Great Offer to Work Abroad - Concerned About Hair Loss

[tellersquill]

As it states in the title, I've been offered a job teaching English to orphaned children in Nepal for a year. This is a dream job to me as I've never felt that I have done anything meaningful in my work yet.

Sadly, one of the first things that came to mind is my hairloss treatment. I'm a Norwood 2.5 and can hide it well but if I lost anymore it would start to look bad.

My concern is that because I have zero prescriptions I cannot take propecia abroad with me (not sure with minoxidil). This would obviously damage my hair.

What would you guys do? Is it easy to get a fake prescription? Anyone else in the same boat?

 

[Afro_Vacancy]

1) Why can't you pack it in your suitcase?
2) Why can't you get a prescription in Nepal itself?

 

[tellersquill]

1) Why can't you pack it in your suitcase?
2) Why can't you get a prescription in Nepal itself?

1. I think they confiscate and may even press charges if you carry none prescribed drugs.

2. I hadn't thought about that but it seems unlikely in Nepal.

 

[Dench57]

Why can't you get a prescription for it here? Explain the situation to your Doctor, say you've been using Propecia fine and its helping.

 

[GoldenMane]

I go home once a year and I always load up on a year's supply of finasteride and minoxidil when I do (docs only give one month scripts here and minoxidil isn't available in 5%), Japan has crazy strict prescription drug laws, I can go to jail for importing prescription medications. I've never had any problems. I just put in in my check in bag and have my doctor write an accompanying note and it always goes through ok.

 

[GoldenMane]

What do you do in Japan GoldenMane?

Teach English, like most foreign people here!

 

[tellersquill]

Why can't you get a prescription for it here? Explain the situation to your Doctor, say you've been using Propecia fine and its helping.

When I went three years ago he said he recommends minoxidlil and doesn't prescribe propecia.

I just started to buy it 'illegally' last year online.

 

[Swoop]

I go home once a year and I always load up on a year's supply of finasteride and minoxidil when I do (docs only give one month scripts here and minoxidil isn't available in 5%), Japan has crazy strict prescription drug laws, I can go to jail for importing prescription medications. I've never had any problems. I just put in in my check in bag and have my doctor write an accompanying note and it always goes through ok.

Do you write/speak Japanese too?

 

[kmm179]

Looks like you might have to boof a years supply of finasteride.

 

[GoldenMane]

Do you write/speak Japanese too?

Speak a little. Write? Not really. I can read a little, low level stuff, not a chance of reading scientific or technical literature.

 

[Rockinlove]

In India; you can get drugs over the counter without the need for a prescription. I reckon that generics should be available in Nepal as well. Neverthless, carry your prescription and get a local doctor to prescribe the best possible generics for you.

As it states in the title, I've been offered a job teaching English to orphaned children in Nepal for a year. This is a dream job to me as I've never felt that I have done anything meaningful in my work yet.

Sadly, one of the first things that came to mind is my hairloss treatment. I'm a Norwood 2.5 and can hide it well but if I lost anymore it would start to look bad.

My concern is that because I have zero prescriptions I cannot take propecia abroad with me (not sure with minoxidil). This would obviously damage my hair.

What would you guys do? Is it easy to get a fake prescription? Anyone else in the same boat?

 

[yetti]

When I went three years ago he said he recommends minoxidlil and doesn't prescribe propecia.

I just started to buy it 'illegally' last year online.

He isnt the only doctor in the world. It would be exceedingly simple to make an appointment with one of a million dermatologists and get a prescription.

I really doubt Japan would jail for propecia (though you never know). I know that car executive got in a lot of trouble for the pills she had shipped to her a few months ago but they were painkillers...

 

[yrotsih]

I don't think it should be a problem acquiring finasteride in Nepal. In many countries (India, Turkey etc) you don't need a prescription for buying finasteride. Take it with you. If it gets confiscated (which I doubt will happen as long as you're not carrying an extremely large amount) then you should not have much difficulty getting it in Nepal. Worst case, get an Indian visa and cross the border to buy script-free. Anyways, enjoy Nepal, it sounds like a great opportunity and hair issues should not affect you from living life!