Hospital/Specific Doctor Recommendation - Bangkok

[Canuck50]

I live in Ratchayothin area and would like to get a recommendation to have the following evaluations:

1. Complete skin checkup I have a few suspicious looking moles/discolorations on my back and want have them evaluated to be sure they are not cancer. I do want to be sure the hospital/doctor is skilled so I get an accurate diagnosis, and especially if the findings indicate treatment is required.

2. Tested for mineral depletion. I have been on Nexium for many years (GERD) and I understand there is a risk of mineral depletion in this case (magnesium, calcium, etc.) I do have a few symptoms that point to magnesium depletion (palpitations, muscle cramps, etc.), so I think it is prudent to get tested. As with #1 above, I want to go to someone who knows their stuff for accuracy and treatment recommendations if required.

3. Chronic Venous Insufficiency. Varicose veins, cramping, and sometimes edema in feet and ankles, when standing still or sitting for extended periods, I am a runner (5 km/day) so it is not heart related. I have read there are surgeries available to seal off the leaky veins to force the blood in the leg to travel back up as it should. Again, want someone who knows their stuff on this!

I don't mind traveling withing BKK to get to a good specialist, but if I was lucky enough to find something close to me that would be a bonus! I do not have insurance but I don't want to sacrifice cost for quality of diagnosis/care.

Recommendations much appreciated.

[Suradit69]

Probably best to see specialists in the same hospital since there could be useful shared information between them.

Bumrungrad is considered one of the best. Bangkok Hospital is also well-regarded and either would have specialists for the three issues you're concerned about.

https://www.bumrungrad.com

[DogNo1]

Do you take calcium and magnesium plus B-12 supplements? I've been taking Lansoprazole forever so I'm careful to take my calcium, magnesium, D3 and zinc supplement twice a day. I also take a B1, B6 & B12 supplement twice a day. It's cleared up my peripheral neuropathy. I patronize Bumrungrad but it is pricey!

[Canuck50]

Do you take calcium and magnesium plus B-12 supplements? I've been taking Lansoprazole forever so I'm careful to take my calcium, magnesium, D3 and zinc supplement twice a day. I also take a B1, B6 & B12 supplement twice a day. It's cleared up my peripheral neuropathy. I patronize Bumrungrad but it is pricey!

I started taking magnesium a couple of months ago but I read some concerns about the body not absorbing it when the deficiency is caused by Nexium type drugs. So I would like to get a proper evaluation and recommendations if there is a problem and advice on the use/effectiveness of supplements for the future.

Do you take your calcium, magnesium, D3 and zinc as one supplement or individual? Any recommendation on a good supplier for supplements in BKK? I haven't found much yet and what I have found is of questionable quality and expensive.

I was also hoping to get recommendations for known good specialists in the three areas of concern as I have heard that the major hospitals have some really good ones but many are not so good. So I would rather latch onto the good ones from the start so as not to waste time and money.

I have been to a few hospitals with varying results:

- Samitivej - Laser removal of skin tags in dermatology dept., but not sure how skilled they are with skin cancer screening; priced endoscopy but ridiculous price.

- Bumrungrad - Had some dental work done there but was not happy; priced endoscopy but ridiculous price.

- BNH - Gastroscopy/Colonoscopy was cheaper than the other two and did a reasonable job but I had some concerns about the way one polyp was removed.

Anyone else have experience at these hospitals?

[lopburi3]

All three are probably among the top four most popular with foreigners and most expensive facilities in Thailand. Skin cancer is the real problem area here as there is just not enough cases among Thai for many doctors to be experts and unfortunately most take the view that it is probably not cancer rather than check at extra cost to patient. Be sure to have them check anything if there is any doubt at all. Know that most recommended is a doctor in Pattaya who has many foreign patients - I uses a Bangkok doctor and she has been very good at making sure but hospital does not provide her access to nitrogen so she must use laser removals or Aldara and if cancer found surgical removal to be sure all removed. For one or two places probably not an issue but for old folks with frequent such suspect spots probably not the best as simple freeze is very effective and cheap method to keep ahead as our clocks wind down. But then again had this method done at one of the facilities you mention and was total failure (either the doctor or the gun) so Thailand is probably not the best choice for skin cancer treatment.

[Sheryl]

You are going to have to go to more than one place. Very, very few Thai doctors are skilled in checking for skin cancer, in fact I can only recommend one: Dr, Anna Jaruwan at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. Ye,s it is far, but it takes me even longer yet I drive all the way there and back to see her.

For #3 need a vascular specialist and I'll get back to you on that, will be in Bangkok.

Pretty much any hospital can test your serum magnesium, calcium etc (and sorry to say but pretty much any Thai doctor will think it strange and unnecessary - they are not well informed on medication side effects). Probably simplest to ask the vascular doc to order those tests, or else go to a stand alone lab like Bria. If low, management is just going to be supplements plus getting off the PPIs if that is feasible for you.

[Sheryl]

Fir vascular:

Dr. Mawin Vongsaisuwon at Saint Louis Hospital

or one of these at Bumrungrad:

Dr. Thamrongroj Temudom

Dr. Piyanut Pootracool

[Canuck50]

You are going to have to go to more than one place. Very, very few Thai doctors are skilled in checking for skin cancer, in fact I can only recommend one: Dr, Anna Jaruwan at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. Ye,s it is far, but it takes me even longer yet I drive all the way there and back to see her.

For #3 need a vascular specialist and I'll get back to you on that, will be in Bangkok.

Pretty much any hospital can test your serum magnesium, calcium etc (and sorry to say but pretty much any Thai doctor will think it strange and unnecessary - they are not well informed on medication side effects). Probably simplest to ask the vascular doc to order those tests, or else go to a stand alone lab like Bria. If low, management is just going to be supplements plus getting off the PPIs if that is feasible for you.

I checked online and found Dr. Jaruwarn. The clinic seems to be open only Tues, Wed, Thurs and closed next week so I will have to wait till after that. Do you have any knowledge of Dr. Anita Kruavit, Dermatology dept., Sametivej, Sukhumvit? I only ask about her because she is the one I saw a couple of years ago for laser removal of a bunch of skin tags. She seemed quite skilled at that and has good Thai education credentials, although I see nothing about USA/overseas training like Dr. Jaruwarn has and acknowledge your comments above about Thai doctors lack of skill in detecting skin cancers in general.

As far as the testing for mineral depletion, what testing should I request? Can I simply ask to be tested for mineral depletion or must I specify a list...magnesium, calcium, and what else?

Thanks very much Sheryl for your advice!

[Canuck50]

Fir vascular:

Dr. Mawin Vongsaisuwon at Saint Louis Hospital

or one of these at Bumrungrad:

Dr. Thamrongroj Temudom

Dr. Piyanut Pootracool

OK, I'll check them out. My first inclination is to choose one at Bumrungrad, only because I am familiar with it and the location. Haven't heard about Saint Louis yet. What is it like for price, English abilities, etc.? Thanks!!!

[Canuck50]

Fir vascular:

Dr. Mawin Vongsaisuwon at Saint Louis Hospital

or one of these at Bumrungrad:

Dr. Thamrongroj Temudom

Dr. Piyanut Pootracool

OK, I'll check them out. My first inclination is to choose one at Bumrungrad, only because I am familiar with it and the location. Haven't heard about Saint Louis yet. What is it like for price, English abilities, etc.? Thanks!!!

Also, is there any order of preference for these? I was able to find the two online at Bumrungrad but not at Saint Louis. I searched by name and then specialty only and no such doctor. Maybe not there anymore?

[Sheryl]

You are right, seems that Dr. Mawin is no longer at St Louis.

See Dr. Thamrongroj at Bumrungrad

Skill in general dermatology, removal of skin tags and the like has nothing at all to do with skill in detecting skin cancer. That requires years of experience with populations where it is common. Even Thai doctors who trained in the west, if they did not work there for some years, tend to get it wrong.Believe me, I have tried, and i have not been able to find anyone like Dr,. Anna elsewhere. Skin cancer is her specialty. Worth the trip.

For labs - just ask for calcium and magnesium levels. I would also get potassium and sodium while you are at it since you have muscle cramps.

[Canuck50]

You are right, seems that Dr. Mawin is no longer at St Louis.

See Dr. Thamrongroj at Bumrungrad

Skill in general dermatology, removal of skin tags and the like has nothing at all to do with skill in detecting skin cancer. That requires years of experience with populations where it is common. Even Thai doctors who trained in the west, if they did not work there for some years, tend to get it wrong.Believe me, I have tried, and i have not been able to find anyone like Dr,. Anna elsewhere. Skin cancer is her specialty. Worth the trip.

For labs - just ask for calcium and magnesium levels. I would also get potassium and sodium while you are at it since you have muscle cramps.

OK, thanks very much Sheryl!

[wpcoe]

+1 for the recommendation for Dr. Anna @ Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. Her English is excellent and she can "dumb down" the technical explanations so that even I can understand them.

[Spaniel]

As an alternative to Dr. Anna at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital you might consider Dr. Niyom, a dermatologist, at Bumrungrad. I have seen both for skin cancer problems and both are excellent choices.

[Canuck50]

As an alternative to Dr. Anna at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital you might consider Dr. Niyom, a dermatologist, at Bumrungrad. I have seen both for skin cancer problems and both are excellent choices.

OK, thank you!

[Canuck50]

So just as a follow-up, I made the trip to Bangkok Pattaya hospital to see Dr. Anna for a complete skin examination. She was very thorough and was able to put my mind at ease that none of my moles were cancer. It cost 1500 baht but for me well worth it to have confidence in her assessment. Thanks to all for their recommendations.