General Medical issues thread

[Pushka]

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>



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?

Who has room for a lunch box in their suitcase! Not me. I didn't count antibiotics too. A couple of boxes of those. I don't think any of my stuff is scary but bog standard. I have a medic alert bracelet and card for the main stuff.

We leave in just over three weeks. Very much getting sorted right now. MrP, well he's still not even sure of the date we are leaving. In deep book writing mode. Nothing like a deadline. Knew this would happen. Needless to say other than his clothes, amd even then I've got his stuff sorted, there's crickets from him.

 

[RooFlyer]

MrP, well he's still not even sure of the date we are leaving. In deep book writing mode. Nothing like a deadline.

Wish someone would give me a book deadline. I mentioned my struggling with my current one. Well, I've just started another book (with co-authors), which will be a lot more fun and interesting

I leave Hobart on 21st and Sydney on 22nd, for Singapore; overnight there then onto Zurich.

 

[Pushka]

Wish someone would give me a book deadline. I mentioned my struggling with my current one. Well, I've just started another book (with co-authors), which will be a lot more fun and interesting

I leave Hobart on 21st and Sydney on 22nd, for Singapore; overnight there then onto Zurich.

This one is being co-authored too. But with a novice author but both are cognisant of issues. Seems to be working well but need to pick the right people. We leave on 30 April. To Mumbai and then onwards.

I haven't exactly said anything to the doctors I'm going because I didn't want to hear their answer

 

[TheRealTMA]

I 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.

Make sure you carry them all in your hand luggage! We always do. Don't risk lost baggage.

Personally, paranoid no, but I suggest you are being a little over cautious, but, a letter from your GP is a good safety mechanism if you even need to use it.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Anyone ever bothered with this?

Medicine export declaration form (PB302)

No, but have filled out special form for entry into Singapore a few years back as I has prescription opiates post surgery.

My GP suggested it, along with his usual letter covering everything I carry, even paracetamol!

 

[Flyfrequently]

Who has room for a lunch box in their suitcase! Not me. I didn't count antibiotics too. A couple of boxes of those. I don't think any of my stuff is scary but bog standard. I have a medic alert bracelet and card for the main stuff.

We leave in just over three weeks. Very much getting sorted right now. MrP, well he's still not even sure of the date we are leaving. In deep book writing mode. Nothing like a deadline. Knew this would happen. Needless to say other than his clothes, amd even then I've got his stuff sorted, there's crickets from him.

@Pushka I have enough to fill a lunchbox!!
But I have found the best way to cart medication is to use small packing cubes.
One for the stuff we take regularly and the other for things we may need ie antibiotics, analgesics, throat lozenges etc...... then don't laugh, the first aid kit!

And honestly, at least once every trip we have needed to delve into my bag of tricks, especially last year when travelling
with extended family!

 

[prozac]

This one is being co-authored too. But with a novice author but both are cognisant of issues. Seems to be working well but need to pick the right people. We leave on 30 April. To Mumbai and then onwards.

I haven't exactly said anything to the doctors I'm going because I didn't want to hear their answer

I am a bit like that too ... what if I mention something, will it affect my travel insurance. So I don't and put up with it.

 

[RooFlyer]

@Pushka I have enough to fill a lunchbox!!
But I have found the best way to cart medication is to use small packing cubes.
One for the stuff we take regularly and the other for things we may need ie antibiotics, analgesics, throat lozenges etc...... then don't laugh, the first aid kit!

Similar but a bit different mix.

Lunchbox of my daily medicines; then zippered travel first aid kit purchased from my travel doctor, supplemented with some 'leftover' strong painkillers and leftover medicines for recent, but not current conditions; then another lunch box of non prescription odds n sods .

 

[prozac]

Similar but a bit different mix.

Lunchbox of my daily medicines; then zippered travel first aid kit purchased from my travel doctor, supplemented with some 'leftover' strong painkillers and leftover medicines for recent, but not current conditions; then another lunch box of non prescription odds n sods .

I always have Oxy left over after operations as I hardly use them. MrsProzac says I should chuck them but I counter saying what if we need them one day. How do you go traveling with say one sheet of oxycodone?

 

[Pushka]

@Pushka I have enough to fill a lunchbox!!
But I have found the best way to cart medication is to use small packing cubes.
One for the stuff we take regularly and the other for things we may need ie antibiotics, analgesics, throat lozenges etc...... then don't laugh, the first aid kit!

And honestly, at least once every trip we have needed to delve into my bag of tricks, especially last year when travelling
with extended family!

Same here. I'm the one with the heavy 'just in case luggage' that gets commented on at checkin. But then, 'I don't suppose you bought some <insert urgently required but rarely needed item >.

It stems from two times, one running all over Rome looking for some reflux medication (now on prescription ones) and second, I burnt a hole in MrP's much loved but synthetic shorts with a faulty iron and needing a needle and thread to fix it. Ever tried finding a needle and thread in Venice? I ended up paying a fortune going into a seamstress house. (As an aside, this happened in 2015. He still wears those shorts fishing. I've repatched them, I'd say, six times. I think he wears them to nark me but he just says he loves the internal zip. )

But since then it's not been me needing my trusty supples. And Vegemite.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I always have Oxy left over after operations as I hardly use them. MrsProzac says I should chuck them but I counter saying what if we need them one day. How do you go traveling with say one sheet of oxycodone?

Opiates. Not recommended, but depends on country.

 

[Quickstatus]

oxycodone

Can be problematic. Suggest accompanying Drs letter and copy of prescription. Places like the UAE and Japan (very strict) and likely others will have additional requirements and extra pre arrival forms.

Check each country.

 

[RooFlyer]

I always have Oxy left over after operations as I hardly use them. MrsProzac says I should chuck them but I counter saying what if we need them one day. How do you go traveling with say one sheet of oxycodone?

Yep, Endone part of my travel pharmacopeia; I have the box. It was prescribed by my surgeon following an overnight hospital stay last June#. In theory, its prescription should appear in My Health Record (shows pathology, prescriptions etc for 12 months). But it doesn't.

# pretty useless as it happened. I gave it up after day and a half as I wasn't keen to keep on it.

Can be problematic. Suggest accompanying Drs letter and copy of prescription

I didn't ask my doctor to include it in my Patient Summary he produced as he would say (rightly) you should EDIT: not have that any more; and if its a one-off scrip, patient retains no copy. Like I noted above, prescription should or might be in MHR, but not in this case. I'll rely on the box if needed. Not going to ME, so not particularly concerned.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Same here. I'm the one with the heavy 'just in case luggage' that gets commented on at checkin. But then, 'I don't suppose you bought some <insert urgently required but rarely needed item >.

It stems from two times, one running all over Rome looking for some reflux medication (now on prescription ones) and second, I burnt a hole in MrP's much loved but synthetic shorts with a faulty iron and needing a needle and thread to fix it. Ever tried finding a needle and thread in Venice? I ended up paying a fortune going into a seamstress house. (As an aside, this happened in 2015. He still wears those shorts fishing. I've repatched them, I'd say, six times. I think he wears them to nark me but he just says he loves the internal zip. )

But since then it's not been me needing my trusty supples. And Vegemite.

Love it @Pushka !!!
My best friend of 50 years and another mate (CCU & ICU nurses) have always laughed at my preparedness - but after BF spent 8+ hours in a UK ED recently now have a new found respect, as she said " if only..."!!

 

[Flyfrequently]

I always have Oxy left over after operations as I hardly use them. MrsProzac says I should chuck them but I counter saying what if we need them one day. How do you go traveling with say one sheet of oxycodone?

@prozac , understanding GP may give you a new script.... am always wary of taking unlabelled/unboxed meds especially opiates.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Can be problematic. Suggest accompanying Drs letter and copy of prescription. Places like the UAE and Japan (very strict) and likely others will have additional requirements and extra pre arrival forms.

Check each country.

Singapore require form for some medications.
30 years ago I got challenged at Honolulu for travelling with prescription S8 meds, had letter thankfully.

 

[prozac]

@prozac , understanding GP may give you a new script.... am always wary of taking unlabelled/unboxed meds especially opiates.

I have never needed to use them at home so unlikely overseas...getting carried away with all the talk of first aid kits.

 

[prozac]

Some might find this little company interesting. Their research is hoping to develop a biological pacemaker. This would benefit pacemaker patients with "special" hearts. Mine thinks it is special so adjusting a PM to suit it's idiosyncrasies is problematic. I gather the idea of using gene therapy is to rebuild electrical pathways and also improve sinus and AV node electrical function.
EIC Transition: PacingCure developing a biological pacemaker - Catalyze
The link via Catalyze, a science centric company that assists science based companies develop and find funding. MsProzac writes reports for companies like this one seeking grants.

 

[prozac]

Is flu getting around atm? After boasting I haven't had it in 8-10 yrs I think I have it, maybe 5 days now. Feels like someone has stuck both thumbs into my eye sockets.
Does this mean I have built some immunity?

 

[Pushka]

Is flu getting around atm? After boasting I haven't had it in 8-10 yrs I think I have it, maybe 5 days now. Feels like someone has stuck both thumbs into my eye sockets.
Does this mean I have built some immunity?