Good Doctor / Medical Clinic

[corkman]

Dear All,

My wife's mother is perpetually sick - always getting sick with things that are not "serious" but not minor either.

This has been going on for years now, we have sent her to a few doctors and they usually spout out what I rekcon is pure none-sense...... each doctor has a different diagnosis, usually perscribing non-sense drugs....... it just seems like the usual merry-go-round. Most recently however, it has been suggested that she may have a blood disorder...... while this is typically non-descript, it at least is better than the usual waffle.... although we don't know if this diagnosis was the result of a proper blood screening or if it was just another one-eyed best guess.

Anyway - I'm tired of getting the run around on the matter, and to be honest my wife & I are now becoming a little worried. To that end, I would like to get her seen by a decent, reputable practitioner that will do a little more than the usual witch-doctor mumbo jumbo. She is a relatively young and otherwise healthy woman in her early 50's, ripe for developing avoidable heart problems and so on.

Anyway - can anyone recommend a decent clinic. First preference is in Mukdahan - failing that somewhere else in Isaan....... but if it needs to be Bangkok, then so be it.

Many thanks for any advice.

Regards,

Matt

PS. This isn't the dopey "sick buffalow" con job - this is serious and legitimate.

[sezzo]

My wifes family always go to this private clinic/hospital in Yasathon which is about 1 1/2 hours drive from Khemarat so should be about the same from Mukdahan. I have been there a couple of times and all I can describe the directions is that its in the main road on the left hand side as you come from Amnat.

Sorry thats all I can tell you about the directions. Another alternative is the international hospital in Mukdahan which I have been to myself a couple of years ago. Its on the river side of the road as you are travelling to Khemarat. Another couple of my friends from Khemarat go there quite often. Private hospital so expect to pay more than the government places but worth the extra amount.

Hope this helps.

[coventry]

My wife's mother is perpetually sick - always getting sick with things that are not "serious" but not minor either.

If you could explain her 'perpetual' sickness, that may give a better responce to your queery.

A lot of women where I live have medical insurance. When they're short of a few Baht's they go to the local government hospital complaining of this and that. Treatment free under the 30 Baht scheme. The usual treatment is for them to be put on a drip for a few days. Miraculously they make a quick recover and off then to claim the 1000 Baht a night for an hospital stay. That's no slur on your MIL 'Corkman', just an observation as to what happens here.

Edited April 2, 2009 by coventry

[corkman]

My wife's mother is perpetually sick - always getting sick with things that are not "serious" but not minor either.

If you could explain her 'perpetual' sickness, that may give a better responce to your queery.

A lot of women where I live have medical insurance. When they're short of a few Baht's they go to the local government hospital complaining of this and that. Treatment free under the 30 Baht scheme. The usual treatment is for them to be put on a drip for a few days. Miraculously they make a quick recover and off then to claim the 1000 Baht a night for an hospital stay. That's no slur on your MIL 'Corkman', just an observation as to what happens here.

Yes - that is a routine which is all too often played out...... that, and the mellowdramatics...... some one gets a headache and before you know it they're off to the hospital on suspicion of a brain tumor....... so I am aware of that, and I don't take is as a "slur" At first, I thought it might have been a bit of an act..... for attention or whatever (but not for money, in fairness, all she has to do is ask and we provide - we had a fank and candid discussion about "crying wolf" and we have a very honest "financial" relationship that way....... although the same cannot be said for many people, I know). But there is something a miss here in this case.

Perpertual - every second week, she has fainted or is feeling light headed, nausia, fatigue, she gets symptom like food poisoning (wouldn't be surprised if it was food poisoning, some of the crap they eat!)..... sometimes she just gives up going to the "clinic" because they just give her the same old crap and she gets no results and feels like she's being ripped off (probably is)...... other times then she just plain won't go with the usual tyhai mellow drama "I'd rather die at home" ........ but through it all, I reckon there is definitely something a miss somewhere.

THanks for the input.

[corkman]

My wifes family always go to this private clinic/hospital in Yasathon which is about 1 1/2 hours drive from Khemarat so should be about the same from Mukdahan. I have been there a couple of times and all I can describe the directions is that its in the main road on the left hand side as you come from Amnat.

Sorry thats all I can tell you about the directions. Another alternative is the international hospital in Mukdahan which I have been to myself a couple of years ago. Its on the river side of the road as you are travelling to Khemarat. Another couple of my friends from Khemarat go there quite often. Private hospital so expect to pay more than the government places but worth the extra amount.

Hope this helps.

I'll look into the Mukdahan "international" hospital. I don't mind paying a premium for peace of mind that they do a "proper" and thorough job....... I can just imagine the "other" places ....... "yes, we need to do blood test" - so they send it away and call you back for results..... I wouldn't be surprised if they just stick it in the fridge for a week then when you come back if your "better" they say it was clear..... skeptical I know, but some of the stories I've heard of negligence and incompentence urge to me err of the side of caution.......

Thanks for the input - much appreciated.

[CelticBhoy]

Muk Inter. Without a doubt. Really kind, caring staff when my wife was poorly last year.

And not expensive. The Doctor spoke English (to keep me in the picture) and they

couldn't have been more helpful. A real relief to find somewhere in the "boonies"

so well organised.

Good luck to your mother-in-law, pal.

[coventry]

I think it's a Thai thing. I've know people, mainly women, who generally think they're ill and play on it. My MIL had a problem which needed a 'Stent' to be inserted in her. I lost count of the times she had her family rush round to her, day or night, because she was 'Dying'.

You have to remember that in the farang country's we're more educated in self diagnosis. Whereas here, they're basically ignorant in how their bodies work.

If the doctors haven't found anything in the MIL then I'd accept that and put it down to the MIL's ignorance.

[corkman]

I think it's a Thai thing. I've know people, mainly women, who generally think they're ill and play on it. My MIL had a problem which needed a 'Stent' to be inserted in her. I lost count of the times she had her family rush round to her, day or night, because she was 'Dying'.

You have to remember that in the farang country's we're more educated in self diagnosis. Whereas here, they're basically ignorant in how their bodies work.

If the doctors haven't found anything in the MIL then I'd accept that and put it down to the MIL's ignorance.

Thats what I was happy to do for a while....... but to be honest, things do seem to have got worse. I hear what you are saying about self misdiagnosis & ignorance and so on, and yes that is probably a factor too....... but as I say, things have been getting worse, and I have been there when she is sick, and if she was half as bad as she looked, then she was sick....... but what has me concerned is that she has been fainting...... litterally collapsing - she's honestly not a "faker" or an "actress".

On a lighter note - even when the Thai's find a home here in the West, they manage to retain the mellodramatics quite well...... my Mrs. is part of a "expat" thai community (of sorts) that is 20-30 strong (she's been here 7 or 8 yrs now)...... they're always up to something- always some drama...... and the "worst" of these girls / women are married to guys with pretty good jobs...... its not a "charity" act - these guys are loaded and their Mrs. get whatever they want..... they just love the drama, in a strange sort of way......... I just smile when the Mrs. comes in and tells me that there is a "crisis" somewhere...... and they all get together and make mountains out of mole hills......

[corkman]

Muk Inter. Without a doubt. Really kind, caring staff when my wife was poorly last year.

And not expensive. The Doctor spoke English (to keep me in the picture) and they

couldn't have been more helpful. A real relief to find somewhere in the "boonies"

so well organised.

Good luck to your mother-in-law, pal.

Thanks for the input.

There's been a few endorsements for "Muk Inter" now, so I think we will start making moves toward getting her in for a preliminary examination. I am sort of hoping that they will be conducive to discussing things with my Mrs. over the phone - with the MIL permission of course. She gets confused easily and panics (thats not meant to sound condescending). So, I'm hoping that we can get her seen by doctor X, and then perhaps my Mrs can discuss the "options" with regard to how to proceed.

We'll start making phone calls on Monday and go from there.

Thanks again.