Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

2,179 Members
16,355 Posts
0 Online
Muscles & Bones
/ Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

International question

deleted_user
deleted_user
I'm applying for an upgrade to my current job, as some of you may know. I've applied for one international job, and am considering applying for a second one.

My question is this: Are the treatments we get here in the States (plaquenil, MTX, Enbrel, etc.) as readily available in other countries?

Thanks in advance for the input!
Ren
GrammyKat
GrammyKat
I am not sure where you are hoping to move. But when I lived in Holland and Germany, their medicine was about the same as here. Western Europe should not give you any worries at all. Good luck.
deleted_user
deleted_user
It's been years since I've been to Germany, but I would imagine Grammy is right. I would have to say that most of Europe is about the same place we are. If anything, you might find they've made a few advancments. I think I was reading somewhere were Switzerland has found a way to use canibadoil (S?) for to put RA in remission. Something we can't do here since Mary Jane is illegal.
deleted_user
deleted_user
In New Zealand and Australia, methotrexate and plaquenil are prescribed no problem. But the biological drugs are near impossible to get unless you have JRA. There are criteria you must meet. I've only briefly looked at NZ but they're like try all the DMARDs individually then try them combined then have an elevated ESR and CRP, can't tolerate prednisone long term and then you can apply.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Ren,
PM me where and I can look into it for you.

I know a lot of them have different trade names overseas. Some are available at a pharmacy alone.
deleted_user
deleted_user
http://www.drugs.com/international/
deleted_user
deleted_user
Rosie-- Thanks!

Everyone else: Thank you for the input! It makes me a lot less worried as I consider the move.
Posts You May Be Interested In
  • deleted_user

    Food Allergy?

    Posted by: deleted_user
    Last Reply: Iafaforallergy
    7
    My 6mo twin DD's are EBF and just started rice cereal on the first. Everything has been going fine except this morning one of them had a diaper rash (lots of redness around her anus). I read this as one of the signs of an allergy. BUT I did just buy a different brand diaper yesterday (which they have used randomly before w/no issues). Do you think its the cereal or the diaper? Im ready to start...