Blood Pressure Check And Meds In Bangkok

[tideout]

I'll be returning to BKK in about 2 weeks time and will have about 2 weeks to do some business there.

I'm currently working in China and would like to check my Blood pressure while in BKK and confirm that the BP medicine I bought in Hong Kong is indeed working.

I'd purchased BP medicine at a large, public hospital in China only to find out they'd screwed up and were giving me high cholesterol meds instead. Close but no cigar as they say. A pharmacist in HK confirmed their mistake.

So, if anyone can recommend a competent doctor in BKK who can deal well with English and a relatively simple BP and meds question I'd be grateful - location and/or directions would be really appreciated as I don't speak Thai.

FWIW - the meds are simply lisinopril and I'd like the option to pick up a few months worth.

Regards. Feel free to ask any questions if the above isn't clear.

tideout

[Sheryl]

Certaionly no problem to find a doctor to check your BP but may I suggest you buy a home BP monitor and check it yourself for a while? Readings at home are more reliable than ones in a doctor's office.

You'll likely get more out of dctor consultation if you can go in with a rteciord of how your BP has been doing on the current meds.

[lopburi3]

Strongly second suggestion to keep track at home; as I am one of many with 'white coat' readings in doctors office (although getting a little better with age and frequent doctor visits). Believe most blood pressure medications are freely available at any pharmacy so buying will not be a problem if you do not want to pay higher hospital price (but you might want to check on import into China regulations). Perhaps visit Saint Louis Hospital as they are located in the business area and not expensive and easy to deal with. Out-patient treatment from hospitals is the normal medical practice here.

[tideout]

Thanks for your responses - greatly appreciated.

Yes, I've had a similar experience with the "white coat" issue! Also better with age and more visits myself. I'm likely to be near Hong Kong in China in the future so I don't think getting BP checked long term will be an issue. It's just surprising how behind the times medicine is just an hour and a half outside of Bejing.

The issue with presenting a longer history of how I'm doing on the lisinopril since being in China, is that I don't trust readings that I get here to make that meaningful - getting my own cuff may be the best answer as you're suggesting.

Is it possible to just purchase lisinopril over the counter w/o a script there? Is that true in general for medications in LOS?

Again, thanks much....

[lopburi3]

I do not use that specific medication but the two that I do use are available OTC. Normally scripts are only required for narcotic and psychiatric type medications and those that are often misused.

[BEVUP]

Hello Tideout

Thought i might tell a story as i just did a medical for work after just coming back from Thai

Dont take short cuts

Was just in thai for 3 mths,was previously taking Caduet 10/20 (artery relaxant & cholesterol reducer ) from OZ , was matching in thai but they dont combine medication in to the one pill

Been advised their meds may be hit & miss ( i think this to be true on a previous episode )

Private hospital only (Foriegn pills made outside of thai are expensive)

I found out that my readungs were sky high, needed a ECG & was also given Libidil ( blood thinner )

Bottom line

If your pulse is up IE: 125 sitting in chair & blood press 150/90 GET blood tests

[Sheryl]

Lisinopril is available over the counter here. Both imported and locally made brands.

[tideout]

Terrific posts guys, I really appreciate it!