Colon And Digestive System.

[lordsux]

I have had problems with my digestive system for the last 18 months. It has now got to the point where I feel that I must get it checked. (a 38 year old friend of a friend died this week of stomach cancer) Unfortunately my right kidney packed up on me a year or so ago and resulted in 3 months in a wheelchair and 6 months learning to walk again. The examinations that I had at the time also confirmed 2 herniated discs with degeneration and spinal stenosis. An operation is apparently required to sort that out.

The symptoms that I have are identical to what a search for colon/stomach cancer produce - minus visible blood in stools. But I can add a couple to the list although I'm not sure if they are related to the main problem.

-Alopecia Areata. This is an autoimmune disease that is sometimes connected with problems within the large colon. I lost more than 50% of my hair in nice circular patches both on my scalp and face.

-Random Blurriness, Without feeling dizzy I sometimes totally lose the ability to focus. This has occurred more in the last 6 months than previously. Usually I regain 20/20 vision after a few minutes but I've experienced a couple of episodes that have lasted almost 10 minutes lately.

Tests were run at Phyathai hospital when my kidney decided to go on strike. Blood tests, Ultrasound, Xrays and an lumbar/spine MRI. The tests were inconclusive and I was told that a CT scan was required. This is when I found out that my health insurance had expired a few weeks earlier. So almost 70k out of pocket I had to discharge myself. No apology was given for forgetting me in the MRI scanner, almost an hour, when it should have been 20-25 minutes. The operator was playing cards with his friend.

When I was fit enough to travel, I flew to Italy where I could get the CT scan done at a private clinic in Rome. The CT scan showed that I have a 'knot' as they described / translated it, in the right kidney which is restricting blood flow through the kidney and vastly degrading the kidneys performance. They recommended a kidney MRI so they could take a closer look. They were, unlike PhyaThai very efficient. Blood tests were performed to ensure that I would not have an allergic reaction to the coloring agents that are used for the CT scan. (1 in 2000 actually die due to the coloring agents) Phyathai did not perform these tests prior to the MRI which could have proved fatal. I also had an EKG in Italy which gave very positive results. The blood tests however did show a touch of anemia. I did not manage to get the MRI done in Italy due to time/financial restraints.

Anyway...blablablabla....back to the current situation. I can deal with what I already know, but my digestive system is seriously starting to worry me, especially after hearing about my m8's close friend passing away, the more frequent visual impairments and worsening lethargy.

So...where should I go to get it checked out and what should I expect to pay? At the moment I'm only interested in a proper diagnosis.

[wasabi]

As your own post shows in spite of some fancy looking hospitals health care in Thailand is still hit or miss and it is not quite First world care. If you can afford it I would go back to Italy. Remember you get what you pay for.

[Orangutan]

Hello,

Sheryl recommended Assoc. Prof. Dr. Varocha Mahachai at Bangkok Hospital for my gastroenterology (Digestive System) problems. She is very good. You can check out her credentials here:

http://www.bangkokhospital.com/App/doctorp...&Lang=en-US

Good luck,

-O

[Robby nz]

Just posted this on another thread

Have a lok at the link http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/cance...list-t9171.html

Tells of my experience, if you are in BKK and have a Thai speaking better half I would recomend you go to Pramonkutklow and registar, reception dont speak much , if any english, for colon tests ask for Dr Sahapon, a specialist with very good english.

[Sheryl]

I would need to kn ow more about the symptoms before I could suggest who to see as there are many sub-specialties within GI. Is it chronic diarrhea? Or heartburn/acid reflux/ Or pain? Etc...

[lordsux]

Robby, the link you posted doesn't seem to be working at the moment. However I did read the thread about a week ago. My gut feeling *excuse the pun* was that I'm playing with time, and time always wins!. Your thread, the passing of a friend of a friend last week of stomach cancer (36, not 38 years of age as I posted earlier) These 3 things motivated me to post here.

Is Pramonkutklow the 21 floor government military hospital you mention in your opening post that's located on Phyathai Rd? Could you tell about the procedures that were carried out. Basically what tests did they run, and what did you get for your 1000.- bht? Seems to be a very good price indeed.

I need study the thread again. I think this is the correct link

Robbie, I'm sure your thread will prompt many to take a little more care of the small signs and maybe get things checked out quicker, thus allowing a better chance of full recovery. That thread will help save lives, you take the full honor for that.

While I'm here, can anyone recommend a specialist that I could get to look at the kidney CT scans that I had taken in Italy a year ago. 2 consecutive scans were done. I feel that I never received an understandable translation. There is also a slight possibility that something was deliberately excluded by the translator, the findings that were translated were played down.

I'm 11 years off the risk group, it is recommended to start getting regular examinations from 50 and upwards. I think that if you can afford it, start checking as early as possible.

I hope to find out asap what's going on inside me, just knowing either way will be a great relief. I will take a couple of days to do more research and get my head round everything and get tested, hopefully a bottle of pills will sort this one out.

Btw Robbie, my better half has been absolutely incredible, she has been my legs and my strength through this continuing saga, I doubt I would be here writing this if not for her support. Nothing is expected or anticipated in return for her dedication to me. I owe it to my wife to get on top of all this and repay her with what she deserves for the rest of our long and happy lives. A truly remarkable woman.

Rambling again....lol.....enough reading and writing for now.

Edited April 26, 2009 by lordsux