Extended travel/ moving to New Zealand on Remicade

[Asokol3]

Hi!

My name is Arielle and I have been on Remicade for two years now. I am 25 and I have had Crohn's since I was 7 and since I have started taking Remicade after a seriously dangerous flare, I have never felt better in my whole life. I am in the process of getting a visa and going to New Zealand for at least 12 months, if not longer. I was wondering if anyone has had experience in traveling with Remicade or moving out of the country? Could you take the medication with you? Was it easy to find an infusion center? Did you have to find a doctor in watch over your care in another country? Did you have insure to cover it?

I get the infusion every 8 weeks and stopping it is not an option for me. I am really trying to work this out because it would be heartbreaking if this stopped me from going. Any information on getting Remicade in another country or the insurance would be very helpful.

Thanks!

 

[Trev]

Hi we have a lot of people on remicade, ours is govt funded, you would need your insurance to cover the cost if you need it here, I take my meds with me when I travel. Any Dr here should be able to refer you to a gi.

 

[Asokol3]

Thanks for the reply! Do you mind if I ask you where you live and where you get it? Also do you have any recommendations as far as doctors or hospitals go? Since I will be traveling around the country ( and hopefully outside of the country as well) I was hoping to find a doctor in Wellington maybe, since it would be a central area of the country and when I was there last, I was told they have good hospitals. You said you take your meds with you...How do you do that with Remicade since it is infused?

I guess I just feel a little stuck at the moment and unsure of where to start with this process

 

[Trev]

Hi, talk to Aura, she is in wellinton and would be more helpfull.

 

[Aura]

Thanks Trev, hi I live in the Wellington region. Dr Stephen Inns at Boulcott Hospital is my GI, I am his patient. I'm on humira not remicade. Dr Inns is great with wireless pill cams. I am also part of the Hutt Hospital IBD clinic. I go there every six months. Possible send an email to endoscopy at Hutt hospital or email Boulcott specialist centre to see what is possible while you are over here.