rxpharm

Here's an interesting article from Associated Free Press

CHIANG KHONG, Thailand (AFP) - The 15-year-old aspiring "ladyboy" delicately applied a puff of talcum powder to his nose -- an act of rebellion at the Thai Buddhist temple where he is learning to "be a man".

"They have rules here that novice monks cannot use powder, make-up, or perfume, cannot run around and be girlish," said Pipop Thanajindawong, who was sent to Wat Kreung Tai Wittaya, in Chiang Khong on the Thai-Laos border, to tame his more feminine traits.

But the monks running the temple's programme to teach masculinity to boys who are "katoeys", the Thai term for transsexuals or ladyboys, have their controversial work cut out.

"Sometimes we give them money to buy snacks but he saved it up to buy mascara," headteacher Phra Pitsanu Witcharato said of Pipop.

Novice monks' days pass as in any other temple -- waking before dawn, collecting alms and studying Buddhism -- but every Friday attention turns to the katoeys at the attached school.

"Were you born as a man or a woman or can you not specify your gender - not man or woman?" asked Phra Pitsanu at a recent assembly. "You cannot be anything else but your true gender, which is a man. As a novice you can only be a man."

'Katoey' is the Thai term for transsexuals or ladyboys

The temple has a stricter interpretation than others of rules governing behaviour during Buddhist training that is a key childhood experience for many Thai boys.

Pupils are banned from using perfume and make-up and prohibited from singing, playing music and running.

"We cannot change all of them but what we can do is to control their behavior to make them understand that they were born as a man... and cannot act like a woman," said Phra Pitsanu.

The Kreung Tai temple has run the course for boys aged between 11 and 18 since 2008, after former principle Phra Maha Vuthichai Vachiramethi devised the programme because he thought reports of katoeys in the monkhood had "affected the stability of Thai Buddhism".

He told AFP that he hopes the teaching methods will be rolled out to other temple schools to "solve the deviant behavior in novices".

Thailand has one of the largest transsexual populations in the world

It is an attitude that enrages gay rights and diversity campaigner Natee Teerarojanapong, who said trying to alter the boys' sense of gender and sexuality was "extremely dangerous".

"These kids will become self-hating because they have been taught by respected monks that being gay is bad. That is terrible for them. They will never live happily," he told AFP.

Gay and katoey culture is visible and widely tolerated in Thailand, which has one of the largest transsexual populations in the world, and Natee said the temple's programme is "very out of date".

But Phra Atcha Apiwanno, 28, disputed the idea that society accepted ladyboys and said he joined the monkhood because of social stigma about his sexual identity.

"The reason I became a monk is to train my habits, to control my expression... I didn't want to be like this," he told AFP.

Monks have had limited success in their project -- three of the six ladyboys to have graduated from the school are said to have embraced their masculinity, but the remaining three went on to have sex changes.

Pipop said he has struggled with his sexuality at the temple.

At home in Bangkok he dressed like a girl, putting on make-up and taking hormones until he developed breasts, but he has since stopped the treatment and wears only a surreptitious dab of powder at the temple.

He does not believe he will live up to his family's hopes that he will become more manly.

"I can make them proud even I'm not a man," the teenager said, adding he had given up his ambition to be an airhostess and now aspires to work in a bank.

He thinks he will have a sex change after graduation.

"Once I leave the monkhood the first thing I want to do is to shout, to scream out loud saying: 'I can go back to being the same again!'"

This is surprising to me as I didn't think Thailand had such programs. With the recent win by Pheu Thai, it will be interesting to see how this program expands, as Thaksin didn't have a favorable disposition to LBs when he was in power.

Flatpack's advice to be careful with these kinds of drugs is highly advisable. There are very good reasons why they are banned or highly regulated in our home countries.

Also be aware that any kind of drug may not necessarily produce the same results in one person to the next. Although Solice may know quite well what works for him, it may not necessarily work for another - that is why it is critical to know the adverse effects/side effects and stop before you get into serious problems.

I have seen patients get into problems with regular prescription drugs even though they were using the recommended doses.

Your health is something that should be treasured, so keep alert when things start to feel off.

If you're really worried get one of these...

http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=18

I picked one up cheap on e-bay.Best to change the lock to a numerical combination lock,that way you don't have to worry about losing a key.

If you lock it around a pole or post in plain sight, it is still at high risk of being stolen, a pair of wire cutters to cut the cable and it's gone in less than a minute.

One way to reduce risk of valuables being stolen is to keep them out of sight - and not in a hotel safe. You can use the front desk safe deposit box if they have it - of course sealing your items in a tamper-evident envelope, or keep them locked away in your luggage. While not fool proof, why advertise there are valuables around?

Daveduke - good story that shows not all lbs are thieves as a few seem to think.

A couple of Youtube videos on the story - PC Air or PC Airlines are both used.

Not quite 100% true, PC Air (a charter airline) flying to Korean and Japan so far, have hired 5 postop lbs as part of the cabin crew. The most famous being Nong Film, Miss Tiffany and Miss International Queen 2007.

It really boils down to whether or not Thaksin decides to run the show openly. If he does, then plenty of problems will arise. If he lets Yingluck make decisions - or at least gives her the appearance of doing so, then things may remain relatively peaceful. However, a recent CNN interview seems to indicate what the plans are - she is quoted as saying the case against her brother could be reopened/reinvestigated as well as those of others to bring "justice" in these cases.

There is also a lot of lobbying for the "Reds" who were elected to get some of the cabinet posts. Interesting times ahead no doubt!

Rossco - can you send me a link where Yingluck promised postop lbs they could change their ID cards? When Thaksin was in power he was definitely anti-lb, anti-bar, anti-sex tourist, etc. It would be interesting if Yingluck would persue this if her brother disagrees.

I don't trust these hotel safes anyway, as there is a master code or a master key that can open these.

If you read the Youtube comments about this, some have commented they have been able to open this kind of safe using these methods.

Lefty the reason why vitamin B1 is more important is because of this:

Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE)

Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE) is a reversible biochemical lesion of the CNS caused by overwhelming metabolic demands being made upon depleted B-vitamin reserves, in particular thiamine. WE is most common in chronic alcohol misusers.

5.1 Causes and presentations of WE

5.1.1 Causes

Whilst manifestations of B-vitamin deficiency such as beriberi are the result of a prolonged and gradual deficiency, Wernicke’s encephalopathy results from the development of an acute and severe CNS deficiency state where overwhelming demands are made on already depleted B-vitamin reserves, in particular thiamine (Thomson 2000).

5.1.2 Potential routes to brain cell death

B-vitamins are essential for the proper metabolism of glucose and the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, GABA and glutamate (Butterworth 1989, Cook 1998, Todd 1999). ATP turnover is depressed by alcohol intoxication but when alcohol intake is abruptly discontinued the compensatory changes can produce signs of CNS overactivity (Turner 1989). As a result, CNS B-vitamin requirements increase during acute alcohol withdrawal.

There are a number of potential routes to brain cell death in Wernicke’s encephalopathy:

5.1.2.1 Lactic acidosis

Thiamine deficiency may result in a reduced conversion of pyruvate to acetyl coenzyme A, with accumulation of lactate and a focal lactic acidosis (Butterworth 1989, Todd 1999).

5.1.2.2 Neuro-excitotoxicity

Thiamine is also a co-factor for the conversion of α-ketoglutarate to succinate. In thiamine deficiency citric acid cycle metabolism may continue by bypassing this step through glutamate and GABA metabolism which, in health, accounts for 8-10% of citric acid cycle activity (Baxter 1976, Butterworth 1989, McEntee 1997, Todd 1999).

Many patients are, however, also deficient in pyridoxine (B6) and riboflavin (B2) which are co-factors for the conversion of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate to the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (Cook 1998, Ryle 1984). So, neuro-excitotoxicity may result from either pyridoxine or riboflavin deficiency and a resulting imbalance between excitation and inhibition.

5.1.2.3 Free radical generation

Glutamate accumulation may also increase production of free radicals (Todd 1999).

5.1.2.4 Cellular energy deficit

In addition, B-vitamin deficiency may also result in a reduced rate of citric acid cycle metabolism and a cellular energy deficit (Butterworth 1989, Todd 1999).

This is a quote from Newcastle on Tyne (NHS) alcohol withdrawal treatment protocol, which is quite similar to the one we use as well.

Vitamin B12 deficiency may be problematic as well, but it is not as an acute problem as vitamin B1 - which if not taken may lead with Wernicke's encephalopathy.

Sublingual has a red line under it only while composing the post because it is not in the spell check dictionary.

Your suggestion of taking both is a good idea, but vitamin B1 would be more crucial in an acute withdrawal situation.

It will ultimately come down to the approximately 23-25% undecided voters. If they break roughly 50% for each of the major parties then Pheu Thai will win - but I don't think they will get a clear majority. If the undecided break in favor of the Democrats then they may be able to form the next gov't with help of their coalition partners.

Regardless of the results, I think Thailand will continue to be in for some tough times as both sides cannot tolerate each other. It is a sad reality that this election will not bridge the current divide facing Thai society.

You are better off taking vitamin B1 tablets - 100 mg once daily for about a week, as well as a multivitamin tablet once daily for about the same time.

This is some of the general protocol used when alcoholics come to our hospital - but of course they're in worse condition and sometimes need to take it via intravenous injection.

Continue to soldier on - certainly it is difficult, but it sounds like you are past some of the harder stages now.

You're still active as a regular member - you can promote it in the VIP sneak peak section where anyone can view it. Just visit Ladyboyquest.com.

Not quite as funny as other posted signs, but more for the contrast of images. This photo was taken during the 2009 Tour of Qatar (unfortunately not by me). I used to work in Doha.

If you were so unfortunate as to hit a camel with a regular sedan or coupe, there would be a high likely of injury or fatality. The long legs of the camel would result in the main body crashing down on the passenger compartment. Camels weigh around 500kg or so.

Not necessarily, some postop lbs can actually make more money, especially if they are very passable. There are more punters visiting Thailand looking for p4p ggs than there are looking for p4p lbs. A passable postop lb has a bigger potential customer market than a passable preop lb.

Right now the amount of tourists willing to spend money on p4p ggs or lbs is down in LOS, especially in Pattaya and Phuket and to a lesser extent in Bangkok.

I have known a few p4p lbs who made more money after SRS. It is likely the current economic climate that has had a bigger impact on Shar's number of customers, than the fact that she is postop.

Hi Panicos, although I haven't been with Shar, the fact that Bumblebee recommends her is a major plus. In addition I have heard good reports of her from Steviep and BigMick.

If you do meet up with her, of course you would have to see if there is any chemistry. If there is, I think you would have a great time with her.

not quite right there SB7, yes she did have a problem with her last set of implants and had them removed.

Recent photos of her on other forums seem to show she has not had another set of implants done.

As you have decided to go ahead and use the clembuterol, be sure to monitor yourself for the adverse effects - not everyone will react to medication the same way. If you do notice the side effects stop taking it immediately. I would also recommend you check for interactions it may have with medications you are taking currently and take that into account if something turns up.

Some things that you should know about clembuterol:

Overdosage: Excessive usage over the stated dose of about 120 μg can cause muscle tremor, headache, dizziness and gastric irritation. Persons self-administering the drug for weight loss or to improve athletic performance have experienced nausea, vomiting, diaphoresis, palpitations, tachycardia and myocardial infarction. Abuse of the drug may be confirmed by detecting its presence in semen or urine.[10]

Food contamination: In September 2006 over 330 people in Shanghai were reported to have been poisoned by eating pork contaminated by clenbuterol that had been fed to the animals to keep their meat lean.[11]

In February 2009, at least 70 people in one Chinese province (Guangdong) suffered food poisoning after eating pig organs believed to contain clenbuterol residue. The victims complained of stomach aches and diarrhea after eating pig organs bought in local markets.[12][13]

In March 2011, China's Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) said that the government would launch a one-year crackdown on illegal additives in pig feed, after a subsidiary of Shuanghui Group, China's largest meat producer, was exposed for using clenbuterol-contaminated pork in its meat products. A total of 72 people in central Henan Province, where Shuanghui is based, were taken into police custody for allegedly producing, selling or using clenbuterol.[14][15]

Veterinary use: The European Union prohibits the use of clenbuterol in food-producing animals. It is, however, used in other parts of the world for the treatment of allergic respiratory disease in horses, as it is a bronchodilator. A common trade name is Ventipulmin. It can be used both orally and intravenously. It is also used in cattle to relax the uterus in cows, usually at the time of parturition.[16] It is also a nonsteroidal anabolic and metabolism accelerator, through a mechanism not well understood. Its ability to increase the muscle-to-fat body ratio makes its illegal use in livestock popular to obtain leaner meats

If you intend to use this medication on a long term basis DO NOT exceed the maximum recommended dose. If you are on other prescription medications, especially for heart conditions, thyroid conditions or high blood pressure, it would be best to stop taking it, as you would be at increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

Note that the websites and pharmacies that sell this medication are not necessarily interested in your well being, as they would like to make a quick sale and suffer no consequences if you develop problems from taking this medication.

The same holds true for Stenozol - an anabolic steroid that can inhibit sperm production, possibly may cause testicular cancer, and if taken in large doses lead to psychosis (steroid rage).

Unfortunately in Thailand pharmacists do not always ask patients about pre-existing conditions and current medications before selling you the drug. There are good reasons why such medications in Western countries are banned like clembuterol or restricted - such as anabolic steroids like stenozol.

Would have to vote for Ae, even though she's out of the p4p scene for now.

Just to give you some perspective about how some Arabic people think - especially from the wealthier countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, etc. There are numerous corner grocery stores around (like 7/11, but more "rustic"). You will see these people park their car and honk the horn until one of the grocery staff come out and get their order, then go back to the store and bring it out to them, while still sitting in the car. They can't be bothered walking 3 meters into the store to buy it themselves.

While not all do this, it is unfortunately quite common, and reflects what Jimslim reported.

There is a specific enzyme in the body that metabolizes (clears) alcohol from the system called alcohol dehydrogenase. It is likely that this enzyme is losing its ability to clear the alcohol from your system and you are becoming less tolerant to its effects.

I don't think so Lung, I am one of the adminstrator/mods on The Ladyboy Quest Forum (formerly known as The Ladyboys Forum). I don't recall tossing anyone off the forum lately. :)

Lung, Pacman is correct, I was not thinking about you when I made that post. I am an administrator/moderator on another forum and it happens too often, just as Bumblebee mentioned, totally obvious answer even from the Topic name of the post and these guys miss it entirely! 80

When it comes to forums, people who ask questions that are already answered in the post - missed because they are simply looking at the photos. Like what is her name, where does she work, etc. :unknw:

More birthday wishes for Sean Beag! Hope you had a great day! :)

I have to disagree - working as a palliative care pharmacist, there is another side to the story that Dr. Kevorkian supporters often overlook.

There have been advances in the management of terminal condition symptoms that mean most patients do not have to undergo a painful death. This can allow a patient to spend time taking care of their affairs and preparing family for death that a quick suicide may preclude.

Of course any person has the right to take their life, but if the law provides for physician or medically assisted suicide, it opens up a Pandora's Box for those involved. There have been a number of cases reported in the Netherlands where physician assisted suicide has been going for a number of years, that clinically depressed people, otherwise healthy have been euthanized. There is also now a brisk suicide tourism business going on in Switzerland as well. What standards and who will determine if a person qualifies for assisted suicide? A person who has lost his wife and children in a tragic accident and feels life is no longer worth living - depressed and unable to snap out of it for 2 years, should be allowed to seek physician assisted suicide?

Also euthanasia would stop hinder or stop further research in palliative care - as the attitude would be why bother?

This subject is not as black and white as many feel. I have seen several patients who change their minds about ending it all once their pain and suffering is relieved and go on to have meaningful farewells with their loved ones before dying. Is this more dignified than a quick suicide? I feel that it is.