I am in a bit of a dilemma. Hubby and I are about to embark on a kind of semi retirement where we will be travelling around Aussie in our caravan and he will be working contract work, 3 months here, 6 months there, kind of thing.
My Dilemma is that I have had a heart attack, Have A form of Leukaemia and have arterial disease, SOOOO I need to have regular medication. How does everyone else get on with their prescription Meds whilst travelling??
Can we get a copy of our Medical files to carry with us??
Thanks in Advance for your advice.
The Phantom said
03:23 PM Feb 16, 2016
I got letters from our Doctor for my wife and myself stating the medications etc. I made an appointment at a Doctor's Surgery, when prescriptions were due to be renewed, in whatever town I happened to be in. Worked for us for about 2 years.
The Phantom
Peter_n_Margaret said
03:29 PM Feb 16, 2016
You can also ask each doctor you see for a "Schedule 23" (I think that is the number?) prescription which will allow you to get 6 months of medications all at one time. Saves having to find or travel to a chemist each month.
Cheers,
Peter
Suzi_Q said
03:30 PM Feb 16, 2016
Wow Phantom, That easy?? I was thinking it would be a bleeding nightmare!! Oh thats fabulous. Thank You.
Suzi_Q said
03:33 PM Feb 16, 2016
Oh Wow,
I haven't spoken to my Doctor as yet, but it seems to be a lot easier than i thought. Thats great advice Folks Thanks.
Suzi_Q said
03:35 PM Feb 16, 2016
Just thought i would let you know it is a Regulation 24
Happywanderer said
04:50 PM Feb 16, 2016
I have been to doctors in Pt Hedland, Emerald and HerveyBay for new scripts, with no trouble at all. Just take the last packet with me if script completely run out.
I'm from Vic.
Doc has given me extra this time.
RosieW said
05:25 PM Feb 16, 2016
We do what Phantom did. Got a letter listing what was wrong, what meds were in use before we left. Also a bunch of scripts (all with 5 repeats) to hold us over.
When we got to needing new scripts, toddled off to a GP in the town we were in. Got packed off for tests (wasn't happy with reported health changes), got told bad news, given copies of all test reports/results, bucketload of scripts, and away we went again. This is for a heart condition, osteoarthritis and emphysema. Working so far.
madcart said
05:55 PM Feb 16, 2016
I ring my doctor
madcart said
05:58 PM Feb 16, 2016
And he will fax persciption to chemist
jules47 said
06:52 PM Feb 16, 2016
We have never had a problem when needing new prescriptions, we just book into a local doctor, saying we only want scripts, take empty packets or whatever, if we have remembered to keep them, but Phantom's idea is terrific - photograph and put on iPad.
Suzi_Q said
08:00 PM Feb 16, 2016
Thanks everyone, This is great. Thanks so much for your help. I won't be so worried about it any more.
Landfall said
08:47 PM Feb 16, 2016
Doesn't necessarily work out.
I took all the relevant paperwork (including empty packet) into two doctors surgeries in Coffs Harbour only to be refused, plus one doctor accused me of being a drug addict with forged paperwork. The ensuing conversation with him could be heard all over the practice and this was quickly followed up by a formal complaint to the surgery manager. The upstart was I was asked to come back the next day to see the principle doctor with said paperwork. He phoned my regular doctor back in Tasmania to confirm need for opiate based medicine.
If possible section 24 is the way to go.
Bruce and Bev said
12:47 AM Feb 17, 2016
Landfill - hope you got sincere apologies for his appalling behavior.
We do the same as Phantom - the majority of GP's use the same software and when you ask for it, they just hit a button and it prints out all your current and previous meds (and when) and your current medical treatment.
If you want a 4 month supply, its important to remind your GP to write "Reg 24" on each script. If he doesn't do that along with printing the script with however number of repeats, chemists will not issue all the repeats in one hit. I use a med that isn't commonly available and can take up to a week for a chemist to get from the supplier, so I get all mine in one hit - always go to the same chemist (Chemist Warehouse), so I just phone them, till them I want to pick up 8 repeats and then they phone me when they come into the shop (I am their only customer to use them, so they only carry one bottle in stock usually which is just for me)
navynurse said
05:46 PM Feb 17, 2016
Giday all, just some info on opiate meds if you are on them you are not allowed to drive. If the police give you a drug test they will take your licence away.
Landfall I'm not trying to say you do this and only give this info as a general rule for all members.
It is the sort of thing that can easily be missed when scripts are issued.
Allan
rockylizard said
07:02 PM Feb 17, 2016
Gday...
I thought that if a person was on prescription "opiates" required an annual (at least) report on the patients condition and ability to drive a motor vehicle. In Victoria this is so.
My son is on Ritalin since he was a teenager (he is now 30) and when he went for his licence it was a question asked in the licence application and because of that he has had to produce a report from his psychiatrist each year. He carries a copy of that report with him in the vehicle along with the script and medication. He has had no problems with police checks.
And scripts are for only two repeats, giving three months supply, and can only be filled once each 30 days - and cannot be filled in any other state then the one where the script was written - in his case Victoria.
Similarly, there are other 'conditions' that also require annual (at least) reports from doctors confirm the patient's ability to drive a motor vehicle. Diabetes , both 1 and 2 for instance, if the patient is on medication - definitely insulin.
I think the only advice for each of us, is to consult with your doctor and pharmacist on any limitations/restrictions/special conditions concerning any medication you are on - particularly if you are travelling interstate.
Personally, I have medications for the "normal' old phart problems - blood pressure, cholesterol, thyroid - and in seven years travelling have had not a problem getting scripts filled anywhere, and/or getting new scripts provided from doctors in the numerous towns I have just been passing through.
Cheers - John
DarylC said
10:07 AM Feb 22, 2016
I am on high blood pressure pills. The Doc gives me a Schedule 24 or 23 whatever it is so I can go to the chemist & get 6 months worth of pills in one go.
Saves a lot of problems. Obviously he is confident I won't need any changes in that time.
The first time I went to the outback I was caught out & had a 220km trip to Longreach then 220km trip back to get pills!!
HI Everyone,
I am in a bit of a dilemma. Hubby and I are about to embark on a kind of semi retirement where we will be travelling around Aussie in our caravan and he will be working contract work, 3 months here, 6 months there, kind of thing.
My Dilemma is that I have had a heart attack, Have A form of Leukaemia and have arterial disease,
SOOOO I need to have regular medication. How does everyone else get on with their prescription Meds whilst travelling??
Can we get a copy of our Medical files to carry with us??
Thanks in Advance for your advice.
I got letters from our Doctor for my wife and myself stating the medications etc. I made an appointment at a Doctor's Surgery, when prescriptions were due to be renewed, in whatever town I happened to be in. Worked for us for about 2 years.
The Phantom
Cheers,
Peter
Wow Phantom, That easy?? I was thinking it would be a bleeding nightmare!! Oh thats fabulous. Thank You.
Oh Wow,
I haven't spoken to my Doctor as yet, but it seems to be a lot easier than i thought. Thats great advice Folks Thanks.
I'm from Vic.
Doc has given me extra this time.
When we got to needing new scripts, toddled off to a GP in the town we were in. Got packed off for tests (wasn't happy with reported health changes), got told bad news, given copies of all test reports/results, bucketload of scripts, and away we went again. This is for a heart condition, osteoarthritis and emphysema. Working so far.
Doesn't necessarily work out.
I took all the relevant paperwork (including empty packet) into two doctors surgeries in Coffs Harbour only to be refused, plus one doctor accused me of being a drug addict with forged paperwork. The ensuing conversation with him could be heard all over the practice and this was quickly followed up by a formal complaint to the surgery manager. The upstart was I was asked to come back the next day to see the principle doctor with said paperwork. He phoned my regular doctor back in Tasmania to confirm need for opiate based medicine.
If possible section 24 is the way to go.
We do the same as Phantom - the majority of GP's use the same software and when you ask for it, they just hit a button and it prints out all your current and previous meds (and when) and your current medical treatment.
If you want a 4 month supply, its important to remind your GP to write "Reg 24" on each script. If he doesn't do that along with printing the script with however number of repeats, chemists will not issue all the repeats in one hit. I use a med that isn't commonly available and can take up to a week for a chemist to get from the supplier, so I get all mine in one hit - always go to the same chemist (Chemist Warehouse), so I just phone them, till them I want to pick up 8 repeats and then they phone me when they come into the shop (I am their only customer to use them, so they only carry one bottle in stock usually which is just for me)
Landfall I'm not trying to say you do this and only give this info as a general rule for all members.
It is the sort of thing that can easily be missed when scripts are issued.
Allan
Gday...
I thought that if a person was on prescription "opiates" required an annual (at least) report on the patients condition and ability to drive a motor vehicle. In Victoria this is so.
My son is on Ritalin since he was a teenager (he is now 30) and when he went for his licence it was a question asked in the licence application and because of that he has had to produce a report from his psychiatrist each year. He carries a copy of that report with him in the vehicle along with the script and medication. He has had no problems with police checks.
And scripts are for only two repeats, giving three months supply, and can only be filled once each 30 days - and cannot be filled in any other state then the one where the script was written - in his case Victoria.
Similarly, there are other 'conditions' that also require annual (at least) reports from doctors confirm the patient's ability to drive a motor vehicle. Diabetes , both 1 and 2 for instance, if the patient is on medication - definitely insulin.
I think the only advice for each of us, is to consult with your doctor and pharmacist on any limitations/restrictions/special conditions concerning any medication you are on - particularly if you are travelling interstate.
Personally, I have medications for the "normal' old phart problems - blood pressure, cholesterol, thyroid - and in seven years travelling have had not a problem getting scripts filled anywhere, and/or getting new scripts provided from doctors in the numerous towns I have just been passing through.
Cheers - John
Saves a lot of problems. Obviously he is confident I won't need any changes in that time.
The first time I went to the outback I was caught out & had a 220km trip to Longreach then 220km trip back to get pills!!