I have a question about the sale of Anti Epilepsy drug LECETAM (LEVETIRACETAM 500 MG). I am insured with an insurer in Pattaya, but Epilepsy is excluded. So every month pay my resources share in Facino pharmacy, and walk to a neurologist in Sriracha.
A friend is the best medicine
My girlfriend is, in my opinion, an awfully precise type and I myself get the title 'sloddervos' from her quite regularly. In my experience I am not that at all, but I just work a lot faster and can make decisions quickly.
I occasionally use a sleeping pill to fall asleep. These are not reimbursed by my health insurer. I now sometimes order them on the internet, but that is expensive and I don't know if I will get good tablets. Now I'm going to Thailand and I want to buy a stash there. I heard from someone that many pharmacies are difficult about sleeping tablets, also because people who are depressed can use those tablets to put an end to it.
Reader Submission: Buying Insulin in Bangkok
As a medical specialist, it may also happen that you want to buy an insulin pen just to be on the safe side. On this blog I had read that it could become a time-consuming activity.
I want to buy medicines during my stay in Thailand. These are not reimbursed in the Netherlands and they are cheaper in Thailand. But how is that? Can you just walk into a pharmacy and buy it? Don't need a doctor's prescription? And how do I see the difference between a drugstore and a pharmacy?
Question to GP Maarten: Not enough Fenprocumon (blood thinner) due to pharmacy error
Due to an error from the pharmacy, I don't have enough Fenprocumon with me. Is this available here? If so, with a doctor's prescription or also over the counter in the pharmacy?
Question to general practitioner Maarten: High blood pressure when visiting the dentist
Why is high blood pressure so important before going to the dentist? My age is 73 and hope to turn 74 in February. Live in Thailand for 9 years and visit the small hospital in Kutchap near Udonthani. I do my 3 monthly check-ups (preventive check-ups?) in the same hospital. Due to a toothache probably with inflammation, I visited the dentist on 13/12 where a blood pressure of 170 was found. Sent away with paracetamol and I was expected back the next morning.
Question to general practitioner Maarten: Medication in the event of an abnormality in the lower back
A few weeks ago I asked you a question about pain in my lower back. When I thought I might have kidney stones. In the meantime, I had myself examined in Khon Kaen the hospital. Good news on the one hand no kidney stones or problems with the urinary system, but they did find an abnormality in my lower back via an x-ray. This has to do with not walking upright, too much strain and quietly counting the years, according to the treating physician.
Question to general practitioner Maarten: Medication use after Salmonella infection
Am male, 75 years old, and have been living in Thailand for a long time. I also recently asked a question about my stomach problems.
Have had a Salmonella bacteria infection, got antibiotics from the doctor for two weeks, Floxiopro 500 mg. 2 x a day, Metrolex 400 mg. Prescribed 3 times a day. Went for a check-up and according to the doctor the antibiotic cure had done its job well, now he advises taking Controloc (Panoprazole 3 mg) 1 x per day for Gastoenteritis and Coliitis for 1 weeks (40 hour before breakfast).
Question to GP Maarten: Should I continue with these medicines?
It is almost a year ago that I asked your advice about the medication that I was prescribed in the Netherlands and whether there are good alternatives in Thailand. At the time I lived on a tea plantation near Chiang Sean where I tried to reduce my excess weight. You wrote at the time that there were medications on my list that I wouldn't need and there was 1 that was even wrong. I weighed 135 kg at the time and the decrease is currently stagnating at 98 kg.
Question to general practitioner Maarten: Can I increase the dose of my medicines for high blood pressure?
I have been using Metropolol for about 10 years. Was 50mg at first, but increased to 100mg a few years ago. And I am now 63 years old. My blood pressure has now increased to an average of 157/102.
Can I increase my dose myself to 125mg Metropolol or to 150mg?
More than 80 percent of physicians admit to prescribing medications and/or treatments that they know are unnecessary or ineffective. This even applies to chemotherapy in patients with advanced cancer, according to research by the English Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.
Question to general practitioner Maarten: Medication for type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure
I am a 68 year old man and have been living in Thailand for six months now. I take medication for Type II diabetes and for high blood pressure. Now my supply of medicines that I brought with me is almost exhausted (still enough for 3 weeks). Living in the Korat area, I have already visited three pharmacies and each time I was told that those medicines were not available.
I will introduce myself first. I have been living in Thailand for several years. Am 76 years old and weigh 114 kg and 200 cm tall. Never been sick or ever taken any medication until now. I never smoked and I don't drink alcohol. Never suffered from anything. I don't wear glasses and can read without them. I have blood tests and urine delivered and checked in Pattaya every year.. so far always cholesterol, sugar, psa value etc etc within healthy standards.
Question to general practitioner Maarten: Medication use after myocardial infarction and diving
On 20/07/2017 I had a heart attack in the Netherlands. Been admitted on 25/7 and 28/7 and referred for examination of vessels and possibly placing stents. This also happened, 3 stents were placed. I was given medication and felt fine, but I also felt that way before the heart attack.
After colon surgery, I use 2 sachets of Macrogol and electrolytes Sandoz, 13,8 G, powder for oral solution daily. This is due to the stool. We are now going to Thailand again for 3 months and these powders take up a lot of space in the suitcases. Any idea if these powders are also for sale in Thailand (pharmacy?) and the costs.
When asked about GFR kidney failure, Dr Maarten answers about his kidney function values that these are surrogate markers just like cholesterol is. Now my cholesterol is kinda high. But I stopped the statin because I had a lot of side effects.