioned, I'm 77 and still fit and healthy. But if I died tomorrow it would not be regarded as an early death would it.

1 hour ago, Moonlover said:

 

No, not quite right. I've never reckoned on dying early. As I've previously mentioned, I'm 77 and still fit and healthy. But if I died tomorrow it would not be regarded as an early death would it.

 

1 hour ago, Moonlover said:

 

No, not quite right. I've never reckoned on dying early. As I've previously mentioned, I'm 77 and still fit and healthy. But if I died tomorrow it would not be regarded as an early death would it.

Life is a gamble.  Maybe you live to 100 and you can be sure the insurance company hopes you keep paying those premiums for a long long time.  Their rates are based on expectations/odds and are set accordingly always giving the "house/insurance company" a bit of an edge as they are in it to make $$ and the longer you live the happier they are.  Some beat the odds and some don't but like a casino the insurance company over time will always win.