Arthritis

Hi Pete,

any news? We had our medicals and submitted all other additional information today. Not sure how long the next bit takes. Hope it's gone well for you.

regards

​Rick

Hi all

We have had our visa granted today with no further requests we sent 2x letters from specialist stating my condition psoratic arthritis, the medication i was on methotrexate injections, and that i had early signs of spondilitis in my spine also i had a shoulder injury which i had been refered for a scan and they didnt even request the results from that so all in all apart from the wait it was prity plain sailing and nothing to worry about:biggrin:

Good Luck everyone

Pete

Congratulations Peter,

We're hoping to head to Melbourne this year, was supposed to go on the 21st January but I was diagnosed with PA back end of last year and hubby wanted to wait until I started to respond to drugs, have been on plaquenil and now on MTX for the last 6 weeks and am starting to feel 46 again instead of 96! So fingers crossed!!:laugh:

Hi Pete,

 

any news? We had our medicals and submitted all other additional information today. Not sure how long the next bit takes. Hope it's gone well for you.

 

regards

 

​Rick

Hi Rickcuzza,

Finally did u manage to get the 190 visa? A friend having similar problem (already on humira) is really worried about her chances of getting the PR. If you got the 190 visa, were u on Humira at the time of medicals and did the doctor take letter from your specialist and ask you any further questions? Also did he check your weight and told you to do some basic fitmess moves like touch your toes etc? Pls revert:)

Thanx

Somail

Hi Somail,

Sorry about the delayed response. We have had problems getting our internet sorted in Australia. That should help answer the question. We successfully got granted our 190 PR visas. I came off Humira during the process. I had to tell our medical doctor who assessed me that i had Ankylosing Spondylitis (strangely he specialized in AS when he was a practicing doctor - now does this as a part time thing as a retired doctor), but he didn't seem too concerned. He took a copy of the letter i had taken from my specilistist who was supportive of the move (she said the warm weather would really help my arthritis). He was mainly checking for serious illnesses such as HIV TB and skin conditions. He made me do some extra tests to my wife like flexibility and was fine with everything. He takes weight measurement and basic fitness tests. Nothing to be worried about. I hope this post helps overcome anyones fears who are on humira or other expensive drugs. I am now looking to continue my humira treatment out here once i settle in and find a rheumotologist. We have only been here 3 weeks and absolutely love Perth and Mandurah where we are living. If anyone at all has any questions, please do not hesitate to ask as these forums helped us hugely through our whole process and we would be happy to help anyone else if we can.

Thanks

Rick

Hi Rick, Hi Pete,

After hours and hours of research, at last I have found a forum where I can find people in the same situation than I am, I feel relieved

I have been happy to read about your success in granting your visa.

I am French and I suffer from AS from less than 2 years. I am taking Ebrel (anti tnf) since last september. I didn't want that treatment because I knew it would complicate my application for a visa (457 in my case, sponsorship with my employer) as it was a project I had since years. But this summer, after having applied for a mobility within my company, I failed. Besides, I was suffering from a knee (my back was okay) since May, so in September I decided to take Enbrel, thinking I wouldn't go to Australia.

The problem is, 2 weeks ago I have been contacted by the australian partner with who I took my interviews this summer, and they finally offered me a job, and of course I accepted it! But which is supposed to be a good news makes me very anxious

I will just begin the process for my visa, and I don't know what to do: mentionning it, I guess I'll have to. Mentionning that I am taking Enbrel..? I don't know. Trying to stop Enbrel, maybe, but as I just began...

Until now, I didn't tell it to my employer neither in Australia, but I guess it won't be a problem because my French employer will be able to confirm that it has no impact on my job. We have a peroson that is in charge of the immigration just for my employer there, and I guess I have to tell her before beginning the process. But as I am afraid to mention it the process, I am waiting, and I have no time as I am supposed to begin to work in Australia in early Feb.

I have found a private insurance in France which will cover the cost of Enbrel in Australia, so that I won't cost antyhing to Australia. But I am not sure I can prove it during my process, neither how (will I have to obtain a certificate from the insurance, and to make it translated...). I've read about a waiver but I don't know how does it work? Is it systematic hen you declare a medical pre condition? Which would be okay as I know the cost of the treatment wouldn't be a problem for them, as I couldn't access the Medicare System. Sometimes I am thinking that if I don't mention Enbrel, it will be easier, and then once there, I will take it and be paid by my insurance. But I don't know to what extent they can know about it...

As far as I undertsood, Rick you stopped your anti-tnf for the process; does it mean you didn't mention it when applying for the visa? Pete, I am not sure you were taking anti-TNF too.

So to resume, my physical condition is today totally ok, a doctor couldn't say I have a AS by examinating me, and I found an insurance that will cover me. I have a sponsorship with my employer. I believe it would be very unfair not be granted for the visa, but like you I have read about the Health Requirement, and the threashold of 21 or 35 K$, and I am worried...

Could you tell me a little bit more about your experience with regards to your treatement and application for the visa?

Thank you so much for your comments.

Emilie

hi guys me and my partner are looking at a 189 visa and are worried about the medical, when my partner was born she was diagnosed with vartars syndrome it affected her organs and she was ill up until she was about 12, she has not been ill due to the syndrome or take any medication, i was wondering if anybody no's if her syndrome would affect her medical due to when she was younger or if she would be ok now, any help please

The medical requirements are significantly less for a 457 visa as Australia is not taking on the long-term responsibility for you care so emillee you may mind the visa is granted. Each case it looked at individually so it is difficult to advise on the outcome for your particular case. I don't think the French insurance will help as you could stop paying at any time and the benefits would cease.Do bear in mind it is diffixult to be prescribed biologics in Australia - I was told the only way I could get a orescription was privately costing $35K a year (or something like that)

DanielBush you might be better off posting a new thread but I would say if your partner has had no issues since she was 12 it is unlikely to impact your visa appication unless it is a progressive or degenerative disorder (sorry I know nothing about it). I would get a good migration agent who specialises in applications for people with medical conditions - I believe George Lombard is a specialist in this area and posts on here.

Good luck to you both.

Hi rickuzza,

did you finally got the 190 visa despite taking Humira?

Hi rickuzza,

 

did you finally got the 190 visa despite taking Humira?

hi topshe,

yes i I was successful on a PR visa with state sponsorship. Been in Perth (Mandurah)8 months now and love it. I stopped treatment briefly during medical run up and managed with alternative treatments. Then when asked what medication I was CURRENTLY on, I wasn't lying. Not as stressful as I thought in the end.

Any questions, please feel free to ask

Hi Rick how's mandurah treating you we eventually settled in shoulwater just up the road but down that neck of the wood all the time oh n how's the medication going I've still not managed to see a specialist yet I'm still waiting n I've been here 12 months on the first of July :-)

Hi Rick how's mandurah treating you we eventually settled in shoulwater just up the road but down that neck of the wood all the time oh n how's the medication going I've still not managed to see a specialist yet I'm still waiting n I've been here 12 months on the first of July :-)

Hi Peter,

i love over mandurah even though the commute to the city is a bit longer than most but I think it's worth it. Shoalwater a nice place too. Not used up the injections I brought with me. But the warm weather during the long summer definitely helps my arthritis. How about you?

Some of doctors recommend heat and/or cold treatments to reduce rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Cold compresses reduce joint swelling and inflammation. You can apply a cool compress or ice pack to the affected joint during an RA flare-up to help ease inflammation and pain. Tried it and helps a lot!

Dear all. I wonder if anyone can help who has had a similar experience. My wife has been offered a job in Australia and can apply for a visa under the code 186 sponsored nomination visa. We are just awaiting our code before we can apply but I am very worried about the medical. I would be going within her PR visa as her spouse. I am 36 and in my early 20s I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis which is a form of arthritis. Apart from the odd pack of over the counter pain killers I have not been on any medication for any long period of time and in fact haven't taken any medication for the last few years. I am not very flexible but have maintained an active job for the last 12 years, never taken a days sick in relation to AS and am fit enough to have ran two london marathons. However.... As ever google can be the place of doom! And I have read many reports of people having PR visas refused because of the condition. Are there any success stories out there to give me confidence?? Also, can you undertake the medical prior to paying out the large visa application fees? Help!!

Dear all. I wonder if anyone can help who has had a similar experience. My wife has been offered a job in Australia and can apply for a visa under the code 186 sponsored nomination visa. We are just awaiting our code before we can apply but I am very worried about the medical. I would be going within her PR visa as her spouse. I am 36 and in my early 20s I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis which is a form of arthritis. Apart from the odd pack of over the counter pain killers I have not been on any medication for any long period of time and in fact haven't taken any medication for the last few years. I am not very flexible but have maintained an active job for the last 12 years, never taken a days sick in relation to AS and am fit enough to have ran two london marathons. However.... As ever google can be the place of doom! And I have read many reports of people having PR visas refused because of the condition. Are there any success stories out there to give me confidence?? Also, can you undertake the medical prior to paying out the large visa application fees? Help!!

Hi Marts14

I too had ankylosing spondylitis diagnosed when 20 and applied for my PR Visa aged 28. I had my medical and told the doctor assessing about my AS and that it hasn't really affected me too much in continuing to play sport and an active job. He did a few extra flexibility tests on me than my wife during her medical but it didnt pose a problem at all and we both got passed through (tests of which were very easy like try touch your toes and look left and right etc. Unless you are stiff as a board, i don't think it will be worth worrying about) . I am sure also that if you can run two marathons, which is two more than i could do, i think you will be fine. With you not having taken any major medication, then this is very favorable. I was taking Humira at the time which is very expensive and still passed. The doctor explained to me that he used to specialise in AS which is a coincidence and he said it isn't a contagious or life threatening disease, and many can manage the condition well throughout their life so it is not something which should fail your medical. The doctors do an assessment and then send it off to Brisbane. He said he would be very surprised if i failed and if so he would call them and explain that AS is not a condition which should result in a medical fail.

I hope this goes some way to putting your mind at ease and if you have any other questiosn please feel free to ask. I am also friends with rickcuzza who also had a similar experience to me and passed fine with AS.

Unfortunately i think you have to pay for visa application up front but i am confident that given your set of circumstances, you should pass. Maybe give the medical assessment place a call prior to ask questions regarding AS and chances of passing to put your mind at ease before going ahead.

Best of luck with your medical and visa applications.

Hi All

This seems like the perfect topic for our situation so I hope someone can help.

I have recently been given the opportunity for a posting which would be under a 457 visa, I would expect to spend a couple of years maximum in Australia. However my wife suffers from RA and currently takes Methotrexate orally and Tocilizumab (Actemra).

Reading most of the messages on here it seems that the visa granting may not be an issue, but we are concerned about the possibility of her getting access to the drugs here and the potential cost.　

I am sure my work would cover costs or assist where possible, but obviously not to the extent of 35K! Can anyone share any experience of costs/availability and process once they arrived in Australia?

Many thanks

If you look at the Pharmaceutical Benefits List it gives you the subsidised price and the full price. Which State will you be going to. Its schools that you have to pay for. If you take out health insurance here, your wife would not be covered for 12 months as her condition is an existing one. That is the waiting period for existing health problems.

There are other answers about this on this forum so have a search around if no-one else comes to answer.

Hi Marts14

 

I too had ankylosing spondylitis diagnosed when 20 and applied for my PR Visa aged 28. I had my medical and told the doctor assessing about my AS and that it hasn't really affected me too much in continuing to play sport and an active job. He did a few extra flexibility tests on me than my wife during her medical but it didnt pose a problem at all and we both got passed through (tests of which were very easy like try touch your toes and look left and right etc. Unless you are stiff as a board, i don't think it will be worth worrying about) . I am sure also that if you can run two marathons, which is two more than i could do, i think you will be fine. With you not having taken any major medication, then this is very favorable. I was taking Humira at the time which is very expensive and still passed. The doctor explained to me that he used to specialise in AS which is a coincidence and he said it isn't a contagious or life threatening disease, and many can manage the condition well throughout their life so it is not something which should fail your medical. The doctors do an assessment and then send it off to Brisbane. He said he would be very surprised if i failed and if so he would call them and explain that AS is not a condition which should result in a medical fail.

 

I hope this goes some way to putting your mind at ease and if you have any other questiosn please feel free to ask. I am also friends with rickcuzza who also had a similar experience to me and passed fine with AS.

Unfortunately i think you have to pay for visa application up front but i am confident that given your set of circumstances, you should pass. Maybe give the medical assessment place a call prior to ask questions regarding AS and chances of passing to put your mind at ease before going ahead.

 

Best of luck with your medical and visa applications.

hi stephane,

just found this amazing thread!

Did you you passe MOC and got PR while being on humira? ? I'm just as worries as everone else and after reding the posts here thinking I might try to quickly go off humira, to then go back on when pr has come through. Feels soo silly tho that one would have to go through that... please let me know your process!

thank you heaps!

Hi, 

I'm aware this post was posted a good few years ago but I'm just wondering if anyone can give me any advice on PsA and Australia.

I was living and working in Perth until a year ago when I was made redundant due to mis-diagnosis of PsA.

If anyone is still active on this tread please can they either reply or send me a private message.

Many thanks 

Dan

Reviving this old thread.  Applying for Australian visa, wondering about continuity of care.

I was diagnosed just in the last couple of years with psoriatic arthritis.  I trialed 1 DMARD for 4 months, the other DMARDs were medically contraindicated in my doctor#s opinion, and then I started the Australian equivalent of Brenzys.  It works great, I'm functional again.

I know I will fail the health exam based on the cost of the biologic, but I'm allowed a 4007 waiver based on my spouses visa status.  Here's the glitch-  If I don't get continuity of care, ie, hitting the ground running in Australia with a new rheumatologist and approval for etanercept, I'm not going to be able to work because I'll relapse.  If I walk into a job interview on crutches in my industry, I have no hope of getting a job.  If I don't get a job, I won't be able to contribute to my share of private insurance so that I'm not a burden on the Australian taxpayer (and my spouse).  It's a catch 22 or a spiraling negative feedback loop. 

Do any of you previous commentators have an experience once you got to Australia on continuing with biologics? Does anyone else have any idea if I'm going to be able to get continuity of care, and how to go about that?  Or am I facing 6 to 9 months of relapse on DMARDs, and possibly then rejecting the biologic protein molecule that was working, because I've built up antibodies to it while off.

Thanks

@Cath.C, you are allowed to carry up to 3 months' supply of medicine on arrival in Australia, if that helps.   

You should go to see a GP as soon as you can after your arrival, and ask to be referred to a specialist.  Most GP's will automatically refer you to a private specialist, and you'll be able to get an appointment fairly quickly.   If you choose to be referred to the public system, there will likely be a long wait as there is in the UK.  

Also, if you have a comprehensive letter from your British specialist explaining your prescription, the GP might even be willing to write a prescription for you himself/herself. 

Yeah, I should be able to bring a month's worth of medication, but not more than that.  I'm just worried that Medicare will require me to trial DMARDs for 9 months.  In which case I'll be out of work for a year.  No way will I be able to get a non-desk job if I hobble into an interview for a skilled labor job. 

7 minutes ago, Cath.C said:

Yeah, I should be able to bring a month's worth of medication, but not more than that.  I'm just worried that Medicare will require me to trial DMARDs for 9 months.  In which case I'll be out of work for a year.  No way will I be able to get a non-desk job if I hobble into an interview for a skilled labor job. 

I guess the good news is that it appears to be PBS listed and will cost about $41.30 (at the moment) for a prescription and 5 repeats.  It is a medication that has be be prescribed by a specialist.  I would get your rheumatologist to write a letter outlining your treatment and including: your previous trial of other medications (get him to list them all and your lack of success).  How long you've been on this medication, your progress with it and his recommendation that you continue.   I know some people who have made tentative inquiries with specialists in Aus prior to leaving the UK and the specialist (private) has in principle indicated they're happy to receive a referral.  The person has then registered with a GP and got a referral to that specific specialist.  Have copies of your rheumatologists letter so you can give one to GP and one to specialist etc.