Remicade on STT?

There is no rheumatologist currently on St Thomas. This is one of those areas where new residents need to be careful. Specialized medical care is often not available.

Is Remicade like methotrexate? Can it be done through a chemo clinic? The new Cancer Institute will have a chemotherapy suite.

vibound,

You may want to check out Puerto Rico for treatments – much closer than Florida.

Hello there. I also moved with significant medical needs. I found that for any sort of oral medications, my M.D. would stretch a bit, even though it is fully in his authority to prescribe, and help to treat a chronic condition that normally would require me to get a referral stateside.

Where the M.D. left off, I found that an anesthesiologist who was certified or licensed in pain management was able to provide injections of the rest. I have seen people with RA at his office.

He is located in St. Croix, but I would be rather sure as there is a medical center on STT that there would be a similar type of doctor there.

You might try the yellow pages under "Anesthesiologists or Pain Management Specialists" to see if there is someone who will administer.

I hope this is helpful. It did take me awhile to figure out the system, but my condition is being remarkably well controlled without leaving the island (which in and of itself would be a challenge).

Best wishes,

Dan

Thanks for the replies everyone!

East Ender - FYI, Remicade is an IV infusion taken in conjunction with methotrexate (very, very low dosage in pill form) and folic acid so I'm not sure if the Cancer Institute would be an option...but I will give them a call. I usually require treatment every 7-8 weeks.

dntw8up - Puerto Rico sounds like a plan...never been there, good excuse to visit maybe, LOL!

Daniel - thanks for the suggestions. Hopefully I will have similar success on STT to yours on STX.

I am determined to re-locate and will not let this stop me. Will be discussing other drug options with my rheumatologist here prior to my departure, maybe switching to Enbrel, which is self-administered.

Another question - I assume that State-side prescriptions are accepted on STT, or do they have to be written by a local doctor?

Thanks again for all the help - I can't wait to move!!

Stateside prescriptions are accepted. I've even had my doctor in the states phone in a prescription to the local KMart on St Croix. No problem. Good Luck. I also deal with medical concerns and it is a constant worry.

STT has Remicade. My next door neighbor is having a treatment done next week. Ask around the hospital - not everyone there knows what it is.

Thanks again all for the responses.

tfairchild - your message was very encouraging, thank you! Would it be too much to ask for the name of the person/dr./nurse your neighbor has hooked up with at Schneider (I assume that's where they're going)? I seem to be getting the runaround whenever I call over there. Thanks again!

Dr. Goldman at RLS is the GI doctor. He can be reached at 340-774-5072. I have a friend here who had her treatment just today.

Thanks, G-Dub...this helps A LOT!

Sorry I didn't reply earlier. G-Dub-Ya was actually referring to the same persion as I so it appears that all the information has already be relayed. Best of luck to you.