Specific Advice On Perscription And Medication Please.

[Muppy]

meds = drugs = pills = medication .

Hello TV forum, I would like to ask some specific questions if i may. i have searched the net and TV forum but nothing definitive.

i am planning a stay of several months in Bangkok

i am on repeat medication in the UK , and i need a lot. ( bowel disorder) crohn`s .

i am not on the crohn`s meds, but the meds that counter act the effects of the surgeries i have had.

" codeine (phosphate) at 120mg to 160mg a day " depending. ( slows down bowel movement)

plus cholestorol lowering meds - low dose - which should be cheap anyway. " questran powder "

anyway.

what proccess of payment do i make to the thai doctor / pharmacy ?

doctor payment > perscription payment >meds payment ???

or is it all included in one payment ?

i can bring 1 month supply to bangkok, ( legaly) then i`m living on the toilet.

any help with a price structure, or even a phone number of a good pharmacy will help.

many thanks

[phetaroi]

meds = drugs = pills = medication .

Hello TV forum, I would like to ask some specific questions if i may. i have searched the net and TV forum but nothing definitive.

i am planning a stay of several months in Bangkok

i am on repeat medication in the UK , and i need a lot. ( bowel disorder) crohn`s .

i am not on the crohn`s meds, but the meds that counter act the effects of the surgeries i have had.

" codeine (phosphate) at 120mg to 160mg a day " depending. ( slows down bowel movement)

plus cholestorol lowering meds - low dose - which should be cheap anyway. " questran powder "

anyway.

what proccess of payment do i make to the thai doctor / pharmacy ?

doctor payment > perscription payment >meds payment ???

or is it all included in one payment ?

i can bring 1 month supply to bangkok, ( legaly) then i`m living on the toilet.

any help with a price structure, or even a phone number of a good pharmacy will help.

many thanks

There are pharmacies that are cheaper, but I put my trust in Chulalongkorn University Pharmacy that is across the street from Ma Boon Krong Shopping Mall. They seem to have the best selection of western medications, although you may have to change "brands". For example, my blood pressure medicine are by different manufacturers and at different dosages, but they are the same meds and I have to cut them in half. No problem. They also seem fairly knowledgeable (as opposed to some of the corner drug stores) and English is spoken (at least when I've been there).

Your other good choice are the pharmacies attached to the major hospitals. Bumrungrad has pretty good English services.

Not sure about something codeine-based, but most drugs that are prescription in the West are over-the-counter here (for example, both of my blood pressure meds and lomotil for my IBS, as well as antibiotics).

Good luck!

[Mobi]

With the exception of sleeping pills, just about all meds are available over the counter at good pharmacies in Thailand.

Sometimes the brand names are different, and occasionally you may have to buy an alternative drug as the particular one you take back home is not marketed in Thailand. But rest assured, there will be suitable alternatives.

Before I moved to Thailand permanently, In used to obtain a 3 month supple of meds from my UK GP. If you tell him you are travelling for 3 months, he should be able to supply them for you. I never had a problem.

[alant]

a number of the ones i use are not available here or so the pharmacy i asked say for me in particular this included a metformin/pioglitazone combo tablet. i bring these over (i get 3 x 4 weeks at a time). not had problems so far.

[krading]

Tried to get mine here but too expensive. Now I bring 3 months supplies with me. Bring copy of script in case anyone questions you.

[Sheryl]

Questran and most other cholesterol lowering drugs can be bought over the counter at any large pharmacy.

Your problem will be the codeine, it is a controlled drug here and can only be obtained from a hospital pharmacy on doctor's orders.

I suggest you bring with you a 30 day supply of the codeine in a clearly labelled prescriotion bottle along with a letter from your doctor stating your condition and that you are on this drug.

Then consult a Thai specialist in Crohn's disease for either refills of the codeine or alternative drugs.

Some other TV members have Crohn's and perhaps they would be so kind as to recommend a doctor. Or you could try this doctor at Bangkok Hospital:

http://www.bangkokhospital.com/App/doctorp...&Lang=en-US

[Muppy]

Thanks everyone for the advise, it was exactly what i wanted to know . plus more ^^

very pleased indeed .

also it has opened up a new possibility for me , a Thai medical specialist may offer some

different meds and insights , also codeine alternative with lower doses,

as for crohn`s effected people here, i am open to pm`s to discuss matters, if you have

been diagnosed in thailand, it would be interesting to know how it was dealt with.

proceedures, meds, prognosis ect .. ( i use prednisolone for flare-ups)

a 3 month codeine haul would solve my problems instantly, i thought, when i leave my county i am on my own

medical/med wise, after the month, cool info that , i will ask my doc soon ...

but i will try and contact an UAE embassy or something, and the thai embassy.

for a letter of explaination, in arabic and thai for why i have 14.400 mg of codeine phosphate traveling though the UAE airport.

160 mg a day, 90 days = basicly, the shelf stock of boots the chemist in a holdall.

i have been to bangkok via UAE with a weeks supply of codine in feb 09, with a letter from the doc, but still almost

wet my pants when they announced searches where being made prior to take off to BKK , but they must have been ln the other class

as i didnt see any in economy class.

also, i will call the airport security ahead, as i bought back some scar healing cream from BKK, and i approached the desk before

checking in, and they made a call, and okay`ed the cream and ingredients for boarding .

once again, thanks for the help on this. ^__^

p.s , i didnt ask the BKK pharmacys for the codeine info at the time as i had no idea i would be returning.

[Sheryl]

Be advised that in Thailand you are only allowed to import 30 days supply for personal use; larger quantities (e.g. 3 month supply) would require an import license..and, in the case of a controlled substance, raise eyebrows at the very least.

[Muppy]

ah, another alternative then, maybee now is the time to try and lower my dosage and stretch it, ill try and mix loperamide and half

my codeine but keep the perscription size. then try and obtain some.

besides, i think its time to lower my codeine anyway.

if all else fails, fly away

[Sheryl]

Good idea.

Loperamide is readily available over the counter in Thailand.