Dream of retiring in Punta Cana soon - must be able to continue 20 some prescriptions

syringles · Sep 4, 2010

Hello, I just found this site and it's been my experience that the best place for info is the source, i.e., the people (most of you likely Americans and Canadians) who live there. I will definitely make a visit to an all-inclusive to learn more but permanent retireee residency is what I ultimately seek. I have a disease which is closely related to MS. I also take meds for mild high blood pressure, a thyroid condition and what I am afraid I will have trouble with, constant spinal pain related to the neurological condition. My pain is 100% controlled with prescription meds.

I hope I don't hear that I shouldn't come as I don't think having a medical situation (other than a severe form of cancer) should stop one from living their dreams. One issue thought that I can't find much information on is how does a retiree to the Dominican Republic continue, retain or obtain their prescribed medicines. I know that my current set of physicians won't write them if I live out of country. I also take Oxycontin (wouldn't mind a patch instead)... I just wonder.. Do I visit beforehand and get a good neurologist (I think I saw there were two and perhaps a General Practitioner. Are these the people in the DR who prescribe medicines?

Has anyone ran into trouble with a DR (please forgive if using DR is not the right etiquette) doctor who doesn't want to prescribe. Am I right in assuming that they would read over English/American records or I guess what I am asking is truly what am I facing? Are costs not lower?

I know many think that heat is not good for MS type diseases and in truth it is not but what that really means is you can't sit outside all day and you should not do a tour for instance of desert type ruins. I took a cruise most recently and found myself (this was July) quite comfortable as long as there was an ocean breeze. Even while traveling by Catamarn for an hour, I was completely okay. I have been to Disney (just for a comparison) where I had to be out in 95 degrees and humidity all day and truly suffered. I know that the ocean breeze is the reason I handled the outings on my cruise so well. Did not do any inland (i.e., Mexican ruins) visits.

Any more advice related to my health issues is welcome but most importantly I would like to know if I will be able to continue my prescription regimen when coming to my dream retirement site in Punta Cana..

Thanks to anyone who can offer some good insight!!

amparocorp · Sep 5, 2010

i assume that at present an insurance company or a govt. is paying for the meds. the good news is that in the DR you can buy anything or something close, dominican version, with a script from a doctor. the bad news is that you have to pay cash for the meds as you'll lose all your benifits when you tell them you've moved...........at least medicare/medicaid works this way, or should i say does not work in the DR. you may have to commute to miami or puerto rico once a month to re-load............

Anastacio · Sep 5, 2010

miloskorac said:
Oxycontin, opium?

I was on Oxycodone for about 4 years and was still on it when I came here. The massive downside I found here is there is no support to come off it and it is extremely addictive and not something anyone could deal with alone in this heat, or anywhere really. I am unsure if Oxycodone and Oxycontin are related (I presume they are) and don't have time to google it but if it is then you need to take this into consideration. The doctor I saw here tried to reduce my intake as it is not a long term drug (even though 4 year is not exactly temporary, lol) but without the mental support to help I found it impossible, and that was very expensive so I ended up having to go to the UK to get over it, it took me almost a year.
Just be aware if you have never tried to come off the stuff before, no matter what you think or how strong you might be, you will need mental support to come of it, maybe an idea to deal with that before coming. The precriptions are cheap enough, but the doctor probably won't allow you on them permanent, not here anyway, I tried and thier reputation is important to them, more so when treating foreigners.

belgiank · Sep 5, 2010

I totally agree with anastacio... try to deal with that problem before you come over here...

as far as the other prescription meds go, you are in for a surprise... most doctors are not allowed to prescribe certain medecines, so be prepared to travel to another town to get the prescriptions, or be prepared to find a pharmacy willing to sell them to you, with an added 100 pesos for the so-called missing prescription (some doc here is making easy money...:bunny

my advice personally is to check into your health-insurance and see whether they will cover your medical expenses, because f.e. the climate will be better for you...

as far as doctors go, try to check into the Homs hospital in Santiago. There are plenty of good qualified specialists there...

Good luck, and hoping to welcome you here soon

syringles · Sep 5, 2010

Wow thanks but I should explain the meds better

I thank you all for responses but perhaps I should straighten out the Narcotic pill issue.. Here in the U.S. for those that don't know, some drugs are on a tier of what level drug they are considered. Simple scripts for antibiotics or something like a high blood pressure med are easy to get and refill and here once you are on a long-term precription, you simply call the pharmacy.

However; I need to explain the Oxycontin as there was a query whether this one is an opiate? Simply put almost all pain relievers are in a category termed "Opiate Agnostics" (don't know what that means) but even the mildest of opiate agnositcs (and please note this is much different than someone taking opium) such as Tylenol with Codeine (codeine being the additive to make it an opiate form of pill) are regulated more as in you can't as easily get refills and the doctor is regulated on how many refills he can give you.

Since someone asked, let me also explain that "Oxycontin" can be listed on the bottle as "Oxycodone" and there is a lot of confusion. Basically before Oxycontin was developed, the drug more people know as "Percocet" was prescribed and I took it for a long time but I didn't like having to measure my pain and decide "oh is it bad enough now for another pill" as those prescriptions are usually written in the form of "take 3 or 4 per day as needed" and I always felt I wasn't the best to decided how bad it was as you are really suppose to take these drugs before the pain gets too bad. Anyway, "Percocet" is generically called "Oxycodone" similar to the drug Vicodin which is not as strong has a generic name of "Hydrocodone".

With "Percocet" aka "Oxycodone", a number of years ago, someone developed a long term or Extended release of Pecocet and due to the naming of the generic, it became called either "Oxycontin" or "Oxycodone ER or HCL". If it doesn't have the ER for Extended release or the HCL which I forget what that stands for, then it is simply Percocet. The alarm that people get when they hear Oxycontin or wrongly Oxycodone alone is that the long lasting mechanism added to the drug was found by addicts that they could smash it up and get a great immediate high as the extended release part makes the whole 12 hour effect go immediately into the blood stream. Thus and instant high like heroin.

For the thousands of innocent people truly in pain, Oxycontin gave them a real bad name for a while but efforts have been made to make the extended release not work well if crushed up for the addicts who abuse it. It worked and still works as a wonder drug for my chronic spinal pain as it lasts almost the entire 12 hours and you can only take 2 per day.

I hope I have explained the difference well. What I really needed to understand was in the U.S. it is strictly regulated so I have to go to the doctor's office and physically pick up the script once a month in person as the doctors here can never write for more than one month. There are also other tiers of regulated drugs. I am on one other one which has nothing in it related to opiates but it is for my muscle tremors and I couldn't go without it but even that drug "Klonopin or Clonazepam" has limits on refills and the doctor has to make sure and include her DEA number or a pharmacy can't fill it. I have a prescription plan where they will mail my scripts and they want you to use it as it is cheaper but I have moved away from the town where they actually fill it and found that I was afraid of running out and having things stuck in the mail.

You can see why now I hope that I questioned this availability. I can't go off the Oxycontin as it is required and I see that some of you said you had to go off that drug before moving. I wonder then what you do for true chronic pain relief? Surely the doctors there would take a medical history, would they not? I don't think it economically feasible to fly to Miami every month and I suppose I might start if no one her knows by visiting a web site that might tell me.

I also am on medicare but have one of those enhanced policies as I am a retiree from a university. Sadly I know the benefits will be lowered soon due to the Obama healthcare as I already got a letter warning me of changes but they use to pay for anything anywhere at the medicare rates which I believe would be feasible in the DR. If this plan won't fit there, then apparently my only choice is to buy a policy in the DR but I don't know if they would be willing to accept somene with an expensive pre-existing condition.

So since I have not heard of anyone taking any pain meds (I suppose that I'm hearing you can't get them), then perhaps I will have to look elsewhere but that really puts a damper on a long term dream where I do believe the weather would enhance my quality of life.

One last issue if anyone has time, is do you find that the area is somehwat handicap accessible in that I thought about the need for a beach wheelchair and would definitely rent or buy first floor only. Golf carts would also help but basically, wondering if the area is handicap assessible like the US with cut outs on at least some of the streets. I assumed there wouldn't be too much handicap accessibility but wonder the amount there might be.

Thanks again,
Leslie

Yachtmaster · Sep 5, 2010

syringles said:
Hello, I just found this site and it's been my experience that the best place for info is the source, i.e., the people (most of you likely Americans and Canadians) who live there. I will definitely make a visit to an all-inclusive to learn more but permanent retireee residency is what I ultimately seek. I have a disease which is closely related to MS. I also take meds for mild high blood pressure, a thyroid condition and what I am afraid I will have trouble with, constant spinal pain related to the neurological condition. My pain is 100% controlled with prescription meds.

I hope I don't hear that I shouldn't come as I don't think having a medical situation (other than a severe form of cancer) should stop one from living their dreams. One issue thought that I can't find much information on is how does a retiree to the Dominican Republic continue, retain or obtain their prescribed medicines. I know that my current set of physicians won't write them if I live out of country. I also take Oxycontin (wouldn't mind a patch instead)... I just wonder.. Do I visit beforehand and get a good neurologist (I think I saw there were two and perhaps a General Practitioner. Are these the people in the DR who prescribe medicines?

Has anyone ran into trouble with a DR (please forgive if using DR is not the right etiquette) doctor who doesn't want to prescribe. Am I right in assuming that they would read over English/American records or I guess what I am asking is truly what am I facing? Are costs not lower?

I know many think that heat is not good for MS type diseases and in truth it is not but what that really means is you can't sit outside all day and you should not do a tour for instance of desert type ruins. I took a cruise most recently and found myself (this was July) quite comfortable as long as there was an ocean breeze. Even while traveling by Catamarn for an hour, I was completely okay. I have been to Disney (just for a comparison) where I had to be out in 95 degrees and humidity all day and truly suffered. I know that the ocean breeze is the reason I handled the outings on my cruise so well. Did not do any inland (i.e., Mexican ruins) visits.

Any more advice related to my health issues is welcome but most importantly I would like to know if I will be able to continue my prescription regimen when coming to my dream retirement site in Punta Cana..

Thanks to anyone who can offer some good insight!!

My dear friend, have you ever been to the DR? There is whole lot more to be concerned about with living in the DR rather than medication and doctors. For the healthy it can be pure heaven. For the unhealthy it can be... well you should think seriously about it and do a lot more research...........

dv8 · Sep 5, 2010

i will put it blantly - you cannot live in DR.
very few pharmacies sell prescription drugs (here in puerto plata only two and POP is much bigger than PC). even if they do they may not have your medicine. even if they do they may not be selling it to individuals. even if they do they may not have the amount of drugs you need.
medicine in DR is generally more expensive than in europe or america and good strong painkillers are expensive. tramal, for instance will run at about 100 pesos a pill. that is one single pill. imported medicine are even more pricey.
granted, you may get a dominican health insurance but i am sure no insurance here will cover pre-existing condition like MS. and pharmacy befefits are limited. insurance company will usually pay about 70% of the price of medicine up to whatever amount of money a year. i have basic insurance plus complimentary and my coverage for medicine is 8000 pesos a year; to put it in perspective - a box of monthly supply of a pill for a woman recovering from breast cancer - a little over 7000 pesos. with 20 different prescriptions you will use your yearly supply in less than a month...
if you post here names of compounds you use i may check for you whether the medicine is all at available in DR and at what price on average.
you may ask: are there no people with MS in DR then? how do they manage?
and the answer is: for rich people nothing is impossible, they go to miami for they medicial procedures and they get meds in the best hospitals in the country. and they poor? they don't need any of that, they die quickly.

MikeFisher · Sep 5, 2010

if you seriously plan to retire in the Punta Cana area and like you mentioned above you will visit the area first for a 'check ot out' vacation, then I would recommend to get in touch with Dr Cende?o at his Clinic in Higuey and explain him your situation, to hear what advice he would have.
that Clinic in Higuey I would prefer much over the expensive Clinics in Bavaro/Punta Cana.
welcome to the DR1 Bord
Mike

rubio_higuey · Sep 6, 2010

Mike, Clinica Dr Ce***o in Higuey (*** for protection against any defamation suit) NO SIRVE. I have some horror stories to tell, mine and my friends' and business partners'.

As my (business) socio said, "en esa clinica parece que se ajuntan todos los dizque medicos botados por otras clinicas en el pais..."

Example: I had an abscess on my leg and I was given prescription for injected antibiotics (..which I googled caused kidney damage)...got one dosis and was scared like hell afterwards. They gave me prescription for like 3 different antibiotics and did not even order bacterial cultivation swab from the wound ... (they DID do that, however, in Clinica Dr. PEROZO I visited after that, GP Dr. Perez, who has credentials from Hospital FFAA in SD).

My socio's 9-yrs old daugter was hospitalized there (Clinica Dr. Ce****o) with high fever caused by intestinal worms, but was given antibiotics and IV fluids WITHOUT any exams etc. all in ONE DAY that were more than adult dose for 3 days.

My socio's cu?ada is pediatrist in Lincoln Hospital in NY, when she came down there and she saw the kid with all the stuff they injected her with, she was FURIOUS, to the extent that the very Mr. Dr. C***o came to apologize...

Had this happened in the US or Europe - You've got medical malpractice suit on hands.....

'NOUGH said. NO MORE CLINICA DR CE***O in Higuey for me!!! Patiants beware!

I would go to Clinica Dr. Perozo, any medium-serious stuff to Hospiten or Centro Medico Punta Cana, and serious stuff to Cedimat or Abreu in SD or HOMMS in ST.

MikeFisher · Sep 6, 2010

wow buddy,
that's a hard hit for me, better for the wifes.
thankfully I do myself not be in the need for any Doctor/hospital visits.
but within the circle of friends of ours, dominicans and expats, our wifes rave about the Clinic and are til today very happy with their results.
my wife's sister had a Cancer Operaion there 3 weeks ago and since then rave's about the clinic in highest voices.
and til today the treatments been covered by our ARS Humano Medic Plans.
I don't know Clinica Perozo, but will note down that name as recommended, you'll never know when needed.
Mike

ExtremeR · Sep 7, 2010

rubio_higuey said:
Mike, Clinica Dr Ce***o in Higuey (*** for protection against any defamation suit) NO SIRVE. I have some horror stories to tell, mine and my friends' and business partners'.

As my (business) socio said, "en esa clinica parece que se ajuntan todos los dizque medicos botados por otras clinicas en el pais..."

Example: I had an abscess on my leg and I was given prescription for injected antibiotics (..which I googled caused kidney damage)...got one dosis and was scared like hell afterwards. They gave me prescription for like 3 different antibiotics and did not even order bacterial cultivation swab from the wound ... (they DID do that, however, in Clinica Dr. PEROZO I visited after that, GP Dr. Perez, who has credentials from Hospital FFAA in SD).

My socio's 9-yrs old daugter was hospitalized there (Clinica Dr. Ce****o) with high fever caused by intestinal worms, but was given antibiotics and IV fluids WITHOUT any exams etc. all in ONE DAY that were more than adult dose for 3 days.

My socio's cu?ada is pediatrist in Lincoln Hospital in NY, when she came down there and she saw the kid with all the stuff they injected her with, she was FURIOUS, to the extent that the very Mr. Dr. C***o came to apologize...

Had this happened in the US or Europe - You've got medical malpractice suit on hands.....

'NOUGH said. NO MORE CLINICA DR CE***O in Higuey for me!!! Patiants beware!

I would go to Clinica Dr. Perozo, any medium-serious stuff to Hospiten or Centro Medico Punta Cana, and serious stuff to Cedimat or Abreu in SD or HOMMS in ST.

Hey Rubio, did you have any damage done to you or your peers? Because what I'm reading is they just injected you with stuff that may have potential secondary effects as it is with every medicine and nothing happened. If I start reading all of the secondary effects of every medicine I have taken in my life I'll die of a heart attack.

Oxycontin is a really serious drug, just a step below from morphine which is a step below from heroin.

badpiece33 · Sep 7, 2010

syringles said:
Hello, I just found this site and it's been my experience that the best place for info is the source, i.e., the people (most of you likely Americans and Canadians) who live there. I will definitely make a visit to an all-inclusive to learn more but permanent retireee residency is what I ultimately seek. I have a disease which is closely related to MS. I also take meds for mild high blood pressure, a thyroid condition and what I am afraid I will have trouble with, constant spinal pain related to the neurological condition. My pain is 100% controlled with prescription meds.

I hope I don't hear that I shouldn't come as I don't think having a medical situation (other than a severe form of cancer) should stop one from living their dreams. One issue thought that I can't find much information on is how does a retiree to the Dominican Republic continue, retain or obtain their prescribed medicines. I know that my current set of physicians won't write them if I live out of country. I also take Oxycontin (wouldn't mind a patch instead)... I just wonder.. Do I visit beforehand and get a good neurologist (I think I saw there were two and perhaps a General Practitioner. Are these the people in the DR who prescribe medicines?

Has anyone ran into trouble with a DR (please forgive if using DR is not the right etiquette) doctor who doesn't want to prescribe. Am I right in assuming that they would read over English/American records or I guess what I am asking is truly what am I facing? Are costs not lower?

I know many think that heat is not good for MS type diseases and in truth it is not but what that really means is you can't sit outside all day and you should not do a tour for instance of desert type ruins. I took a cruise most recently and found myself (this was July) quite comfortable as long as there was an ocean breeze. Even while traveling by Catamarn for an hour, I was completely okay. I have been to Disney (just for a comparison) where I had to be out in 95 degrees and humidity all day and truly suffered. I know that the ocean breeze is the reason I handled the outings on my cruise so well. Did not do any inland (i.e., Mexican ruins) visits.

Any more advice related to my health issues is welcome but most importantly I would like to know if I will be able to continue my prescription regimen when coming to my dream retirement site in Punta Cana..

Thanks to anyone who can offer some good insight!!

MY MAN you need to get your problem under control then go to DR.

syringles · Sep 7, 2010

First of all I want to thank those who tried to offer good assistance even if it meant telling me that my medicines might be costly and not available. What you need to understand is the reason people come to these forums is that it is the intelligent thing to do as the TV shows that generate interest in the Dominican and other Caribbean islands make it seem so easy. Particarly, there is House Hunters International which even featured a woman purchasing in Punta Cana based on seeing a previous feature story on the same show on Punta Cana. I also have seen the same show feature two other beach communities, one being Puerta Plata...

After a very quick search, one finds the International Living ads which seem to make everything so easy.. They are really not all ads but include stories like how you can retire to Belize, Roatan and the DR on your US Social Security then say tout how you can rent for as low as $500 per month. My idea would have been to rent then buy if everything wokred out but because I have health issues, I thought I would go to the place where I would find (on a forum) Americans who have retired to the DR.

I made the assumpiton that so many shows and magazines use the word retirment that we are speaking of people who are at least over 50, pehaps close to 60 and or up in age. Certainly you all know that as we age, we obtain illnesses that require medicine. I have appreciated learning that Medicare is not accepted (although my retirement plan is changing). I would never make a move without finding out all this information.

What I never expected was lectures on the medicines I am taking so for this statement "Talk to your medic if you can use Suboxone meds.
Oxycontin Alternatives are: Bextra, Celebrex, Foricet, Imitrex, Mobic, Naproxen, Ultracet and Vioxx.
You should talk to your medic, before taking any other medications.
Forum is not a place for curing yourself, or that you will take advice from unknown persons regarding any illness. "
I think perhaps I should tell you that you are very wrong and please don't ever give anyone such advice as you just did. Please never scold anyone from trying to get information on a forum. I don't think there is a person on here who would accuse me of trying to "cure myself" here. Unfortunately, I have many other things wrong than MS and it is not as bad as many cases. The pain medicine in narcotic form that I require are for a congetical defect in my spinal cord and anyone with this disorder is on at least oxycodone. So you understand, your information on Celebrex and the other drugs you listed are quite wrong. Celbrex is for Rhematoid Arthitis and people with other types of Collagen VAscular diseases. I take Celebrex for a syndrome in my legs related to osteoarthritis. It is in no way a pain killer for long term chronic back pain. You also listed Fioricet and Immitrex which are headach medicines and Fioricet is a barbituate strongly controlled and Immitrex is for only migraine headaches and is in no way prescribed for my type of pain.

I can certainly seek a Miami doctor and try what is called a duragesic patch which lasts longer and is place don the skin but it is a stronger medicine that I have been afraid to try. It is strange that I have also received comments to go take care of my problem. I can't make my illnesses go away and it was the responsible thing to go and ask these questions. I also have a genetic blood disorder that causes leg and lung clots if my blood is not monitored. It requires a monthly test for my INR levels and a medicine I can't live without called coumadin.

Please understand that people with disabilities are entitled to try and have a life as much as you are. Never tell anyone to "take care of their problem". Having to take the medicines I do is not an addiction. It is to keep me alive and able to function. I think praise should be given to anyone who doesn't just sit home and give up on life.

I deserve to dream of an island oceanview life as much as anyone. I knew it would be hard so I am at a very early stage asking appropriate questions. It sounds like it would take me finding the very best specialist I could find and maybe quarterly visits to Miami to get the proper medicines.

I thank those of you who gave me links to hopsitals, certain doctors, etc. That is really what I asked for. For the persons who see me as someone who isn't fit to live in your society, it would have been more prudent to state that you think it would likely be impossible, but please don't judge people you don't know. I celebrate life to the fullest of my ability and I think that due to the nature of some comments I have found here that there doesn't seem to be a welcoming American expat society on this forum. Many of you answered questions without even understanding the insurance and medical issues I come from.

I hope you will be more open to others that are brave enough to venture into the world that you have found. Good luck to you all and thanks to those who truly intended to be kind.

syringles · Sep 7, 2010

To Miloskorac,

Thanks so very very much. Perhaps I will end up in the DR. I will take advantage of the information you have given me and it is appreciated.

Leslie

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