[Howie]

I just had to share this way too personal experience because it is such a good example of the great customer service here in Kiwiland. After searching (unsuccessfully) every shelf in the pharmacy, I finally went up to the counter to ask for something for a yeast infection. The helpful person asked where the infection was and I looked embarrassed and she said "down below" and I said "yes". "Oh" she said "we call that thrush. Just a minute". She got the pharmacist and he waved me back for "a quick chat" - but I thought he said "a quick check" :uhoh He just asked about my symptoms and medication I was on. Gave me a big box of cream and some pills to take as well to stop a reoccurrence. Very helpful.

What a difference from North America, where you can pick up a treatment (though i really like the one day ovual) off the shelf at the grocery store.

[Ana&Steve]

OMG! Thanks for being brave and relaying this sensitive material. :) Good to know the "right" words to get help. (I think of thrush as something horses get on their feet! :o)
Ana

[gil]

wow, never thought of this kind of thing :o It's "thrush" in UK too. Are there any other terms we should be aware of?

Gil

[Carol]

Wait till you see the TV ads for it!
:exit :laugh

[hels1977]

That's good to know! Whilst we're on a girlie topic (if I may digress) - how does the health care system stand in respect of the contraceptive pill? Ie does anyone know if it's the same generic makes as the uk and what the monthly charge is roughly, is it make-dependent?

[wiki]

That's good to know! Whilst we're on a girlie topic (if I may digress) - how does the health care system stand in respect of the contraceptive pill? Ie does anyone know if it's the same generic makes as the uk and what the monthly charge is roughly, is it make-dependent?

I can't help you on the most recent data since it's a while since I was in NZ, but http://www.fpanz.org.nz/SITE_Default/SITE_fpanz/ is the website for family planning clinic which has an email address where they may be able to give you an idea of your questions, if you tell them what their brand is they may be able to suggest something similar if you can't get the same.

[Smiler]

Wait till you see the TV ads for it!

Well I'm not usually prone to violence, but do I want to smack her or what?

Sitting there grinning because she's got thrush, clutching a one minute wonder pill, she's obviously never suffered. :mad:

"She got the pharmacist and he waved me back for "a quick chat" - but I thought he said "a quick check"

Sorry Howie, that made me chuckle. :laugh Lucky you didn't walk in and strip off!

[Questor]

I dunno Deb, we might have quite liked that.. ;)

(I'm a pharmacist, for those of you that don't know!!) :)

[jen]

Well, I appreciate your posting your experience - I had vaguely thought Thrush was some kind of animal disease! I haven't seen those commercials - hope they're not as bad as the ones we have in the US for some sort of feminine hygiene product that have a mom/daughter walking along a beautiful beach until the daughter suddenly complains about having a "not-so-fresh-feeling"! :uhoh

Helensy - you might check out the Pharmac (government pharmaceutical management agency) site for oral contraceptives and see which of theirs is the same or has the closest chemicals to what you use now.

http://www.pharmac.govt.nz/interactive/scripts/group.asp?code=130800

None of them seem to quite be what I'm prescribed from the US. I stocked up before I moved since all this is stressful enough without having to face the gynecologist just yet!

[Trigirl]

$10 for 3 months supply is pretty good. i was expecting it to be a lot worse than that!

[marcia]

wow, never thought of this kind of thing :o It's "thrush" in UK too. Are there any other terms we should be aware of?

Gil

Not exactly a ladies thing - but I was cautioned about using the word 'root', as in if you say I'm going for a root - like you would at a sale or a sending the kids to get something from the kitchen top drawer - 'go and have a root through see what you find!' Well I was told it means something totally different here - having a quickie :o I don't know if I'm having my leg pulled or not but I will certainly be careful about using the word!

[jubjub]

Marcia, you have been correctly informed...

Hubby is still struggling with the word "router" (he has to use it several times a day at work) over here it has to be said rowter, not rooter, or folks get the entirely wrong idea!

[jubjub]

Oh, and Susan, hope you are feeling better...

[Howie]

Thanks Sal, I'm on the mend...they actually have the same treatment here as in Canada, which is different from the US. I've found a few things like that (things that you can find in Canada and NZ, but not USA) like Shreddies and good chocolate.

I think Kiwis think it's very funny that Canadians like to wear their Roots shirt. Roots is a clothing (and more) store and they sell shirts with "Roots" in big letters on the front and most Canadians seem to own at least one of these.

[hels1977]

Thanks for the info guys, I've emailed them and I'll be checking the links out and stocking up before I go :nice1.

[CjChris]

Excuse me while I barge in here, but how does one stock up on contraceptive pills? I am in the US, and the only way I can think to get more than one pack a month is to bypass the insurance company and pay out of pocket. Even then, the perscription only allows for one a month for 12 months, so would the Dr. have to write me one for several at once? Or should I ask him for several sample packs?

I have worried about what I'll do regarding my pills. It took me quite a while to find a brand that works with my body. I don't like the idea of having to start that process over!! :uhoh

Christine

[hels1977]

By stock up I meant I'll go and see the doc and ask for a supply, usually in the UK if you've been on the same pill brand a while, and with the same doc and your blood pressure is okay, they are happy prescibing you 6 months or even 12 months on the same prescription. Contracepive prescriptions are free of charge as well so no insurance companies involved, I'm not sure how the US system works.

[jen]

Hi Chris - I was able to "stock up" in the US because I was getting a 3-month supply at a time thru expressscripts.com. (my insurance company gave me a better deal on co-pays that way.) I also had some overlap between old/new prescriptions so I got an extra 3 months in as well.

I see what you mean about the insurance - when I was doing every month if I tried to get a refill early I would have to pay out of pocket. Guess I would ask for sample packs & see what else your doc can do for you. I had a 'fill 3 months supply at a time' prescription.

I'm not crazy about switching formulas either - hopefully a NZ doc or pharmacist can look at what I'm on and get something close. There are ones listed on the pharmac site that have one of the hormones in mine but not both exactly.

Jen

[Bruckner]

OMG! Thanks for being brave and relaying this sensitive material. :) Good to know the "right" words to get help. (I think of thrush as something horses get on their feet! :o)
Ana

I used to help out in the barn where I rode. Once I heard "thrush" I would've blinked and thought "Dear God, now I have to use Thrush Buster?"

Emily

[Ana&Steve]

I used to help out in the barn where I rode. Once I heard "thrush" I would've blinked and thought "Dear God, now I have to use Thrush Buster?"

Emily
:laugh Yep, one of the first thoughts I had while reading this thread was that the Coppertox used on horses won't go well in sensitive areas! :o

[Ana&Steve]

While we are on embarrassing subjects, are condoms readily available and inexpensive in NZ? (went off the pill several years ago, too many mood changes :D )
Ana

[Questor]

You can get em on prescription believe it or not - up to 144 at a time for $3 :)

[Ana&Steve]

Cool, thanks Questor!
Ana

[hels1977]

Thought this information might be useful, I've recieved a reply back from the FPC in NZ regarding the cost of the pill in NZ as a resident :)

"As a resident you will be able to get 6 months supply of a contraceptive pill for a prescription fee of $3 and the cost of your visit -$45 at FPA . That is only if the OC pill is a funded pill. Some are not funded and therefore cost more. If you do not want any other contraceptive pill including minipill or progesterone only pill we have IUDs Mirenas (IUS), condoms, Depo Provera, diaphragm. Implants will be available soon "

[vimaino]

Thought this information might be useful, I've recieved a reply back from the FPC in NZ regarding the cost of the pill in NZ as a resident :)

"As a resident you will be able to get 6 months supply of a contraceptive pill for a prescription fee of $3 and the cost of your visit -$45 at FPA . That is only if the OC pill is a funded pill. Some are not funded and therefore cost more. If you do not want any other contraceptive pill including minipill or progesterone only pill we have IUDs Mirenas (IUS), condoms, Depo Provera, diaphragm. Implants will be available soon "

----------------------------------



I´m moving to NZ next year and I´m using a contraceptive named EVRA. It´s a trans-dermal patch that sends the hormones through the skin. I´ve been looking on the PHAMAC site, but haven't found any clue about any meds alike.

Have any of you ever heard of it in NZ? I just got a new prescription in Brasil for another 1 year use of use. Is my prescription valid in NZ (if translated)??


Thanks!

[ ]´s


Vivis

[Questor]

Evra isn't available over here yet, although I believe Medsafe are looking at it.

As to the other question, no, your Brazillian prescription will not be valid, even if translated, only prescriptions written by a NZ registered doctor may be dispensed in NZ.

HTH
Jon