Holiday in Vietnam...help!

[sash1985]

Hi all. I'm not looking for specific medical advice but do need guidance. I'm in South Vietnam, I've lost my hydroxycholoquine (on triple DMARD therapy). Had a big flare on arrival (before losing the meds) got it under control but am now really worried about a flare up. Has anyone had to obtain prescription meds from Vietnam? Has anyone taken something similar obtained in Vietnam (a medication name I could give to a pharmacy-who can advise me). I know it's an anti malarial. . I have a hospital letter but no prescription. Do I need to see a doctor, how do I do this, I'm not 'actively' sick so wouldn't want to go to hospital & am travelling to the beach tomorrow afternoon (tickets & hotel booked so can't rearrange). Obviously the stress will not help reduce the likelihood of a flare but I had a consultant declare me in remission & stop my meds without titrating them so I know that potentially this might be really bad - thank goodness my sulphazalazine didn't fall out of my bag!) Any advice is appreciated, thanks

[helixhelix]

We had a medical blip on holiday in vietnam and found a way round it. We found a walk in clinic, spoke to a doctor (who spoke some english) and came away with a prescription. We reckoned with our lack of Vietnamese we could struggle to convince a pharmacy to give out drugs without a prescription (although they do for some things, so could be worth a try).

Vietnamese people have RA too...so you just need to look around for a doctor's surgery, a clinic or similar. Another option is to look for the poshest 5* luxury hotel that caters to rich people and ask them if they can point you to an english speaking doctor.

Don't be tempted to take unfamiliar drugs tho', and stick to something that is hydroxychloroquine.

[AgedCrone in reply to helixhelix]

Spot on HH....hotel receptionists in hotels dealing with Westeners are a mine of information, from medical advice to the best tailor & the best cheap Vietnamese food!