Job Discussion Forums

ericksgm · Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Tapachula

Hello,
I am sure that there is already a thread on prescription meds someplace, but I looked through the first few pages and couldn�t find anything. I am currently living in Tapachula, Mexico. For the past six years I have been on a medication called Pentasa that is for Crohns disease. I have about a 2 month supply of the medicine with me, but at this point I have no clue what I will do when it runs out. Can someone please advise me? Thank you very much. Gina Erickson.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/search.php

I searched for 'prescription' in only the Mexico forum, and found 12 threads on this topic.

ericksgm · Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Tapachula

MELEE · Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:40 pm Post subject:

No specific help I'm afraid, but large pharmacies have is giant telephone book sized reference that has brand name to generic name matching, so they can tell you what name its sold under in Mexico and the retail price. Its a common myth that percriptions are way cheaper in Mexico, some are, many others are not, especially as far south as Tapachula. You might also what to check out buying it in Guatemala, maybe the currancy exchange will make it cheaper?

Do you have IMSS with your job? Many of my coworkers has used IMSS to get their long term percriptions for free.

ericksgm · Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Tapachula

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

IMSS is a Mexican gov't agency that provides nationalized health care and other social services.

J Sevigny · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 161

Sometimes its just a matter of shopping around. A lot. You might find a medication at one pharmacy in town but at none of the others. I've had to spend an entire day looking for medication but generally found what I was looking for in the end. Unfortunately, as someone mentioned, medicines aren't necessarily cheaper here. Run of the mill antibiotics tend to be cheaper but newer medicines and anything "controlled" (zanax, etc.) is often significantly more expensive than in the United States or Europe.

The other thing to consider in your search is that Mexico is genuinely serious about not selling anything narcotic or exotic without a prescription.

I suspect you can kill two birds with one stone by visiting a doctor, asking him where you can get the meds, and walking out with a script.

MELEE · Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 6:39 pm Post subject: Re: prescription drugs

snorklequeen · Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 5:34 am Post subject: Crohn's Disease

i've been taking 3,000 mg of fish oil, in capsule form, and it took away the white hot pain of inflammation from arthritis in my right knee, for which i am eternally grateful! that was just awful, and i have a fairly high tolerance for pain

the book i read which recommended fish oil for inflammation also said that it would be an excellent thing to take for people with Crohn's Disease

i also give it to my German shepherd; she was a paraplegic until recently, when she regained movement in her rear legs, after a month of taking 2,000 mg per day of fish oil in capsule form; she still can't walk -- she was paralyzed for about 6 months before i heard about the fish oil -- but she can scratch behind her ears and move her back legs around. my vet and M.D. eye doctor both said fish oil is great for inflammation

i just get it at WalMart, in 1,000 mg capsules; the brand i got is called "Spring Valley" in a white plastic bottle

re mosquitos and our past discussions of alternative remedies to Deep Woods Off! etc., the B-2 just isn't working, and i'm back to using the Deep Woods Off! so don't bother trying that one, unless you just really want to

Smile

cheers,

Queenie

delacosta · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 325 Location: zipolte beach

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

To the op, my sympathies with dealing with Crohn's disease. I have a few friends who have it, and it sounds nasty.

I'd echo what Ms Snorkel says, but if, like me, you don't like fish oil because of the interesting flavoured burps you get, flax seed oil is a good alternative. I've got inflammation problems in my legs (currently lying in bed post knee surgery) and digestive tract and have found flax seed oil to be a great help.

Also, I read a few weeks ago that Viagra is being trialled as a new treatment for Crohn's! Shocked

Good luck,
Lozwich.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

snorklequeen · Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 5:41 am Post subject: Crohn's disease

a friend told me about another health alternative technique to fight inflammation: aloe vera juice. You put 1 Tbsp into a glass of water, stir and drink. said to be really good for digestive and/or stomach problems also.

cheers,

Queenie

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

Someone here with Irritable Bowel Syndrome told me about aloe vera juice too. In Spain you can get fantastically yummy aloe vera yoghurt, and yes, its great for soothing an inflamed belly. I don't remember seeing it in Mexico though.

But, that has reminded me, I know that in Mexico you can get cactus juice, which is supposed to be for gastritis and other inflammation type problems. I don't know what it tastes like, but I've talked to lots of people in health food shops who swear by it. Its made from nopal cactus. Maybe Gina could try some of that too.

MELEE · Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:38 pm Post subject:

You can get Aloe Vera juice in the "natural" product stores around here. Its marketed for weight loss and tastes NASTY!

You can also get Nopal mixed with Flax seed in capsuls, a double whammy it would seem.