Anaemia

[Missismiggins]

When my wife was pregnant with my antichrist, the doctor warned me that many Thais suffer from Anaemia (I think it is a red blood cell deficiency - please correct as necessary).

The antichrist was born with no apparent problems, touch wood! However the old dear that she is, the Mother in Law commonly referred to as the Commodore 64, needing repair, has developed some symptoms that resemble anaemia, complete lack of brain function, disorientation, laziness, inability to move, inability to recognise her surroundings. No, she doesn't drink Lao Kow, nor is she a Ya Bah freak, but I do need a bit of advice, as I am getting a bit pissed off getting phone calls from various banks, shops, doctors etc, asking me to collect her, when she goes into one of her magic moments, and doesn't know where she is. Sadly we have no taxi service or regular bus link that she could simply be "bundled onto" and dumped on the doorstep, someone has to go and collect her.

As a mental condition,I understand that this is quite normal for Thais, but would a vitamin B supplement and folic acid help? Or should I just shoot her?

Thanks in advance!

[Jet Gorgon]

Shoot her.

[watterinja]

Probably a diabetic having a low-blood sugar moment... get her checked for diabetes.

[patsycat]

Anaemia is a lack of iron, isn't it? What you describe sounds like the onset of alzheimers.

[kingwilly]

Anaemia is a lack of iron, isn't it? What you describe sounds like the onset of alzheimers.

Exactly, and unfortunately there is no cure for that.

[lysander]

Anaemia is a lack of iron, isn't it? What you describe sounds like the onset of alzheimers.

Exactly, and unfortunately there is no cure for that.

Even more unfortunately, there's no cure for Miggins...

[nidhogg]

When my wife was pregnant with my antichrist, the doctor warned me that many Thais suffer from Anaemia (I think it is a red blood cell deficiency - please correct as necessary).

! However the old dear that she is, the Mother in Law commonly referred to as the Commodore 64, needing repair, has developed some symptoms that resemble anaemia, complete lack of brain function, disorientation, laziness, inability to move, inability to recognise her surroundings.

OK, first, a necessary caveat: I am not a medic, and the following is my understanding only - a professional opinion should be sought at some point.


Lots of Thais suffer from anaemia as a result of an inherited genetic disorder called thalassemia. It is VERY common here. Thai-Thai marriages can often result in kids with severe anaemic disorders. Mixed kids are much less likely to be affected, as for caucasians its not that common (except for mediterranean origin westerners).

Thats the overwhelming cause of anaemia here, although there are several other possible causes including (if I recall correctly) vitamin B12 deficiency.

You MIL sounds to be suffering from dementia - of which Alzehemers is only one type - there are several age related dementias. Really, in all honesty, it does not matter practically whch one as there are few effective treatments.

Dementia-Topic Overview


One cause of dementia is, as said above vitamin B12 deficiency. You can read up on the symptoms here:
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia-Topic Overview


so, its possible you MIL has B12 deficiency which could be checked, but, its much more likely she is suffering from one of the other forms of dementia, sadly.

In general, as far as I can see, and in MY opinion only, Thais are pretty tolerent of age and its associated disorders and they take it as part of life. They are probably a lot less bothered by you MLs behaviour than you are.

[Jet Gorgon]

^ Yep, B12, iron and exercise. Does she get dizzy if she stands up too quickly?
Had it as a kid. Just need to improve the diet. She might also have post-birth stress.

[patsycat]

Oily fish like sardines and salmon. Or pop down to the chemists and ask for iron tablets.

[artist]

Couple of pints of guinness daily will cure

[malice]

Get her asap to have a check up before she deteriorates. I am always wary of taking or giving medical advice via forums as it's one person's perception and not necessarily what a doctor would tell you.

I had anemia as a child, but the absent mindedness and other symptoms, can't make an informed judgement which is going to freak you out or pacify you.

Best is to take her for a full check up and wishing you all the best with it.

Congrats on the little one.

[DrAndy]

As a mental condition,I understand that this is quite normal for Thais

exactly. The main problem with that type of condition is that it can easily spread to other, male, members of the family. That includes those not directly related by blood. Be careful, wash your hands after being in the same room as her.

[Norton]

complete lack of brain function, disorientation, laziness, inability to move, inability to recognise her surroundings

Could be many things but don't rule out hypothyroidism. Some of these symptoms apply as well as rapid weight gain. Will need some special tests on pituitary system to diagnose.

As some have mentioned, take her to a good doc and insist they run tests for hyperthyroidism.

[lom]

Sadly we have no taxi service or regular bus link that she could simply be "bundled onto"

Well, somehow she got to the bank/shop/doctor so suggest that she uses the same type of transport in the opposite direction.

[DrAndy]

Sadly we have no taxi service or regular bus link that she could simply be "bundled onto"

Well, somehow she got to the bank/shop/doctor so suggest that she uses the same type of transport in the opposite direction.

don't get all logical

[baldrick]

Congrats on the little one.

er , I think the antichrist is 8-10 years old now.

I think he should have knobbed the C64 instead as then his postings would be much funnier

[Spin]

When the banks/shops or whatever call just tell them they have a wrong number.

[kingwilly]

Oily fish like sardines and salmon. Or pop down to the chemists and ask for iron tablets.

Too much iron can poison you, better to check with the doc first

[Missismiggins]

When my wife was pregnant with my antichrist, the doctor warned me that many Thais suffer from Anaemia (I think it is a red blood cell deficiency - please correct as necessary).

! However the old dear that she is, the Mother in Law commonly referred to as the Commodore 64, needing repair, has developed some symptoms that resemble anaemia, complete lack of brain function, disorientation, laziness, inability to move, inability to recognise her surroundings.

OK, first, a necessary caveat: I am not a medic, and the following is my understanding only - a professional opinion should be sought at some point.


Lots of Thais suffer from anaemia as a result of an inherited genetic disorder called thalassemia. It is VERY common here. Thai-Thai marriages can often result in kids with severe anaemic disorders. Mixed kids are much less likely to be affected, as for caucasians its not that common (except for mediterranean origin westerners).

Thats the overwhelming cause of anaemia here, although there are several other possible causes including (if I recall correctly) vitamin B12 deficiency.

You MIL sounds to be suffering from dementia - of which Alzehemers is only one type - there are several age related dementias. Really, in all honesty, it does not matter practically whch one as there are few effective treatments.

Dementia-Topic Overview


One cause of dementia is, as said above vitamin B12 deficiency. You can read up on the symptoms here:
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia-Topic Overview


so, its possible you MIL has B12 deficiency which could be checked, but, its much more likely she is suffering from one of the other forms of dementia, sadly.

In general, as far as I can see, and in MY opinion only, Thais are pretty tolerent of age and its associated disorders and they take it as part of life. They are probably a lot less bothered by you MLs behaviour than you are.

Thank you for such a comprehensive reply, I sort of put it down to old age and dementia from scraping food from aluminium pans for the past 50 years.

The Aneamia, was an afterthought that I had after a Doctor told me that many Asians in this part of the world have this problem.

I really don't give a shit to be honest, as long as she doesn't cost me anything, if I could arrange for a crocodile or a large snake to sneak up and completely remove her, then the problem would be solved.

What I really don't want is one of these "heartbraking" "bank braking deaths" that take months to conclude, followed by a really stupidly over the top funeral.

Sorry, I have seen enough of these fuckers croak at someone elses expense!

If it seemed terminal, are there any signs? like so I can get out of the country for 6 months?

I have tried to help these people in the past and all you end up as is a cash cow! I know it is sad, but I have a lot of other priorities, other kids, my real mother my family my kids, I am not getting sold down the Swannee for someone that barely gives me the time of day.

[Missismiggins]

Shoot her.

I'll go with that! Thanks.

[DrAndy]

as I am getting a bit pissed off getting phone calls from various banks, shops, doctors etc, asking me to collect her, when she goes into one of her magic moments, and doesn't know where she is.

she sounds smarter than you Miggins

she knows how to get a lift home, and she remembers your number to tell the shop/bank whatever

5555

[Nawty]

Take her on a shopping trip across the border, let her wander off and make sure she doea not have her ID and such.

She can have a nice life on a Cambo or burmese border town.

[Missismiggins]

Take her on a shopping trip across the border, let her wander off and make sure she doea not have her ID and such.

She can have a nice life on a Cambo or burmese border town.

Don't tempt me, just to make her little paradise Thailand that much better, she got 15 cops breaking the door down the other day (wife said nothing) to arrest her grandson, who is actually a dog turd in human form.

Anyway the turd was removed from the premesis and urine tested (positive) for Ya Ba, no one has seen or heard ( and to be honest - no one has even bothered to find out) of him since.

After hearing all the lovely stories about Thai jails, I asked the wife, who feeds him etc?... she just looked at me and said, I hope he gets a year and the food is shit!

[BillyBobThai]

Sounds like you married into a wonderful family.

[Missismiggins]

I know what you mean, but people change.
That kid, when I first came here about 1997, was one of the best kids you could want to meet.

The mother in law, has always been a pain in the arse, but well, the mother in law in the Uk was a fucking nutter, much worse than the current one (she beleived sitcoms etc. - and would hide behind cushions when anything "frightening" came on!

But going back to NOW, the little kid i knew when I first came here has turned to a shit, stealing, threatening, abusive!

He lives in a small village, where really there is absolutely nothing for kids to do.

don't get me wrong, I am not trying to make excuses, but he has had no father, and his mother has been away for most of his life, he has been brought up by the "old fashioned" grandmother type, and I really think it has fucked him up, absolutely no discipline, just left to get on.

Mix with a few bad apples from around here, and his life is fucked before it even starts!

His cousin, she is about four years older, wanted to learn, and at the time, I had a bit spare cash, I paid for her to go to the good old USA for a year where she took college, and lived with an American family, she has turned out the complete oppositte, she speaks English Thai and Japanese, she works, and most importantly, she has left the village with it's ridiculous beliefs and rules, she now stays at the Uni in Chiang Mai and appears to be making a life for herself.

It is a shame that I didn't have enough spare cash to do the same for everyone....but then again...why doesn't the government help? Sort of a rhetorical question really, if you like to have slave labour..