11844 Health check before you leave.

I guess that your regular GP would be able to provide you with a print of your medical history as nowadays all this information is stored in their computer. Try to get a translation if you can unless you know that your new doctor will understand English. Any past X-rays or test results regarding any chronic condition are also very helpful.

Here in the UK, there has been a delay in setting up medical histories on the nationwide computer database. I do wonder then if there are indeed plans to extend this to other EU countries.

My obliging English doctor gave me two emergency courses of antibiotic to bring with me as a precaution - I was unsure how long it would take to organise an Italian practioner.
As an example of the hideous price of painkillers here in Italy - Ibuprofen (x30) cost €7.13 if you pop to Tesco or Asda before you leave it will cost you around £1 for the same number. Likewise, Paracetamol are €4.20 (x20) so it's worth going to Tesco to pick them up for 15p (x16) before you leave. Supermarkets are not yet allowed to sell painkillers here and I believe that the prices of drugs are government controlled and thus they seem to be expensive generally.

Yes, you are entitled to a full copy of your medial records from (what used to be called) your Local Health Authority.

I had to provide proof that I was resident abroad and that I was no longer on my Doctor's list where I lived before. Because I was already living here they asked me to put my request in writing and to attach some proof of residency - I photocopied my Carta D'Identita and Passport. It took a couple of months, but it finally arrived.

Now I have the problem that if I ever need it, who will understand it? I read through it and we all know about doctors writing don't we.... :yes:.

Regarding this question of Italian medical records - your GP here does NOT keep your notes/records on file. YOU MUST KEEP THESE YOURSELF! That includes x-rays, scan results, blood tests - everything. So be prepared.

In addition - if you are admitted to hospital, a week or so [I]after[/I] you are discharged, return to the hospital records office and fill out a request for a copy of your hospital file. It is NOT free, you pay a 'ticket' for these, and you will have to return again after a week or so to collect it. Your doctor in the hospital [U]will[/U] give you a note on your mediction etc. for your GP but that is all the GP will ever see unless you have a copy of your own file.

BTW - what a sensible, useful, informative thread this is going to be... [IMG]http://www.nextstopband.com/fck/editor/images/smiley/msn/thumbs_up.png[/IMG]

Okay relating to Italy ..... when I broke my foot a few years ago in Italy, I was impressed that they let you keep your x-rays just like France. Wen I returned home a couple of days later and was x-rayed again. they held onto them.

Hi Angie and Robert

Agree broadly with your list, but my lovely Italian GP organised a full women's MOT which included scans, mamograms, smears, echoes etc and an appointment with a consultant to go through the results. Max. waiting time 1 week for the above appointments. As for tetenus/flu jabs, got the first at the pharmacy with a prescription, the second 'off the shelf' and OH and I gave them to each other. There are loads of opticians here, dentists also. Private dental care is expensive but IMO less so that in the UK.
Agree about the ibruprofen etc. that's always on the UK shopping list. Also bring over anti-mossie stuff as none of the stuff available here is strong enough. Read with interest the Avon skin so soft product info. posted here recently but usually get the Boots own brand, 'tropical stuff (grey packaging) as it is the only thing that works against the horse fly, and a bite from these litte bèggers is much worse than a mossie bite.

I think the Italian system of patients keeping their own notes eminently sensible. Whose going to take more care of them? You or some poor filing clerk (old days) or a national health computer system.

The italians have a much more holistic approach to their health which includes diet, etc. and are more likely to use herbal products or products which are not strictly pharmacological. We had a guest here last year, who on the second day developed a bad sinusitis infection. Something which she was prone to and for which she always took antibiotics. My doctor was away so not able for advice, but I went to the local pharmacy (pharmacists here seem to be first port of call for health problems - not the GP) and he suggested a herbal product. Well, to the amazement of both us, it really worked, and worked faster too.

A friend had a IBS problem and rather than prescribe anti-inflamatories etc. she was prescribed capsules of peppermint oil, and, yes it worked!

So if you are coming out, the system is different but for me it works!:smile:

They seem very clued up in your area Artina, which is great, but health care does vary from are to area, and you dont really know how you will get on, (though of course you have done your research hopefully) before you come out!.
Injections...we have only progressed as far as giving them to the cats, and that was a steep learning curve, but to each other, I do admire you both.
I drink alot of herbal tea, but was informed by an Italian friend that it was only for sick and old people, thanks alot:winki:
A

[B]INJECTIONS[/B]
If you [U]are[/U] prescribed injections and you are not able to do them for your selves, just ask your local chemist. They will know of the 'locals' who do this for people at a really minimal charge.

[B]HOMEOPATHY[/B]
Also the person who spoke about homeopathy and those types of cures, well many chemist shops are homeopathic shops too. The chemist can nearly alway offer a drug free remedy.

One that I remember was for a severely 'bugged up dose'. Not worth bothering th Doc with - so I asked the chemist. Well she warned me that the very BEST and quickest way to relieve catarrh (that's what it was) was with Acqua di Sirmione, but that it wasn't very nice!

Oh lawdy - there was a box with a nasal spray and some phials of a milky coloured liquid. "Spray nasal passages morning and evening" it said...
BUT IT WAS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS!!!!
But once I realised there was nothing I could do about it, I just waited... Within an hour, just that ONE treatment had cleared my nose completely. It really was a miracle. So don't be put off by the Italian love of homeopathy.

One more thing...

[B]GENERIC MEDICINES[/B]
When you get your prescriptions filled you have to pay a part of the cost yourself. That charge does vary. But [U]ALWAYS ASK FOR THE [B]GENERIC [/B]MEDICINES.[/U] These are exactly the same medicine but [U]not[/U] marketed under a brand name...they cost a great deal less. One I use is called [B]Triatec[/B], but the generic is called [B]Ramipril [/B]and (if I had to pay for it) costs half the price!

[quote=Aretina;112987]
A friend had a IBS problem and rather than prescribe anti-inflamatories etc. she was prescribed capsules of peppermint oil, and, yes it worked!
[/quote]When you say "prescribed" did they have to see the doctor, or buy it at the Farmacia. If over the counter what would you ask for. I ask as my husband suffers from IBS too and has just had a particularly bad bout of it.

Hi MargaretM

Yes, it was originally prescribed by the gastroenterologist but you can buy it over the counter it is called 'Carmint'. Its just concentrated peppermint oil. It has a calming effect on the intestine.

Thanks, we'll give it a go.

Margaret,

I was just reading a copy of Prevention Magazine today which concurred with the other recommendations about peppermint oil. It stated that the results were excellent with 1 out of every 2.5 patients being helped for IBS therapy. The dosage they recommend is enteric capsules or softgels with 0.2 - 0.4 ml every 8 hours.

I too suffer greatly with IBS and have found nothing that has helped. I will endevour to buy the peppermint capsules and give them a go. My IBS has become so very painful since moving to Italy. I wonder if others sufferers have noticed an increase in their IBS, pain & "spasms". I have recently attended a very good hospital here in Abruzzo and was given an X-ray. It mentions my IBS and the distension it is causing. The doctor said that I should cut down on green veg, very difficult as I'm a veggie. I am at the moment trying NO flour,rice,pasta...again very difficult. Has anyone any other gems of wisdom to offer. IBS is very debilitating..
windless from Abruzzo...Sprat

This may be of some interest to people looking for peppermint oil capsules:
[url=http://www.healthspan.co.uk/search.aspx?query=peppermint%20oil][B]>Health Span<[/B][/url]

I don't know if anyone else here uses this company, but I have used them for 4 years for my Omega 3 capsules. They are based in the Channel Isles and do post to Italy. Any order to the EU costs £2 for postage and they deal with Customs declarations etc. (I think it's free postage to the UK but not 100% sure of that)

They dispatch your order within 24 hrs and I have found that my goods always arrive within 7 days and with NO problems...

The cost of my Omega 3 capsules from them is only a [I][U]fraction[/U][/I] of what they cost here!

I think initially it was worse out here Pilchard, probably stress related, I have been sent to various specialists by my GP (something that never happened in the UK). Its better now, but I have to be careful with my diet, these are the things I have learned or have been told to avoid.

Pasta, I use the rice pasta instead.
Some green veg, betta (sp) is bad but small amounts of spinach is good
No onions, cooked or raw
Small mixed salads OK, but avoid larger portions
All other veg are fine, carrots and potatos in any number
Small portions of beans OK

I also avoid heavy cheese sauces, and use yoghurt instead of cream, in fact my specialist told me to eat a live yoghurt 3 times a day!, I always manage to do this at least once!

I dont eat alot of fruit but plums are a no no. Which is a shame as we have alot of various types in the garden.

I think maybe just to eliminate a few things from your diet and see how you get on, and steam veg rather than eat it raw.But I would avoid onions if you can.
Will be interested to see how you get on.
Angie
Rice is also very good, I eat it twice a week.

[quote=pilchard;113079]............. Has anyone any other gems of wisdom to offer. IBS is very debilitating..
windless from Abruzzo...Sprat[/quote]

I avoid too much red onion - although I love the taste - 'blows me up' something chronic

[sits back and waits for the sort of 'daft' comments that I would usually make when reading this - and I'll try to laugh]

.

[quote=Carole B;113083]This may be of some interest to people looking for peppermint oil capsules:
[url=http://www.healthspan.co.uk/search.aspx?query=peppermint%20oil][B]>Health Span<[/B][/url]

I don't know if anyone else here uses this company, but I have used them for 4 years for my Omega 3 capsules. They are based in the Channel Isles and do post to Italy. Any order to the EU costs £2 for postage and they deal with Customs declarations etc. (I think it's free postage to the UK but not 100% sure of that)

They dispatch your order within 24 hrs and I have found that my goods always arrive within 7 days and with NO problems...

The cost of my Omega 3 capsules from them is only a [I][U]fraction[/U][/I] of what they cost here![/quote]Well I think I may buy a small quantity here first, to see how it works, then maybe order from them. Do you know whether they will deliver to a "Fermo Posta" address, or do they use a carrier, and require a signature? We live "in campagna" and have to collect our post from the post office. We do have someone who will accept carrier deliveries for us, but I don't like to put them out too often.

Hi Margaret

Their products are sent via Royal Mail and my postman delivers the packets. No signature is required.

Hi Pilch
Have you thought about wheat intolerance, some people develop this later in life and Yes, stress is an important factor in IBS. If you are in the habit of taking muesli etc. for breakfast try something else for a week and see if it improves You could have soya flakes/rice instead. Agree about the yoghurt as mentioned above. Good Luck!

It was thought for years that I had a wheat intolerance, but the allegry specialist at Fermo hospital carried out what is called here "the prick test"....and there was no reaction, so perhaps Sprat you could get your GP to refer you to such a centre, at least then you would have much more idea of what you can eat and enjoy. I paid a small ticket price but that was all, well worth it.
A

[quote=Sally Donaldson;112974]Here in the UK, there has been a delay in setting up medical histories on the nationwide computer database. I do wonder then if there are indeed plans to extend this to other EU countries.[/quote]
my medical history is already computerized and i can get the cd at any time from my doctor there is no plan to make a big brother system as it would probably constitute a breach of our privacy..personally i wouldn't want a national data base likethat

[quote=pilchard;113079]I too suffer greatly with IBS and have found nothing that has helped. I will endevour to buy the peppermint capsules and give them a go. My IBS has become so very painful since moving to Italy. I wonder if others sufferers have noticed an increase in their IBS, pain & "spasms". I have recently attended a very good hospital here in Abruzzo and was given an X-ray. It mentions my IBS and the distension it is causing. The doctor said that I should cut down on green veg, very difficult as I'm a veggie. I am at the moment trying NO flour,rice,pasta...again very difficult. Has anyone any other gems of wisdom to offer. IBS is very debilitating..
windless from Abruzzo...Sprat[/quote]

My advice is to ask for a specialist consultation as soon as possible. There is an excellent treatment combining a specific antibiotic (I think that the English name would be RIFAXIMIN or RIFAMICYN) with a probiotic product called "Lactobacillus Reuteri" (brand name in Spain is CASENBIOTIC). After having a thorough check up including blood tests, contrast X-rays and scan, they put you on two weeks of antibiotic followed by two weeks of the probiotic tablets every two months for a total of 4 sessions. Then, they do all the tests again and see how you go. Then, they may continue the treatment every six months approximately. They also give you antispasmodic medication if needed. The treatment really works and you can get an improvement of some 90% which is great. It makes a big difference. Google a bit and you will find information on the treatment. My doctor told me that it was something similar to the treatment they use for the helicobacter pylori, the bacteria which is the cause behind many ulcers.
If you want more information, send me a PM. I do not want to start giving doses, etc. just in case someone starts self medication which could be dangerous without a professional checking.
Good luck!

IBS can also be triggered by hormonal changes, stress, and /or say in menopause or periods. It can just eventually go and not return ever again. I know someone who used to suffer but she's fine now.

Sebastiano, the theory is that if the database is nationwide, it means you can travel around the UK and should you have an existing medical condition, and fall ill, all your medical details are to hand, thus getting the most appropriate treatment.