Job Discussion Forums

[beytah]

I am trying to figure out when I can make the move to teach and if this is going to be possible. I am concerned about medical treatment. I suffered 3 herniated discs 2 years ago and have had surgery to repair my back. I still have a moderate amount of pain and am on medications for this. These meds are prescribed monthly from my doc, they can't be written with re-fills. These are meds for pain and muscle spasms.

Anyway, other than this, I have no other medical issues but this issues concerns me as I need these meds to function.

Finally I would like to say that the quantity of meds I get is not a great number. I know others with similar problems/pain who take 5-10x as much as I, so hopefully there will be no question as to their intended use (god forbid they think I want to sell them..).

Any insight here is greatly appreciated.

[7969]

what are you using, non steroidal anti inflammatories? you can get some of them here, some of the more common ones, but without knowing what you use i cant say for sure.

at any rate, unless its narcotics your doctor is prescribing, and since you seem to be on these meds long term, there's no reason he can't write you a prescription to be filled as you need the meds, someone in your family should be able to pick them up for you and ship them over to you every few months. unless your doctor has some good reason for not doing this, he's just being a d*** head.

[beytah]

That's the issue, they are narcotics. I have tried every med available and these are the only meds that help. So I have no alternatives.

I was wondering if I could have them mailed to me, because I get them mailed to me currently from my insurance providers script filling company. I use Blue-Cross, so it's a legit script filling company. I thought maybe I could hav the company mail them to me or my family.

I'm not worried about the legalities in the US, as I will look into that myself. I also don't need advice on different meds to try, if anyone was going to suggest that. Believe me, I've been through every med available and these are the only things that provide relief. The reason I'm looking at teaching is I am unable to continue in my past career due to my injury.

[7969]

since it seems youre from the states, looks like you're going to have difficulty. they have really cracked down on prescriptions for things like oxycontin..... meaning, i think its next to impossible to have them prescribed long term and have someone pick them up for you and ship them through the post (a customs form needs to be filled out to send these things i believe).

all i can suggest is that you visit a doctor at one of the international hospitals (bangkok has a few good ones) and see if they'll give you what you need for a longer period of time. its an additional expense that might not pay off but then again it might. the doctors there take a slightly more liberal attitude to things than doctors in the US. you could also try hong kong, and if you get a job in guangdong, then its not too far to go to get a monthly refill. but not sure if your insurance plan will cover meds bought outside the US. they should but you know how bureaucratic these people can be. just a suggestion anyway.

you wont have any trouble getting this stuff into china, they rarely if ever check bags at the border (parcels may be a different story although none of mine appear to have been opened before delivery). getting the meds and then getting it out of the US is your problem (as i'm sure you know).

good luck. 7969

[Bayden]

Be aware that any parcels sent to you are likely to arrive in a condition that suggests they have been opened and the contents inspected.
I wouldn't suggest having narcotics posted to yourself in China unless you want spend some time inspecting the inside of a Chinese prison cell.
Also be aware that teaching English means spending many hours on your feet on a concrete floor and possibly in a very cold environment.
Not good for a bad back.

[Malsol]

[peggiescott]

Hi Beytah,

You might consider looking for positions in cities that are an easy bus or train ride to Hong Kong. Then find an English speaking doctor in Hong Kong (not hard to do) that can write your perscriptions.

You'll also have warmer winters in the south.

Buying any western medication in China is a c*** shoot. It will probably be watered down or impure in some other way. Big hospitals in big cities are better but still (imho) risky.

Peggie

[Vicarni]

Why Hong Kong or, heaven help us, Bangkok? Beijing and Shanghai both have several highly reputable "international" medical facilities, the longest standing being the International Medical Center (Beijing), the Shanghai East International Medical Center, SOS Clinic (both cities) and Beijing/Shanghai United Family Hospitals. For a cheaper but less plush level of care, some of the larger hospitals (the Sino-Japanese Friendship Hospital and Peking Union Medical Center in Beijing) have longstanding "foreigners'" clinics. Ignore the people who say all western meds in China are unreliable. The stuff out of reputable clinics and hospitals is fine.

There are reliable users of English at the IMC, SOS and UFH in both Beijing and Shanghai, and the contact details for these establishments pop up nicely on the internet. Could you (or your doc) get in touch and see just exactly what they'd be able to provide for you? I have personally known 2 people prescribed (for short term, acute conditions) morphine derivatives, so they are most certainly available.

[7969]