The Medicate Yourself Thread

[chitown]

I don't like going to doctors much, so I tend to try and medicate myself. I have a friend that is a doctor that I can email with symptoms, and he does give me free advice.

If you want to add to the below Rx list, feel free to do so!

[chitown]

Acid Reflux -

Chitown's pill of choice? Miracid.

Comes in a green box and sells for 60 to 120 baht for 14 capsules depending on where you buy it. It is close to 1000 baht in the US.

Dosage 2 or 3 per day.


Acid Reflux Symptoms


Lots of people are intimately familiar with acid reflux symptoms. More than 60 million Americans experience acid reflux at least once a month. Acid reflux disease, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can produce a variety of symptoms.
What are the common acid reflux symptoms?

Heartburn, regurgitation, and dyspepsia are a few of the most common acid reflux symptoms.
Heartburn. Also called acid indigestion, heartburn is a burning pain or discomfort that can move up from your stomach to the middle of your abdomen and chest. The pain can also move into your throat. Despite its name, heartburn doesn't affect your heart.
Regurgitation. Another common symptom of acid reflux is regurgitation -- or the sensation of acid backing up into your throat or mouth. Regurgitation can produce a sour or bitter taste, and you may experience a "wet burp" or even vomit some contents of your stomach.
Dyspepsia. Many people with acid reflux disease also have a syndrome called dyspepsia. Dyspepsia is a general term for stomach discomfort. Symptoms of dyspepsia include:

• Burping
• Nausea after eating
• Stomach fullness or bloating
• Upper abdominal pain and discomfort

Symptoms of acid reflux may be a sign that stomach acid has inflamed your esophagus. When that happens, stomach acid can damage the lining of your esophagus and cause bleeding.
Although acid reflux is extremely common and rarely serious, don't ignore your acid reflux symptoms. Making a few lifestyle changes and using over-the-counter antacids usually are all you need to control acid reflux symptoms.
When do acid reflux symptoms occur?

Acid reflux symptoms most often occur:

• After eating a heavy meal
• When bending over or lifting an object
• When lying down, especially on your back

People who have frequent acid reflux symptoms most often experience them at night. Nighttime GERD also produces the most pain. However, the level of pain does not always indicate the degree of damage to your esophagus.
More than half of all pregnant women experience heartburn during pregnancy. Increased hormones and pressure from a growing fetus can combine to produce this acid reflux symptom. In most cases, heartburn goes away after delivery.
What makes acid reflux symptoms worse?

Certain foods can make the symptoms of acid reflux worse. To lessen your symptoms, try avoiding:

• Citrus fruits
• Chocolate
• Caffeinated drinks or alcohol
• Spicy, fatty, or fried foods
• Garlic and onions
• Peppermint
• Tomatoes

[chitown]

Insomnia or jet lag?

Pop 2 - 25 mg Atarax pills and you will be out like a light for 8 hours minus any hangover symptoms .

Atarax - no script needed in Thailand. Found at Boots and Watson's.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Hydroxyzine is used for the relief of pruritus (itching) caused by various allergic conditions. Hydroxyzine is also used for treating anxiety and tension, and inducing sedation prior to or after anesthesia.
DOSING: Hydroxyzine has its maximal effect about 30 to 60 minutes after it is taken. Its effects last for 4 to 6 hours. The recommended dose for treating pruritus is 25 mg given 3 or 4 times daily. When used for sedation, the recommended dose is 50 to 100 mg. Anxiety and tension are managed with 50 to 100 mg 4 times daily. Hydroxyzine can be taken with or without food.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine with anticholinergic (drying) and sedative properties that is used to treat allergic reactions. The body releases histamine during several types of allergic reactions and--to a lesser extent--during some viral infections, such as the common cold. When histamine binds to its receptors on cells, it causes the cells to release chemical messengers that lead to sneezing, itching, and increased mucus production. Antihistamines, like histamine, binds to the histamine receptors, but when they bind to the receptors they do not stimulate the cells to release chemical messengers. In addition, they prevent histamine from binding and stimulating the cells. Hydroxyzine itself has no activity. After ingestion, it is converted to its active form. The active form of hydroxyzine is a drug called cetirizine (Zyrtec). Although, both hydroxyzine and cetirizine act as antihistamines, hydroxyzine causes more sedation than cetirizine. The FDA approved hydroxyzine in 1956.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Hydroxyzine is used for the relief of pruritus (itching) caused by various allergic conditions. Hydroxyzine is also used for treating anxiety and tension, and inducing sedation prior to or after anesthesia.
DOSING: Hydroxyzine has its maximal effect about 30 to 60 minutes after it is taken. Its effects last for 4 to 6 hours. The recommended dose for treating pruritus is 25 mg given 3 or 4 times daily. When used for sedation, the recommended dose is 50 to 100 mg. Anxiety and tension are managed with 50 to 100 mg 4 times daily. Hydroxyzine can be taken with or without food.

[chitown]

Have you ever gotten the trots after drinking bad water or water with maybe some dirt ice in it? Or maybe gotten the Bangkok Belly from some dirty Thai street food?

You might have an amoeba or a bacterial infection of the stomach.

A few times, I have spent a few days at some Thai hospitals. I wasted time and money taking their concoction of crappy meds and left the hospital still sick.

After I left, I took Flagyl and was back on my feet in no time!

Important information about Flagyl

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Flagyl will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medication and for at least 3 days after you stop taking it. You may have unpleasant side effects such as fast heartbeats, warmth or redness under your skin, tingly feeling, nausea, and vomiting.

How should I take Flagyl?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take the extended-release form of metronidazole (Flagyl ER) on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating a meal. Do not crush, chew, or break the extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time. Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Flagyl will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Flagyl.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Before taking Flagyl

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to metronidazole, or if you are in the first trimester of pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Before taking Flagyl, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• liver disease;
• a stomach or intestinal disease such as Crohn's disease;
• a blood cell disorder such as anemia (lack of red blood cells) or leukopenia (lack of white blood cells);
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
• nerve disorders.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.
Flagyl can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

[the dogcatcher]

• Citrus fruits
• Chocolate
• Caffeinated drinks or alcohol
• Spicy, fatty, or fried foods
• Garlic and onions
• Peppermint
• Tomatoes
• That is my complete diet.

[chitown]

Does Thailand's heat cause you to break out with a bit of acne or other bumps, razor burn and boils? (rashes was not the right term to use)

Go to any pharmacy and get some Differin gel 0.1%.

Dab a little on the problem area and within 24 to 48 hours the blemish is gone.

500 baht per tube in Thailand, nearly 3000 baht for the same tube in the US.

[good2bhappy]

be careful with flagyl

[good2bhappy]

anaphylactic reactions are not uncommon

[superman]

Any recommendation for itchy crotch and in between the cheeks. I wake in the night scratching.

[Bangyai]

Originally Posted by superman

Any recommendation for itchy crotch and in between the cheeks. I wake in the night scratching.

Either get a new gf or persuade her to do her own scratching.

[Bangyai]

Originally Posted by chitown

Does Thailand's heat cause you to break out with a bit of acne or other bumps and rashes?

Go to any pharmacy and get some Differin gel 0.1%.

Dab a little on the problem area and within 24 to 48 hours the blemish is gone.

500 baht per tube in Thailand, nearly 3000 baht for the same tube in the US.

Ouch...500 baht not cheap. I am currently at war with a rash in one armpit, rash in my crutch, and a rash on my left hand so I would like to try this if there is a locally made version.

I am currently using a cocktail of 3 anti fungal creams : Canesten, Nizoral and Tonaf ( green ) plus prickly heat powder. All this medication is forcing these rashes into retreat but its up hill work. All brought on by one sweaty days work clearing out a blocked drain at the back of the house.

If you get the trots after some dodgy food I recommend NOXZY, very cheap and available over the counter. For some reason it has a real photo of a man on the moon on the front of the box of 4 tablets. It is basically just immodium so tried and tested. Hell, if it stopped Armstrong crapping for a week it can't be bad.

For acid reflux I take antacil tablets. 10 baht for a sheet of 10. Cheap and pretty effective for mild cases.

[Spitfire]

^If you have a rash on you hand then you should be able to look it up and go in the right direction because very few things cause a rash on the palms of your hand or the sole of your foot.

It is also worth having a look at the 'symptom checker' facility on sites such as 'Wrong Diagnosis" etc, can help you get a general idea of what might be wrong, not a substitute for a decent doc but can enlighten you generally and point you in the right direction.

^^ Itchy crotch can be anything from 'Jock itch' to scabies/crabs and an itchy arse can be ought from irritations to something scary like pinworms. Sure, try the over-the-counter stuff but if it persists then you have to see a doc.

[chitown]

Originally Posted by Bangyai

Ouch...500 baht not cheap. I am currently at war with a rash in one armpit, rash in my crutch, and a rash on my left hand so I would like to try this if there is a locally made version.

This stuff is more for razor bumps, acne, boils and things such as that.

[daveboy]

Is there anything to help make my hair grow back and help me shed a few pounds ?

[chitown]

Originally Posted by daveboy

help me shed a few pounds ?

Try Serc 3 times a day. It is for inner ear problems, but they curb your appetite.

[Spitfire]

^^ Not sure about hair but with weight loss then the natural answer is to stay away from eating any carbohydrates after 5pm, eat something other than bread, pasta, rice etc. The other option is a carbohydrate blocker pill that stops you from absorbing calories from these foods but there are conflicting reports about how effective they are, some say great and some say not.

For me personally, I find the best option is the first one, don't eat carbohydrates after 5pm, that tends to work.

[Bangyai]

Originally Posted by Spitfire

^If you have a rash on you hand then you should be able to look it up and go in the right direction because very few things cause a rash on the palms of your hand or the sole of your foot.

It is also worth having a look at the 'symptom checker' facility on sites such as 'Wrong Diagnosis" etc, can help you get a general idea of what might be wrong, not a substitute for a decent doc but can enlighten you generally and point you in the right direction.

^^ Itchy crotch can be anything from 'Jock itch' to scabies/crabs and an itchy arse can be ought from irritations to something scary like pinworms. Sure, try the over-the-counter stuff but if it persists then you have to see a doc.

Thanks for the advice. The hand rash is not on the palm but on the back of the hand at the thumb base.

The crutch thing is not scabies or crabs as I've smothered meself in anti scabies cream for 48 hours just incase.

Whatever these things are , I'm winning and every day sees a little improvement but at this rate it could take 3 weeks. My fault for putting off treatment at the onset.

As for seeing the docter. Of course, good advice and I have been tempted a couple of times but the thought of coughing up 1000 baht to probably be given what I'm already taking would end up with me having to be treated for depression as well.

[daveboy]

Thankyou doctors.

[slackula]

Originally Posted by chitown

I have a friend that is a doctor that I can email with symptoms, and he does give me free advice.

Does anybody else find it odd that a doctor is giving out advice based on a description of symptoms over the intertubes without actually seeing the patient?

Is any consideration being given to drug interactions or other pre-existing conditions when handing out these 'take x for condition y' suggestions?

My late father was a consultant ophthalmologist and pretty much the only advice he would ever give without seeing the patient in person was 'go and see your doctor' or 'never try to put anything smaller than your elbow into your ear'.

I know he would not have suggested taking anything much stronger than a paracetamol without more information and a physical examination of the patient.

[daveboy]

^
Well said