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odie76
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
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 Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 11:42 am Post subject: Picking up a prescription for psychiatric medicine |
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Several years ago I was prescribed a psychiatric medicine for a short time. I have not had a need for this medicine since then, however I would prefer to have this medicine at hand when I'm in Korea, just as a safety net. I've been given a prescription by my doctor. I thought it'd be better to pick up the prescription in Korea instead of taking medication with me, to avoid any complications at immigration control.
I assume I would need to go to a doctor in Korea and get a prescription note from him. Would I need a letter from my doctor explaining why he's prescribing this medication, or would it be sufficient to show the Korean doctor the prescription note that I have? |
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ajosshi
Joined: 17 Jan 2011
Location: ajosshi.com
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| Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 1:40 pm Post subject: Re: Picking up a prescription for psychiatric medicine |
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| odie76 wrote: |
Several years ago I was prescribed a psychiatric medicine for a short time. I have not had a need for this medicine since then, however I would prefer to have this medicine at hand when I'm in Korea, just as a safety net. I've been given a prescription by my doctor. I thought it'd be better to pick up the prescription in Korea instead of taking medication with me, to avoid any complications at immigration control.
I assume I would need to go to a doctor in Korea and get a prescription note from him. Would I need a letter from my doctor explaining why he's prescribing this medication, or would it be sufficient to show the Korean doctor the prescription note that I have? |
get it filled in your home country, then take it with you. i suggest you keep this to yourself in korea. good luck. |
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liveinkorea316
Joined: 20 Aug 2010
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 2:24 pm Post subject: |
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Go to any Korean doctor outside of the place where you will be working and you will be fine.
And yes keep it quiet to only yourself and that doctor.
Plenty of other teachers get prescription meds here for similar reasons to you. No probs. Just keep it on the low. |
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odie76
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
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| Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 10:00 pm Post subject: |
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| ajosshi wrote: |
| get it filled in your home country, then take it with you. i suggest you keep this to yourself in korea. good luck. |
That would be the easiest way, but I'm worried about issues going through customs. In my job application I stated that I'm not taking any medication. I think it will be difficult to explain to customs that I'm not actually taking this medication, I'm merely bringing it along as a precaution.
| liveinkorea316 wrote: |
| Go to any Korean doctor outside of the place where you will be working and you will be fine. |
Would I need a letter from my home doctor, or would the prescription note suffice? |
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Jack_Sarang
Joined: 13 Aug 2006
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| Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 10:12 pm Post subject: |
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Just bring a letter. You probably don't even need it. There are a number of 'Well Being' clinics here who dole out psych meds like pez.
Just tell the Doc you need X medicine for Y and they'll give it to you. Especially if it's just antidepressants or benzos.
If its something like an anti-psychotic then I would question why you'd want to work in Korea. |
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lorenchristopher
Joined: 25 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:40 pm Post subject: |
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Just to latch onto this thread here.....does anyone know about pain meds??
I get unbearable pains in my neck randomly, like twice a year. I was prescribed muscle relaxers and/or pain pills for them back home. Here I go to my local hospital and the doc gives me Tylenol 3 or something which really doesn't help. I hurts to move my neck even the slightest bit in any direction for 3 days. 
Are medications like Vicodin or Soma not prescribed in Korea unless you are coming out of surgery or something? |
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liveinkorea316
Joined: 20 Aug 2010
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:44 pm Post subject: |
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| odie76 wrote: |
| ajosshi wrote: |
| get it filled in your home country, then take it with you. i suggest you keep this to yourself in korea. good luck. |
That would be the easiest way, but I'm worried about issues going through customs. In my job application I stated that I'm not taking any medication. I think it will be difficult to explain to customs that I'm not actually taking this medication, I'm merely bringing it along as a precaution.
| liveinkorea316 wrote: |
| Go to any Korean doctor outside of the place where you will be working and you will be fine. |
Would I need a letter from my home doctor, or would the prescription note suffice? |
If you bring meds with you for the first month you will need a note from your Doc to get you thru customs (if they check it which they probably will not).
If you go to a psychiatrist MD here (of which there are plenty) then it will not be absolutely essential. It is a good idea to have it but if you don't the doctor will still assess your situation and assign you meds like any other doctor would back home. |
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ajosshi
Joined: 17 Jan 2011
Location: ajosshi.com
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| Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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| odie76 wrote: |
| ajosshi wrote: |
| get it filled in your home country, then take it with you. i suggest you keep this to yourself in korea. good luck. |
That would be the easiest way, but I'm worried about issues going through customs. In my job application I stated that I'm not taking any medication. I think it will be difficult to explain to customs that I'm not actually taking this medication, I'm merely bringing it along as a precaution.
| liveinkorea316 wrote: |
| Go to any Korean doctor outside of the place where you will be working and you will be fine. |
Would I need a letter from my home doctor, or would the prescription note suffice? |
get all of your vitamins and other pills, then throw them in a bottle. no one will sweat you. |
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DaHu
Joined: 09 Feb 2011
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| Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:59 pm Post subject: |
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| "Customs" is just a made up thing. If you're not an international criminal or from an unsavory country, they won't even look at you. |
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Feloria
Joined: 02 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 4:43 am Post subject: |
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Yeah--
Don't worry about it-you can bring as many meds as you need to(as long as they're legal).
Customs doesn't care-I brought 5 months worth of anti-depressants; you don't have to claim medication.
Also the Psychiatrists here are very good and they tend to fill their Rx's on site so you don't even have to go to a pharmacy.
Good Luck! |
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