I was surprised to find out by chance that something is not right with the drug Glucophage XR 1000mg. I have been taking this drug as a diabetic for three years but my sugar level just won't come down much to the chagrin of my doctor at Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya. It's a shock every time I get to the cash register to buy this medicine together with some others and pay for the research...... 14.000 baht.
Question to general practitioner Maarten: How can I get rid of my dizziness and headache?
I often get dizzy and especially when I look up with my eyes I also get a headache and this can come on any time of the day for a few days and lately regularly for a few hours and at night it can be a disaster. I'll just go to bed and wait for it to be over.
I still have high blood pressure (average 150/80) Since Triplaxam has 3 ingredients, wouldn't it be better to try another remedy with 1 ingredient that is available in Thailand?
Question to general practitioner Maarten: Question about results of blood test with tumor marker CEA
Just before the major outbreak of the coronavirus, I had my blood tested in a local "prick office" that only takes blood and then sends it to a laboratory in Bangkok, after which you can collect the results after 2 days. The man in question did not speak English which is of any use to me, so I would like to know from you if the result number of 6.75 H CEA is something to be concerned about right away?
A recent article in Reuters (www.reuters.com/) describes that the corona virus binds to an enzyme ACE2 that is stimulated by antihypertensive drugs. I am diabetic (71 years old, HbA1c 5.9, BMI 23.7, blood pressure 116/64, eGFR 99) and on the advice of my doctor I also take Losartan 25mg/day. Before starting Losartan my blood pressure was around 125/80.
When I go to bed, my toes at the top start to tingle. That is annoying and makes me fall asleep after hours. A pillow under the foot end does not help. The tingling subsides late; I don't mind it at night. Massage with cream sometimes helps; the pain sometimes also comes on after a shower, when my feet are still wet.
We have a diving center on a fairly remote island that is now of course completely operational due to Corona. In fairness I have to say that it is in a sense "opposite" Phuket, but at the top of Sumatra. So in Indonesia, not in Thailand. Unfortunately I don't have such a nice expat blog like this here in Indonesia and therefore like to read it through enough parallels.
Due to the corona virus I am forced to stay longer in Thailand. The only problem for me is that I'm running out of meds. I am currently staying in Phetchabun. Can you tell me if the medicines listed below are freely available here without a prescription? If not available or available, can you provide me with an equivalent/replacement medicine?
Question to general practitioner Maarten: Thick feet
Recently I have been suffering from quite swollen feet, through massage, a lot of exercise, walking, cycling, pillow under the foot end, it is gone for 75 – 90% in the morning, but comes back during the day. Am I thinking here of blockage of a blood vessel (s) by a blood clot or valves in the blood vessel that do not function properly?
Question to general practitioner Maarten: Questions about the Pneumovax 23 vaccination
Although you have responded several times on Thailandblog to questions about the Pneumovax 23 vaccination to prevent infection with Pneumococci, I hope that you can and will give me some further advice.
Question to general practitioner Maarten: Stubborn pneumonia
I am 72 years old and have pneumonia. Am under treatment with a pulmonologist who prescribes antibiotics for me (amoxicillin/clavulanic 1000 mg twice a day). An X-ray is made every visit (already 2 visits) and the picture is viewed on which a large white spot (inflammation) was visible the first time, and now after the fourth course the stain has halved I feel better but I feel there is still some on my left lung I ask you wouldn't it be better to try another antibiotic Because today I got another course for 4 weeks.
Despite being careful with the fan and certainly not aiming at the painful ear, the pain worsened. The pain is concentrated only in and at the ear. Some sticky fluid continues to come out. I don't have a raise. I myself suspect that it is an inflammation, I sniff more from my nose, have to clear my throat more often because of mucous fluid. Don't I need antibiotics? There are several of them, can you please make a suggestion and I would like it at the pill shop where
I always buy my medication, can buy?
Question to GP Maarten: Is this old Malaria medicine against corona available in Thailand?
Is the following old Malaria medicine available in Thailand? All this in response to a message about GP Rob Elens from Limburg who says he has found a cure for Corona. He was able to cure nine people who tested positive for corona. The patients, aged 60 to 80, had underlying conditions and were symptom-free within four days. It is a combination of hydrochloroquine, zinc and azithromycin, an old malaria drug.
Question to GP Maarten: Feeling that my ear is full
What I am writing to you: It has been very hot lately and I have a ceiling fan that is on one side of my head on. Now I have a feeling in my ear on that side as if it were full sits but I can't get anything out with a cotton swab. There is also the sound as if it is closed and I also hear badly. It also starts to hurt a bit. I also have the idea that on the same side my nose is a bit moister and the eye waters a bit more, some sticky moisture in the morning. I'm afraid of inflammation.
Question to general practitioner Maarten: How often can I use ciprofloxacin against bronchiectasis?
Since September last year I have been diagnosed with bronchial ecstasies, for which I have had extensive anti-bacterial infusions in the hospital and later at home. Nevertheless, my pulmonologist gave me permission to spend the winter in Thailand for 4 months. She gave me an emergency course of ciprofloxacin 500mg for 7 days, in case I got complaints. Also had to take Azithromycin 3 times a week. How often and for how long can ciprofloxacin be used?
I take a daily tablet of silodyx 8mg with silodisine. My return journey has been postponed due to corona and I have not been able to find the medicine in Loeng Nok Tha. Do you know under what name this medicine or something similar is available? I was given doxazosin 4 mg but that doesn't seem right to me?
Due to the panic surrounding Covid-19, there is a threat of a worldwide shortage of essential medicines, on the one hand because many countries no longer export them (insulin) on the other hand due to hoarding. Essential medicines are medicines that are necessary to sustain life and to reduce or prevent potentially serious consequences and symptoms of chronic diseases.