Newbie to Getting Treatment in Thailand

[DumbFarang]

Hi. I have a severely pinched nerve in my shoulder with pain, tingling, and weakness down my arm. Possibly I have herniated a disc. I have never needed to seek treatment in Thailand before so I don't really know how to get started. Do I need to make an appointment with someone or can I just walk into a hospital? Which hospitals or doctors should I consider? How do I make sure I am speaking to the right person?

Thanks a bunch,

DF

[Langsuan Man]

Where are you ?

Sort of difficult to give you advice on a hospital in Korat if you are in Bangkok or vice versa

[Sheryl]

For something like this you should take care in selecting the right doctor. If you are in Bangkok I highly recommend Dr. Wicharn at the BNH Hospital Spine Center, you can make appointment online or by phone.

http://www.bnhhospital.com/en/find_doctor/detail/256

[DumbFarang]

Where are you ?

Sort of difficult to give you advice on a hospital in Korat if you are in Bangkok or vice versa

Of course. My mistake. I am in Bangkok.

[Sampradaya]

MANY doctors in Thailand do not switch on their brains, try to find one with experience and who knows his job, maybe by word of mouth. And don't allow them to make you buy all in their pharmacy to solve your problem, ask to first see the prescription and bill, then YOU select, then you pay. Good luck.

[Sampradaya]

Oh yes! and they love to do MRI's and scans, very pricey but VERY beneficial for them. You decide if that is really required - maybe read up on the internet before you go.

[garyinhuahin]

Take Sheryl's advice. Spines need special care and it sounds like she speaks from experience.

[laxman1960]

I can highly recommend BNH, the best back Doctor is there..my buddy had his surgery there..I went there when I broke my hip as well, great service, online booking.

Is a bit pricey but if you have good insurance then definitely go there..online appointment setting or calling..

If you have more time than money, go to Chulalongkorn Hospital, just walk into the Emergency area, you will be waiting a couple of hours likely, but costs are very low and quality of care at Chula is high.

For something like this you should take care in selecting the right doctor. If you are in Bangkok I highly recommend Dr. Wicharn at the BNH Hospital Spine Center, you can make appointment online or by phone.

http://www.bnhhospital.com/en/find_doctor/detail/256

[joshstiles]

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For something like this you should take care in selecting the right doctor. If you are in Bangkok I highly recommend Dr. Wicharn at the BNH Hospital Spine Center, you can make appointment online or by phone.

http://www.bnhhospital.com/en/find_doctor/detail/256

why don't you tell him to post this in the correct forum!!!!!!!!

[Sampradaya]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

For something like this you should take care in selecting the right doctor. If you are in Bangkok I highly recommend Dr. Wicharn at the BNH Hospital Spine Center, you can make appointment online or by phone.

http://www.bnhhospital.com/en/find_doctor/detail/256

why don't you tell him to post this in the correct forum!!!!!!!!

Joshstiles, why do you have to be so horrible??? What does it bring you??

[Greg Nixon]

I have this great doctor in Mukdahan. He has a walk in clinic and privileges in two hospitals - the International hospital and the public hospital. He has many satisfied customers and always seems to see 20 patients in the AM and again in the evening. In between he is in the hospital. Judging by my treatment and the satisfied looks of his patients he is exceptional. His office is just east of the large new building at the centre of town ( Office CO) . I do not know his name but he is 1/2 block north of a large Honda dealership. I would definitely bring an interpreter if you do not speak Thai.

He is a muscle, nerve and bone doctor. He treated me for a motorcycle injury and subsequent bursitis. He sees many severely injured patients. He is often able to treat them with drugs which are very effective. They worked on me. I had to have surgery though on an inflamed bursa that appeared about 1 year after the motorcycle accident. It was very successful. I am back to my normal health and suffer from no ill effects. he even treated my early stage arthritis and it has completely disappeared.

His charges are extremely reasonable. The most I can recall paying at his clinic has been 400 Baht. This included 3 drugs. The charge is often 200 Baht. For the operation which I had at the Public Hospital ( I would recommend this over the International Hospital) there were six people in the operating room and it cost me $400.00 including post operative drugs.

Mukdahan is a 500 Baht bus ride from BKK. It is 4 times that on an airline - either Nok air to town south and then a van ride or Thai Air to Ubon Ratchisima North of Mukdahan then Van ride. Both Van rides end at a nice hotel - Ploy Palace.

I think so highly of this doctor I have recommended him to my brother in Canada.

[piusmann]

Think you need a chiropractor

I have had excellent treatment by dr marc leoni in bkk. Just google him

[steve73]

I was suffering for many months with back pain/sciatica and was told muscle strain, take painkillers/muscle relaxants/NSAID's, etc... I finally asked the specialist for an MRI which clearly showed a herniated disc at L4/L5. One day later after micro surgery I was hopping about fine.

That was at Bangkok Hospital Rayong.. expensive but well worth it (insurance didn't cover it unfortunately)

X-rays won't show up a herniated disc, so if you think it is that go ask for an MRI... about 12,000 bt 3 years ago and worth every penny.

[Anon999]

Think you need a chiropractor

I have had excellent treatment by dr marc leoni in bkk. Just google him

A lot less costly and often does the job. However, they will usually tell you if it's out of their domain. Expect an extensive questionnaire before agreeing to treat you, if they are good at their profession.

Edited July 3, 2014 by Anon999

[ukguyinthai]

Find a local swimming pool and try relax and go for a swim with 1000 mg of paracetamol; it’s probably the tendons under your arm that’s causing pain in your shoulder and affecting the nerves down your arm. After 15 minutes you should be swimming like a fish and be high as a kite. The next day the pain will be massively reduced and the healing process started. If you had serious nerve damage in your spine you would not be able to type anything on Thai visa and would just have called an ambulance long ago.

[Sheryl]

Think you need a chiropractor

I have had excellent treatment by dr marc leoni in bkk. Just google him

A lot less costly and often does the job. However, they will usually tell you if it's out of their domain. Expect an extensive questionnaire before agreeing to treat you, if they are good at their profession.

Unfortunately in Thailand this type of practioner is not well regulated and many will not do much (or any) screening.

Should always get screened by an orthopedic specialist first to be sure chiropractic manipulation is safe.

In this case what the OP reports is serious and suggests nerve root compression, it would be potentially quite dangerous to undergo spinal manipulation. And the more conservative approaches mentioned (swimming etc) are also not appropriate for the severity of the symptoms. OP should see a spinal specialist ASAP.

[BWPattaya]

There are two qualified European chiropractors in Pattaya. Both are well reccomended by people who have needed to see them. Two friends of mine have had excellent results. One works from early morining to evening and he is fully booked for days in advance.

I would strongly suggest seeing one of them before going to a hospital where you will have all sorts of expensive tests, and certainly before undergoing any type of surgery.

• Contact: Nigel Kelsey
• Mob: 089 099 3845
• Soi Bongkot 2
  Pattaya 2nd Road
  South Pattaya

http://allpattaya.com/directory/health-and-beauty/subcategory/clinics-and-doctors/business/7006/Pattaya-Sports-Clinic

[TerryLH]

"Mukdahan is a 500 Baht bus ride from BKK."

I think I'm going to make this poster my 'go to guy' for all my medical problems.

With a lot of pain, a 8-10 hour bus ride is such a wonderful idea.

[chubby]

usually, how it happened is relevent, to any potential type of intervention vs. 'watchful waiting'

rest, icing area likely that is the source, and NSAIDs, unless it is 'getting worse', or no improvement, or the pain is severe.

where exactly is the numbness.........etc