Hi all;

I'm in a bit of a pickle. I am in tip top physical shape and can't wait to leave for the trip coming up in April. However, I have a tiny niggle (bowel-ey issues.. will not go in to details). Also I quite enjoy sh*ting in the woods

Now, to be "comfortable" during the day I need to keep taking this medicine (which is harmless and I can take it forever.. so says the doc). Or the alternative is to have a minor operation, full recovery takes about 2 months, but it might not work 100%.Also god knows how long the wait will be on the NHS. I could go private though, which could make life a hell of a lot easier.

Our ideal set off date is April but latest will be/can be end of July. If I can have the medicine everyday I'll be fine, and the next place it's available on the route (UK to Oz) seems to be India. It will be impossible to carry that much though. I am on a 2 monthly repeat prescription so getting a friend or the in-laws to post the medicine won't be a problem. (It is also commercially available)

Two issues:
1. The stuff is bulky.. but what the heck, health cometh first!
2. What are the legalities of posting meds to other countries? (I will have my prescription on me so... meh) Will I get shafted by some weird medical tax? Get arrested and go to jail for a bit until someone realises it is harmless?
Route is: EU-Turkey-Iran, Pak, India Nepal .S.E. Asia-wards. Would like to stay in S.E. Asia a few months aswell.

So I reckon I can carry 2 months worth at a time. So from UK - Turkey fine. Friends are coming over for a visit so they will bring another 2 months worth. That's Georgia, Armenia, Iran and Pakistan. Then India either have it waiting for me or try get hold of it commercially. Then Nepal, to S.E. Asia. Then I could get friends from Oz to ship me some.. I think it will work.. but what are the legalities?

There is nothing "druggy" in the medicine, it's just mainly salts and sugars etc (stuff that helps your body absorb water). I'm just in a bit of a pickle as the set-off date is approaching. I can extend my research contract at work for another 6 months (it will bring me to the end of August, rather than finishing in February 2013) but then that could mean we'll rush through eastern EU, or end up wintering out in Turkey or wherever really...(money will drain away, as it is not so plentiful).

What are your experiences? Thoughts?

Thanks in advance
Oli

With the help of my GP I took 8 months supply of my medication with me for our last 6 month trip out to Southern africa. If I had needed more I would have been prescribed it.

Margaret

Is it a prescription only drug in the UK?
Lots of drugs are available over the chemists counter once you are outside the EU without a doctors prescription, but if the drug is uncommon then maybe only in large cities.

Have a doctors letter stating the drug is prescribed for you, declare it at borders if it looks like cocaine!!

Hi;

It isn't prescription only. I can get it over the counter too, but I was researching the suppliers/distributors it seem its only available in the US, some of EU and then India. It's impossible to carry a years worth.. unless I bring a side car lol, so I was thinking of getting it shipped in 2 months worth quantities. I might get on couchsurfing and ask the locals.

Thanks
Oli