I've been to Cambodia twice now, and it was one of my favorite places in the world, plus, I could afford to live there on savings for a long time and am thinking seriously about it.
Before I pack my bags up and go, I do have a bad medical history and need to find out that there would be at least available meds and a yearly blood test.
Two of the medication I take are controlled: xanax and ambien. I'm old and have been on them for like 25 years, so I'm not interested in changing that. They were over-the-counter when I was there at least. Is that pretty steady? I see Thailand has gotten strict about them. How is it in Cambodia over the years? I have a muscle problem and could take valium or pretty much any random medication in this class instead of xanax, don't care one way or another, but to sleep, my muscles don't allow me to sleep without ambien, so I can be up for days. I'm too old for that shit.
Also, I had my thyroid taken out. You kind of need it to live. I take synthroid and need a blood test about once a year to make sure it's okay. Are there doctors I can see for that?
I have a lot of other questions about expatriating or at least spending some time in Cambodia, but before getting too excited by the idea, I need to understand how the medical system works. I know you could buy OTC meds and self-prescribe, but it's kind of better to not do that for the synthroid, so are there actually doctors around for basic stuff? It's a basic blood test. And the other two? Do doctors care about what they prescribe to the point of being scary, like in Australia or Thailand, or are they a little more relaxed? Or should I just count on the prescribing laws remaining accessible? I have prescriptions for all of this stuff and formal medical records, but...
Also, generics are fine. I just want to make sure never to get bunk meds because especially with synthroid, I have nothing for back-up and will keel over and die. The others simply cause hideous withdrawal and muscle spasms/seizures. So much better.
Thanks for any advice. Just joined but been reading you here since before my first trip last year.
HELP ME EXPATRIATE TO THE WONDERLAND OF CAMBODIA, PLEASE!
Checking into moving to Cambodia; need meds and bloodwork
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There are still no prescriptions here, it is still purchase and medicate over-the-counter, and I do not see that changing anytime soon.
There are several hospitals here that could probably do your blood tests - if the user Mao Den posts a reply in this thread his answer on which ones are best will be the most accurate.
Worst case scenario is you take a long weekend trip to Bangkok or Singapore once a year for a check up and tests there - they both have world class hospitals.
Other than that, jump on a plane and enjoy
There are several hospitals here that could probably do your blood tests - if the user Mao Den posts a reply in this thread his answer on which ones are best will be the most accurate.
Worst case scenario is you take a long weekend trip to Bangkok or Singapore once a year for a check up and tests there - they both have world class hospitals.
Other than that, jump on a plane and enjoy
"We, the sons of John Company, have arrived"
,don't forget to wear a parachute,Playboy wrote: jump on a plane and enjoy
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Good advice from Playboy above.
You could also give Victoria Pharmacy a call and talk to the owner there. Very nice Australian guy who owns/runs it. His name is Aaron.
I only recommend this as he is a native english speaking westerner and has a full stocked pharmacy. No doubt Pharmacy de la gare or Ucare could fill your needs but it might be more difficult speaking with them on the phone if you would like to call ahead and make sure they offer exactly what you need.
Victoria Pharmacy
#34-36, Preah Ang Duong (110)
Phnom Penh 12200
+855 97 366 6395
You could also give Victoria Pharmacy a call and talk to the owner there. Very nice Australian guy who owns/runs it. His name is Aaron.
I only recommend this as he is a native english speaking westerner and has a full stocked pharmacy. No doubt Pharmacy de la gare or Ucare could fill your needs but it might be more difficult speaking with them on the phone if you would like to call ahead and make sure they offer exactly what you need.
Victoria Pharmacy
#34-36, Preah Ang Duong (110)
Phnom Penh 12200
+855 97 366 6395
If my life was in jeopardy I wouldn't trust the Cambodian market which is known to be flooded with Chinese counterfeits for anything that can generate 100 Riel profit.
AS mentioned I would certainly recommend Central Hospital http://www.central-hospital.com/ch/
Here are a couple of threads where I mentioned them:
Re: Self medicate high blood pressure
Postby Mèo Đen » Thu Feb 08, 2018 6:45 pm
As a number of posters have said "go and see a doctor" I would advise that you go to Central Hospital and get a heart check up http://www.central-hospital.com/ch/ You can get a comprehensive screening done which includes kidney and liver function tests,but if cost is an issue, you could just go for the salient heart function tests.
You can go in and confirm prices with ms. Geli, the admin manager, but the following is what I would expect. Consultation $20, diagnostic cardiac ultrasound and ECG around $50. Blood tests cost mostly between $1 and $2 each. You can discuss which you really need,it will probably be around four or five. Results for all blood tests are usually available within an hour
http://www.khmer440.com/chat_forum/view ... al#p917357
Re Elective surgery:
Surgical procedures may be done free of charge in some countries, but there is often a waiting period and travel to the country and accommodation costs money. For example having a skin graft operation here may cost around $1300 which includes a night or two in hospital. Getting the same procedure done in the UK could cost more in travel and accommodation, and it is not immediate. One patient came into the hospital requiring a cyst to be removed from his back. In just under an hour surgery was complete and he was discharged. Total cost around $100.
http://www.khmer440.com/chat_forum/view ... al#p923470
Here are a couple of threads where I mentioned them:
Re: Self medicate high blood pressure
Postby Mèo Đen » Thu Feb 08, 2018 6:45 pm
As a number of posters have said "go and see a doctor" I would advise that you go to Central Hospital and get a heart check up http://www.central-hospital.com/ch/ You can get a comprehensive screening done which includes kidney and liver function tests,but if cost is an issue, you could just go for the salient heart function tests.
You can go in and confirm prices with ms. Geli, the admin manager, but the following is what I would expect. Consultation $20, diagnostic cardiac ultrasound and ECG around $50. Blood tests cost mostly between $1 and $2 each. You can discuss which you really need,it will probably be around four or five. Results for all blood tests are usually available within an hour
http://www.khmer440.com/chat_forum/view ... al#p917357
Re Elective surgery:
Surgical procedures may be done free of charge in some countries, but there is often a waiting period and travel to the country and accommodation costs money. For example having a skin graft operation here may cost around $1300 which includes a night or two in hospital. Getting the same procedure done in the UK could cost more in travel and accommodation, and it is not immediate. One patient came into the hospital requiring a cyst to be removed from his back. In just under an hour surgery was complete and he was discharged. Total cost around $100.
http://www.khmer440.com/chat_forum/view ... al#p923470
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