Hi all. On the 14th of September, I will be travelling to Japan to study for a year as part of my university course (Japanese Studies). Conditions and my medication at the end of post.
Sadly, communication both from my current and my Japanese university have been lacking. I finally had a meeting with them today where they advised me against trying to get my prescriptions in Japan and that it would be better for medication to be posted out to me from my home country.
Up until today, my plan was to bring just under three months’ worth of meds to Japan (my Yunyu Kakunin Sho is being processed currently) and to source my medication when I am out there (other students recommended sites like [https://pillintrip.com/](https://pillintrip.com/) to find out if my meds are available in Japan, which they are).
I have looked through this subreddit and I now realise the process of being prescribed these meds may involve being re-diagnosed. It took quite a while to be diagnosed in my home country so I am concerned how long it would take to see a (rheumatology) specialist if necessary. I can provide my doctors notes and diagnosis papers, however, I understand that this is not at all guaranteed to lead to a diagnosis/represcription.
I am going to contact my doctors on Monday to see if it would be possible for my parents to post out medication while I am out there (currently I cannot be prescribed more than 3 months’ worth of meds at time). However, I am trying to prepare for both outcomes.
The wait time in my home country to see specialist doctors is often months. I know very little about the Japanese Health care system so I was wondering how much the wait times for specialist appointments can differ in Japan? I have found some free medical appointment translation services provided in the city I am moving to if need be.
I understand this question may be hard to answer as I know it might vary greatly but any information or personal experience would be great, please.
If it’s important, I have fibromyalgia and hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome; I take Nortriptyline (as a pain relief) and Yasmin.
Thank you in advance.