Bangkok Reports

[QUOTE=JesseJames;1437596]However, the best thing is to visit a hospital, clinic or doctor for an examination. You might have appendicitis or something only a doctor can diagnose. In Thailand, such a visit is about 1000 Baht with medication. Wasting time with home remedies and risking your life is the most foolish thing you can do. Your embassy doesn't need another corpse of a drunken jerkoff to deal with.[/QUOTE]I agree with that, but it must be a farang ripoff place to charge 1000 baht. My doctor only charges 400 baht including medicine.

[QUOTE]Pepto-Bismol. Taking two tablets of Pepto-Bismol four times a day before and during international travel can help prevent many cases of diarrhea. Pepto-Bismol should not be taken for more than 3 weeks. Both aspirin and Pepto-Bismol share the active ingredient salicylate, which can be harmful to children. Many medications interfere with salicylate, and people who are allergic to aspirin, pregnant women, and those with ulcers, other bleeding disorders, or gout, should not take Pepto-Bismol without consulting a doctor. Side effects of Pepto-Bismol include ringing in the ears and black stools and tongue.[/QUOTE]About 20 years ago, I was on a trip through the Amazon that included several medical doctors. Those doctors were swigging Pepto-Bismol like sailors drinking beer. I was told that the Pepto-Bismol prevents or lessens diarrhea by coating the stomach.

Since then, I've followed the Pepto-Bismol routine on every overseas trip that I have taken. I'll drink Pepto-Bismol from a bottle shortly BEFORE the trip. During the trip, I'll take two chewable Pepto-Bismol tablets four times a day. So far, so good. You still have to use good common sense on what to eat and drink. It's still possible that you'll get diarrhea, but it doesn't last long.

If you're in the USA, the Target store brand of Pepto-Bismol is what I buy especially the chewable tablets. It's easy to carry the chewable tablets in your pocket so you don't forget to take it.

Prevention is the key. Or else bring lots of extra underwear and carry a small emergency roll of toilet paper at all times.

[QUOTE=Yujin; 1437763]About 20 years ago, I was on a trip through the Amazon that included several medical doctors. Those doctors were swigging Pepto-Bismol like sailors drinking beer. I was told that the Pepto-Bismol prevents or lessens diarrhea by coating the stomach.

Since then, I've followed the Pepto-Bismol routine on every overseas trip that I have taken. I'll drink Pepto-Bismol from a bottle shortly BEFORE the trip. During the trip, I'll take two chewable Pepto-Bismol tablets four times a day...[/QUOTE]Just about the right sort of post to confuse the situation totally. Taking any medicine continuously merely postpones the day when you get the runs.

And doctors are the worst.

In 40 years of overseas travel with no specific pills / medicines. I have survived with one minor attack of the and v. Americans are particularly prone to.

The and v since they live in a sterile world. Others who brush their teeth with the local water; eat local food, freshly cooked and avoid 4* hotel buffets survive.

[QUOTE=Sxxxx; 1437151]

[QUOTE=GooberMonger; 1395680]Been reading old post and maybe I just missed it, but I haven't seen the Thermae mentioned. Been around for over 10 years and seems to be getting some fresh blood pumped into the place / QUOTE]Since Vietnam days, more like 40yrs.[/QUOTE]I checked out Thermae and Biergarten a couple of weeks ago to show a visiting friend. During the day Biergarten was empty (this was a Friday afternoon) and Thermae was closed with a passed out farang in the stairwell. We returned in the evening. Biergarten was packed and filled with the usual assortment of farang and Grade B freelancers. But Thermae. Wow!. Thermae was packed with young, good-looking girls who absolutely ignored us because we weren't Japanese, who were sitting there smoking, drinking, and looking.

We ended up going to Baccara to see the bazillion girls. The place also ended up packed, mostly with Japanese. Good for the girls if they're getting more bucks out of Japanese and Middle Easterners but it is tough being a cheap farang.

[QUOTE=Scorchin; 1437786]Just about the right sort of post to confuse the situation totally. Taking any medicine continuously merely postpones the day when you get the runs.

And doctors are the worst.

In 40 years of overseas travel with no specific pills / medicines. I have survived with one minor attack of d and v. Americans are particularly prone to d and v since they live in a sterile world. Others who brush their teeth with the local water; eat local food, freshly cooked and avoid 4* hotel buffets survive.[/QUOTE]There is so much crap written by people with no knowledge or expertise, so it is good to see the occasional bit of common sense. Thank you, Scorchin.

There is no need or point in taking Pepto-Bismol as a preventative. If you get mild diarrhoea it can help. Generally D and V clears up after a few days, and can be helped by rehydration therapy (sports drinks are often useful). If it continues, see a doctor. He will probably prescribe ciprofloxacin. If you are confident in your own diagnostic capabilities and don't want to see a doctor, then 2 x 2mg loperamide (which you can buy over the counter) will stop diarrhoea pretty quickly (but won't cure any underlying disease).

And I completely agree with eating local food etc etc.

[QUOTE=JesseJames;1437596]You should bring a complete assortment of all prescription medications that you take plus those that you may need in an emergency, when you travel anywhere. However, the best thing is to visit a hospital, clinic or doctor for an examination. You might have appendicitis or something only a doctor can diagnose. In Thailand, such a visit is about 1000 Baht with medication. Wasting time with home remedies and risking your life is the most foolish thing you can do. Your embassy doesn't need another corpse of a drunken jerkoff to deal with.[/QUOTE]Personally in many ways we are all over thinking this topic? I personally living here like many of the medicine that are available in the States. Those medicine like Vitamins I take I bring back here and use when I get sick or need. Although I can get many of the medicine here for like runs what I don't like is when I go in a pharmacy I'm given a hand full of pills for one problem. I find that the over the counter stuff in the USA are much stronger that is what I have found in looking at the labels.

Like the last week, I have a cough because I got stuck in the rain a few times soaked and woke up the next day with a sore throat, lost of voice and thereafter a cough. It is the same thing each time I have medicine from the USA over the counter that would most likely knock it out in a day. But I usually wait day or so and then go to a Thai pharmacy and see what they give me. If it works I look it up on the Internet and keep a record for the next time.

What I see and read here is you wouldn't do it in the USA. Or any other Western country if you have the runs you go immediately to the doctor because it think it is very serious or life threatening. To think you have the runs here and think you might have a appentictis or you got to go to a hospital and only a doctor can diagnose is a big stretch in my opinion. Is it so cheap here and so good that you would do something you wouldn't at home?

Just last week a expat I knew had died, he was told that he had this at BHP, got a operation for it because he believed that doctor diagnose after the operation he still felt the same went back in and now they told him he had something else 2 weeks later in was dead. This brought up a old conversation regarding hospital in Thailand especially Bumrungrad and BPH in Pattaya, both International known but living her for years we have heard the horrible stories regarding these hospital when it comes to serious illness and how procedure are recommended when not necessary. We living here know that many of these hospital are profit only and have quotas each day to fill rooms and give so many unnecessary test. How would you like to go in having the runs and have the doctor tell you they got to do a stomach scope to know? On a another topic it isn't what it seems here?

There is a reason majority of the medicine you buy over the counter USA say on the bottle if your problems doesn't resolve in a few day " go see a doctor " So to end, like everything else when you land in LOS you get stupid, everyone should know there own health, and if you don't get a checkup and if you are that bad off as noted you shouldn't come the USA Embassy has enough problem without spending tax dollars to send your ass back home. But for simple run in the pants to run to a hospital is a over reaction in my opinion. Some of you guys need to stop being so anal retentive with all this pepto stuff! Just let the shit flow!

[QUOTE=LittleBigMan;1438049]We living here know that many of these hospital are profit only and have quotas each day to fill rooms and give so many unnecessary test. How would you like to go in having the runs and have the doctor tell you they got to do a stomach scope to know? On a another topic it isn't what it seems here?[/QUOTE]True that. One of the reasons I have eschewed the top end privates in favor of places like St Louis Hospital. Actually if you have time the teaching facilities like Chula are fantastic and very cheap. Often you get to see Drs who are also professors. A visit there can run all of 100 baht.

I remember seeing a price list will all the bar fine and drink cost for the bars / clubs in Bangkok. Does anyone know where I can find this?

[QUOTE=Goatscrot;1438067]True that. One of the reasons I have eschewed the top end privates in favor of places like St Louis Hospital. Actually if you have time the teaching facilities like Chula are fantastic and very cheap. Often you get to see Drs who are also professors. A visit there can run all of 100 baht.[/QUOTE]I've heard the same but this is the first time I've heard anything about St Louis and I'm in Pattaya for a emergency it isn't a option. Since you eschewed for personally reason are these hospital part of the National Health system that is being offered for Thais. In the very near future I will have to take a day trip up and ccheck it out?

Thanks, LBM

[QUOTE=LittleBigMan; 1438081]I've heard the same but this is the first time I've heard anything about St Louis and I'm in Pattaya for a emergency it isn't a option. Since you eschewed for personally reason are these hospital part of the National Health system that is being offered for Thais. In the very near future I will have to take a day trip up and ccheck it out?

Thanks, LBM[/QUOTE]I'll add another option for you too. The Adventist Hospital in BKK offers world class care at reasonable prices. I had a complete physical there for one third the cost of the popular rip off big names. No add ons, no hassles and a doctor who would actually talk to me and not talk down to me. I also managed this as a walk in patient and was done and out in 2 hours.

[QUOTE=Harold444;1437735]I've been checking out the street scene- not at all impressed. 1000 baht might be overpaying just a teenie tiny bit. LOL,[/QUOTE]Great. All the more for me. It's been a gold mine out there since 07.

You should have seen the FF rack on the totally beautiful babe in the nurse's uniform a couple years ago. Excellent English skills too, BTW, unlike your R4 girls you're constantly advertising. How much do they pay you. 10 baht a post. No doubt you're enticing some business there, even if it's guys like me who just want to look & blow 200B on a drink.

But it sounds like you're stuck looking at street walkers in 300 baht Chinatown. Isn't it time you explored other areas of Bangkok?

Or is it the Grace Hotel you are camped out at. Those girls would have to pay me to go with them.

Same for many, many, many, or let's just say most bar & gogo girls.

I've read a bunch of your posts and seems you are always asking for info but rarely post any info in return. It's your right I guess but I'd really like to know why this would help you. Would you avoid bars with higher drink prices?

[QUOTE=JayHighFive;1438078]I remember seeing a price list will all the bar fine and drink cost for the bars / clubs in Bangkok. Does anyone know where I can find this?[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Crazy4Thai;1438091]I'll add another option for you too. The Adventist Hospital in BKK offers world class care at reasonable prices. I had a complete physical there for one third the cost of the popular rip off big names. No add ons, no hassles and a doctor who would actually talk to me and not talk down to me. I also managed this as a walk in patient and was done and out in 2 hours.[/QUOTE]It's a good hospital. Heck, I was born there.

[QUOTE=Crazy4Thai;1438091]I'll add another option for you too. The Adventist Hospital in BKK offers world class care at reasonable prices. I had a complete physical there for one third the cost of the popular rip off big names. No add ons, no hassles and a doctor who would actually talk to me and not talk down to me. I also managed this as a walk in patient and was done and out in 2 hours.[/QUOTE]The Adventist Hospital is called Mission Hospital. They also have a great vegetarian cafeteria and a shop that sells wonderful breads at about 65 baht a loaf!