Working abroad

[Allan123]

Evening everyone,
Type 1 diabetic for over 36 years needing some help…..I have an opportunity to work abroad (Saudi Arabia) for 1-3 years depending on my desire to see the project fully through. I have kids and will still be flying home to spend my time off with them every 3 months but I have concerns on my ability to take ‘X’ amount of insulin/tablets over with me and if I can get prescriptions over there easily.

If anyone has any info regarding this or a similar situation I’d be interested to know how it went and the challenges you faced?

Thanks in advance

 

[SimonP]

I worked on placement in Europe (~25 years ago) and would get a job-lot of supplies prescribed by the GP (with some initial tooth sucking, but they eventually got on with it) and take them back with me when I popped home to see family (the hardest bit iirc was remote re-ordering as they originally wanted to see me in person for some reason, this is obviously no longer a problem with the interweb).

Three months' worth should be easy enough, I'm pretty sure I had more (four perhaps) month's worth prescribed so I had a bit of a buffer (and/or I may have started stockpiling before I left with the GP knowing this.)

Not sure what Saudi is like re availability. The company may also offer you health insurance which would cover resupply locally.

 

[trophywench]

Check the Home Office website out re Saudi - often gives really useful info on such things elsewhere in the world.

 

[Inka]

If you’re going home every 3 months @Allan123 I’d hope you’d be able to pick up your next three months supply then. From memory, I think they can give up to 6 months of meds if you’re travelling, but it would be worth checking with your GP.