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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by inanimate peanut on July 8, 2010, at 15:51:54
I just got a notice from the post office that my package from Hong Kong is in and that I have to come down to pick it up. Now I'm paranoid. I imported what would probably be sufficient as a 100mg dose over 6 weeks but it's in 100-10mg tablet boxes so it looks like ALOT of pills. I know someone on here said it's legal for my doc to import meds and it would probably be legal for me to do so with a prescription, but that's my whole problem is that my doc won't let me combine nortriptyline with Parnate so I've had to get it on my own. Is it legal for me to do this without a prescription or a medical license? I can't pick it up until tomorrow, so I have all night to be nervous about it. If it were going to be stopped at customs, wouldn't they have done that before it got to my local post office? Or maybe they let it through and are going to make me show a prescription or some sort of license to pick it up tomorrow. This sucks. I can't find a doc who will prescribe the two together, and it's not fair to me to have to live with continuous depression because my doc is unwilling to do something that the journals say is safe and effective. I am so mad. It's not that I like self-medication. I would far rather do this under the care of my doc, but she flat out will not do it. I have tried every other drug combo that was reasonable to try first. I really think nortriptyline could help me. This sucks so much.
Posted by Dan_MI on July 8, 2010, at 17:07:31
In reply to is it legal to import meds?, posted by inanimate peanut on July 8, 2010, at 15:51:54
Isn't that a deadly combination?
> I just got a notice from the post office that my package from Hong Kong is in and that I have to come down to pick it up. Now I'm paranoid. I imported what would probably be sufficient as a 100mg dose over 6 weeks but it's in 100-10mg tablet boxes so it looks like ALOT of pills. I know someone on here said it's legal for my doc to import meds and it would probably be legal for me to do so with a prescription, but that's my whole problem is that my doc won't let me combine nortriptyline with Parnate so I've had to get it on my own. Is it legal for me to do this without a prescription or a medical license? I can't pick it up until tomorrow, so I have all night to be nervous about it. If it were going to be stopped at customs, wouldn't they have done that before it got to my local post office? Or maybe they let it through and are going to make me show a prescription or some sort of license to pick it up tomorrow. This sucks. I can't find a doc who will prescribe the two together, and it's not fair to me to have to live with continuous depression because my doc is unwilling to do something that the journals say is safe and effective. I am so mad. It's not that I like self-medication. I would far rather do this under the care of my doc, but she flat out will not do it. I have tried every other drug combo that was reasonable to try first. I really think nortriptyline could help me. This sucks so much.
Posted by Phillipa on July 8, 2010, at 17:18:24
In reply to Re: is it legal to import meds?, posted by Dan_MI on July 8, 2010, at 17:07:31
I don't know what to tell I think you can get the package but I'd not advise adding without a doc to back you. Phillipa
Posted by whitmore on July 8, 2010, at 20:47:34
In reply to Re: is it legal to import meds?, posted by Phillipa on July 8, 2010, at 17:18:24
I order medications from overseas all the time and I always have to pick them up from the PO, as they come registered mail. Never had a problem.It's a vast business and I don't believe it is illegal to import medicines for personal use,anyway.
Posted by inanimate peanut on July 8, 2010, at 21:14:08
In reply to Re: is it legal to import meds?, posted by Dan_MI on July 8, 2010, at 17:07:31
I think it has been fatal used incorrectly, yes. It has also been used safely extensively in the literature and here on babble. You treat it with the respect it deserves, and that means starting at 10mg and taking BP every 15 min. for the first 3 hours, every hour for the first 24, etc.
Posted by inanimate peanut on July 8, 2010, at 21:16:39
In reply to Re: is it legal to import meds?, posted by Phillipa on July 8, 2010, at 17:18:24
I would LOVE to have a doc to back me, but I have talked to my doc extensively about this and she refuses to do it. I live in a relatively small area and don't have too many other options for docs.
Posted by inanimate peanut on July 8, 2010, at 21:17:26
In reply to Re: is it legal to import meds?, posted by whitmore on July 8, 2010, at 20:47:34
wow, I hope you're right. That makes me feel so much better!
Posted by morgan miller on July 8, 2010, at 23:46:32
In reply to Re: is it legal to import meds? » whitmore, posted by inanimate peanut on July 8, 2010, at 21:17:26
You'll be fine. I have never heard of anyone having any problems ordering medications over the internet from overseas.
Posted by linkadge on July 9, 2010, at 14:59:24
In reply to Re: is it legal to import meds?, posted by morgan miller on July 8, 2010, at 23:46:32
For clarification, I do think it is illegal.
It is essentially illegal to obtain any medication for which you do not have a valid prescription.
If a medication is not available in your country, I think you can purchase (with a prescription) a limited supply of the medication for personal use.
I might be off, but....
Linkadge
Posted by inanimate peanut on July 9, 2010, at 15:14:17
In reply to Re: is it legal to import meds?, posted by linkadge on July 9, 2010, at 14:59:24
Ahhhhh...legal or not, I now have the nortriptyline in my happy paws. No problems at the post office-- just had to sign registered mail. Now the question is when to start taking them...
Posted by morgan miller on July 9, 2010, at 15:18:00
In reply to Re: is it legal to import meds?, posted by inanimate peanut on July 9, 2010, at 15:14:17
> Ahhhhh...legal or not, I now have the nortriptyline in my happy paws. No problems at the post office-- just had to sign registered mail. Now the question is when to start taking them...
Start now? Start low and titrate up slow. You're going to have to tell a doctor your taking it so you can get your blood levels checked as you titrate up.
Posted by europerep on July 9, 2010, at 16:05:16
In reply to Re: is it legal to import meds?, posted by morgan miller on July 9, 2010, at 15:18:00
hmm, maybe my post will be "surfing" the line between what is accepted here and what isn't, I was just gonna say that you should very early ask yourself where you want to get the next pills from in case they work.. could you go to your/another doctor and tell him it works, and then get it prescribed? I was wondering all the time why you weren't just seeing one doc for the nardil and another for nortriptyline, without them knowing about each other.. of course that's wrong and stuff, but - and this is my point - I wouldn't have too much confidence in the long run on pills from Hong Kong? if it was produced there it's probably good, Hong Kong is still a very "forward" part of china, but in general, medical products from china... hmmm... can't you get them from europe somewhere? also, what is the brand you're having?
it would suck if it worked and you didn't get supply for it in time.. of if it's a different manufacturer, etc..
Posted by inanimate peanut on July 9, 2010, at 16:54:30
In reply to Re: is it legal to import meds?, posted by europerep on July 9, 2010, at 16:05:16
I wasn't aware that I needed blood level checks for these. That sucks. I will have to figure something out there. As far a better supply, these are manufactured in New Zealand and shipped out of Hong Kong, so I feel pretty safe with them. I'm more worried about my supply line being interrupted at some point by US customs than by the point of origin. I can't tell my doc about it, so I guess I will have to find another doc and tell him only about the nortriptyline to get my blood levels checked. How often does that need to be done?
Posted by morgan miller on July 9, 2010, at 17:52:32
In reply to Re: is it legal to import meds?, posted by inanimate peanut on July 9, 2010, at 16:54:30
> I wasn't aware that I needed blood level checks for these. That sucks. I will have to figure something out there. As far a better supply, these are manufactured in New Zealand and shipped out of Hong Kong, so I feel pretty safe with them. I'm more worried about my supply line being interrupted at some point by US customs than by the point of origin. I can't tell my doc about it, so I guess I will have to find another doc and tell him only about the nortriptyline to get my blood levels checked. How often does that need to be done?
Not sure, other people here know more about it than I do. Just go see a new doctor, show him/her the evidence for the use of the two drugs together, and say you are going to do it on your own whether or not they recommend it so they might as well help you.
Posted by bleauberry on July 9, 2010, at 18:06:02
In reply to is it legal to import meds?, posted by inanimate peanut on July 8, 2010, at 15:51:54
If it made it past Customs, you are all set. They tolerate importation of up to a 90 day supply of just about anything as long it is not an illegal substance or a controlled substance. They will frequently open a package, inspect it, reseal it, and send it on its way. Notice I said tolerated. I think in literal terms it is not legal to import non-FDA meds. But it is impossible to enforce. So they tolerate it. With limited resources and millions of pieces of mail, they focus their attention on the real issues....illegals and controlled substances. I really don't think either they or the clerk at the post office care one whit about your antidepressant, antibiotic, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, whatever.
Posted by DocRon on July 9, 2010, at 18:51:24
In reply to Re: is it legal to import meds?, posted by linkadge on July 9, 2010, at 14:59:24
Hello,
If you are talking mail-ordering RX drugs into the US w/o prescription then YES, it IS illegal.
All Customs will do is confiscate your meds (and send you a letter) unless you are trying to get in a huge amount of scheduled meds.
Go to the PO and get your meds...it's totally cool probably--you must sign for registered mail.
DocRon
Note: I am NOT an M.D. I am a PhD. So ignore everything I say.
This is the end of the thread.
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