Bringing Prescription Medicine into the US

[W199 299]

3 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

No doctor in the US would ever prescribe that many Tramadol.

 

The only patients who can get long-term PO narcotics are cancer patients, and even then it would likely not be Tramadol, which is general used in the short-term for surgical pain.

Well, we don't know the dosage of each pill, and we don't know her medical condition.  So yes this may be a crazy prescription for her, or it may not be. We don't have enough info. Thats why I said the first thing a US doctor will do is to see whats going on and adjust things as needed.

 

And there are many other things besides cancer patients that would be appropriate for long term tramadol use, if there was no other methods to control it (which often there are not). After living in a hospital for a year, and countless doctors, and beating what 2 simultaneus fatal non-curable diseases. I also invented  a cure that saved a life that several harvard medical top Boston said would not work, and refused to write me the script that I needed.   Finally I got one to do, and he was laughing because it totally cured and his colleage. a Boston surgeon told him that he does not want to see me again because I will be in terrible shape he doesn't want to deal it.  He sent me back to him, and this surgeon just asked me "so what was the treatment you did again", and then he wrote an article in "upto date" for doctors, after we published in JAMA.  So I am used to people telling me I'm wrong.  I could go on an on about stories like with with other issues and top doctors. Its shocking

[Sha-Lee88 26]

26 minutes ago, Lemonslice said:

See:

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1160?language=en_US

 

Supply for 90 days should be fine, if you're unsure, want to validate specifics, they provide a phone number to get more info

I would print the article, the prescription, etc., in case they ask questions when immigrating. 

I actually saw that same article and called the number earlier today.  I got a lady who said 90 days, bring a doctor's letter with letterhead explaining the prescription amounts and what they are for.  Then, bring a copy of the prescription and copies of the visa and bio page from the passport.  Put the meds on the declaration, put them in the carry-on (which I thought was surprising because now TSA has to check them), and present it all to the CBP officer at customs.

[Sha-Lee88 26]

21 minutes ago, W199 said:

Of course, its very widely prescribed in lieu of a class 3 narcotic like Oxycodone,

 

That being said, a good doctor, is going to examine her and make sure that is the right medicine, and if there is a better method to treat the issue, and try to treat the underlying issue.  They won't blindly prescribe it if its not necessary. Some bad doctors overseas will prescribe it to mask the symptoms or due to the lack of availability or knowledge of more advanced drugs to treat or dx the issue. Same with many bad doctors here, so many are bad, just like immigration lawyers.  

 

A 90-day supply is good because it often takes that long to get an appointment with a top specialist.

 

 

Our plan is to use her travel insurance to see my doctor when she arrived.  Sign up for a primary care appointment and exam.  Then, let him decide on how to handle it.  She will have her doc send the medical records ahead of her arrival.

[Sha-Lee88 26]

19 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

No doctor in the US would ever prescribe that many Tramadol.

 

The only patients who can get long-term PO narcotics are cancer patients, and even then it would likely not be Tramadol, which is general used in the short-term for surgical pain.

She is on 400mg of Tramadol a day for fibromyalgia.  It has been diagnosed in both South Africa and Ghana.  She has a long history of it, with medical records to prove it.  But, 4 100mg pills per day for a 90-day stay is a lot of pills, nonetheless.

[Lemonslice 4,708]

1 minute ago, Sha-Lee88 said:

I actually saw that same article and called the number earlier today.  I got a lady who said 90 days, bring a doctor's letter with letterhead explaining the prescription amounts and what they are for.  Then, bring a copy of the prescription and copies of the visa and bio page from the passport.  Put the meds on the declaration, put them in the carry-on (which I thought was surprising because now TSA has to check them), and present it all to the CBP officer at customs.

Medications should always be in your carry on, you don't want the airline to lose them.  Unless she's taking a second flight, TSA won't see a thing.  I travel with medications+ice packs, TSA sometimes ask to check, it takes 30 seconds. 

[Sha-Lee88 26]

4 minutes ago, W199 said:

Well, we don't know the dosage of each pill, and we don't know her medical condition.  So yes this may be a crazy prescription for her, or it may not be. We don't have enough info. Thats why I said the first thing a US doctor will do is to see whats going on and adjust things as needed.

 

And there are many other things besides cancer patients that would be appropriate for long term tramadol use, if there was no other methods to control it (which often there are not). After living in a hospital for a year, and countless doctors, and beating what 2 simultaneus fatal non-curable diseases. I also invented  a cure that saved a life that several harvard medical top Boston said would not work, and refused to write me the script that I needed.   Finally I got one to do, and he was laughing because it totally cured and his colleage. a Boston surgeon told him that he does not want to see me again because I will be in terrible shape he doesn't want to deal it.  He sent me back to him, and this surgeon just asked me "so what was the treatment you did again", and then he wrote an article in "upto date" for doctors, after we published in JAMA.  So I am used to people telling me I'm wrong.  I could go on an on about stories like with with other issues and top doctors. Its shocking

Pills are 100mg each.  She takes 400mg per day for fibromyalgia.

[Lemonslice 4,708]

2 minutes ago, Sha-Lee88 said:

Our plan is to use her travel insurance to see my doctor when she arrived.  Sign up for a primary care appointment and exam.  Then, let him decide on how to handle it.  She will have her doc send the medical records ahead of her arrival.

Most travel insurance only covers emergency, not existing conditions follow up.  Just make sure you verify the coverage.

[Sha-Lee88 26]

Just now, Lemonslice said:

Medications should always be in your carry on, you don't want the airline to lose them.  Unless she's taking a second flight, TSA won't see a thing.  I travel with medications+ice packs, TSA sometimes ask to check, it takes 30 seconds. 

Great.  She will arrive at IAD, and then take a domestic to either ORD or MSP.  Then one final puddle-jumper to my hometown.  So, 1 international flight ACC to IAD, and 2 domestic flights.  All via United.

[Boiler 44,824]

Just now, Lemonslice said:

Most travel insurance only covers emergency, not existing conditions follow up.  Just make sure you verify the coverage.

Certainly not pre existing conditions unless specifically otherwise agreed.

[Sha-Lee88 26]

Just now, Lemonslice said:

Most travel insurance only covers emergency, not existing conditions follow up.  Just make sure you verify the coverage.

Thanks.  I was looking at VisitorsCoverage after reading about it in this Forbes article:

 

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-insurance/parents-visiting-usa/

 

I was going to just purchase their top package, INF Elite.  Seems like it covers pre-existing conditions.

 

https://www.visitorscoverage.com/visitor-health-insurance/quotes

[Lemonslice 4,708]

Just now, Sha-Lee88 said:

Great.  She will arrive at IAD, and then take a domestic to either ORD or MSP.  Then one final puddle-jumper to my hometown.  So, 1 international flight ACC to IAD, and 2 domestic flights.  All via United.

Wishing her smooth travels. 

If you want to help with her fibro after such a long trip, this is an idea:

 

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/1360531

 

 

 

[W199 299]

3 minutes ago, Lemonslice said:

Most travel insurance only covers emergency, not existing conditions follow up.  Just make sure you verify the coverage.

Yeah, what travel insurance did you find that covers pre-existing non-emergency conditions? That would be a rare find

[Boiler 44,824]

For example, the CoverAmerica-Gold plan from VisitorsCoverage offers coverage for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to the policy limit for people under 70.

[Lemonslice 4,708]

2 minutes ago, Sha-Lee88 said:

Thanks.  I was looking at VisitorsCoverage after reading about it in this Forbes article:

 

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-insurance/parents-visiting-usa/

 

I was going to just purchase their top package, INF Elite.  Seems like it covers pre-existing conditions.

 

https://www.visitorscoverage.com/visitor-health-insurance/quotes

Couldn't you add her to your own policy? 

[Sha-Lee88 26]

Just now, Lemonslice said:

Couldn't you add her to your own policy? 

Not until we are married.  Then yes, she will be on mine.