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!
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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!
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: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.
- Burping
- Nausea after eating
- Stomach fullness or bloating
- Upper abdominal pain and discomfort
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: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.
- After eating a heavy meal
- When bending over or lifting an object
- When lying down, especially on your back
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
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.
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:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.
- 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.
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.
- Citrus fruits
- Chocolate
- Caffeinated drinks or alcohol
- Spicy, fatty, or fried foods
- Garlic and onions
- Peppermint
- Tomatoes
- That is my complete diet.
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.
be careful with flagyl
anaphylactic reactions are not uncommon
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by superman
Quote:
Originally Posted by chitown
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.
^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.
This stuff is more for razor bumps, acne, boils and things such as that.Quote:
Originally Posted by BangyaiQuote:
Originally Posted by chitown
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.
Is there anything to help make my hair grow back and help me shed a few pounds ?
Try Serc 3 times a day. It is for inner ear problems, but they curb your appetite.Quote:
Originally Posted by daveboy
^^ 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.
Thanks for the advice. The hand rash is not on the palm but on the back of the hand at the thumb base.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spitfire
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.
Thankyou doctors.
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?Quote:
Originally Posted by chitown
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.
^
Well said :doh:
Could be Thrush, aka Candida.Quote:
Originally Posted by BangyaiThanks for the advice. The hand rash is not on the palm but on the back of the hand at the thumb base.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spitfire
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by slackula
I guess I could go to a Thai doctor for professional advice. :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by daveboy
That is a myth. It's the amount of food one intakes that causes weigt gain. Not the time it's eaten at.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spitfire
Another medical myth is 'don't drink alcohol when on antibiotics as it reduces their ability to work'. The myth was started when antibiotics were first used to treat STD's. Alcohol can be consumed when taking this medication.
The NHS would disagree with such a blanket statement:Quote:
Originally Posted by superman
Source:Quote:
It is necessary to completely avoid drinking alcohol when taking the antibiotics described below.
Metronidazole
Metronidazole is sometimes used to clear dental, or vaginal, infections, or to clear infected leg ulcers, or pressure sores.
Tinidazole
Tinidazole is sometimes used to treat many of the same infections as metronidazole, as well as to help clear bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) from the gut.
Drinking alcohol when you are taking either metronidazole, or tinidazole, can cause a serious reaction. The symptoms of this reaction include:
Other antibiotics that may interact with alcohol
- breathlessness,
- headaches,
- chest pain,
- skin flushing,
- increased, or irregular, heartbeat,
- low blood pressure (hypotension), and
- nausea and vomiting.
Co-trimoxazole
Occasionally, co-trimoxazole can cause a similar reaction to that of metronidazole, or tinidazole, if you drink alcohol while you are taking it. However, with co-trimoxazole, the side effects above are very rare, and drinking alcohol in moderation does not normally cause a problem.
Linezolid
If you are taking linezolid, you should avoid drinking alcoholic drinks that contain a substance called tyramine, such as wine, beer, sherry, and lager.
Erythromycin
Drinking alcohol while you are taking erythromycin may make you drowsy. Alcohol can also make erythromycin less effective.
Can I drink alcohol while taking antibiotics?
It's your choice of course but over the years I have lived here I have had excellent care everywhere from small clinics and govt. hospitals up to the most expensive private hospitals. I think that Thai docs do have a tendency to over prescribe though, but I expect that is due to pressure from hospital admins to increase revenue, not from some fundamental defect in their medical training.Quote:
Originally Posted by chitown
True, it seems they always give me the same four or five pills. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by slackula
This does not help your argument. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by slackula
Although in the US, they give you a bunch of test you really don't need and charge you $25 for two Tylenols. :(
Quote:
Originally Posted by slackula
Read "Can you drink alcohol while on antibiotics" on 'WikiAnswers'. The article is written by a Dr Alan Galbraith. I think the definition of antibiotics needs to be varified.Quote:
Originally Posted by slackula
Superman, I am not trying to pick a fight but there are a couple of things here that highlight the dangers of taking medical advice from forums imho.
The first is that virtually anybody can post under the moniker of Dr this or that at wikianswers, it is an inherent weakness that has been exploited several times at wiki sites.
The second is that you said:
You said you got this from wikianswers but that is not what wikianswers says, in fact the wiki and the good Dr Galbraith agree with the link I posted:Quote:
Another medical myth is 'don't drink alcohol when on antibiotics as it reduces their ability to work'. The myth was started when antibiotics were first used to treat STD's. Alcohol can be consumed when taking this medication.
(bolding added by me)Quote:
"There is no reason whatsoever that alcohol cannot be drunk while on amoxycillin or for most antibiotics. I do not know where this urban myth came from but it is very widespread even amongst some of the medical profession. There is only one group of commonly used drugs which are antibiotics in the wider sense of this term that may cause unpleasant adverse effects when taken with alcohol. These are the imidazoles, of which metronidazole (Flagyl) is the commonest in use."
WikiAnswers - Can you drink alcohol while on antibiotics
You made a blanket statement that drinking and taking antibiotics was not a problem, but that is not entirely correct.
Now you may argue that the definition of antibiotics is somehow in need of correction but the average muppet like me cannot be expected to know that so saying that "Alcohol can be consumed when taking this medication" is potentially dangerous if you don't provide a link to your source or at least include the proviso that Dr Galbraith saw fit to add.
I concede that reduced effectiveness is not on the list of potential adverse effects of combining alcohol and imidazoles (whatever they are) but that still doesn't justify you implying that mixing booze and antibiotics is completely risk free.
Anyway, as I said I am not trying to pick a fight mate, but I always feel that medical threads along with legal threads either need to be backed up with reliable citations and links or at least IANAL/D (I am not a lawyer/doctor) type disclaimers when advice is being offered.
Chill 'Slac'. Obviously you're a better read person than I am. I therefore accept what you say to be true. I may have been wrong in my statement that antibiotics aren't affected by the consumption of alcohol. I can only go by what I've read. Never the less, I will still consume alcohol when on antibiotics, my choice.
Absolutely not, my only intention was to highlight the flaws of internet forum medical advice, nothing personal was intended.Quote:
Originally Posted by superman
Indeed it is your choice, and I have done the same before but only after a bit of time spent googling to see if there were any unpleasant effects in my future.Quote:
Originally Posted by superman
I apologise if I am coming across as a patronising git, that really wasn't my intention. :(
A diet high in dairy products assists in weight loss by increasing calcium intake, so removing ingested fats.
Skim milk, hard cheeses, cottage cheese and plain acidophilus yoghurt consumed as often as you wish will make you feel fuller too.
Exercise workouts are not necessary for weight loss on this regime, but sleeping/resting helps instead.
Dairy foods will also neutralise acid stomach/heartburn. Eating an apple is another good antacid remedy.
Cutting down on carbs. in favour of proteins also reduces body fat production.
Pastas, potatoes, rice and bread and sugars in excess will all metabolise into body fat if they are not burned off by activity.
Beer has heaps of carbs!
The brain needs 150 gm of glucose per day to function normally, increasing that amount before strenuous exercise or study is recommended.
Keeping meal sizes small causes the stomach to shrink, so that you feel full after food easier, thus eating less.
Eat as much porridge oats or muesli as you like with skim milk, instead of snacking and in place of potatoes, cakes, pastries and pastas.
Eat as much as you like of the small, the young, growing and reproductive parts of all edible plants and animals for the best RNA protein, which are the essential building blocks for repair and growth of all animals.
Beans/legumes/grain/seed sprouts,(raw) the tips of vegetables,(asparagus, artichoke, brussells sprouts, brocolli), all seeds, pollen, flowers and fruits, eggs, fish roes (caviar), sardines and other small fish such as whitebait, herring, mackerel and salmon all contain high levels of RNA protein.
Eating raw foods, especially vegetables, ensures a high live enzyme intake level, it assists in digesting the food, reducing the use of your own body enzymes which are used for other body functions, repair and growth, instead.
A typical daily diet for me, more or less
Breakfast
Vits B,C,E + iron and glass of milk.
Coffee ( fresh ground, <2 cups) and a cigar. :)
Fruit juice,(orange or tomato, usually).
Later.Snack #1
Whitebait patties (125gm = one egg, salt and pepper, fried in olive oil)
Glass of milk.
Snack #2
Acidophilus yoghurt (350 cc) with honey, sometimes.
#3
Avocado on wholemeal toast (2 slices)
Cottage cheese and caviar on top, squeeze of lemon, a dash of salt and pepper.
Glass of milk.+Vit C.
#4
Cold meats, (corned beef, tongue)
Cheeses, with olives, tomato, onions, garlic, bean sprouts.
Slice of wholemeal or rye bread.
Glass of milk. Vit C.
#5
Broccoli soup, prepared in a blender, then heated.(various recipes) + added yoghurt.
#6
Bananas and other fruits
#7
Muesli with milk
Vits B,C,E Iron.
#8
Steamed mussels or salmon, or suchi with nori and wasabi
Steamed rice.
A glass or two of red wine, good spliff sometimes.
A couple of pints of home made stout and a few cups of real tea, more fruit juice and milk keep my taste buds happy.
Other days, I'll substitute a fish meal with a damn good home made Indian curry.
A big steak and kidney pie will give me six big serves, for a cold lunch to take out.
A few suchi rolls in nori will keep well in a fridge, also good to take out for an away from home meal with my flask of Darjeeling tea.
I'll also make a big batch of scones or pikelets or bake a rich fruit cake, indulge myself, once in a while.
I rarely buy canned, prepared, processed or fast foods for normal consumption, except for cheeses. Sometimes, only.
Itchy balls, crutch, arse, armpits, under tits, waistline and other rashes.
Usually the result of damp and heat, encouraging weird biota to take over.
Shower, use soap, dry thoroughly.
Powder with cornflour, it dries your skin better than any other powder, will absorb moisture and is sterile. Can be washed off easily.
For sub-cutaneous eruptions, use wintergreen oil or paste, that bloody strong green "tiger-balm" stuff that Muai Thai guys use.
Anything wosre, use an antibiotic powder.
Headaches and other bodily pains can be alleviated by using willow bark or tips in a tea, nature's aspirin.
Congestion, can be alleviated by drinking sage tea.
Sleepless? Have a spliff, some O, or some chamomile tea.
Hangovers, headaches? A spliff works.
Loss of appetite? Suck on a spliff.
Alcohol problems? Have a spliff.
Stomach upsets, the running trots etc? Manuka (T-tree) bark or tips in hot water, or chew on them.
Hair loss? You're doomed., have a spliff.
Not good advice. It is not that antibiotics or other medication will not work if you consume alcohol, it is that alcohol changes the absorption rate of medication. This can cause uneven blood levels and in some cases cause problems. Definately don't take alcohol with any central nervous system depressants unless you want to wind up like Marilyn Monroe or some other dead celebrities.Quote:
Originally Posted by superman
DO NOT drink alcohol while taking Flagyl (Metronidazole) since it has an antabuse affect, which is not pleasant. I am surprised that this has not been already mentioned. If it has, my apologies.
One has to be careful when giving medical advice dealing with potentially lethal medication. I have tried to only recommend those medications that have a good safety profile. If you have a serious problem, seek professional attention.
Just my two cents worth.
Type and quality of food may be the largest contributor to the proverbial weight gain.Quote:
Originally Posted by superman
Instinctive cultural gluttony may be a close second.
I refuse to imbibe big pharma poisons.
The usual story with them is take a pill for this, then a counter balancer for that side effect, followed by the newer version because the first lot is starting to use it's efficacity.
That's just the regulatory chemicals.
Move on to antibiotics and once they're in your system, prescribed for any damn thing these days, your own immune reaction goes on the blink and doesn't recover at all for about six weeks after the antibiotic course.
You're then open to any other infection around!
So you've got to start again on another round of medications that simply throw your whole body system out of kilter.
The only winners in that game of pills is Big Pharma and the quacks peddling the drugs.
Keep a healthy balanced diet and life style and you'll never get sick, or if you do, you'll recover quickly without chemicals and antibiotics.
Some folk I know have a veritable bloody pharmacy in their homes, and even encourage others to get on that drug dependency kick pushed by their greedy doctors.
My mother, who was doing well in her 80s, suffered from diabetes, but continued with her good diet with minerals and vitamins and physical activity until her "carers" decided to move her into a "home" and switch her over to antibiotics for bouts of urinary tract and lung infections, caused by careless toilet habits and neglect.
She deteriorated on the new regime of medications and was dead within a year.
Herbal medicines are the bases from which most if not all modern medication is derived, so why not use the source compounds instead of the calcium loaded carcinogenic chemical sweetened crap pushed by Big Pharma drug dealers?
I do use an antibiotic topically but bloody rarely and internally only in emergencies, but it has to be a life or death situation.
Ridiculously bad advice.Quote:
Keep a healthy balanced diet and life style and you'll never get sick, or if you do, you'll recover quickly without chemicals and antibiotics.
:smileylaughing:
Sponsored by the ubiquitous and omnipresent [allopathetic] Medical and Pharmaceutical Industrial Complex Mafia.
Edward Bernays is feeling his oats.
Why is that? :(Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan
Because having better health through diet and exercise is not the same as having perpetually perfect health through diet and exercise, though resumably ENT recognizes this fact since after coming out with the secret to eternal youth, he says "I do use an antibiotic."
He says you will never get sick OR if you do you will recover quickly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan
It has been my experience. Also if you you worry, think about being ill or talk about Beijing ill or illnesses all the time, you will attract illness. The mind is very powerful.