Advice On Hiv Treatment In Pattaya

[corsica]

I do apologise for launching into this forum with this as my first post, but I am desperate. Forty-eight hours ago my world was turned upside down when unexpectedly my Thai girlfriend of three years, whom I love dearly, told me that she had tested positive in a routine HIV test when she went to donate blood for her mother (who has Leukemia). We were sure that it was a false positive, but two hours ago a second test has confirmed that she is HIV+. The source of this infection is almost certainly her previous Thai husband. I have never had unprotected sex with her, but am not really worried about myself at this stage. No need to tell you how we both feel at this point in time. Devestated would be an understatement. My dear friend is 44 and I am 48. Anyway, I need to face the situation head-on and effectively, although things feel very bad now (worse than anything has ever felt in my life) I know that it is not the end of the world and that we still have a future. I work on the Eastern Seaboard, and live in Pattaya. Can anyone from personal experience recommend a doctor or hospital in Pattaya who can give us some advice on what medications she needs to start taking. Incidentally, she was tested in her native Chiang Mai and is coming back to Pattaya tonight. Any recommendations as the next course of action would be gratefully received.

Edited November 11, 2008 by corsica

[JohnC]

Contact Dr Phillippe at HEARTT2000 he has a clinic in Jomtien which specialises in HIV/aids, a french doctor he has devoted his life to combating this disease in pattaya and is very highly regarded. http://www.heartt2000.org/. good luck and remember medical science has moved on and treatment can control this disease and you can both lead a normal life.

[corsica]

Contact Dr Phillippe at HEARTT2000 he has a clinic in Jomtien which specialises in HIV/aids, a french doctor he has devoted his life to combating this disease in pattaya and is very highly regarded. Good luck and remember medical science has moved on and treatment can control this disease and you can both lead a normal life.

JohnC, thank you very much for your advice. I will certainly follow up on your recommendation.

[Sheryl]

If for any reason you are not satisfied with him, see the pinned notice re HIV doctors. They are all in Bangkok but many quite good ones.

Another issue to consider is fiancnial. I don't know how you are situated but as a Thai citizen your GF is eligible for free or very low cost treatment at a government hospital, including the cost of the meds. Should go to a provicnial hospital ,not a district one. The interpersonal quality of care (in terms of empathy, staff attitudes etc) leaves something to be desired but if money is a concern it may be worth putting up with. Another option would be to go private initially for cousnelling and thoughtful explanations and then swtich to a government hospital for follow up care, bringing her records wit her. She will need to take meds for the rest of her life so private costs can add up

Lastly she should contact the following Thai support group for persons with AIDs, it will help her a lot to come to terms with this to talk with others whio have lived with the disease for awhile:

Wednesday Friends Club

(66-2) 236-8421, 236-8422

Hotline -- (662) 255-7893, 255-7894.

Support and social organization for people living with HIV/AIDS in Bangkok.

Bodang Drop-in Center at 830 Galaxy Lane, Rama 4 Road,

across the street from The Thai Red Cross Society and behind the Monthien Hotel.

Services include hostel, weight room, support groups, counseling, vitamin shop,

karaoke.

2) Life and Hope Club, (662) 318-5600

These are both in Bangkok, don't know of there are also any in Jomtien area but could ask them.

Good luck to you both

[corsica]

Sheryl, Many thanks for the information and advice, and for taking the time to post it. She is going to a government hospital this morning with her records and X-rays from an additional checkup we did last night at a hospital in Pattaya. We will then take it from there, possibly contacting one of the Bangkok doctors mentioned in the pinned list.

Once again, thank you all for your concern.

If for any reason you are not satisfied with him, see the pinned notice re HIV doctors. They are all in Bangkok but many quite good ones.

Another issue to consider is fiancnial. I don't know how you are situated but as a Thai citizen your GF is eligible for free or very low cost treatment at a government hospital, including the cost of the meds. Should go to a provicnial hospital ,not a district one. The interpersonal quality of care (in terms of empathy, staff attitudes etc) leaves something to be desired but if money is a concern it may be worth putting up with. Another option would be to go private initially for cousnelling and thoughtful explanations and then swtich to a government hospital for follow up care, bringing her records wit her. She will need to take meds for the rest of her life so private costs can add up

Lastly she should contact the following Thai support group for persons with AIDs, it will help her a lot to come to terms with this to talk with others whio have lived with the disease for awhile:

Wednesday Friends Club

(66-2) 236-8421, 236-8422

Hotline -- (662) 255-7893, 255-7894.

Support and social organization for people living with HIV/AIDS in Bangkok.

Bodang Drop-in Center at 830 Galaxy Lane, Rama 4 Road,

across the street from The Thai Red Cross Society and behind the Monthien Hotel.

Services include hostel, weight room, support groups, counseling, vitamin shop,

karaoke.

2) Life and Hope Club, (662) 318-5600

These are both in Bangkok, don't know of there are also any in Jomtien area but could ask them.

Good luck to you both

[mommysboy]

I only advance this point subject to evaluation by moderator, doctor, etc.

I would consider not taking the drugs until they are needed and there's a small possibility that might be never. How about monitoring viral levels first ? I think it's important because once on the drugs they are for life and there could be side effects later on. As medicine becomes better and better, so they become less dangerous, so good reason to stand back a while if possible. Obviously this rationale needs to be applied with care, and if there are signs of fraility should be disregarded.

[Tolley]

She wont necessarily have to take medications unless her CD4 count is already below 350.

Above the 350 figure it is usually and watch and see situation until the meds are needed.

Some people can go many years HIV positive without the need for any meds although it differs from person to person.

Edited November 12, 2008 by Tolley

[Sheryl]

Actually there is some debate about this within the medical community and some doctors believe an earlier start is better (earlier = before the CD4 hits 350, but after it has started to drop).

The general consensus, the the extent that there is one, is:

350 or less = must treat

above 350 = treat if symptomatic OR if viral load is 100,000 or more.

Note that increases in VL predate drops in CD4 by many months. Hence if the VL is high enough there is nothing to be gained in deferring treatment until the CD4 drops because you know it is in the process of doing so.

No doctor will start a patient on HIV meds without a CD4 count, for sure. It is to be hoped that a VL would also be done, but I'm not sure if govt hospitals do this since they have to work within cost constraints.

Government hospitals have their own policies with respect to whom is eligible for HAART, I'm not sure what the CD4 cut-off is in Thailand but hopefully 350.

[snuggzzz]

I had a check-up with my Thai wife at a Lady Doctors' in Pattaya. She was very kind and considerate, luckily, tests were negative.

The Dr is DR BELLEN her surgery is off 3rd Road nearly opposite Soi 6. Her name is in the telephone book.

I wish you both well, money would go further as previously stated at a provincial Hospital, however, the initial diagnose and patient plan is better organised through a properly recommende HIV Specialist.

[gregfl]

I do apologise for launching into this forum with this as my first post, but I am desperate. Forty-eight hours ago my world was turned upside down when unexpectedly my Thai girlfriend of three years, whom I love dearly, told me that she had tested positive in a routine HIV test when she went to donate blood for her mother (who has Leukemia). We were sure that it was a false positive, but two hours ago a second test has confirmed that she is HIV+. The source of this infection is almost certainly her previous Thai husband. I have never had unprotected sex with her, but am not really worried about myself at this stage.

Dude, go get yourself tested. If you do not you will always have that lingering doubt. None of us are angels. You owe it to yourself in this situation.

Good luck with the t cell counts and the treatment regime.