Chronic Phase

Without a doubt I have Herpes Zoster. WiKiPEDiA . Patient UK

There is no need to go to a major hospital and get tests such as a biopsy.

The main problem has been communications with the doctors throughout treatment.

During the first three hospital visits I was told I have herpes.

What I knew of herpes is that it is a sexually transmitted disease.

The first week, the pain was severe enough that I went to the hospital three times. I received a total of 14 bags of medication.

Some of this medicine was for Alzheimer's treatment ?

I told the doctor that I had an ulcer and was taking medication for that.

I made that statement so he would not prescribe detrimental medications.

Instead I received over the counter ulcer medication.

There are various types of Herpes. I didn't know that !!

About a month into this ordeal, a friend wrote me of his own medical problem he had recently. He told me of the painful shingles and attached a web picture.

His only lasted a week or so. He took antiviral medications from the start.

After that I spent hours researching the virus on the internet.

I got anti viral medications from the drug store and took them for a week.

But it was too late.

As I found out from the most recent doctors visit,

anti viral medicine is only effective if taken during the onset of the infection.

I was never given this type of medication from doctors

This medication is available at drug stores.

Another major problem has been identifying the medications.

At the hospital medication is labeled in English.

I can go on the internet and find out about the medications.

Restrictions, effects, etc..

In a few cases I was given combinations of medicine, which according to the precautions, should not be taken simultaneously.I was not informed.

Medicines from doctors offices are not identified by name.

In most cases they just show how many times to be taken.

Almost all medications I have received may have been under prescribed.

Quite often I was given 5 or 10 mg.

Where instructions were available, I discovered the dosage should be 100 mg or more. Think this has a lot to do with body size and weight and severity.
During the most recent doctor's visit I was given 50 mg tramadol, with instructions to take them once a day.
Recommended dosage at medicinenet is every 4 to six hours.

Injections to relive pain had similar effects.

Of four injections, over the last three months, two had absolutely no effect on pain.

Another injection had an effect as if I had two beers. Slightly tipsy, but still in pain.

During my third hospital visit I strongly requested, and the doctor agreed.

I was given a morphine type shot.

It relieved the pain and I actually did not feel 'tipsy.'

On the subject of morphine. I received six morphine pills.

Only one of the pills had any effect. The others did not.

The instructions required the medicine to be stored at no higher than 25 degrees.

I suspect the medications where not properly shipped or stored.

For whatever reason, these pills did not help in the slightest.

Opinion:

Three apparent problems in the Thai medical system as I see it.

1. Doctors do not make any money from visits.

Their income is derived from the sale of medications.

During all my medical visits, I noticed other patients receiving large quantities of medications.

I never received less than four different types of medications.

2. Thai doctors seem afraid of prescribing narcotic type medications for pain.

Codeine type medicines, with which I survived for the previous 22 years, are no longer available in this part of Thailand (from appearances).

The few narcotic type medicines I received, were prescribed in minimal (useless to me) amounts. Not knowing the names, descriptions, and limitations, I did not dare to take more.

3. Thai doctors and druggists operate independently.

During my first doctors visit I should have been advised about the anti viral medication and sent to a druggist.

Doctors tend to only prescribe medications they have in stock

Herpes Zoster effects everyone a bit different.

The initial pain is predominant in all cases.

If treated properly from the start, if the person's immune system is strong, or other variables, the whole ordeal may be over in a matter of a week or two.

Two points against me.

I now have a chronic condition. This may last six months or even a year.

Diet has a definite effect on the severity. It varies from one individual to another.

I recently had scallops for dinner. Within hours I was in unbelievable pain for two days.

I've been advised not to eat poultry. In the past I ate eggs, without any worsening effects.

Last night Joey piked some Aloe, mixed it with turmeric.

It was a messy application, but I had no pain at all. Major Surprise.

Will repeat an application again today and use plastic wrap, so I can keep it on for periods of time.

My main focus has to be improving my immune system. It includes stopping smoking. That is another lengthy dissertation to come.