existing medical problem

[Joanne]

Does anyone have any experience of moving with an existing medical problem?  My daughter is registered disabled and has regular repeat prescriptions, hospital visits etc.  As my husband will still be working and paying tax in Britain im unsure what we do about her medical needs.  Do we continue to visit hospitals in Britain at least in the short term and take a few months supply of drugs with us? I'd be very grateful for any ideas!

[opas]

We have a daughter who was registerd didabled in the UK, who has a multi disiplined syndrome ,so lots of different hospital visits.

when we came to live in France her follow up health checks were our priority and I must admit a few sleepless nights wondering how she would be treated.

We went to our local centre medico (health centre) and asked to see a paediatrician ,we could have had an appointment that day if we so wished!

She was given a thorough medical ,the doctor talked to her and asked us lots of questions ,then said she would refer us to a large university hospital about 150 miles away as they could cover all her needs under one roof.

She was given an appointment  in about 6 weeks and had to stay overnight,with me of course which was about12 euros for her stay.

All her treatment for her disability is covered at100% with CPAM,she doesn`t need medication but assume this would be covered too.

We have not as yet applied for a dissability allowance for her here(even though we have been here 12 months) just one of those jobs that keeps getting put off!

Certainly in the short term you could continue with any outstanding appoinments(as we did) but in our case once she was in the system all her appointments were grouped into one long stay in hospital(4 days) but no more then for 6 months.

hope this helps.

[TvcamdaveDave & Sue Lawson]

This is a subject we have great interest in as my wife has MS and epilepsy so any infomation is useful.

I have found some useful information on the Angloinfo.com website about disabilities and allowances. It gives addresses for only a few areas but the info is universal.

Does anyone have any sourse of information on hospital specialities in different towns as we have yet to finalise an area to look for proporty. Having the right services available would be important.

[TvcamdaveDave & Sue Lawson]

This is a subject we have great interest in as my wife has MS and epilepsy so any infomation is useful.

I have found some useful information on the Angloinfo.com website about disabilities and allowances. It gives addresses for only a few areas but the info is universal.

Does anyone have any sourse of information on hospital specialities in different towns as we have yet to finalise an area to look for proporty. Having the right services available would be important.

Dave Lawson

[TvcamdaveDave & Sue Lawson]

Sorry for the double post but this new website didn't appear to upload the first one, it just sat there doing nothing!!

It also ignores carrage returns which makes formating a problem

Dave Lawson

[Jackie]

I found that the French system works very well for me. I need medication, blood tests and hospital investigations on a regular basis and have had no problems with the system at all.

I think that it is important to bring a complete medical history with you, most UK GPs will provide this for a charge. I think it is a good idea to translate this into French if possible although most French doctors seem to have some English and many medical terms are similar. I would bring enough medication to keep you going for a couple of months so you have time to find a good generalist.

We made a point of seeking out a local generalist (GP) soon after we arrived on the recommendation of a neighbour. He has been most caring and has referred us to specialists as and when required most efficiently. Waiting time for most things has been quite short and the care has been excellent as far as I am concerned. I have been better treated and more promptly with more compassion and understanding than when I was in the UK. I accept my opinion is subjective but it seems to be shared by most people who have made the move over here. You can read about having the correct E forms and joining the French health care system elsewhere on this site. Bon courage........John in 79

 

 

[Tink]

I have a 100% disability and I have a different experience.

Even though I had all my medical files with me my dr. seem to want rediscover the wheel.

He said he wanted to make up his own mind and was very skeptical about my US dr's. He changed my medications and I was send to laboratories to have all new bloodtest, xrays etc.

Why I don't know. I never receive a straight answer. I was pretty stable when I arrived here, could take short walks, go shopping but due to my medication change my condition has gone backwards to the fact that I need a wheelchair soon.

I know some have good experiences here in France, my experience is that they're not open for anything that's not developed in France or for research that has been done outside France. But maybe I was just unlucky. Another problem is that France is not really a disabled friendly country. Little is done to make life more accessible for disabled. Only imagine having to go to the toilet or even access a restaurant with a wheelchair or a shop, let alone drive your wheelchair through town.

About importing medication, according to the law you are allowed to take up to 3 months of medications with you when you enter France and you need to be able to provide copies of the prescriptions and a letter from your GP stating the medication your use helps.

--

Tink (22)

[Iceni]

[quote]I have a 100% disability and I have a different experience.Even though I had all my medical files with me my dr. seem to want rediscover the wheel.He said he wanted to make up his own mind and was ver...[/quote]

Hi Tink, I know this may be obvious and not always easy with your condition but have you thought about having a second opinion.  Locally many moan about using a doctor in a local town, I use the very local one to me in the next town (nothing but a large village really) and he has been very good.  You can go direct to hospital or change as you wish.  Not easy I know when your mobility is limited (I have a very disabled daughter who has always used a wheelchair so I know the problems ).

I hope things improve for you.

[Jackie]

About drugs and medication. My experience is that the French doctors do tend to give you more medications than maybe you need. A bit too quick to use antibiotics perhaps but if you are well informed about your condition this should not be a problem often.

I always check a new drug on the various information sites on the internet. You can find out information on drug interactions and unwanted side effects quite easily on the net and go back to the doctor or get a second opinion if worried.

Pharmacies here are a mine of information and well informed on possible drug problems. I was changed from my regular medication to a new one with less than desirable results. As it happened I was sensitive to the new drug and there was no way anyone could have known this so that could have happened just as easily in the UK as here. All drugs have some side effects and Doctors are not gods who know everything. All those I have seen here have been caring and as far as I can see as good as anywhere in the UK and in many cases better!.................John

[Sunday Driver]

Hacquer

I assume from your query that you do not have a UK driving licence.  Is this as a result of your medical condition? 

To ride a 50cc scooter/moped in France, you must either hold a UK driving licence with category P entitlement, or complete a French compulsory basic training course - Brevet de Securite Routiere (BSR).

There are also small engined light cars available (Axiam, Ligier) which are restricted to low speeds and which do not require a driving licence. They are commonly referred to as "voitures sans-permis"

In legal/medical terms, certain conditions/disabilities may prohibit the holding of a driving licence or impose restrictions on its validity and/or duration. The [url=http://www.code-route.com/incompatibilites_physiques2005.pdf]Decree of 21 December 2005[/url] modifies the Code de la Route and sets out precise details of the applicable conditions, together with the associated medical report requirements.  For epilepsy, a driving licence may be valid for up to a year (period renewable subject to ongoing medical reports). 

If an insurance company is willing to insure you for a voiture sans-permis, then they will certainly want to see medical reports.  

In the final analysis, you really need to take local medical advice.  If your condition is such that you wouldn't qualify for a French driving licence, then to drive a vehicle that doesn't need one would be an unacceptable risk to yourself and to other road users.

 

 

 

[Gardian]

[quote user="Tvcamdave"]This is a subject we have great interest in as my wife has MS and epilepsy so any infomation is useful. I have found some useful information on the Angloinfo.com website about disabilities and allowances. It gives addresses for only a few areas but the info is universal. Does anyone have any sourse of information on hospital specialities in different towns as we have yet to finalise an area to look for proporty. Having the right services available would be important. Dave Lawson[/quote]

Dave ........

We moved here 21 months ago: one of the reasons for the move was that my wife had been retired on ill health having been diagnosed with MS a couple of years ago (it has affected her sight rather than motor skills). The consultant who she saw in the UK was excellent and had put her on Rebif (beta -interferon, as I'm sure you're aware).  She was given 3 months supply (as opposed to the normal 1 month's worth) prior to leaving the UK.

We've been very fortunate. Our local GP is German and speaks fluent English.  She referred my wife to the Chef de Service Consultant Neurologist at Montpellier Hospital.  He too speaks English fluently, is charming, and readily put her on to the same medication which is supplied monthly at 100% (just as well, because the monthly cost is over €1000), together with any associated blood tests etc.  We see him 6-monthly for a review and his usual fee is €41 !!!!!!!!  The hospital is modern and efficient - can't speak too highly of it.

He had an MRI scan done 12 mths ago and will probably want another one sooner or later: he had the one that she had done in the UK sent out to him (for comparison purposes).

By the way, the process for obtaining 100% was instigated by our GP - we didn't have to do anything.

If you want any more information, pls do not hesitate to post here or pm privately.

 

 

[Owen]

Hello tvcamdave,

There are support groups and associations for both MS and Epilepsy throughout France. I know you are in a bit of a Catch 22 situation but if at least you have an idea where you are going to live North West, South West etc you may be able to obtain the specific advice you require.

The "Nouvelle (founded in 1962!) Association Francaise des Sclérosés en Plaques" has its headquarters in Haut -Garonne

NAFSEP

7 ave Albert Durand

31700 BLAGNAC

Tel; 05 34 55 77 00

Fax: 05 61 30 49 73

However there are branches in many other "départements" so if you could be more specific about the area where you wish to live you will be able to obtain more precise information.

Epilepsie France has a less comprehensive network and is headquartered in Paris

EF

133 rue Falguiere, Bat D

75015 PARIS

Tel/Fax 01 53 80 66 64

Regards

Peter Owen

[email protected]