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Going to Australia - long acting & Medicare

hannahbird

hannahbird

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi,

Sorry if this question has been asked a thousand times, I can't seem to find a specific answer.

I'm heading out to Australia in a couple of weeks to work for a little while and then travel. I've been told I can just order the maximum supply of insulin etc from my chemist and I have a letter from the diabetic nurses for the airport explaining my condition and why I'm carrying so much medication. What I'm not sure about is whether I need a letter from my actual doctor to be able to sign up with an Australian GP who can give me a prescription. I read somewhere that you may need a letter stating your condition and when you were diagnosed but the nurse I saw seems to think I may be okay with just a copy of my prescription. Can anyone help please?

Also, what would be the best thing to do regarding the long acting insulin? I'll be flying at 2.25pm, my layover is midnight til 2am and then I land at 6.40pm Perth time. My nurse said something about splitting the dose, doing half at night and half the next morning, and then gradually phasing it so that eventually I'm doing the whole dose in the mornings. Has anyone else tried this and, if so, how and did it work?

Sorry this is quite wordy! Any help would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
 
I can't answer your question about Australian medicare.
However, I have travelled a lot across multi timezones.
I used to me on Lantus which I took approximately every 24 hours. I could take it a couple of hours early or a couple of hours late so would "move" the time of my basal a couple of hours each day until it was at the time I wanted to take it when I was in the new timezone.
So, if you wanted to move it 10 hours, I would take it 2 hours early 5 days before I left, 2 hours earlier than that the next day, etc.
I never tried splitting the dose.

Have wonderful time down under.
 
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Thanks both, I think I've figured out my timings so I'll be doing my lantus at the right time once I'm in Perth. That seems easier than splitting the dose and adjusting from there.

From the Trip Advisor link it seems like I should be okay with a copy of my prescription.

I've never been to Australia before but the friend I'm meeting up with has done a fair amount of travelling over the last few months and I've got plenty of Lonely Planet guides thanks to Christmas. I'm very much a planner and I'll be working for the first few months so I've time to do some research.

Thanks again, you've both been really helpful!
 
apart from the poisonous everything you will love it. Australia is great. there health service is way better than ours. just relax and enjoy and bring us a wombat back.
 
hannahbird said:
I'm very much a planner and I'll be working for the first few months so I've time to do some research.
Click to expand...

Do that quickly .... this ain't like catching a London bus ....

Flights should be booked ahead of time as they are far cheaper than "on the day" or in peak periods. Flexibility for sure, aimless schedules, no. Perth is thousands of kilometers from MEL or SYD. It's frankly a a poor cousin of the other big cities. You're better off sticking to the east coast, but in saying that, I have no idea where you'll be working.

Get a decent wide brimmed hat, sunnies that reflect glare and some Aerogard spray to ward off and repel flies and mossies. Sunburn capital of the world so cover up even if it looks cloudy, both face and exposed limbs. Also bring a plug conveter for any appliance you bring with you, laptop etc.

Good shoes (don't ever go barefoot anywhere) stay away from snakes (should you see any) be wary of wasps, bush undergrowth and swim in the shallows and if you go 4WD in the outback, then cover all your bases.

In the cities or large country towns, you'll be fine. We are a friendly country, have no issues with the poms (they can louder than we are) be tough skinned as some might rib you (99.9 % won't) about your heritage. Prepare to be exhausted and amazed but enjoy yourself

There's the 10 cent tour. You owe me a dollar.

P.S. Wombats are to be looked at, same as koalas, 'roos and emus ... many ain't cute and cuddly despite the rubbish you see on TV
 
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Was tempted :) Have to dispel illusions first. I hate rum
 
hannahbird said:
Thanks both, I think I've figured out my timings so I'll be doing my lantus at the right time once I'm in Perth. That seems easier than splitting the dose and adjusting from there.

From the Trip Advisor link it seems like I should be okay with a copy of my prescription.

I've never been to Australia before but the friend I'm meeting up with has done a fair amount of travelling over the last few months and I've got plenty of Lonely Planet guides thanks to Christmas. I'm very much a planner and I'll be working for the first few months so I've time to do some research.

Thanks again, you've both been really helpful!
Click to expand...
We have chemists, pharmacy, drug stores, what ever you want to call them, absolutely everywhere. Enjoy your time here.
Also poisonous everything, haha
 
Woo and I thought I was the only one!

And oh yeah watch out for the everything. Here is a copy of "things that will kill you horribly in Australia," volume one, part one. Careful, it's heavy.

DGUKkww.gif
 
I lived in Brisnbane for a year....never came across anything that could kill me :)

On pretty big spider on the wall in my room and stairs and that was about it. Enjoy Australia, it's fantastic country. I really want to go back and visit friends out there, might look to aim for January/February next year.
 
Hotpepper20000 said:
Nope nope nope not going to any place where there are spiders that size.
Click to expand...
You want to see a adult male go into a panic when a big one comes up over the top of the steering column when driving along and it runs up your arm.

My partner called me a big sook the day it happened to me, till I flicked it off on to her lap then it changed... :D
 
White tailed spiders and funnel webbed arachnids are not good but I'm an equal opportunity kind of guy with no discriminations. I just kill all of them
 
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