General Medical issues thread

[Quickstatus]

Shingrix (recombinant) much more effective than Zostavax (live). And the difference in effectiveness increases with age.

 

[RooFlyer]

the course is two shots. six months apart.

Funny, I was told 8 weeks apart. We discussed it because I'll be O/S at the 8 weeks point and it'll be abt 12 weeks before I can get the second one, which he said was OK.

 

[Quickstatus]

two shots. six months apart.

I was told 8 weeks apart.

2 to 6 months and anywhere in between is OK
If immunocompromised then shorter interval


Also there are no current booster recommendations for VZV vaccines -yet

From someone who didn't know there is an iPhone user manual:
The Australian immunisation handbook is available as an iPhone app:

‎Immunisation Handbook

‎The Australian Immunisation Handbook provides clinical advice for health professionals on the safest and most effective use of vaccines in their practice. These recommendations are developed by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and approved by the National Health...

apps.apple.com

 

[SuePa]

it's expensive, $275

I would say worth every cent!
Shingles is definitely something I never want to get again.

 

[cove]

We did the two doses of the shingles vax six months apart. It is rated at 99% effective and the one dose is rated as 75% effective.
I had a rough time with chicken pox as a child and when we heard we could avoid shingles we were happy to pay the price In California.
My mother was badly affected by shingles and nerve ending pain for the rest of her life was something we have avoided so far.
i went to a pharmac_ this week to get a fifth Covid shot. This time it was Pfizer as they had the latest one that was released a fortnight or so ago.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Do you have to be a certain age to get that ? Just wondering if I should nag a husband to get it.

Having had shingles on holiday last year
(fortunately in Australia) certainly worth a conversation with husband & GP. Accessing antivirals in the desired time frame can be tricky.
My vaccine is now scheduled for September- had to wait a year.
So I say, go for it!

 

[Quickstatus]

Excellent...

Anyone requiring cosmetic surgery - defined as anything that involves cutting, injections, lasers must now get a GP referral
Plus other standards....

Hopefully this will get rid of some dodgy practices.

 

[cove]

Now I had a blood test done yesterday so I work on the simple idea that I can eat anything after the test and it won’t count……for six months when I have the next one.

 

[SuePa]

Excellent...

Anyone requiring cosmetic surgery - defined as anything that involves cutting, injections, lasers must now get a GP referral
Plus other standards....

Hopefully this will get rid of some dodgy practices.

Does this include all those fish lips?
It makes me wonder what some of them will look like in the future, when they stop the injections.

 

[Quickstatus]

Does this include all those fish lips?

Donald Duck lips fall in that category - anything procedure that involves cutting, injecting, laser, even thread lifts

 

[SuePa]

Donald Duck lips fall in that category - anything procedure that involves cutting, injecting, laser, even thread lifts

That's going to upset some people! (Not me)

 

[RooFlyer]

Anyone ever bothered with this?

Medicine export declaration form (PB302)

 

[TheRealTMA]

Anyone ever bothered with this?

Medicine export declaration form (PB302)

No.

 

[Quickstatus]

Anyone ever bothered with this?

We should all be at least aware that the export of PBS medicines (which are subsidised by the taxpayer) is a criminal offence if the export is not for personal use or someone in the travelling party. It happens but the extent to which it happens is unknown.

 

[TheRealTMA]

We should all be at least aware that the export of PBS medicines (which are subsidised by the taxpayer) is a criminal offence if the export is not for personal use or someone in the travelling party. It happens but the extent to which it happens is unknown.

Overstating the obvious I would tend to suggest. I don’t believe there is any concern in taking your own prescribed medication with you on an OS trip. Everyone does it.

 

[Quickstatus]

Everyone does it.

Own prescribed is fine especially when it's in original bottles - if legitimate. However "own prescribed" may in fact be an export meant for someone else OS suggesting that it was illegally obtained in the first place

 

[Flashback]

Overstating the obvious I would tend to suggest. I don’t believe there is any concern in taking your own prescribed medication with you on an OS trip. Everyone does it.

Depends on the country you're going to. Even if prescribed, some are not happy with certain drugs......

 

[Pushka]

Anyone ever bothered with this?

Medicine export declaration form (PB302)

Sounds like export of large quantities as opposed to personal use. I'm leaving the medications I am taking in the strip foil or small bottles and taking the boxes flat. Packaged they take up so much room. Currently 6 different ones. Doesn't help that the steroi_s are in two different dosages.

 

[Quickstatus]

Sounds like export of large quantities as opposed to personal use. I

Amounts that exceed personal use requirements for duration of trip. But yes a suitcase full of pills likely to get pinged.

Some patients come to hospital with enough pills to fill a Woolies 99c bag. Those pax should fill out one of those forms.

 

[RooFlyer]

Overstating the obvious I would tend to suggest. I don’t believe there is any concern in taking your own prescribed medication with you on an OS trip. Everyone does it.

I agree, but I think I'll do it this time, now I've seen the form. Yes, you are entitled to go ! <Edit: Middle East you definitely some form of 'legitimacy' for some medications! Like the letter mentioned below>

Sounds like export of large quantities as opposed to personal use. I'm leaving the medications I am taking in the strip foil or small bottles and taking the boxes flat. Packaged they take up so much room.

But it says Use this form to declare any medicines you are taking or sending out of Australia. I'm also up to 6 current prescriptions and I'll also be taking a couple of previous ones in my 'just in case' kit. Yes, they do take up room! My 'currents' fit into a lunch box, which is handy (and that'll be on carry-on), but the trip is almost 6 weeks, so I'll need more of each Will try to stuff 6 weeks supply into the one box each.

I've also got my GP 'standard letter' saying what I'm on, and brief medical history (unfortunately current GP doesn't have a colourful & fancy stamp to put on it).

Background is that I'm so not match fit that I've started preparing 3 weeks out and I'll inevitably be taking too much carp. Was browsing Reciprocal Health Care Agreements and came across the above form. Paranoid much?