Hi there

Anybody knows about pain clinic/hospital that is specialized in treatment of advanced cancer pain. Looking for an automated system (Medtronic)for morphine delivery, controlled by patient. Any feedback/experience is much appreciated. Any doctor/hospital recommendation welcome. Patient lives in Pattaya, but can travel. Thank. JL.

Horizon Regional Cancer Centre is part of Bumrungrad - Thailand's No.1 private hospital located in Bangkok

http://www.bumrungrad.com/overseas-medical...cer-center.aspx

Wattanosoth Cancer Hospital is part of Bangkok Hospital, another private hospital in BKK

http://www.bangkokhospital.com/eng/Wattano...r_Hospital.aspx

Sounds like you are talking about your friend having a "syringe driver" which will automatically feed morphine into his system at regular intervals throughout the day. These usually need setting by nurses daily, who set the dose for you on instructions from a doctor, and the syringe is refilled daily.

A syringe driver is a costly piece of equipment > USD 1k

Can't really see them letting you buy and administer morphine yourself, even in Thailand where you can buy many drugs OTC. The above links may be places to start asking though.

Wish you all the best and hope it goes as well as possible...

By the way, You might want to consider asking them to move back to the general forum again to get more replies. Many people myself included rarely go to this forum unless looking for specific answers, not questions. I accessed it while browsing the general forum.

Actually there are small computerized machines which can run for a week or more, needing a nurse only if the settings require adjustment and when the catridges nee to be changed. These are widely used in the west, and provide a set dose of morphine or other pain killer plus an option whereby the patient can self-administer up to a specified maximum number/frequency of extra doses as needed. However, I have not encountered this in Thailand and am doubtful it would be available on an out-patient basis. Pain management/hospice type care is not well developed in Thailand. In general attitudes and practices with regard to pain management are several decades behind the times. No doubt that will change, and it is something I have great interest in so if anyone has additional info beyond what I give here, please advise.

Of course, some type of pain management is part of the treatment plan for anyone with advanced cancer, but the only place I am aware of that offers doctors specializing specifically in this is Bangkok Hospital, and even there, only 2 doctors.

That said, I have referred terminally ill cancer patients to the following Austlia-trained specifalist in pain management at BH and gotten positive feedback on her:

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

Although she is in BH Bkk and thus a trip would be required for initial consultation, I expect she could arrange for med refills etc through BPH.

Even if you are not able to obtain the patient-controlled IV analgesia, you will at least be able to get oral and sub-lingual medications of sufficient strength and type to control the pain, from a doctor who (unlike vast majority of Thai medical professionals) understands the priniciples of pain management in the context of a terminal illness.

Good luck and if you don't mind, let us know how it turns out. This type of situation is arising more and more often now that a sizable number of expats living in Thailand are growing old/older.