![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Quintal on July 19, 2008, at 11:55:59
I'm going to Egypt in a few weeks time and I'm wondering what to do about tianeptine. I don't want to stop taking it and have my depression come back in the middle of my holiday. I also don't want to have it seized by customs and have my depression come back in the middle of the holiday.
I thought of smuggling a strip between two sheets of lamictal so it wouldn't show up on the X-ray machine, but I'm worried that if they decided to open it for some reason it would look even more suspicious than a packet of Stablon. I've got a genuine packet of Stablon, so they might not notice that it doesn't have a pharmacy sticker on. I suppose I could tell the truth - that I buy it as a health supplement. Maybe best to avoid specifics unless they ask for them.
I really have no experience of travelling through airport customs. My aunt and uncle went to Jersey two weeks ago and they opened my uncle's suitcase and asked him to explain what each of his medications were for. That might have been because two knives had somehow found their way into his suitcase, and had to be confiscated. I don't know whether they routinely search every bag that contains a drug. I hope I don't have to explain what all of my meds are for in front of a long queue.
Another problem is my codeine addiction. This might be even more problematic than the tianeptine. I buy my supply legally OTC from the chemist, but I don't know if I'd need a prescription to take it out of the country. I'm planning to say I've had dental work done and I'm in a lot of pain (this is true, and I have a mouthful of fresh amalgum fillings to show them). I also plan to lie and say I'm a chronic migraine sufferer. It would be fairly hellish to be seperated from both codeine and tianpetine at the same time. I may well throttle my companion if provoked.
I'm like a walking pharmacy at the best of times. My uncle jokes my medicine cabinet is better stocked than the chemist (this is almost true - it's a very small shop). I'm an easy target for bolshy customs officers and bound to get stopped. Does anyone have any advice/experience?
Q
Posted by Phillipa on July 19, 2008, at 12:39:32
In reply to Taking tianeptine abroad - a question, posted by Quintal on July 19, 2008, at 11:55:59
I heard you now must have your meds in prescription bottles labeled and all legal. And that will go through customs. Don't know about abroad this is the US. Egypt? Didn't know you were traveling. Wow seems so far. Love Phillipa
Posted by Sigismund on July 19, 2008, at 15:07:59
In reply to Taking tianeptine abroad - a question, posted by Quintal on July 19, 2008, at 11:55:59
It should be no problem; not the codeine either.
Generally customs concern themselves with entry to the first world after passage from the third.
Coming back through British customs after Egypt is likely to be more difficult than the other way round.
Posted by dbc on July 19, 2008, at 16:46:48
In reply to Re: Taking tianeptine abroad - a question, posted by Sigismund on July 19, 2008, at 15:07:59
Codeine is illegal in egypt so im not sure what to tell you about that. If caught, at best they may just deny you entry and at worst...well weve all seen the film midnight express. Joking aside i really dont know what to say about the codeine. I guess you could go through the withdrawal now so you're not in a foreign country sick.
I dont think some OTC supplement would be a problem though unless you're headed to a place like Dubai that puts you in jail for having melatonin.
Posted by Quintal on July 19, 2008, at 17:47:20
In reply to Re: Taking tianeptine abroad - a question » Quintal, posted by Phillipa on July 19, 2008, at 12:39:32
Yes, and the NHS is paying for it! My social worker is getting me a grant. I just have to pick the holiday and they'll foot the bill. We haven't booked anything yet, so we can work around any incovenient customs laws. I'll probably have to ask my pdoc to write a letter explaining what my medicines are for no matter where I go. I'm sure he'd give me an Rx for some co-codamol if it came to that.
We were originally planning to go to Rome, but we switched to Egypt when I got news of the grant. So it might be back to Rome, or just somewhere random like Bulgaria or Prague. Apparently it costs over £700 a day to keep someone in hospital anyway, so the social worker's argument is that a long holiday is more uplifting than a stay on the secure ward, so the money is better spent on that. It's a new 'progressive' healthcare scheme they're experimenting with. There's talk of bring back the sanatoriums and health farms because they're more therapeutic than the hospital environment.
Q
Posted by bleauberry on July 19, 2008, at 18:57:26
In reply to Taking tianeptine abroad - a question, posted by Quintal on July 19, 2008, at 11:55:59
Not sure about the tianeptine. Maybe just put the pills in a tylenol bottle? Do they search you on person? I mean, maybe just keep them in your wallet or pocket? Several years in a row I smuggled pot with me on airline trips, so tianeptine should be a piece of cake.
BUUTTTT...I saw one thing in your post that really bothered me. Amalgam fillings? Oh man. Hey, I don't want to get into here, but check this out for yourself. At google, type in the search box "amalgam fillings mercury vapor video". In the hits, you'll find a video at YouTube. Check out all the other hits too. Personally, I would head to a new dentist as soon as you get back and get those amalgams out, replaced with white composite. Also do a search on the book Amalgam Illness by PHd Andrew Cutler. You just need to be aware of this stuff. Most people are not. Take it very very seriously. Do not ever forget this post.
Posted by Phillipa on July 19, 2008, at 20:15:10
In reply to Re: Taking tianeptine abroad - a question, posted by Quintal on July 19, 2008, at 17:47:20
Q makes a lot of sense to me and that's great!!! Phillipa
Posted by psychobot5000 on July 21, 2008, at 22:18:11
In reply to Taking tianeptine abroad - a question, posted by Quintal on July 19, 2008, at 11:55:59
> I'm going to Egypt in a few weeks time and I'm wondering what to do about tianeptine. I don't want to stop taking it and have my depression come back in the middle of my holiday.
>Hi,
I dealt with a similar situation a few years ago, and was also anxious, but I've found it's nothing to worry over. Since tianeptine pills themselves are small and nondescript, one can just take them out of the foil, and put them in a small clear container - they look like tic tacs, after all - and put that in a carry-on, or in your pocket. I suppose a small pill-bottle like someone else suggested would be fine, too. No one's ever bothered me about anything like that at customs or security.
Best,
p-bot
Posted by yxibow on July 25, 2008, at 0:08:22
In reply to Re: Taking tianeptine abroad - a question » Quintal, posted by bleauberry on July 19, 2008, at 18:57:26
> Not sure about the tianeptine. Maybe just put the pills in a tylenol bottle? Do they search you on person? I mean, maybe just keep them in your wallet or pocket? Several years in a row I smuggled pot with me on airline trips, so tianeptine should be a piece of cake.
>
> BUUTTTT...I saw one thing in your post that really bothered me. Amalgam fillings? Oh man. Hey, I don't want to get into here, but check this out for yourself. At google, type in the search box "amalgam fillings mercury vapor video". In the hits, you'll find a video at YouTube. Check out all the other hits too. Personally, I would head to a new dentist as soon as you get back and get those amalgams out, replaced with white composite. Also do a search on the book Amalgam Illness by PHd Andrew Cutler. You just need to be aware of this stuff. Most people are not. Take it very very seriously. Do not ever forget this post.
I have to say again that the amalgam question at least to me falls into the alternative category. I know you are a strong advocate against it, but it is like the fluoride in the water argument.The answer is, for better or worse, it has been around for more than 150 years and I dare say more people have died from car accidents, war, the flu epidemic of WWI, AIDS, than have ever remotely from dental amalgams which in fact have -saved- people from periodontal disease and other things before we had modern dentistry.
Yes, there are many schools of thought about it -- the use is declining because of a number of things including frantic cause and effect associations with autism and every other rare disorder. But it lasts much longer than any epoxy filling, especially in the back of the mouth. Sure, I question it too when I have a filling -- I'd rather have epoxy for a little thing but if my dentist thinks it will prevent me from losing teeth, I mean what is worse, going toothless ?
Oh well, I've spoken my peace on that, we can agree to disagree.
Posted by yxibow on July 25, 2008, at 0:14:40
In reply to Taking tianeptine abroad - a question, posted by Quintal on July 19, 2008, at 11:55:59
> I'm going to Egypt in a few weeks time and I'm wondering what to do about tianeptine. I don't want to stop taking it and have my depression come back in the middle of my holiday. I also don't want to have it seized by customs and have my depression come back in the middle of the holiday.
>
> I thought of smuggling a strip between two sheets of lamictal so it wouldn't show up on the X-ray machine, but I'm worried that if they decided to open it for some reason it would look even more suspicious than a packet of Stablon. I've got a genuine packet of Stablon, so they might not notice that it doesn't have a pharmacy sticker on. I suppose I could tell the truth - that I buy it as a health supplement. Maybe best to avoid specifics unless they ask for them.
>
> I really have no experience of travelling through airport customs. My aunt and uncle went to Jersey two weeks ago and they opened my uncle's suitcase and asked him to explain what each of his medications were for. That might have been because two knives had somehow found their way into his suitcase, and had to be confiscated. I don't know whether they routinely search every bag that contains a drug. I hope I don't have to explain what all of my meds are for in front of a long queue.
>
> Another problem is my codeine addiction. This might be even more problematic than the tianeptine. I buy my supply legally OTC from the chemist, but I don't know if I'd need a prescription to take it out of the country. I'm planning to say I've had dental work done and I'm in a lot of pain (this is true, and I have a mouthful of fresh amalgum fillings to show them). I also plan to lie and say I'm a chronic migraine sufferer. It would be fairly hellish to be seperated from both codeine and tianpetine at the same time. I may well throttle my companion if provoked.
>
> I'm like a walking pharmacy at the best of times. My uncle jokes my medicine cabinet is better stocked than the chemist (this is almost true - it's a very small shop). I'm an easy target for bolshy customs officers and bound to get stopped. Does anyone have any advice/experience?
>
> QYes -- I can resonate with the walking pharmacy thing too. But -- and not to offend any Muslims on this board or who may be in countries that are predominantly so, be very careful about controlled substances (tianeptine is controlled in some countries such as Bahrain because it is believed to have abuse potential and in fact some people have taken large quantities) in countries that are very tight on a lot of subjects -- I won't go further to offend, but the same would apply to certain Asian countries as well.
You don't want to end up in life imprisonment or worse... not to scare you (I guess I already have).
I would thoroughly inquire with an embassy or consulate where you are about the use of personal medications rather than trying to "smuggle", because that's exactly how it will be perceived to some unknown customs official.
-- best wishes
Jay
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.