Hello,
I have been granted a one year working holiday visa and will be moving to Tokyo for a year sometime in the next few months. I was diagnosed with Crohns disease a few years ago, which is currently completely managed by self injection (Adalimumab) every other week.
I have seen some posts from others in a similar situation and some people suggest bringing a large amount of medication with them to start with, some also suggest you might need to be rediagnosed when in Japan or get a letter for transference of care from my doctor to my preferred hospital in Tokyo.
My concern is that the last time I got a larger supply of medication (6months for travelling) the doctor I spoke to said it would be difficult to get approved continually as the NHS doesnt want to pay for it if im not technically a uk resident. (not sure how travelling means this counts but whatever). I wasnt sure if i should tell my doctor that im travelling again to get a large supply, but obviously if i need a letter from them id need to tell them im moving for a year.
Id rather avoid getting re-diagnosed if possible as the tests are fairly invasive (MRI/Colonoscopy).
Is there anyone here who has moved with a chronic illness who can inform me of the procedure?
Will I need a letter from my current doctor to take with me? I dont speak Japanese but im aware there are international hospitals in Tokyo that i can go to, and i do have a few friends in Tokyo who speak japanese if i need to fill out paperwork etc.