sudden partial vision loss in one eye

[lopburi3]

The H in middle of map on Soi Asok (which I see is now named Asok Montri Road) is where you want to go but I am not current on where bus terminal is now.

https://goo.gl/maps/qkDLzSNzFux

Edited June 29, 2017 by lopburi3

[n210mp]

Yes Thanks Lopburi3 I found the hospital on google maps its just that I am unfamiliar with the train stations and the nearest one to the hospital 

 

[kkerry]

Probably easiest to get a taxi but if not, make your way to Phetchaburi MRT station. Take exit #2. When you come out of the station do an immediate u-turn to your right, walking away from the major intersection in front of you. Walk across the bridge with white sides. When you come to a 7/11 with a pedestrian crossing with traffic lights outside, cross there to Rutnin.

 

Rutnin is very good but can be extremely busy, so take some entertainment with you as appointment or not, you could be in for a long day if you get shuffled between different doctors and tests. If that happens try to ask how long you will have to wait. If it is going to be a long time there is a small coffee shop on the first? floor to get away from the crowds.

[perthperson]

15 minutes ago, n210mp said:

Yes Thanks Lopburi3 I found the hospital on google maps its just that I am unfamiliar with the train stations and the nearest one to the hospital 

 

http://www.transitbangkok.com/bts.html

 

You may find that helpful with trains --- 

Edited June 29, 2017 by perthperson

[kkerry]

.

 

Edited June 29, 2017 by kkerry

[sandyf]

1 hour ago, n210mp said:

Update

 

I have booked an appointment at Rutnin hospital for Friday (tomorrow) at 1.10 pm

 

I will be leaving Pattaya North Bus station early doors tomorrow  on the Blue and white bus for my appointment but  being unfamiliar with Bangkok could anyone please advise on the best route to go train stations etc after getting off the bus at ????

 

 

The bus from Pattaya bus station can go to Ekamai or Mo Chit and you would be better off on the one to Ekamai. Shortly after the bus comes off the elevated section and down past Bitec  on to Sukhumvit it will stop under the Udon Suk BTS station. You should get off there and go up on to the BTS, it is another half hour to Ekamai where you can also catch the BTS just outside the bus station. From either station go to Asoke where you can interchange with the MRT.  Best to have some 10 baht coins for the ticket machine to avoid queuing, I think it is 40 baht from Udon Suk to Asoke. You can ask for a senior ticket on the MRT, but you need to do that at the desk, not available from the machine. Good luck.

[Sheryl]

As above, then short taxi ride from Asoke BTS station.

 

Algternately if you can get off the bus near an MRT stop then MRT Pethcburi station and taxi ride fro mthere

 

it is further than you'd want to walk from either place

[lopburi3]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

As above, then short taxi ride from Asoke BTS station.

 

Algternately if you can get off the bus near an MRT stop then MRT Pethcburi station and taxi ride fro mthere

 

it is further than you'd want to walk from either place

Actually it is only a 4 minute walk from the Petchburi MRT station (300 meters) if you exit on the Asoke side as mentioned.  Have done it many times.

Edited June 29, 2017 by lopburi3

[n210mp]

Thank you everyone for the info.

 

Last night a  friend Jimbo who lives in Bangkok has offered to meet me at the Ekamai bus station and take me there in his car so this will make a daunting trip for an old codger like me a lot easier on the stress levels .(I hope)

 

Thank you once again and just in case there is a problem  later today with meeting up with Jimbo I have printed out the directions from this thread and will take them with me 

[n210mp]

Update

 

All went well getting to Rutnin hospital, I even enjoyed the bus ride.

 

I had many tests including the Visual acuity  field test and was seen by Dr Peesit

 

The summary of his examination of my eyes  was that He could not find anything amiss. 

He confirmed that I had two cataracts but they were typical for someone of my age and not yet needing any surgery.

He also confirmed that I did not have any "retina" issues.

 

The Doctor  suggested I go to a Cardiologist first and then and  (I Could have got this the wrong way round maybe)  a Neurologist.

He did not prescribe any medication but suggested that I should start to take an aspirin every day and gave me a letter to take to the Doctor who would be looking at me next.

 

I will be going to the Queen Sirikit hospital next to  see a Cardiologist and also possibly a Neurologist.

 

Thanks for all your kind comments and information which was invaluable !

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sheryl]

Neurologist first would be the norm.

 

I advise against taking aspirin until you've seen the neurologist.S/he may recommend it but let them decide.

 

A small stroke is a possible cause of loss of vision when no cause can be found in the eyes.  Arteritis is another possibility.

[n210mp]

9 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Neurologist first would be the norm.

 

I advise against taking aspirin until you've seen the neurologist.S/he may recommend it but let them decide.

 

A small stroke is a possible cause of loss of vision when no cause can be found in the eyes.  Arteritis is another possibility.

Thank you Sheryl for your well appreciated advice, I'm off to Queen Sirikit next week and will give the Aspirin a miss until I have seen the Neurologist

[pmarlin]

Any time you lose vision in an eye it's a trip to the Hospital emergency room and not waiting around to make an appointment. You may be too late.

[n210mp]

Its just occurred to me that there may well be no Neuro specialist at Queen Sirikit hospital Sattahip.

 

Does anyone know whether there is or not?

 

Thanks 

[Sheryl]

On 7/1/2017 at 7:33 AM, pmarlin said:

Any time you lose vision in an eye it's a trip to the Hospital emergency room and not waiting around to make an appointment. You may be too late.

 

Unfortunately I don't know.

 

If they do not, please go straight to ER at Chonburi Hospital (or a hospital in Bangkok).

[chopper23]

Get your blood sugar check sounds like Diabetes.

[scubascuba3]

So what was the conclusion?

[n210mp]

10 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

So what was the conclusion?

The conclusion

I am going back to the UK on a permanent basis because the costs of medical treatment here in Thailand, for my particular problems would potentially be more than we could afford to sustain a secure and happy lifestyle.

 

We are not as skint as previously I inferred but because we have assets here that I wish to leave intact for the future financial security of my beloved Mrs., I feel that I am left with no option!

 

I have been in touch with my old Doctors medical practice in the UK and will be taken on by my Doctor as soon as I fill in the required forms.

 

Eye problems

The main reasons for not following up the Neuro Ophthalmic referral that I got from the Rutin Eye hospital in Bangkok is because of the high associated costs for treatment in this specialty and also the unavailability of it in shall we say in the more rural or in my case preferred military hospitals.

 

Apart from maybe two operations for cataracts in local or military hospitals that would cost minimally 40K Baht plus I would still  be stumped as to the cause of the sudden partial vision loss in my right eye.

 

Prednisalone

Maybe the cause of all my problems (Maybe)

My long term use of Prednisalone is maybe the major cause, together with old age of all my health problems; I have to use Prednisalone for a very severe Titanium allergy from the addition of plates and screws from a cycle accident in 2015. Prednisalone is the only available drug that gives me any relief.  

 

Long term use of this drug which primarily inhibits the auto-immune system is now after a lengthy use of the drug, causing serious side effects which may well lead me to at worst an earlier death or a life of  being very ill and needing constant care and attention.

 

Apart from the sudden vision loss, I am already suffering from MRSA in the form of skin boils that are extremely painful and hard to treat, this is IMHO a sign that it is because my Immune system isn’t able to work properly and I will only get worse with time.

 

The  orthopedic Surgeon in Thailand who did an excellent job of putting me back together again after my bike accident  stated that He would not operate for the removal of the Plates I and screws in my leg because I was too old.

 

however and Even now I am still leading a very active lifestyle, cycling 50K maybe 2/3 times a week and not just dawdling but making the rides a very good Cardio vascular workout.

 

I play golf once a week, walking 18 holes (about 7 K) pulling a heavy golf bag cart with a full bag and without caddy, I go to the golf driving range twice a week where I shoot 4/5 boxes in a short time, thereby making the practice another cardio vascular exercise.

 

The point I am making with regard to my exercise comments is that I feel that I have time to get to the UK and maybe address all of my problems in a scenario that I am familiar with, can communicate with and feel that I  respected. (At least by my own Doctor)

 

It may be that in the UK I will in the event have to go on long waiting lists, if indeed there are any solutions to my problems but I feel that I do not have any other viable options.

 

I have been very lucky in that I am married to a Thai lady for the last ten years or so who is “One in a million” but with the advent of Skype, Messenger etc etc  will minimize the effects of our separation and  we will be in touch visually and verbally every day, making what is for me one of the saddest  separations of my life  just about bearable.

 

If all goes well with the health problems i.e.; cataracts, the Titanium in the leg, the sudden vision loss then I will at some point maybe come back to Thailand but I am not at all optimistic!

 

My wife cannot leave our home in Thailand to come over to the UK with me because of two parents in their 80s that we both love very much and then there is our two kids, Smoky and Nini two Pomeranians and a load of other related business and asset issues that demand that one of us has to remain here for at least  the foreseeable future.

If all goes well than I may well be back, who knows what the future holds.

 

To be totally honest and candid I am for the first time in my life a little scared of events that seem to be totally out of my control but having made the decision I now have faced my demons and hope that God and lady Luck will smile on me as they have done for most of my life.

 

Thanks once again to all those who contributed to this thread and I hopefully will in the future give update you to what is happening to me in the UK.

[rascalman]

See a doctor right now,  this sounds serious! 

[n210mp]

10 hours ago, rascalman said:

See a doctor right now,  this sounds serious! 

 

Thank you for your comment  rascalman  and like  other posters on here you have said what would be logical and sensible but the costs here in Thailand are just too high for me and my budget.

 

You start with say an MRI scan costing upwards of 20 K even in the military hospitals  and then it all escalates  especially if the tests or scan are indicative of some thing very serious.

 

As I have said I am very fit for my age and so I worked out a kill or cure (At least I would Know) method of testing whether I would be going to have an imminent stroke.

 

I found one of the steepest hills around here (about 5/6 K with a 7 / 8% incline and together with my riding buddy attacked it as hard as I could on the cycle

I had to stop three times with heart ready to explode and spluttering for breath, the pulses in my head sounding  and feeling very loud.

 

At the top of the hill I regained my normal heart and breathing rate very quickly and then feeling quite pleased with the outcome made the decision that I probably had sufficient time to go back to the UK for medical treatment in view of the fact I wasn't laying dead of paralyzed from my efforts on the big hill.

 

In retrospect I understand that my actions were a bit silly and the outcome could have been serious illness, paralysis and that I could have finished up a living vegetable.

 

However I think that the cost of an airline ticket to go to my old Doctor and get to the root of all my problems is better than being in a place where communication is difficult and costs can be overwhelming.

 

Just for a further bit of info I already had for a long time a plan that if I ever got a terminal illness here in Thailand , I would when I could not make the toilet under my own steam have a  drink or two with my closest friends at my own wake  and then "later after they had all gone ; "Goodnight Vienna"

 

This last paragraph may well give you and others an insight into the manner in which I look at life and death.

 

I make no apologies or defence, this works for me having had a splendid life and accepting that as I get older life or the quality of it, isn't going to get much  better.

 

Further, I also do not wish to foist the task of caring for me in such a predicament on any person who loved me. 

I have witnessed at first hand the cost on the life and body of a loving and caring partner who  then has to  also suffer terrible grief from an inevitable bereavement .

 

 

[mommysboy]

On 02/08/2017 at 9:10 AM, n210mp said:

 

Thank you for your comment  rascalman  and like  other posters on here you have said what would be logical and sensible but the costs here in Thailand are just too high for me and my budget.

 

You start with say an MRI scan costing upwards of 20 K even in the military hospitals  and then it all escalates  especially if the tests or scan are indicative of some thing very serious.

 

As I have said I am very fit for my age and so I worked out a kill or cure (At least I would Know) method of testing whether I would be going to have an imminent stroke.

 

I found one of the steepest hills around here (about 5/6 K with a 7 / 8% incline and together with my riding buddy attacked it as hard as I could on the cycle

I had to stop three times with heart ready to explode and spluttering for breath, the pulses in my head sounding  and feeling very loud.

 

At the top of the hill I regained my normal heart and breathing rate very quickly and then feeling quite pleased with the outcome made the decision that I probably had sufficient time to go back to the UK for medical treatment in view of the fact I wasn't laying dead of paralyzed from my efforts on the big hill.

 

In retrospect I understand that my actions were a bit silly and the outcome could have been serious illness, paralysis and that I could have finished up a living vegetable.

 

However I think that the cost of an airline ticket to go to my old Doctor and get to the root of all my problems is better than being in a place where communication is difficult and costs can be overwhelming.

 

Just for a further bit of info I already had for a long time a plan that if I ever got a terminal illness here in Thailand , I would when I could not make the toilet under my own steam have a  drink or two with my closest friends at my own wake  and then "later after they had all gone ; "Goodnight Vienna"

 

This last paragraph may well give you and others an insight into the manner in which I look at life and death.

 

I make no apologies or defence, this works for me having had a splendid life and accepting that as I get older life or the quality of it, isn't going to get much  better.

 

Further, I also do not wish to foist the task of caring for me in such a predicament on any person who loved me. 

I have witnessed at first hand the cost on the life and body of a loving and caring partner who  then has to  also suffer terrible grief from an inevitable bereavement .

 

 

I guess all of us long termers in Thailand will have to face something like this. 

 

Don't go mentioning too much about Thailand or being out of the country.  Technically, you could be asked to pay for treatment.  If you do experience hard questioning then simply say that you have returned to UK to permanently settle.

 

I don't honestly think kill or cures are a good idea- because of the increased risk of the former.

 

My impression is this sounds like migraine or inflammation of some sort, so don't go making plans for the big dirt nap just yet.  Good luck

Edited August 3, 2017 by mommysboy

[mommysboy]

On 23/06/2017 at 6:44 PM, userabcd said:

When did this happen, today a few hours ago, yesterday and do you still have the loss of vision?

 

The sudden partial vision loss in one eye is you describe is potentially serious.

 

If I were you, I would not delay this any further and get to a hospital to see an ophthalmologist for an initial diagnosis.

 

 

Very sensible advice: one common and nasty cause can be narrow angle glaucoma, which needs attention immediately. 

[n210mp]

On 03/08/2017 at 0:08 PM, mommysboy said:

I guess all of us long termers in Thailand will have to face something like this. 

 

Don't go mentioning too much about Thailand or being out of the country.  Technically, you could be asked to pay for treatment.  If you do experience hard questioning then simply say that you have returned to UK to permanently settle.

 

I don't honestly think kill or cures are a good idea- because of the increased risk of the former.

 

My impression is this sounds like migraine or inflammation of some sort, so don't go making plans for the big dirt nap just yet.  Good luck

Thanks for the post  and an Update

 

Arrived UK Thurs evening with increased vision loss in the right eye , the "assistance" given by BA staff throughout the flights from showing my Passport in Bangkok to picking my luggage up in Manchester was highly efficient very much needed and  very much appreciated. ( I will be writing a letter to BA expressing my heartfelt appreciation of their kind service people)

 

Friday went to my old Doctors surgery  and was told that because I am living with my  family 2 miles out of their area I could not join the practice!!!

 

So I went to another  local practice and was informed that I would have to wait two weeks to see the practice nurse and then after I could make an appointment with the Doctor, I was scratching my head a bit at that point.

 

I have decided on another way forward . (Cannot say too much at this time)

 

Applied for my bus pass, updated my UK bank accounts, bought a new Sim card and achieved quite a lot of other much  of  needed documentation on the first day home, whilst suffering some sort of delayed jet lag and the inability to properly see or read .

 

The first 24 hours were very depressing leaving my wife  behind and  coming back to my rural back water in the North West of the UK,  not for the faint hearted, even now for two pins I would be getting on a return flight but I have to get on with this journey even if as I suspect it may be all for nothing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kkerry]

Despite all the complaints about health treatment in Thailand, some of which I have experienced as well, the ability to be able to walk in to most private hospitals and be seen in next to no time is something you get used to. It's only when you're in some other countries you remember how long it can take to get to see a specialist.

 

A couple of times in Bangkok I've visited a private hospital as a walk in and have been able to sit down with a cardiologist within an hour. Last time, I saw the head of the cardiology department. He personally supervised  a stress test, with a CT scan the next morning. It wasn't cheap but back home it would take a month minimum to get such tests done, and cost even more. I didn't get all the answers I was looking for but did manage to eliminate the worst outcomes. 

 

I have a relative with cancer who nearly died because in Australia after many tests, they still didn't pickup what was wrong. It was only due to his wife dragging him to his local GP instead of waiting for his next hospital appointment that he is still alive. His GP decided to have him admitted immediately which resulted in an emergency operation a few hours later. If he had waited another 24 hours the surgeon said he would most likely have died.

 

Best of luck for your diagnosis and treatment. It's understandable why you would want to check things out in your home country for peace of mind. 

[Sheryl]

Thanks for the post  and an Update
 
Arrived UK Thurs evening with increased vision loss in the right eye , the "assistance" given by BA staff throughout the flights from showing my Passport in Bangkok to picking my luggage up in Manchester was highly efficient very much needed and  very much appreciated. ( I will be writing a letter to BA expressing my heartfelt appreciation of their kind service people)
 
Friday went to my old Doctors surgery  and was told that because I am living with my  family 2 miles out of their area I could not join the practice!!!
 
So I went to another  local practice and was informed that I would have to wait two weeks to see the practice nurse and then after I could make an appointment with the Doctor, I was scratching my head a bit at that point.
 
I have decided on another way forward . (Cannot say too much at this time)
 
Applied for my bus pass, updated my UK bank accounts, bought a new Sim card and achieved quite a lot of other much  of  needed documentation on the first day home, whilst suffering some sort of delayed jet lag and the inability to properly see or read .
 
The first 24 hours were very depressing leaving my wife  behind and  coming back to my rural back water in the North West of the UK,  not for the faint hearted, even now for two pins I would be getting on a return flight but I have to get on with this journey even if as I suspect it may be all for nothing!
 
 
 
 
 
 

Go straight to a hospital emergency room and tell them you had a sudden loss of vision which is getting worse.

This is a legitimate emergency and they will not question your coming straight there.

[mommysboy]

10 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Go straight to a hospital emergency room and tell them you had a sudden loss of vision which is getting worse.

This is a legitimate emergency and they will not question your coming straight there.

 

I am also from the UK.  I confirm that this absolutely the correct advice.  Go there now.

 

Do not mention being out the country for any length of time should the conversation arise. 

[n210mp]

Update

 

Went to the A&E this morning and had a lot of tests including a an ECG, blood tests  and a  CT scan of my head.

 

The results were all  normal  and then I was asked if I wished to go to an Eye clinic in another hospital about ten miles away to see an eye specialist, which I was very happy about.

 

I was given a very thorough test by the  eye Doctor who said that I had an advanced cataract in my right eye and a cataract in my left eye, He also said that the  massive vision loss was probably becasue of an effect of the steroid/cortisone drug that I had been taking for a long time stimulating the increase of the cataract causing acute vision loss in a shorter then normal  time span.

 

I have bee placed on the waiting  list for  the removal of the cataracts, which, at this time is around 15 weeks.

 

So once again "thank you" to all those who gave encouragement and advice 

[kkerry]

Good to hear. So you now have peace of mind.

 

As for the old duck at Queen Sirikit... sounds like her diagnosis was ultimately the same as you have received in the UK...

 

With a 15 week wait list, which knowing the UK could turn out to be longer, might it be better for you to return to Thailand and have it done here?

Depends I guess on your cost of living expenses in the UK but I can't see you being made to wait 15 weeks in Thailand.

Might be worth doing your sums to see what works out best, unless of course you're happier staying on in the UK since you are already there.

[teddog]

Pity you had to go back to the UK to be told that, when you already knew, but yes the cost here in Thailand is high,far too high for likes of me.  Always ,but always go to India, couple of hours away,5 thousand baht return, even go over when I get a sneezing fit , better,and almost as cheap (its free) as NHS UK

          

  Anyway I'm probably having eye correction at eye hospital there in India soon, as well as a screw in tooth,did enquire about cataracts too in case I need treatment  10,000 baht   My best to Lancs and Southport in particular

[n210mp]

11 hours ago, kkerry said:

Good to hear. So you now have peace of mind.

 

As for the old duck at Queen Sirikit... sounds like her diagnosis was ultimately the same as you have received in the UK...

 

With a 15 week wait list, which knowing the UK could turn out to be longer, might it be better for you to return to Thailand and have it done here?

Depends I guess on your cost of living expenses in the UK but I can't see you being made to wait 15 weeks in Thailand.

Might be worth doing your sums to see what works out best, unless of course you're happier staying on in the UK since you are already there.

Thanks for your post.

 

I just didn't have any confidence in the Doctor at Sirikit but that is not the point

 

The doctors actually did have different diagnosis in that the UK Doctor identified the right eye as the one that I have had a major vision loss in as the one with the worst Cataract that needed an immediate operation but in fairness to the Lady Doctor becasue the cataract in the right eye was/is maturing  so very quickly, then  at the time of her diagnosis the left eye could have been  actually and in fact worse at the time of here examination. 

 

But she didn't refer me to an Ophthalmic neurologist, instead asking me to make another appointment for a month later.

 

In the UK hospital at A&E I had all the tests in under 3 hours  including the  CT scan and also a referral to the eye Doctor, within another 3 hours I also had a diagnosis and a treatment plan. 

 

The costs of all the tests I had  in Thailand would have been more than the costs of the amount I paid in airfare  to BA so economically I feel that the trip was well worth it and  justified.

A bonus being that I was understood and could ask questions relevant to the problem

 

The Eye Doctor seemed to be very much on top of his job and I felt very confident in him, the equipment in the first  A & E hospital, as in the eye hospital seemed to be brand new  and apart from the waiting list I feel very elated and pleased with the outcome .

 

As to the operation I have an appointment again in two weeks with the eye Doctor and if the waiting time is still the same will consider returning to Thailand to maybe one of the rural Military hospitals for the operation, Having said that, there is also waiting lists in Thailand for cataracr removal so it could be that I would have to wait longer.

 

Teddogs point about the low cost of going to India is also of interest and maybe he  could enlighten me a bit more on that matter?

 

Once again thanks for both posts and  info, maybe  India could be a distinct possibility ?

 

 

 

Edited August 8, 2017 by n210mp