logan

Hello this is a query for folk already in the fair land of Oz. Are contact lenses, prescription glasses cheaper in the UK? Naturally I'll update over here prior to leaving if they are. The other question is regarding the pill. I've been on the same brand all my life, (well not "all" my life obviously!), and I'm concerned I'll have to change and end up with something that gives me side effects, like massive mood swings etc. Actually I think my other half is more concerned about this aspect. It's called Cileste, so if there's any fellow users out there let me know. cheers Logan

joho

This a question I have been wondering about also. Do they do Depo-vera injection. I don't have it for contreception, I have it for PMT. Injection stops periods so no PMT. My husband is climbing the walls wondering if he's going to have to have that evil possessed woman once a month back. :scared:

bridiej

I'm on Cileste too but unlike yourself have been on several different brands - unfortunately the last one gave me terrible, terrible headaches, so like you I'm concerned.

I have heard that you have to pay for it though...

Curls

I have a nice sharp pair of scissors! no need to remember taking, no hassle obtaining,& no side effects . easy day op. SORTED!

Pollyana

The best thing to do is try seaching through the Australian Family Planning sites; even if its available it may have a different name, so you have to look for the maek-up of the pill, as well as the brand-name. Have a similar problem with mine, in that the licence was refused in Australia so I can't get it here....after taking ages to find one that suited me. Mines called Cerazette, by the way.

www.fpa.net.au

Do a search through posts on the forum too, its been discussed a couple of times over the last 2 years.

joh117

I stopped taking the pill when I got here. I begrudge having to pay for it.

As far as contacts go our optician bulk bills with medicare for the eye test so we paid nothing.

For a 6 months supply of Day and Night contacts it is $270 we have private health cover where we can claim upto $170 a year for contacts or glasses not sure what we will end up paying for the contacts as they are on order so not paid the bill yet

For a months supply of dispobable lenses they are $90 for 30 pairs.

We bought our glasses in Malaysia for 75 quid a pair. The same frames silhouette (flexible frames) are $335 in our opticians and I did not ask about the lenses (we have the photosensitive ones) but it is gonna work out expensive.

You have to go for your 6 monthly checks for contacts and our optician does not charge for this but the receptionsist said that he was not the norm in otherwords most do charge for the check up.

Hope this helps

Jo

Pollyana

Little tip for Pill takers - get as large a supply as possible, As yes, you do have to pay for it. I managed to get 18 months supply from my local UK Family Planning by telling them I was going on a working holiday visa, and wouldn't be able to get it here.

abergas

Not sure about the pill here in WA, but the depo-vera injection has been offered to me.

joh117

I did the same got 12 month supply from the doctor said I was travelling for a year.

Jo

JoGrist

Hi Cilest and Depro injection are both available in Australia. You have to pay for them. One thing about getting contraceptives in advance is that some doctors may be unwilling as technically they can only give you 6 months worth because you need to make sure that your blood pressure etc is checked. I know of law suits that are going through at the moment following the blood clot problems with some of the Contraceptive pills where backpackers/travellers were given pills for 12 months or more and ended up coming back to the UK after having a stroke overseas. Make sure you get regular health checks if you are going to do this.

Hope this helps
Jo Grist
www.gristinternational.com

batsheva

cileste and depo are both available here in nz for free - would be very suprised if not available in aussie therefore - goto google and type in:

cileste contraceptive site:au
and this will give you a list of any aussie websites only which should be a good place to start

yvsie

hi im a practice nurse and give depo provera injections regularly(as did in uk)....its called...depo ralovera here though...not much different i know. we dont stock it as we did in the uk.. women get repeat script for it here which .........yes they do have to pay for....
cant remember whether cilest is available here or not..maybe i can find out for you?...i will try to remember.

concerning specs....
i was told....free eye test every 2 years covered by medicare..so thats good..
i needed a lense in specs sorting out...they anti glare coating had 'mosaiced'...prob due to hairspray!..doh
i had a new lense made and it cost me i $107 to be precise(saved receipt so i know...just in case same happened to this one too!)...mind you..that was to match existing and the lenses we knife edged, anti glare blah blah...they did a good job too matching it up, because the lenses here are not quite the same.

i would say to anyone on regular meds to do the same as other girls on here and try to get as much of it before you leave....i think that prescriptions here are much more expensive than in the uk! .....for example...tweaked my back this week and needed script for anti inflammatories and ibuleve gel type stuff. gp only gave me 30 tabs but gel was large tube(also available without script)and it was just short of $50.....in uk it would have been 2 items....how mucxh is it per item these days?..it was approx £6.50 = 13x2.5 = $32.50

logan

thank you for all your advice. Can't believe they make you pay for contraception, not a good system me thinkss Anyway it got me thinking about the other side of the coin, is it true that most companies offer no maternity packages at all?

Pollyana

Not something I've looked into in detail, but I think its true. I have a feeling someone told me that paid maternity leave is rare.

jayr

Whilst you have to pay for your own contraception at least they will give you $3000 if you do end up having a kid.

No expert on maternity but there is no statutory maternity pay/leave.