Living in LOS with chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis

[owenm]

I am looking at retiring next year to LOS, thinking of settling in CM. I'm 56yo, have had RA for about 6 years.

On the heavy guns, methotrexate, arava, plaquenil and as my condition got worse, a biologic Humira, which I have to self inject fortnightly, store in the fridge, which has been my saviour and virtually put me into remission.

In Aust the normal price of Humira is $1764.00 per month, but because I've been on the other heavy guns for several years, is on the PBS at only $36.90 a month. I can bring in a limited supply next year, but I'm worried that without access in Thailand to this med, that I may need to retreat back home if my condition worsens.

Has anyone got or had serious RA? and has the warmer temp., more sunshine and vitamin D, more walking and exercise, improved diet, improved your condition at all in LOS. All my tabs I can get from a local Thai pharmacy, but biologic meds I think if available would cost a fortune unless subsidised by the govt. Maybe the warmer climate would be ideal tonic to improve my current condition. But I am concerned, even knowing that medical facilities are very good in Thailand but.....

Your advice would be greatly appreciated if you can shed some light on your experiences in LOS with controlling RA. I don't want to be doing wheelies in a wheelchair in several years time!!

[Sheryl]

Humira is not registered for use yet in Thailand.

if and when it is, it will nto be subsidized, you'd have to pay full cost.

So that is the main barrier.

RA is less common among Thais than it is in the West but there are still some rheumatologists here experienced in managing it. 2 good ones in Chiang Mai, both at CMU Hosp (and probably accessible through SriPat) are:

Dr. Nuntana Kasitanon

Dr. Worawit Louthrenoo

While you are understandably focused on your RA, don't overlook the issue of how you will pay for other health care in the case of serious injury or illness, especially should you require surgery or hospital admission. While outpatient care is pretty affordable here, inpatient care can cost a lot, and people of retirement age often have difficulty getting insurance.

[owenm]

I really do appreciate your clear advice in your response Sheryl. It sounds like you have some expertise on the subject. Yes it maybe a concern. Rather than me going full hog, putting my Bht800k in a bank account, getting my O, signing a 12mth lease on a condo, I should maybe consider starting on a Tourist Visa first to see how my RA tracks. I should also consult my Melb rheumatologist, seek his advise before making the move to retirement more semi permanent. And as you stated RA maybe the start of more issues occuring, and health costs could spiral if future hospital admissions are a possibility in the future.

I've had friends here in Aust suggest I move to a warmer climate, as it could assist the condition enormously and the fact that my first trip to Thailand was back in late 80's, I know the place well and have a former wife here. Maybe I should try before I commit...

[Utley]

Try to obtain your meds through a government hospital rather than a private one to avoid price gouging. And when using the government hospital pharmacy, always put a small contribution into the box collecting funds for those who can't afford their meds.

Also, extra virgin olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties; try taking two spoonfuls every morning and see if that helps. If so, you may be able to reduce some of your current meds.

[bhorn]

Something you can do, and that would cost nothing at all, is to change your diet.

See the Dr Morse videos and you will understand :

or

http://www.youtube.com/user/robertmorsend

they are a lot, enjoy !

[mok199]

have you tried accupunture i have severe arthritis in my hands i am 59 and i just had a baby boy,i was worried i could never hold him becuase of the pain,i refuse meds so i went for accupuncture, a 2 week session of 10 visits, after the 2 weeks i gave up as it was not getting better,the following week it went away,in a few mnths it returned,but the pain was not so severe, and i have been using my healer( accupuncturist) regually eversince.i find i need to get treated every 2-3 mnth,it is better than drugs...good luck...no one should live with chronic pain...

Edited September 16, 2014 by mok199

[weescotsguy66]

Wife has mild RA she goes to a doctor at Victory Monument, but she has gotten better with the meds, and she get er blood test every 3 months, going to Chaing Mai also has it downside since it is cold in the Winter also.

[Jedsada3]

Who the <deleted> is LOS?

or better said: where or what is it?...

Is there a list somewhere here with all the meaning of your abbreviations?

[curtklay]

Dontcha just love newbees?

LOS = Land Of Smiles (cough, cough)

Edited September 16, 2014 by curtklay

[NoshowJones]

Dontcha just love newbees?

LOS = Land Of Smiles (cough, cough)

LOS= Also has an other meaning. Land of Stupidity, in my opinion mainly reffering to drivers and motor cyclists, and all the recent Thai governments for allowing the country to have the second worst amount of road deaths in the world.

[JimHuaHin]

I have mild RA and used to live in Cairns/Townsville for 21 years prior to moving here last year. Yes, I had RA issues during the winters in Cairns.

Since moving to Hua Hin mid last year I have had no problems with RA.

There are numerous RA specialists here for us young retirees with RA issues, and as an earlier post noted some Thais also suffer RA.

I have a friend here who is on expensive medications, and it is cheaper for him to go back to Australia each year to get his meds under PBS, than purchase the meds here.

Best wishes.

[owenm]

Thanks JimHuaHin for your additional info. Maybe Chiang Mai isn't the most ideal choice to retire with RA, as the climate does have a definite cooler season.

Maybe a hotter area would be more suited. And yes, worse case would be to get my meds in Aust with regular annual trips.

Thanks again

[Tongdee]

Since moving to Thailand many of my heath problems have cleared up. Not from tablets or medical doctors but from diet.

Lots of FRESH (that does not mean reconstituded, "May Contain", anything added, or packaged) tropical fruit.

Pomegrante- break em open eat the beads. Coconut- the vendors put small young coconuts on ice, when I buy they wack the top off & provide a straw.

Ripe Papaya- peel slice & eat, Sum tam - Green papaya salad, watermellon -need I explain. And the fantastic Thai food with lots of fresh herbs & vegtables.

Tumeric & ginger are both fantastic medicine for all arthritic conditions. Garlic & hot peppers multiple benifits.

I believe the pesticides sprayed on crops where permited by law & or promoted by monsanto (Monsatan), Dow, and other chemical & seed companys

are destroying the health of consumers. I attribute these pesticides & the factory farming methods of animal production,overcrowding, hormones, antibiotics etc.

to my decline in health previous to moving to Thailand. I attribute my return to health to the food, regular massage, regular excercize of body & mind leading to better sleep.

Lead a better lifestyle your health will return.

Golf ball sized tumerick & same sized ginger mixed in with the vegtables however you cook em have helped many friends with arthritic conditions

[owenm]

Tongdee. Your comments made good sense. I know my diet will definitely improve, my official retirement date is April 2015 and with more reflection on life and less stress, will all contribute to health and lifestyle improvements. Thanks again.

[Sheryl]

Pesticide use in Thailand is if anything far worse and less regulated than in the West. Good that you are getting in more fruit, but don't imagine it is lower in pesticides. Far from it.