Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Urgent back pain in Cyprus

22 replies

vacay · 15/05/2024 06:46

I'm in Cyprus, Nissi bay to be exact and my sciatica is absolutely horrendous, back is in spasm and pain going down both legs, I've almost ran out of my prescription and not due to go home until Friday night.
Is there any way I can get my prescription while over here ??

OP posts:
Allthehorsesintheworld · 15/05/2024 07:05

Ask in any pharmacy. If they cannot dispense a prescription med straight to you they’ll direct you to the nearest GP. You can usually see a GP same day, you have to pay but it’s usually quite cheap.
If you’re in a hotel they may have a GP on call who will come to you.

BloodyAdultDC · 15/05/2024 07:22

Speak to the hotel, they will be able to recommend a local doctor. Assuming you have travel insurance? But if this is a pre-existing condition you will likely not be covered.

Unlikely you will be able to get a UK prescription issued in Cyprus op.

gettingolderbutcooler · 15/05/2024 07:28

What is your prescription? If it is a controlled drug like diazepam then you'll need to pay to see a doctor.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
Original poster
vacay · 15/05/2024 07:38

It is codeine phosphate. I also brought my diazepam with me but that's for anxiety induced panic.
My doctor wrote me a cover letter with all my meds on and I also brought a copy of my Script

OP posts:
Original poster
vacay · 15/05/2024 07:39

I brought that uk health card with me too doesn't that entitle you to nhs care abroad ?

OP posts:
longdistanceclaraclara · 15/05/2024 07:42

I have access to an online gp through work, they have issued prescriptions abroad for me before. I would imagine any online private gp would be able to.

ReadtheReviews · 15/05/2024 07:45

The UK health care card means you can claim the money once back home, unfortunately not at the time.

Janjk · 15/05/2024 07:45

You won't be able to use a UK prescription in Cyprus, you will need a new one.

Amx · 15/05/2024 07:46

The pharmacies are excellent there. Go and see one, private doctors are everywhere too but you'll have to pay.

Parker231 · 15/05/2024 07:48

Make an appointment with a local doctor and claim on your travel insurance.

Twiglets1 · 15/05/2024 07:48

I had to see a private doctor in Cyprus a few years back, my hotel made an appointment for me. The quality of care was excellent. Claimed the cost back on my holiday insurance.

BSky · 15/05/2024 07:50

My OH was given diazepam along with other painkillers when he had severe back pain (hospitalised). He had a muscle spasm so the diazepam helped to relax his muscles. Yours might be different dosage if for anxiety but it might help. A pharmacist can advise.
Good luck - back pain is horrendous.

thinkfast · 15/05/2024 07:53

ReadtheReviews · 15/05/2024 07:45

The UK health care card means you can claim the money once back home, unfortunately not at the time.

I don't think that's correct. It entitles you to state healthcare as if you were a resident of the country you are visiting, so it entirely depends on the healthcare system of the other country.

BloodyAdultDC · 15/05/2024 07:53

vacay · 15/05/2024 07:39

I brought that uk health card with me too doesn't that entitle you to nhs care abroad ?

Afaik it only entitled you to whatever free STATE healthcare the residents are entitled to.

I assume no health insurance op?

Wishlist99 · 15/05/2024 07:55

Dh went to an emergency room in Cyprus last year - 5 minute wait, they were brilliant. €10 was the charge for foreign nationals so we didn’t bother claiming it back!

Original poster
vacay · 15/05/2024 07:57

We've got travel insurance through the bank but as a pp said it's a pre existing condition. I don't mind paying for a prescription I just can't be like this for the next 3 days I can barely move, I can't bend down

OP posts:
gettingolderbutcooler · 15/05/2024 08:03

EHIC isn't for prescriptions per se but you are entitled to urgent care in the EU (only for a little longer!) and if they give you a script that would be covered too.

Original poster
vacay · 15/05/2024 08:10

Thanks everyone. I'm going to ask at reception and see if they have an on call doctor or something. So typical it happens the last few days

OP posts:
Original poster
vacay · 15/05/2024 09:14

So, got through to jet2 who said not a problem, we will have a doctor out in an hour, going to the clinic will cost where as the doctor coming to resort is free you just need to pay for prescription, great I thought. Just get a call back off jet2 asking if the ambulance has arrived to take me to the clinic, wtf !!

OP posts:
AtleastitsnotMonday · 15/05/2024 10:59

vacay · 15/05/2024 09:14

So, got through to jet2 who said not a problem, we will have a doctor out in an hour, going to the clinic will cost where as the doctor coming to resort is free you just need to pay for prescription, great I thought. Just get a call back off jet2 asking if the ambulance has arrived to take me to the clinic, wtf !!

Did you declare your back condition to the travel insurance company? If you did it might still be covered. You need to check your policy. I would still be tempted to speak to a pharmacist. My experience is that not all meds that require a prescription in the uk require a prescription in other countries. Ask the pharmacist if it can be bought otc.

Original poster
vacay · 15/05/2024 11:25

Update - jet2 rep came to the hotel with a doctor. They were lovely, he was going to give me a tramadol injection but because I had already had some diazepam (which did fuck all for the pain) he didn't and injected an anti flammatory instead, I don't feel this has done much, maybe taken the edge off ever so slightly.
He was going to prescribe me my usual codeine but couldn't get any. He said even the hospitals haven't any codeine atm in Cyprus 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️ he has prescribed tramadol and diazepam

He checked me over and said it is my disc pressing on my sciatic nerve. Which I knew anyway but it is the fact my back is in spasm and I cannot bend at all

OP posts:
AtleastitsnotMonday · 15/05/2024 11:33

Can you get in the pool and move/stretch. I know it feels the last thing you want to do but it will help. Look to stretch piriformis too. It always helps my sciatica

New posts on this thread. Refresh page