Bringing Drugs

[fatjack1]

I had some recent surgery that I am still recovering from.  It was quite painful and I might still wish I had some of the pain medications when I arrive in Thailand.  Please, all of this is for legitimate purposes and I don't want this turning into a joke.  I had significant surgery where they shaved and hammered on the bones in both legs prior to bolting metal on the ends.  Knee replacements.  Two.  Some people have pain for up to a year.  I am doubtful this will be the case for me as I am already experimenting with cutting down on the meds and increasing over the counter pain solutions.  I think I could get by without this is a just in case I experiment the week prior to travel and discover i simply must have 1-2 percocets a day to keep the pain at bay what do I do.

 

Specifically drugs like Oxycodone or hyrdrocodone.  Percocet.  Etc.  I am already off the oxycontin (thank god it is basically a 20 IQ points subtraction pill) and I can ill afford to lose any of the precious intellect I have 

 

I have looked on the Thai customs web page but fail to find any mention of these prescription medications.  And guys, seriously, I am not bringing them for recreational purposes.  I'd love to be off them by the time I leave here but after 8 weeks already and still taking 4 a day I am a bit skeptical that I will be completely done.  And I'll be playing golf and waling more which could up the pain issues.

 

On a secondary note, I usually visit for 2-3 months at a crack.  There is no way I will get more than a one month prescription from my doctor here.  The USA has gone weird about controlling pain medications.  Well, maybe they have to due to abuse by some.  In any event if  I still need them after I've been there a month I would hate to have to travel home and cut the visit short just for pain meds.  Is there any way to get them there?  Is seeing a real doctor in a hospital and showing the fresh scars and metal in X-rays going to get them to prescribe pain meds?

 

Any help appreciated.  Looking forward to this trip especially since I can actually WALK again. 

 

 

 

 

[THAJEC]

When checking the customs authorities must show a prescription medication with a diagnosis which is taking. You should demonstrate that the drugs are in quantities for personal use, and that it is used in accordance with the ordinary use for your diagnosis.
I do not understand why the doctor can not prescribe medications in America for more than one month, especially with regard to the longer your recovery after surgery and your trip.
I have no personal experience with prescribing drugs in Patts, but I think that after you submit your medical records should not be a problem to get drugs to prescribe, if will not really an expensive, scarce and unavailable specific drug.

 

 

 

 

Vrátit úpravy

 

 

[nixonsbest]

I hope you have a speedy recover!

 

I had a Arthroscopy for a torn meniscus this year and was prescribed Oxycodone, 10 days later I was in Pattaya!  I got my Orthopedic to put a note on the Medical certificate and carried that and the copy of my proscription with me just in case.

 

Besides the 20% IQ reduction I also found it gave me a major soft on.  I would go to a doctor here and tell them it has flared up and ask for percocet, I know you can buy Oxy here cause I have.

[nixonsbest]

 

When checking the customs authorities must show a prescription medication with a diagnosis which is taking. You should demonstrate that the drugs are in quantities for personal use, and that it is used in accordance with the ordinary use for your diagnosis.

I do not understand why the doctor can not prescribe medications in America for more than one month, especially with regard to the longer your recovery after surgery and your trip.

I have no personal experience with prescribing drugs in Patts, but I think that after you submit your medical records should not be a problem to get drugs to prescribe, if will not really an expensive, scarce and unavailable specific drug.

 

 

 

 

Vrátit úpravy

 

 

 

 

 

In Australia we get what is called repeat proscription, where the doctor might give you 6 months worth of medication in 6 scrips, so you only see the doctor once but have to go to the pharmacy/chemist each month.  It stops abuse of the system and the medication, not everyone can afford to buy 6 months worth of medication in one go.

[Stillearly]

http://narcotic.fda.moph.go.th/faq/upload/guidance%20for%20travelers%20version%204.doc._e1a4.pdf

 

 

http://narcotic.fda.moph.go.th/faq/upload/Thai%20Narcotic%20Act%202012.doc._37ef.pdf

 

 

 

http://narcotic.fda.moph.go.th/faq/upload/FAQ%20Restriction%20on%20Narcotics%20version%202.doc._cff2.pdf

 

The drugs you mentioned are both Cat 2 , so you can't take in more than 30 days prescription , you also need a doctors note giving the details of the prescription , your name address etc - all details are in the links

[fatjack1]

Thanks Stillearly.  For those in question in the US we used to be able to get 30 day prescriptions and they would come with 2-3 whatever refills so a repeat visit to the doc wasn't a requirement.  That was recently changed.  Now, every prescription requires a visit to the doctors office to get the next 30 days.

 

I understand it is to reduce meds being abused and it is a growing problem.  But I mean really, it is pretty obvious that when someone has both knees opened up, the ends of the bones sawed off and scraped and metal screwed in and all that they will need pain meds for longer than 30 days.  Or maybe I am a wuss 

 

I spoke with the doctors PA and I will be able to get one months supply before I go.  I will ask for a letter or whatever is in the links provided to help me.  Perhaps if I still need them (hoping not really) I can get refills in Pattaya.

[bobdown]

The main thing about anything is you do not have to flag the authorities they have to find out for themselves and they do know.You do not tell them you are travelling with the medication.I get a 6 month supply in Australia that is dispensed at one time.I can go to the Specialist and he will give me 12 months but I only want 6 months it makes me come back home.I take 2 seizue medications not for seizures but because I have operations for brain tumors  and numerous other medictions including morphine patches and other very strong drugs.I do not get a letter from the doctor she says the label on the meds is enough.I went to Thailand 4 times last year and have never been stopped taking these meds in to Thailand and out of the country for years. I have never been stopped leaving Australia. I have never been stopped entering Thailand.I have been stopped coming back into Australia and they have counted the tablets and told be you have to look after your self a bit better it looks like you have forgotten to take your medication a few times and I tell them that could be right and I do not go with 6 months exactly supply I take the medicine I am using when I leave that usually gives me another 2 weeks,they do not worry.

 

Also are you just talking to your Dr about your medication,might be a different story if you go to the specialist who did the op.Good luck 

[fatjack1]

Thanks bobdown.  I just followed the links above and am learning to my dismay it is too late for me to fill out the paperwork they require.

 

So I guess bring them in and hope I don't get stopped.    Or is it possible to get a prescription for Percocet in Thailand?  Does anyone know if going to the hospital and explaining to a doctor about recent surgery can they and will they issue a prescription?

 

 

Kinda wondering what they'll think if they do search me and find 7 dozen golf balls.   Maybe it would distract them.   

[bobdown]

Thanks bobdown.  I just followed the links above and am learning to my dismay it is too late for me to fill out the paperwork they require.

 

So I guess bring them in and hope I don't get stopped.    Or is it possible to get a prescription for Percocet in Thailand?  Does anyone know if going to the hospital and explaining to a doctor about recent surgery can they and will they issue a prescription?

 

 

Kinda wondering what they'll think if they do search me and find 7 dozen golf balls.   Maybe it would distract them.   

Who requires the paperwork??? If it is Thai Customs/Immigration do not worry about it just come,as I said before you never flag them you are under no responsibility to.They are not going to pull you up. If were you I would be emailing a couple of the big hospitals to see if you can get your medications after a month.My daughter in laws cousin is a heart surgeon at a big hospital in BKK.She got married only a couple of days ago and is away.My DIL is here with my son but they have gone away but they will be back soon he is going back to work Monday.I will find out some more when they come back,but I would be emailing those big Thai hospitals.Good luck

[pattaya.fan]

If you have to change plan in 3rd country, you should also check with that countries RULES. Some Countries have strict RULES on possesion, even if you are just on airside and never enter the country.

[fatjack1]

Who requires the paperwork??? If it is Thai Customs/Immigration do not worry about it just come,as I said before you never flag them you are under no responsibility to.They are not going to pull you up. If were you I would be emailing a couple of the big hospitals to see if you can get your medications after a month.My daughter in laws cousin is a heart surgeon at a big hospital in BKK.She got married only a couple of days ago and is away.My DIL is here with my son but they have gone away but they will be back soon he is going back to work Monday.I will find out some more when they come back,but I would be emailing those big Thai hospitals.Good luck

 

If they can be prescribed I would think a visit to a Pattaya hospital, show them the recent scars and pay to be x-rayed so they can see the metal screwed into my legs and they'd believe me.  Hope so.  Truth is, yeah, it hurts.  I'm down to 4 percocet a day now and was hopeful I'd be off all opiates by the time I get there.  But the pain seems to be subsiding slowly.  I'll figure it out.  Thanks.

[bobdown]

If they can be prescribed I would think a visit to a Pattaya hospital, show them the recent scars and pay to be x-rayed so they can see the metal screwed into my legs and they'd believe me.  Hope so.  Truth is, yeah, it hurts.  I'm down to 4 percocet a day now and was hopeful I'd be off all opiates by the time I get there.  But the pain seems to be subsiding slowly.  I'll figure it out.  Thanks.

You will go off when you go through that x ray in the States,happened to a little mate of mine,shit it was funny all the best

[CyberPro]

If they can be prescribed I would think a visit to a Pattaya hospital, show them the recent scars and pay to be x-rayed so they can see the metal screwed into my legs and they'd believe me.  Hope so.  Truth is, yeah, it hurts.  I'm down to 4 percocet a day now and was hopeful I'd be off all opiates by the time I get there.  But the pain seems to be subsiding slowly.  I'll figure it out.  Thanks.

 

If I was in your situation I'd bring copies of your pertinent medical records including images and a letter from your MD stating you may need pain meds longer than the 30 days allowed by policy. You could bring hard copy, scan to a thumb drive, DVD or the cloud (Dropbox, etc) or all of the above. In the unlikely event you need medical attention related to your surgery or any other past events, having your records would be handy anyway. 

[sydney_guy]

I had some serious pain recently courtesy of a cracked tooth. Tramadol (given to me by hospital and readily available from any Pattaya pharmacy, cheap) worked wonders.

 

http://www.drugs.com/tramadol.html

[legend35]

I take tramadol for my fibromyalgia ..Always take original box and photocopy of prescription ..

[roticus]

If you have to change plan in 3rd country, you should also check with that countries rules. Some Countries have strict rules on possesion, even if you are just on airside and never enter the country.

+1 keep all meds in original containers

[Daddee]

If I was in your situation I'd bring copies of your pertinent medical records including images and a letter from your MD stating you may need pain meds longer than the 30 days allowed by policy. You could bring hard copy, scan to a thumb drive, DVD or the cloud (Dropbox, etc) or all of the above. In the unlikely event you need medical attention related to your surgery or any other past events, having your records would be handy anyway. 

definitely do this fatjack...

 

this will help if you need to get a scrip from a doc in Thailand...

 

I have connections with doctors in BKK, will send you a PM... 

[fatjack1]

Thanks for there help Daddee.  And oh yes, I always use original containers which have the prescription and doctors name on the bottle.  One would have to be crazy to do otherwise.