kalina5342

I did not bring enough clonazepam to last me a month here because i didn't think I would need that much. I'm doing a study abroad In Florence, Italy and my classes are much harder than I expected and being so far away from home on my own for the first time, I have been having severe panic attacks sometime's two a day. And sometimes in class I'll have a panic attack and have to leave because my panic attacks/ severe anxiety make me throw up. If I bring the prescription bottle to a pharmacie, could they refill it for me? Please if anyone has advise for what I can do, I would appreciate it greatly. Thank you!

Whathello

Obviously going to the pharmacy is the best idea.

There they will either refill or if it is not allowed (and quite often in Europe it is not unless the med is quite harmless), they will address you to a doctor who will make you a prescription.

The pharmacist will know an englishspeaking doc if this is needed.

Good luck.

kalina5342

I don't have the prescription, just the bottle. The dosage is correct, and so is the medication. i didn't think I would need as many as i am now because the panic attacks are usually twice a day. I have been in therapy for the past 3 years, a 6 week residential treatment program and was in an outpatient program before coming here. I have an eating disorder and not being able to cook here, just eating out, and not being able to understand the nutrition labels at grocery stores is already stressing me out on top of being in a completely foreign city alone and not knowing anyone. All of this just exacerbated my anxiety. unfortunately, this is normal for me.

KTtravel

kalina, is there a program director you can approach? He or she will likely know of medical resources as I am sure other students also need medical care/medications while they are studying in Italy.

I hope you feel better soon!

muskoka

Perhaps if you aren't able to get clonezapam right away, the pharmacist will be able to substitute something else to ease your anxiety in the interim. I don't know about the pharmacists in Italy but if they are anything like the ones in France, they are very skilled at creating medications.

Good luck to you and I hope you are feeling better very shortly.

Sassafrass

St Cirq's advice was all logical and she was right about the situation. Her first advice was simply to try the pharmacy, same basic advice as others. I thought she was helpful with advice to perhaps seek some professional care. Even if anxiety is normal for the OP, and she understands her issues, such extreme anxiety might be somewhat alleviated knowing there is a Doctor on hand who could help if things do not improve. It never hurts to have a support person to call on if or when you need it.

Once, when I was worried a medical issue might land me in a hospital in Italy, I did a bit of research to find one in case I needed it. Though I ended up not needing it, I did get sick and immediately went to the town with the hospital. Great peace of mind knowing it was there. An emotional issue may merit the same reassurance.

Whathello

My initial reaction was also to tell OP to see a doctor since wat she describes is far from habitual.
The OP is genuinely giving details about her situation which must be a tough one. I feel for her too, mustn't be easy.
I think StCirq reached out to her better than I did.
But this is too much for some here.

bvlenci

In Italy, pharmacies are allowed to give you an emergency supply of a medicine without a prescription. I've done this several times. They give me enough to last me until I can see a doctor.

Dukey1

From some of the comments made by the OP, I would consider this to be a situation that really does require professional review. So-called "correct" medication dosages and yet there are obviously breakthrough events, etc., and the many other mindset and coping issues revealed by the OP.

familythattravels

Please let a family member or trusted person in your studies program know what is going on and seek help ASAP. It is easy to see how being in a foreign environment (Beautiful as it is) could be overwhelming. So please try to take some calming breathes and ask for help. I am thinking of you and wish you the best. Please update the board when you figure out a plan.

socaltraveler

I also urge you to turn to someone in your program for advice; there should be a student advisor who can not only refer you to a pharmacist, but also a doctor, help in translating lists of ingredients on packaged groceries, etc. Please come back and let us know how you are doing.

Sassafrass

Of course, a different environment might trigger anxiety, but this extreme anxiety is not normal, even under these circumstances. Florence is not a third world city. I have been several times and had students study there for a semester. It is not, IME, a place which triggers anxiety.

In this situation, more, and increased, self-medicating without proper medical supervision could be dangerous. The ideal is for the OP is get good help and support, be able to conquer anxiety and finish her time there with some enjoyment and success.

NewbE

How interesting! Praise of the Saint's oh-so-compassionate remarks remains, but criticism has been deleted--she must be a saint, indeed, to work such miracles of bowdlerization!

No matter. If you read these boards enough, you can't miss how much she loves to kick people when they're down. For her, THAT is normal.

nochblad

Are you from America? You don't say.

If so why not contact the American Consulate in Florence. They surely will have experience in dealing with such situations and a prescription from your doctor back home could fax or email it through to them for onward transmission to a pharmacy they work with in such situations.

jubilada

Go to the pharmacy, no need for the consulate.

nochblad

Pharmacies in Italy do not hand over serious medications which require a prescription willy-nilly.

I think the Consulate route may be less stressful and it would appear that this is exactly what is needed in the circumstances especially since the OP seems to be planning ahead rather than the nedd being within the next 24 hours.

Whathello

What about UN ?
Friends, schoolstaff, family, doctor, pharmacist, now consulate.
Who else ?

nochblad

Whathello - don't be silly.

This is a serious medication. Not everyone wants to do this all'italiana

bvlenci

As I said above, a pharmacy will sell you an emergency supply. I have got a week's supply of a heart medicine, which certainly requires a prescription, at a pharmacy in Fiumicino airport, when I had to make an emergency trip and didn't have enough of the medicine for the time I would be away. I brought them the box of the medicine I normally use. Note that prescribed medicines in Italy are given to you in a container that doesn't have your name on it, so this box by no means had a link to me or to the prescribing doctor.

I have done this on other occasions as well, when I've forgotten to pack something, or for other reasons.

I agree that this student needs to see a doctor, but if she's run out of her medicine, a pharmacy will give her enough so that she can find a doctor and make an appointment. She will need to show them the container, and that's all.

There may be some medicines, such as narcotics, that are not allowed to be sold even in small quantities without a prescription, but I'm just guessing that.

PalenQ

Go to the ER of the hospital in the center of Florence- I did once when I had a medical issue -they will speak English and fix you up right away and not even charge you a penny or at least did not me.

It's a walk-in place - you may have to wait - tell the doc your problem and they will take care of it- tell them you are suffering panic attacks and have run out of medicines.

Very simple, very easy.

http://italy.usembassy.gov/acs/profe...-florence.html