Category: Hospital/Medicine

Off the Plavix – eye problems

Sawadee Khrap

Today I stopped taking the Plavix – I really think this is the culprit responsible for the pain I get in my hips and legs when walking – we will see.   Both my Cardiologist here and the Surgeon who put in the stents said it was ok to stop after 30 days  and it’s been 2 months so far.

I have heard some bad reports about Plavix and particularly when used in combination with aspirin.  Very bad for the heart – so I am glad to hear I can stop using it.  Having no heart problems just blockage in the renal arteries I guess I am not as susceptible to strokes or major blood clotting.

I was given 2 – Express SD Renal stents.  Stainless steel balloon expandable Non-drug-eluting peripheral stents.   In their literature they state 30 day for Plavix needed. In the past I had a reaction to “metals” and could not wear bracelets or rings for over 20 years with out mild allergic reactions.  However for the past 3-4 years this has not been a problem and it seems that the stents caused no problems either- at least not so far.  I wear 2 rings now with no side effects either.

So now I am down to taking:

Madiplot, Valsartan, baby aspirin, Folic acid – along with Cialis, Turmeric and black peppercorns.

BUT, lasts week I had a eye exam and they found I have started to develop Glaucoma in both eyes – so I am now started on “Taflotan”  – one drop each eye in the evening – hopefully this will control this problem. — getting to that age where everything is bucking up against the warranty and starting to fail.  Doctor tells me there could be side effects – could be he states ?  haha – red eyes and black around the area – we will see.   I do see a little bloodshot started but mild so far and haven’t noticed any darkling around the eyes – don’t want a clown appearance.

It never ends.

Ciao

Physical Therapy – not disc problem

Sawadee Khrap

Just got back from Sriphat Physical Therapy Center for the second  ultra-sound and lumbar traction session.  Both shoulders and lower back received 7 minuets each of ultra-sound deep massage and then in for 20 min of lumbar traction = total cost  300 Baht    $9.    I was at Tao Gardens 2 weeks ago for just lower back ultra-sound and was charged 1700 Baht.    Quite a savings. 

What I thought was a flair up of the herniated disc, turned out to be a case of aggressive muscle spasm.  The doctor at Sriphat spotted this right away and set me up for physical therapy to cure the problem.   I’ve scheduled 2 sessions a week for the next 2 weeks to bring everything back to normal.  Along with stretching exercises at home I should be discomfort free soon. 

I also bought a pair of new shoes and this really helped too – I tend to wear them down in the lower outside area which causes me to walk off center and aggravates the back muscles and this in turn causes the vertebras in the back to pop out of position causing more muscle spasm.  I don’t usually notice it until the spasms get so bad that they start to affect the sciatic nerve and I get sever pain down both legs.   I’ll be more observant as to how the shoes are wearing down and make sure to get new ones when needed.  

However, at 300 Baht a session,  I definitely can afford a once week, or at least every other week, visit to the Therapy Center in addition to my normal weekly 2-hour Oil massages to keep my back in good shape.  That amounts to 4600 Baht/Mo or  $130/Mo.  And I tip well – you could do the same here for half the price.  Think about it – that’s 4 private (young men) massages in my condo + 2 therapy sessions.  Try that somewhere else.

Thailand retirement is affordable and pampers me like a baby.  Gay heaven with affordable health care and living expenses so that I can exist in style on my US retirement pension. 

Ciao

Speaking of Turmeric

Sawadee Khrap

Thanks Kevin for this info – I haven’t tried it yet but I will try it later and see what I think – love to have some of the readers try it and leave their comments too.turmeric Latti          Turmeric Latte

I have definitely noticed that the Turmeric and Black Peppercorns  I take in the mornings is helping reduce the inflammation in my back and coupled with ice packs and minimal exercise,  most of the soreness, stiffness and pain has diminished.  

Ciao

Tao Gardens–Team’s school –

Today is Team’s first full day at University for his Masters.  Left this morning at 7:30 and don’t expect him back till about 4:30.  Apparently there are only 5 students in the Toxicology class for Master Degree this year – one is a ladyboy and they have become friends and will be having lunch today  – I’ll show photos later.

Yesterday, I went to Tao Gardens Spa and got a Ultra Sound massage for my back – 1500 Baht – I felt the heat all the way home – 20 KM – and then put on the ice-pack again.   Getting better  – 113937today I walked to Kad Suan Kaew Shopping Center and the exercise really helped  – I hope I will be somewhat back to normal in a week. 

Wednesday I will see the Cardiologist at Sriphat Hospital for a BP and stent check up and will ask about their Physical Rehabilitation Center – Ultra Sound treatments and therapy.   I think,  if I can, schedule a monthly session just for insurance to keep my back strong – of course I will have to develop a real daily plan of exercise for the back and using the Elliptical machine for Cardio..  Now that Team is in school I will take on most of the household duties and that will provide something to do and a start on a basic form of exercise.

Everything else seems to be going well –

Ciao

Turmeric – Does it have value ?

Sawadee Khrap

Over the last few days I have had a very strong and painful flair-up of my herniated disk that got me early retirement.  Pinching the Sciatic nerve, causing pain down both legs and growing ED problems.   Actually I think I caused the flair-up by improper setting while watching TV and not doing my exercises to strengthen the back muscles. Getting lazy and paying for it.

Usually I would apply ice cold packs to the area and take some Naproxen to reduce the inflammation.   But, with my present medicine after the stents – I can’t take Naproxen as a anti-inflammatory. so I tried Turmeric as an alternative.  I have now increased my intake of Turmeric ,until the back problem is gone, to twice a day – 1000 mg with Black Peppercorns (used to increase the absorption of the Turmeric) with great success.   Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory and may be even better than Naproxen, at least it is compatible with my other meds.       WOW it works.

After one day – most of the pain and soreness is gone.  I am wearing a elastic belt to offer more support but the healing effects are really noticeable.  Indeed Turmeric is doing the job. Of course I have to do better about exercise and watching that I don’t compound the problem any more. But when I do have a flair up – Turmeric appears to be the best anti-inflammatory medicine to take and hopefully a daily dosage of 1000mg will prevent any recurrence in the future.

I have also eliminated the Bestatin – as I believe that it was causing increased pain in my hips – I’ll let you know if this is correct – but I don’t think I really need it and all I can read is how bad it is and how over used this drug is.   We’ll see.      So now my morning meds are:

  • 160 mg Valsartan 
  • 5 mg Madiplot
  • 5 mg  Folic Acid
  • 75 mg  Plavix
  • 83 mg Aspirin
  • 10 mg  Cialis
  • 1000 mg Turmeric (Curcuma Longa Linn)
  • 5  raw whole Black Peppercorns

I will see the Cardiologist next week for a full check up and blood test and will post the results – but I seem to be having steady BP at 115/58 average and reduced pain in my hips.

Ciao

Present Meds Update

Sawadee Khrap

Well I hope I don’t jinx the progress but so far I have had very stable blood pressure and feeling pretty good – no  ED to really complain about either.  The two stents seem to have done the trick – coupled with the new pill regime of:

  • 160 mg Valsartan     main blood pressure med
  • 5 mg Madiplot          extra control – BP
  • 10 Bestatian             Cholesterol control  LDL
  • 10-20 Cialis              ED aid – alternating 10/20mg
  • 5 mg Folic acid          Kidney
  • 75 mg Plavix              Blood thinner for stent
  • 83 mg Aspirin            Anti-clotting

This combination seems to be holding everything steady now – last check kidneys have stabilized and BP average 119/60  – getting strength back and will start a daily 20 min. workout on Elliptical machine in addition to daily walking – that should really help the blood flow. As always have to wait and check next month to see if it is still holding – hope so – would be nice to be able to relax now and enjoy my old age.

If you are having problems and looking for a Medical Vacation – I would highly recommend you look at Thailand  – Let me know if you have any questions and I will see if I can find the answer for you –

Ciao

Almost moved in – taken over

Sawadee Khrap

20160702_140641There he is – first thing was to set up his office – it’s complete now and holds a primary spot in the living room – once the teddy bears were in it was designated officially finished.  University starts on Aug 3rd so everything is ready in this area – housework for me but I don’t mind if he is working or in school.  Got’ta brush up, not used to doing cleaning  – usually just hired a cleaning woman – may still have to do that later – but for the beginning I will consider it needed exercise.

Operations seen to be very successful, stents in both the Renal Arteries appears to have stabilized the kidneys – changed the medicines to be:

  • 10 mg  Madiplot       BP control
  • 150 mg  Irbesartan    BP control
  • 20 mg   BeStatin        Cholesterol levels
  • 75 mg Plavix             Anti clotting for stents
  • 81 mg  Aspirin                 “”     “”
  • 5 mg  Folic Acid        Kidney support

Blood Pressure holding within the 100 – 130 range – average about 120    Monitoring every 2 weeks until we are sure that this combination is perfect.  Looking like this will be my regular meds from now on or for at least the next year.

Team’s off for 5 days to go home and visit the family and break the news, show off his ring and then back to finish moving in and settling down   –   I hope, school starts soon.   Just renewed the lease  -  and it’s an easy, short walk or bike ride from here to his classes  (Master Degree in Toxicology)  at Suan Dok Hospital (Sriphat).

All for now

Ciao

2nd Operation successful

Sawadee Khrap

Just got back from BKK and the second operation for the blocked left kidney artery – 74,000 Baht this time – so far the total bill for 2 stents comes to   169,000 Baht  =  $4694.    Feeling great – scheduled for check up and blood tests to see if everything is going OK next week, should know how well the kidneys are doing then. 

Remember that BKK Hospital in Pattaya wanted 1,000,000 Baht for the same thing. —— Please, if you come to Thailand for a medical vacation be sure and check out the Gov’t teaching and training hospitals first – Sriphat in Chiang Mai and Sririaj in BKK .   Great service, pricing and quality.  

I’ll post more and some photos taken on the trip later.

Ciao

Back Pattaya– 1 st Operation done

Sawadee Khrap

Just got back to Chiang Mai from Bangkok and Pattaya – 1st operation at Siriraj Hospital completed – placed a stent in the right kidney artery and scheduled the operation for the left side on June 4th.   After getting on the table it was discovered that both kidney arteries were blocked and the medicine I was taking was actually making things worse.  In addition, because of the deterioration of the kidneys, the doctor decided the safest thing to do was one side at a time thereby reducing the use of the defining dye as it is not good for the kidneys either.  So we did just the right side this time.

  • Private hospital room and operation  ( 1 stent)                 
  • Air fare return trip from Chiang Mai to Bangkok
  • Longstay hotel – Pattaya  – 5 days  (included breakfast)
  • 4 – taxi trips from Pattaya Longstay hotel to Siriraj hospital 

Total cost 106,000 Baht       roughly $ 3,000

Next month I’ll have the left side done and the total cost will still be within the 250,000 Baht estimate the hospital gave me.   Remember when this all started Bangkok Hospital wanted 800,00 Baht for just one stent and 200,00 for each additional if needed.  I will also discuss with the doctor if it would be necessary to stent the artery to my left side which has resulted in different BP readings in both arms – maybe not needed – I hope so – but even if it is recommended the total cost will hover near 300,000 Baht     $8,300    3 – STENTS

I have already noticed a great improvement – As I mentioned above we did have to change the BP medicine but it has really dropped now and I feel normal again.  My right groin area is really heavily bruised right now – really black. but little or no pain – just a little sore.   The operation was painless and quick – 20 min. But I had to lay with my leg straight for 12 hours after the operation to make sure the artery was closed properly.   My back hurt more than my groin area –  All in all – great success so far and it should be a piece of cake to get the left side done in June.

Something’s fucked up with my phone and I can’t get the photos to d/l  – I’ll figure this out later and post them.

Ciao

Back from Pattaya–Operation set

Sawadee Khrap

Took a trip to Pattaya with a Chiang Mai friend  – Jack  –  so I could go to the doctor in BKK  Siriraj Hospital and see about setting up the  dual stent operation. – I thought I would have at least 2-3 months waiting period but they booked it in 2 weeks  – May 7th. not even time for me to get all worked up.    Don, who lives in Pattaya, said he will go with me Saturday and Charlie will visit me in the hospital on Sunday – booked a private room in the hospital for the operation – it has a TV and sleeping room for guests.  Estimated maximum cost expected is only 300,000 Baht.  $8,500

IMG_4453we drove down in the Vitara and it performed beautifully, at IMG_4452Pattaya we booked into the “Longstay Hotel” – in the heart of  the Jomtien Beach area – very nice accommodations – 750 night and extremely convenient to everything here. 

IMG_4444HPIM1858-2We arrived on the last day of Songkran and drove into the thick of the water throwing along the Sukhumvit Hwy.   I did get to show Jack some of the local sites but he had no problem IMG_4448finding his own way and I think he is now planning one moving there – LOL.      The Gay Candy Store.     We took time to visited  Khao Chee Chan and surrounding area and very close  new attraction they are building – some kind of upside down and other cartoonish houses.

On the way back home we stopped at Sukhothai Historical Park and got some new shots of that area. We got there about 9AM and missed the tourist – great to almost have the place to ourselves to walk around.IMG_4470-PanoIMG_4463IMG_4479

Not too many photos – worried about the operation – will post after next week and see how everything is going.

Ciao

Happy Songkran 2016 – Sawadee Pee Mai

Sawadee Khrap

_MG_2499

HAPPY SONGKRAN 2016    HAPPY NEW YEAR       And Chiang Mai’s 720 year birthday.    

  NOT going out to the water fight this year – don’t feel like getting in the fray and particularly getting wet – although the weather has been hovering about 100-106 the last few days – Chiang Mai is the hottest place in Thailand – thank God the humidly is low so its tolerable.    So the above photo,  which was taken several years ago,  but looks very close to what it looked like today at Central Kad Suan Kaew Shopping Center.    

Getting ready to go to Bangkok next week and get everything ready for the stent operation.Might as well get it over as I seem to be hovering right at the edge of being able to control the blood pressure with meds – any little thing right now will set it flying up.  Seem to be OK for  now but that could change next week.  So I’m going to drive down to Pattaya for a week and while there go to Siriraj Mahidol Hospital in BKK where I went several years ago and re-schedule the operation, estimated 2-3 mo. from now..

Ciao

Watch what you eat !

Sawadee Khrap

What a eye-opener – for the last 2 weeks my blood pressure soared to the 190-200 level.   Went to the doctor and made several attempts to get it down – but to no avail – Damn – looks like a operation is in my future.   He did question whether I was watching my salt intake – I was limiting my diet to eating only fish with stirred fried kale and salads.  ???  healthy I thought.   But he put me on a sodium reduction diuretic and an additional blood pressure pill and finally some relief.    But I really had to take a look at what I was eating:   

  1. My healthy fish – it’s coated and fried in a sesame batter – actually contains a high percentage of salt in the batter
  2. Stirred-fried kale – this was fried in oyster sauce – again lots of salt.
  3. Greek salads – I was buying them at a restaurant and in checking I find they were using a commercial seasoning with MSG – again lots of salt. 

Wow, no wonder.  What I thought was healthy was definitely not and I paid the price.   Blood Pressure over the top. So for the last couple of days I’ve stopped these meals and now eat only specially prepared fried rice with vegetables and chicken and my oatmeal for breakfast.  Success.

Must have gotten up 6 times to pee at night –  but about 3AM this morning I felt the pressure start dropping – 150/70 this morning, coming down. Hopefully back to normal soon.  Got’ta drink lots of water, diuretics really dehydrate you – and that can cause symptoms like high BP – tinnitus, headaches, and light-headedness.  But soon I should be back on my regular regiment of Meds –  BUT in the future, closer control of my food intake.   Operation averted, at least for now.

Ciao

Back to Valsartan

Sawadee Khrap

Had to change the meds again – Ibersartan after several months started to cause ED again – Damn, finding the right combination is proving to be a real task.  So for the last two weeks I switched back to the first , and I might add the most successful, blood pressure medicine I had taken  – one year and no ED problems – Valsartan.  Things are starting to look up – sorry for the pun – again and I also combined all the meds into a single dosage every morning.  Fish Oil, Turmeric, Folic Acid, Peppercorn, Cialis, Coco, and Valsartan 160mg. Took a week to get rid of the Ibersartan effects – I’ll go in on Wednesday morning for a check up and blood testing to make sure everything is still on tract, but I feel fine, calm and relaxed – even driving  so it must still be working.  I did read the the US Veteran’s Hospitals have dropped Ibersartan and replaced it with Valsartan – so I hope I get the same results.  When I first took it my anxiety levels were off the charts so blood pressure control was erratic but now it should work.

Speaking for driving – the new wheels are great – I had solar screens installed in all the windows and great sun blockage now – for the last 2 day didn’t need it  as we are in a deep cold from China – rain and 9-12 C  – that is COLD.   Also had a rear camera installed so that now, when in reverse, the DVD player shows the back up screen – neat.  Using both the LPG and gasohol,  I think I will get about 500-600KM/ per fill-up.  Great for those long trips and so I’m going on a 2 day – 4-5 hour (each way) trip to Mae Hong Son with a friend just to test it out and get in some driving and photos.  Hoping the rain stops before we go – leaving Wednesday morning after the doctor visit.

Ciao

Med update

Sawadee Khrap

It’s been a while since I updated my results of my drug routine.   Several new  achievements have been noticed so far but not proven as long time successes.

1.   I added 500 mg cap (I filled them) of ground Black Peppercorns to my morning dose of Turmeric. Many articles I have read expounded on the synergistic effect of the pepper increasing the absorption of the Turmeric by almost 2000% – WOW did it make a difference, I can see the results within the first 2 days, increasing the blood circulation in my legs and has eliminated the pain and fatigue in walking – using the Elliptical now for 25 min at almost 4 m/h, and I’ve only been taking it for 2 weeks.

2.  For the last month, I had stopped taking the Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey mixture and started noticing the problem in my ears returning – ringing (tinnitus) and plugging up during the night, and  some dandruff returning, —  so for the last 2 days started it again twice a day – problem gone or greatly  reduced – I will make it a normal routine – twice a day.

So for a recap of the routine now:  every morning

1 tbsp. Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar + 1 tbsp. Honey in 8 oz. water – taken on a empty stomach before my Oatmeal breakfast and meds below.

  1. 1000 mg  High DHA Fish Oil – Blackmore’s Omega Memo      (Omega-3)
  2. 1000 mg Mega Fish Oil – standard   (lower in cost)
  3. 1500 mg GMP Kamin-Chun  (Curcuma Longa Linn- Turmeric) anti-inflammatory
  4. 500 mg  Ground Black Peppercorn      (increases absorption of Turmeric)
  5. 5mg Folic Acid           (for kidneys)
  6. 7mg Cialis                    (blood pressure and ED)
  7. 225mg Ibersartan     (Blood Pressure meds – relaxes artery walls)
  8. 2 squares Fine Extra Dark Chocolate   73%+ Coco   (Flavanols lower BP )

Elliptical machine exercise – 25 min  approx. 1.5 Mile walk  3.5 to 5 M/hr.  – every morning about 9AM

Blood pressure has been stable at 130-140/60 ,  energy increased – feeling normal again.  Exercise is a enjoyable not painful any more – ED seems like a thing of the past – In addition,  I have discovered, not proven yet, that using the “Biorhythms”  Physical curve I can predict my sexual strength – so to say – seems there is a monthly cycle – research is starting to talk about this for men.

After lunch I take an additional:   1000 mg Mega Fish Oil .    And later in the afternoon before dinner a second dose of the Apple Cider Vinegar mixture.   And it tastes great too – very relaxing.

Diet has been limited to fresh vegetables, fruit, fish with little meat,  only chicken and pork, small amount  of lamb but no beef – no bread or white rice and very limited pastas and pastry.   Sugar, MSG, salt avoided.

There you have it  – feeling great, blood pressure down, minimum drugs, nature medicines, and no operation –   God Bless it will stay this way.

Ciao

Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar–Who’d guessed

Sawadee Khrap

applecidervinegardrink (2)_1How to explain this – over 6 years ago I started having problems with acid reflex – at that time the doctors had me take the purple pill – Nexium – at first it was ok and worked,  but after some time that shit really raised hell with my system – had to quit – so I started eating antiacid pills and have been ever since to control the heartburn.

About 4 years ago, around the same time as the BP problems appeared I  started getting “tinnitus” and my ears would create excessive ear wax and get plugged up – every year getting worse – itchy and felt like something was growing in the ear canal – during sleeping, and I sleep on my side, my right ear would plug completely – I could swear that something like a fungus was growing and causing the problem – but the ENT doctor said there was nothing there and just keep cleaning them – all the time the tinnitus just kept getting worse.  no cure I was told- I would learn to live with it.

I’ve been on a pretty good veg-centered diet, but heavy in fruit,  for some time since moving back to Chiang Mai so I started to reward myself with cake and tea each afternoon – I really liked the “Black Forest Chocolate” cake  and hot Jasmine green tea from Black Canyon Restaurant at Kad Suan Kaew Shopping Center – so that became my afternoon treat —– !!!!   WOW was I wrong – tooooooooooo much sugar, sugar feeds the fungi and my fungi responded big time  – BP pressure shot up, tinnitus increased, ears wax plugged up, ED (erectile dysfunction) increased, and excessive dandruff started to appear.  So I needed to cut out all the sweets, reduce the fruits I’ve been eating and go back to my veg-heavy diet. 

Well about this time I also ran across an article about the health effects and benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar and it’s great ability to control blood sugar levels and anti-fungal properties – “re-establish a health inner ecosystem” –  So I thought that maybe I had a systemic fungal infection by something like candida – and that was causing my tinnitus, heartburn, dandruff and ear blockage problems.

Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar to the rescue –   for a week now I have been taking at least 1 drink in the morning of  2 tbsp of ACV, 2 tbsp honey, with 6 oz water –  they recommend this mixture 3 times a day – before each meal – but to be safe I just took one shot in the morning to see what it was going to do – NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING – BP reduced, ears not plugging up, heartburn reduced, dandruff and tinnitus almost gone – overall feeling of relief.   So I am now going to start a 2 shot a day regime to see if that will be sufficient and will report the progress.

Try it yourself – I’m sure you’ll be amazed in a very short time.

Ciao