Got A Little Problem!!!

[Vince_UK]

As most know from my ramblings, I am currently in Shanghai until December 23rd when I fly back to sunny Newcastle.
My problem is, before I left Newcastle I was given 84 Metformin 500mg tablets, however, it is not enough and I will run out about 2 weeks before I return.
Been onto a medical provider here, Parkway Medical, who specialise in foreigners medical matters in China and they want £250 for a consultation (as if I need one), additional for tests (As if I need them), extras for presriptions (I know what I want). So I will end up with a bill for around £500 for 28 tablets.
Politely told them go fly a kite as that is yet again another rip off by these people.
I am actively trying to find another source.
Yes I know, Vinces own fault but I was in a total panic before I left and did not think think.
My question is, assuming I cannot get any Metformin before I leave, what dangers and risks could I be putting myself in.
Any ideas?
Thanks again in advance.

 

[Bubbsie]

As most know from my ramblings, I am currently in Shanghai until December 23rd when I fly back to sunny Newcastle.
My problem is, before I left Newcastle I was given 84 Metformin 500mg tablets, however, it is not enough and I will run out about 2 weeks before I return.
Been onto a medical provider here, Parkway Medical, who specialise in foreigners medical matters in China and they want £250 for a consultation (as if I need one), additional for tests (As if I need them), extras for presriptions (I know what I want). So I will end up with a bill for around £500 for 28 tablets.
Politely told them go fly a kite as that is yet again another rip off by these people.
I am actively trying to find another source.
Yes I know, Vinces own fault but I was in a total panic before I left and did not think think.
My question is, assuming I cannot get any Metformin before I leave, what dangers and risks could I be putting myself in.
Any ideas?
Thanks again in advance.

Vince...have you thought of contacting your surgery & asking for their advice...no idea if its possible for them to fax/send a prescription...or if they could do that whether it would be filled in China...however...they may have some other suggestions for you...worth a try...I certainly wouldn't pay those extortionate rates...Metformin is one of the cheapest medications here for diabetes control...outrageous £250 for a consultation.. more for tests & presumably additional fees for the Pills!

 

[Bubbsie]

Or you could try this link:
www.worldofexpats.com/obtaining-prescription-medicine-while-overseas

 

[Vince_UK]

Vince...have you thought of contacting your surgery & asking for their advice...no idea if its possible for them to fax/send a prescription...or if they could do that whether it would be filled in China...however...they may have some other suggestions for you...worth a try...I certainly wouldn't pay those extortionate rates...Metformin is one of the cheapest medications here for diabetes control...outrageous £250 for a consultation.. more for tests & presumably additional fees for the Pills!

Thanks Bubbsie
They wouldn't accept it here Had issues before when it comes to them extorting money which is basically what they do.
This is typical behaviour here.
Metformin is a generic drug I believe and I will try so see if there are other brands available to tide me over.
You should see how a Chinese hospital operates and we think we have problems in the NHS.
Everything is geared to seperating you from your money at lightspeed.
I will work out specifically when I will run out and send an email to my GP.
I just remembered I have a colleaque whose wife is a doctor here.
For example 7 Simvastatin here costs over £6 and you cannnot get above 10mg so if you are on 40mg that is a lot of money and they clap their hands when you walk in. Vitamin C tablets which cost 79 pence for 20 in Aldi cost £6 for 10 tablets here.

I will go begging I think to him..

 

[grovesy]

Vince...have you thought of contacting your surgery & asking for their advice...no idea if its possible for them to fax/send a prescription...or if they could do that whether it would be filled in China...however...they may have some other suggestions for you...worth a try...I certainly wouldn't pay those extortionate rates...Metformin is one of the cheapest medications here for diabetes control...outrageous £250 for a consultation.. more for tests & presumably additional fees for the Pills!

It costs about that for a private consultation in my local Private Hosptial.

 

[Bubbsie]

Thanks Bubbsie
They wouldn't accept it here Had issues before when it comes to them extorting money which is basically what they do.
This is typical behaviour here.
Metformin is a generic drug I believe and I will try so see if there are other brands available to tide me over.
You should see how a Chinese hospital operates and we think we have problems in the NHS.
Everything is geared to seperating you from yur monet at lightspeed.
I will work out specifically when I will run out and send an email to my GP.
I just remembered I have a colleaque whose wife is a doctor here.
For example 7 Simvastatin here costs over £6 and you cannnot get above 10mg so if you are on 40mg that is a lot of money and they clap their hands when you walk in. Vitamin C tablets which cost 79 pence for 20 in Aldi cost £6 for 10 tablets here.

I will go begging I think to him..

Good luck Vince...its all a steep learning curve...for the next trip...make sure you take a trunk full...yes...lean on the doctor...that's what friends as for.

 

[Vince_UK]

It costs about that for a private consultation in my local Private Hosptial.

Yes I guess so Grovesy but here it all the add-ons you don't need that they abuse. Plus they are all on the "take" for medicines from drug companies.
Before I came to live here form 2010-2013 I had to provide a full medical check from the UK. That was very expensive in order to comply with the Chinese requirements.. Gave it to them which they promptly ignored and said it was invalid even though they had stipulated it as a requirement. Went through the meat market of a joke medical which cost a huge sum only to be told eveyrthing is OK only I have a "fatty liver" which I didn't. It transpires, and it is still happening, that every single expat who comes here to work here is told you have "fatty liver".
Total joke

 

[Vince_UK]

Good luck Vince...its all a steep learning curve...for the next trip...make sure you take a trunk full...yes...lean on the doctor...that's what friends as for.

Just asked him he said he will talk with his wife.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear this Vince - what a nightmare for you, but SO easily done.

I've not got any 'hands on' experience of Metformin, but from what I gather it gradually 'ramps up' in your system so doesn't tend to work immediately one day to the next. As far as I am aware 500mg is a fairly low 'starter' dose, I think 2000mg a day is the maximum.

If you are unable to get any more supplies (and if you have means to monitor your BG while away) I find myself wondering what the outcome would be if you took tablets daily for as long as you can, then stretched the remainder by taking them on alternate days (to keep some in your system) while simultaneously being more careful with carb intake over those days.

Not suggesting you do that, of course... Just thinking out loud.

 

[Amigo]

Sorry to hear this Vince - what a nightmare for you, but SO easily done.

I've not got any 'hands on' experience of Metformin, but from what I gather it gradually 'ramps up' in your system so doesn't tend to work immediately one day to the next. As far as I am aware 500mg is a fairly low 'starter' dose, I think 2000mg a day is the maximum.

If you are unable to get any more supplies (and if you have means to monitor your BG while away) I find myself wondering what the outcome would be if you took tablets daily for as long as you can, then stretched the remainder by taking them on alternate days (to keep some in your system) while simultaneously being more careful with carb intake over those days.

Not suggesting you do that, of course... Just thinking out loud.

That would be my approach too everydays particularly as Vince is doing so well with controlling his diet and getting excellent levels. Hopefully it can be resolved however but rightly or wrongly I wouldn’t be too concerned about the Metformin for a week or two if the alternative is getting ripped off big time.
However, before someone ‘savages’ me, I’m not suggesting Vince ignores his doctor’s advice (even though I took myself off Metformin pretty rapidly and then told my GP who agreed with the decision). Annoyingly I have masses of them here going to waste! 🙄

 

[Vince_UK]

Sorry to hear this Vince - what a nightmare for you, but SO easily done.

I've not got any 'hands on' experience of Metformin, but from what I gather it gradually 'ramps up' in your system so doesn't tend to work immediately one day to the next. As far as I am aware 500mg is a fairly low 'starter' dose, I think 2000mg a day is the maximum.

If you are unable to get any more supplies (and if you have means to monitor your BG while away) I find myself wondering what the outcome would be if you took tablets daily for as long as you can, then stretched the remainder by taking them on alternate days (to keep some in your system) while simultaneously being more careful with carb intake over those days.

Not suggesting you do that, of course... Just thinking out loud.

Good idea Mike, I have done that with simvastatin and cut them in half in the past just remembered.
I guess some is better tha none.
This forum is amazing for getting the old grey cells working.

 

[Vince_UK]

That would be my approach too everydays particularly as Vince is doing so well with controlling his diet and getting excellent levels. Hopefully it can be resolved however but rightly or wrongly I wouldn’t be too concerned about the Metformin for a week or two if the alternative is getting ripped off big time.
However, before someone ‘savages’ me, I’m not suggesting Vince ignores his doctor’s advice (even though I took myself off Metformin pretty rapidly and then told my GP who agreed with the decision). Annoyingly I have masses of them here going to waste! 🙄

HAHA Amigo is a Metformin Hoarder.
😉

 

[chaoticcar]

My GP halved my metformin when my BGS were under control so the suggestion of lowering your dose until.you can source more may work better than running out completely
CAROL

 

[Vince_UK]

My GP halved my metformin when my BGS were under control so the suggestion of lowering your dose until.you can source more may work better than running out completely
CAROL

Sound advice Carol, that is my fallback strategy now.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

My GP halved my metformin when my BGS were under control so the suggestion of lowering your dose until.you can source more may work better than running out completely
CAROL

That's fine as long as they are not slow release tablets 😱

 

[chaoticcar]

Definitely not advocating splitting tablets but maybe reducing the frequency if only one tablet per day is prescribed
CAROL

 

[Grogg1]

I am on 2 x 500mg a day but rarely take the second one and my hba1c only increased from 42 to 43 in six months.

Alternatively can you have them sent to you from UK as a gift??

 

[Vince_UK]

My Doctors friend can get me 2 alternatives to Metformin which is actually a generic medicine.
1 is American the other is Chinese. She is a very good Obstetrician in a hospital here so I have total trust.
The othet upside it is not expensive so I will get some and split every 2 days between that one and stretch my metformin out further
I am so relieved.
Onwards and upwards.

 

[Vince_UK]

Update, My friends wife has actually come back with Metformin. She is a star.

 

[Bubbsie]

Update, My friends wife has actually come back with Metformin. She is a star.

Good news Vince.