Author Topic: Newly Positive in Thailand (Read 15480 times)

BangkokGuy · « **on:** March 21, 2014, 02:11:01 am »

Hi.

I am 50+ year old Thai guy, live in Bangkok.

I tested positive with rapid test at two different places on March 1 and March 2.

My last negative was in May 2013.

I got CD4 back now, it is 800.

As a Thai, I get free medical treatment through the public health system. But they told me, only if CD4 is below 350. They said, maybe will increase to 500 later this year.

But I don't think it is smart to sit around and wait for CD4 to go down, do you?

So, I want to look for a private doctor even if I have to pay.

I tried to send PM to some of the Thailand guys, joemutt, themepark, others -- but I guess I am new member so cannot.

So, I am looking for update on good doctors who will give information straight and care about the patients. Also, who will have no problem helping me find cheapest source for meds if it isn't at their hospital.

Hope someone can advise me.

Thank you so much.

mecch · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2014, 06:45:50 am »

Welcome to the forum BKGuy.
Sorry you had to get that news.
I can't help with the referrals in Thailand. But there are people here who should relate some information when they see your post.
CD4 800 is pretty good! Its lucky you have this result. For one, it will help you keep calm the next few months while you consider early treatment and set that up, if its your choice. Most people would say, that both choices would be OK. Treating your infection now, or waiting for 500. 350 is level that many countries have abandoned, however. I personally wouldn't wait for 350 but sometimes circumstances beyond our own control get involved in our treatment, which is just life, even if unfortunate. 350 is ok, too, but maybe these days, wouldn't be considered ideal.

BangkokGuy · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2014, 08:36:15 am »

Thank you so much for your reply, mecch.

I just can't sit around watching my CD4 fall in order to get free drugs. I can't do it. I will die of stress first.

Ann · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2014, 08:52:52 am »

Hi Guy, welcome to the forums.

With your CD4 count you're in no immediate danger (not by a long mark) so try to not stress out too much. I went for about fifteen years before I started treatment (because of good numbers) and I'm no worse off for it, all things considered.

You might want to read this thread and read the article linked to there for a little perspective from the experts.

You're going to be just fine, so try to relax a bit.

Ann

joemutt · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2014, 08:53:37 am »

Hi Bangkokguy,
Welcome to the club.

I see Dr Mattana Hanvanich in BNH - Saturdays 11.30 am - (she also sees patients in Bumrungrad and maybe Chulalongorn Memorial Hospital, although the last one you shd check - 02 256 4000). There is also Dr. Kirk (sp?) at BNH. They will give you straight answers, take copies of your latest test results. Testing and meds best from Anonymous Clinic on Rajdamri.

I got on meds immediately at diagnosis cd4 220 but that was an eternity ago (17 years) nowadays standard would be 500. I do not know what the cd 4 limit is for starting treatment at Anonymous.

Wishing you the best of luck, I remember that after 3 posts here you could start sending PMs but maybe that's changed (?) you could try.

Please feel free to contact me anytime .

Ann · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2014, 09:01:24 am »

Quote from: joemutt on March 21, 2014, 08:53:37 am

I remember that after 3 posts here you could start sending PMs but maybe that's changed (?)

You remember correctly, Joe. I forgot to mention that so I'm glad you did remember - thanks!

I hate brainfog!

Guy, once you've posted three times you'll be able to send and receive PMs. We had to do that to stop hidden spammers who would never post in the public forums and only send spam privately. They were a nuisance!

joemutt · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2014, 09:08:14 am »

Quote from: BangkokGuy on March 21, 2014, 08:36:15 am

Thank you so much for your reply, mecch.

I just can't sit around watching my CD4 fall in order to get free drugs. I can't do it. I will die of stress first.

too much stress will do that though for me stress was also a survival motivator. living in bangkok meditation, massage and yoga are readily available.

BangkokGuy · « **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2014, 01:49:14 pm »

Thanks so much. I haven't told a soul yet, I'm completely alone, and the kind support means a lot. I will do some more reading. Maybe I can get over the feeling that the virus is eating my insides while I don't take medicines.

friskyguy · « **Reply #8 on:** March 25, 2014, 01:34:21 am »

sorry to hear your diagnosis. U are lucky to live in a country with a very progressive approach to HIV.

One solution is to find a doctor who will write a prescription for meds and for you to buy the meds yourself in the initial stages. U can access cheap meds at the Red Cross Anonymous Clinic. Than after starting your meds and reaching UD.......re-register yourself with another doctor to commence treatment on your national scheme. U may need to check this with your first doctor though. Perhaps tell your doctor that you have a partner and worried about HIV transmission.

The evidence is clearly weighting towards early treatment.

Good luck

ratcat · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2014, 11:01:34 am »

I live in Thailand but am not Thai. I could tell you a few things definitely. Joemutt has provided you with some solid information. If you would like to ask me some specific questions regarding my treatment, where I go for it and the price that I pay for meds then feel free to send me a private message. By the way, a cd4 of 800 is pretty good, but I'm no doctor.

xasxas · « **Reply #10 on:** April 03, 2014, 11:02:05 am »

I also live in Bangkok, so I thought I'd throw my 2-cents in.

I've been seeing Dr. Asada at Bumrungrad. He's pretty good and very experienced - I think he got his MD at Johns Hopkins.

I don't have insurance, so I work to minimize my costs by getting my blood tests and medicine done at the Anonymous Clinic and going to Dr. Asada for the medical analysis and prescription.

This is purely a personal opinion so take it for what it is but I tend to think getting started on treatment early on (if you can afford it) can only be a good thing. First, from a mental health perspective, sitting around waiting for this bug to wreck my health before taking action seems like something that would have done my head in.

Second, the more of your immune system you can preserve / protect the better I would think it is for your long term health.

Finally, getting the viral load under control would greatly reduce the chances of passing it on to somebody else.

Anyways, I hope you keep stiff upper lip, the first weeks and months are generally the toughest as you accept this condition. But it does get better with time.

Take care and feel free to message me if want to talk.

BangkokGuy · « **Reply #11 on:** April 03, 2014, 11:12:19 am »

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions.

I have decided to start treatment ASAP, even if it costs me a couple hundred dollars a month.

I am waiting for the results of my VL test now, and will see a doctor after that. I am currently deciding who to go to.

pozinbkk · « **Reply #12 on:** April 10, 2014, 12:40:37 pm »

Hi Bangkok guy & other member,

Sorry for the bad news.

I am farang, 30+, working in BKK since 5 years and i got tested HIV+ 2 days ago at BKK Christian hospital.
Apart from being still under shock, i already got my first visit with Dr. Sataporn at BKK Christian Hospital and he sent me to check my CD4. I will get results after Songkran.

Do you have any ref. about Dr. Sataporn?
Is it normal to check only my CD4 and not my VL?
I know this is going to be a long term fight, but i wouyld like to get it right from the beginning.

PozinBKK

BangkokGuy · « **Reply #13 on:** April 12, 2014, 04:59:31 pm »

Sorry to hear it, POZ.

Dr. Sathaporn was highly recommended to me by the nurse who gave me the bad news at the Silom Community Clinic, which used to be at Bangkok Christian but is now at the Tropical Diseases Hospital next to Ratchawithi Hospital.

That is all I know about him.

I thought a VL test was pretty commonly given at the outset, but what do I know? I went to get one at the Red Cross last week. The results were supposed to be emailed to me yesterday, but they weren't. Now of course they are closed up for Songkran so I have to wait until they open again before I can follow up. Frustrating.

pozinbkk · « **Reply #14 on:** April 15, 2014, 03:27:55 am »

Dear BangkokGuy,

Thanks for your help! I am still waiting for the result of the CD4, but as for you, results are delayed because of Songkran.

I have a question regarding finances:
Is the red cross clinic much cheaper than private hospitals? I mean, i don't mind to pay a bit more to do my exams at BKK Christian if it is more convenient ( opening times, short wait etc..). I need to keep on working at office and cannot escape often to go to labs. For reference, my CD4 test cost me 2000 THB at BKK Christian.

I heard about the Silom community Clinic, what is it dealing with? mostly testing or what other services do they have? Sorry to bother, but you know information is sometimes a bit difficult to get in English.

Thanks!

PozinBKK

BangkokGuy · « **Reply #15 on:** April 15, 2014, 11:35:24 pm »

The Red Cross Clinic is significantly cheaper on the CD4 test -- only 400 baht. Viral load is 1,500 baht.

They only draw blood for the CD4 tests on Friday mornings. It is straightforward and the wait is not long.

The Silom Community Clinic's services are all 100% free. They do rapid HIV testing, the more in-depth HIV test (not sure what it is called), testing for other STD's, and CD4. Again, the wait is no longer than a few minutes, and they are very caring and helpful there. They don't provide viral load testing, though, and they don't dispense drugs like the Red Cross Clinic does.

BangkokGuy · « **Reply #16 on:** April 15, 2014, 11:48:57 pm »

PS: the Red Cross Clinic's full list of services/prices can be found below.

http://en.trcarc.org/?page_id=632

ratcat · « **Reply #17 on:** April 16, 2014, 12:50:38 pm »

Good info but the " CD4 testing on Fridays only" is incorrect as is the price, although the RED CROSS Website does show this information to be correct(the old website...not the one you gave a link to...). There are 2 web pages and one website is WAY out of date. CD4 test costs 300 thb, VL is 1,600 thb. Blood is drawn for testing Monday through Saturday(every day that they are open). The RED CROSS Anon. Clinic is closed on all National Holidays.

BangkokGuy · « **Reply #18 on:** April 17, 2014, 09:39:51 am »

Good to know. Thanks!

kangding1033 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 27, 2014, 08:35:54 am »

anyone know of places in Bangkok where viral load test is done and the result wait time is less than 5 days as at the red cross? bumrungrad has same day results on some days of the week but the cost is over 5000thb. im wondering if there is a place somewhere in between these 2 extremes, both in terms of price and wait time. thanks!

sanitex · « **Reply #20 on:** April 29, 2014, 05:44:14 am »

hello kangding1033,you can check (The RED CROSS Anon. Clinic)it's more cheaper in everything.

BangkokGuy · « **Reply #21 on:** April 30, 2014, 06:32:24 am »

I finally decided on a doctor -- Dr. Mathana at Bumrungrad -- and I'm glad I did so far.

As others have said, she is very motherly, and very concerned about her patients. She freely suggests getting whatever tests and meds you can at the Red Cross, so as to save money.

She took about an hour with me on this first visit -- which, she freely admits, is her weak point: timing. She says you might have an appointment with her at 3pm, but she often won't get to you until 5pm. Unlike other doctors, she takes her time. If a patient needs additional counseling or support, she won't push them out the door to keep to her schedule.

She says if you can accept this, she will do her best to treat you.

I can accept it. I prefer having to wait than feeling like I'm on a conveyor belt of patients given five minutes each.

She gave me a long list of additional tests to take at the Red Cross (everything from lipid profile to anal pap smear) and told me to make another appointment with her when the results are in. Then we'll talk about medicine.

She also encouraged me to bring my partner in with me, so that she can brief him on what to expect from the meds I will be taking and answer any questions he may have. Very nice touch.

poz24singapore · « **Reply #22 on:** April 30, 2014, 08:17:46 am »

Yes, you are right!

BangkokGuy · « **Reply #23 on:** May 30, 2014, 02:40:46 am »

Finally, nearly three months after my first positive tests, I've now gotten back all of my various results and received a prescription from Dr. Mattana.

600mg Stocrin (efavirenz) once per day
150mg Lamivudine / 300mg Zidovudine in combo pill, twice per day

She was really 50-50 on whether to advise me to begin treatment at all, in view of my low VL and high CD4 -- but I told her my mental health required I take action, if nothing else.

I went down to pick up my first month's supply at the Red Cross, taking a book with me figuring it might take a while to receive. Within ten minutes I was out of there. Total cost: less than $50.

When I received my first positive test, my first concern was for my physical health (naturally). My second concern was for my financial health.

Now, my mind has been put at ease about both. Everything is going to be OK.

BKKKevin · « **Reply #24 on:** May 30, 2014, 05:59:27 am »

Hello Bangkok Guy...

The drug mix you have chosen is not familiar to me?... Why did she recommend it? do you have resistance issues?... Why did you not go with a single pill choice like Atripla?

BangkokGuy · « **Reply #25 on:** May 30, 2014, 08:03:37 am »

The first drug is Sustiva by another name, the one is generic Combivir.

My tests did show some resistance issues, and I'm on some drugs for non-related ailments that she said would cause less of an issue with this combination. I also told her my preference was for generics which cost less.

She mentioned that she would probably change the regimen once VL became undetectable, which she expects will be soon.

BKKKevin · « **Reply #26 on:** May 30, 2014, 10:22:59 am »

I understand now... Yes I just went to the Red Cross today with my US doctors script... It was a breeze... I love the lady at the front desk...

I got a 6 month supply of Truvada (Generic) and Endurant which is the same as Complera in the US for 7,380 baht which is less than $40 bucks a month!...

I live in Chiang Mai... Now I have a reason to come visit every 6 months ;-)

BangkokGuy · « **Reply #27 on:** May 30, 2014, 10:24:37 am »

Yes, they are nicer there than they have to be.

I had no idea they accepted scripts from US doctors, though. Is that confirmed?

BKKKevin · « **Reply #28 on:** May 30, 2014, 10:28:51 am »

Quote from: BangkokGuy on May 30, 2014, 10:24:37 am

Yes, they are nicer there than they have to be.

I had no idea they accepted scripts from US doctors, though. Is that confirmed?

I confirmed it before at their web forum...
http://www.adamslove.org/en-agallery.php?mid=51

And they took my US doctor script from me today - no problem... But they do limit you to 6 month supply...

BangkokGuy · « **Reply #29 on:** May 30, 2014, 10:29:50 am »

That's great. Amazing Thailand!

Theyer · « **Reply #30 on:** May 30, 2014, 06:09:12 pm »

So is it cheaper to get a script in US fly to Thailand . process script , return , than doing it all in US ?

zach · « **Reply #31 on:** May 30, 2014, 07:43:55 pm »

without trying too hard, i could get a round trip flight to bkk tomorrow for $2100, get a 6 month supply of meds for a few hundred, head down to the phi phi for a long week, then come home.... all for less than $3000.... compared to over $6000 for that same 6 month supply out of pocket here

poz24singapore · « **Reply #32 on:** May 30, 2014, 07:57:54 pm »

I'm going to see Dr Mattana again in 3weeks time. With the current situation in Thailand, I hope everything is still okay.

BangkokGuy · « **Reply #33 on:** May 30, 2014, 11:49:41 pm »

I'm sure everything will be fine.

friskyguy · « **Reply #34 on:** June 02, 2014, 07:28:19 am »

Quote from: zach on May 30, 2014, 07:43:55 pm

without trying too hard, i could get a round trip flight to bkk tomorrow for $2100, get a 6 month supply of meds for a few hundred, head down to the phi phi for a long week, then come home.... all for less than $3000.... compared to over $6000 for that same 6 month supply out of pocket here

From my experience (non Thai perspective), I was drilled comprehensively re my motivation to fly in/out of BKK to access meds/labs. I am required to do so due to necessity to remain under the radar due to the oppressive and primitive fear of HIV in my place of abode in a neighbouring country.

Don't think a motivation to fly in/out of BKK for cost savings alone would pass the test for North America (certainly would not with my healthcare facility). From my "third degree" interrogation ;-) I assumed that my doctor had to check all the boxes to enable me to be treated in BKK, as I assumed perhaps to protect their socialised health care system.

Not sure about India though, and with generic meds being manufactured there for world wide distribution, it may be a way to support their economy (medical tourism) too.

BangkokGuy · « **Reply #35 on:** August 18, 2014, 04:28:00 am »

I finally started taking meds at the beginning of this month.

I delayed a few times because I had to travel, or had a conference where I had to make sure I would be at my best.

It has been two weeks now, and I am due to have another blood test after three weeks and a visit with the doctor upon receiving the results.

The meds have given me headaches and some mild nausea and drowsiness -- especially when my stomach is empty. Tylenol helps for the headaches, but I am just not feeling at my best.

Will discuss with the doctor when I meet her in a couple weeks.

Hopefully this will go away with time. Any thoughts?

daryljon · « **Reply #36 on:** August 18, 2014, 07:22:06 am »

just returned from Bangkok where I went to the anonymous clinic. what a joy. I am from Chicago, currently living in Jakarta. it was great to get good healthcare at such affordable costs. contrary to some other posts, the anonymous clinic has atripla generic Teevir for 1050 baht(that's 33.00 usd and 41 singapore dollars) for 30 pills, atripla is around 3000 baht. there is a medicine price list on their website.
I did my cd4 and viral load testing there also at a cost of 1800 baht total. results take a week and can be emailed to you.

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Author Topic: Newly Positive in Thailand (Read 15480 times)