Job Discussion Forums

[bedsidebaptist]

I am a diabetic taking oral Glucophage. Now that I have one more course to finish my M.Ed in TESOL, I am starting to look into where I should possibly teach. As a diabetic, are there countries that I should avoid working in order to be able to manage the diabetes successfully? I am concerned about access to my medication, managing my diet, and medical treatment if necessary.
Jerry

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Hi Jerry:

Diabetes is fairly common throughout the world,

as are the medications to treat it.

Where are you planning to go?

Unless you're thinking about the deep

jungle, I wouldn't worry too much!


http://www.diabetesandtravel.com/ (Diabetes & Travel)

http://www.diabetes.ca/Section_About/travelkit.asp (Canadian Diabetes Association)

http://www.diabetesandtravel.com/organizations.html (Worldwide Diabetes Contact Info)

http://www.drugs-worldwide.com/glucophage.html (Drugs-Worldwide :: order Glucophage Online!)

[bedsidebaptist]

Thanks for replying! I am not sure where I am going to go. I am exploring for the time being. I am thinking about Asia or the Middle East. I don't plan on going deep into the jungle. I was concerned about access to testing supplies and medications abroad.
Jerry

[wannago]

Diabetes is very common in the Middle East where I am. I have no problem getting my oral meds from any pharmacy. In fact, in Saudi Arabia, you don't even need a prescription. Testing supplies are readily available as well.

[Sheep-Goats]

I think you'd be okay so long as you're not in Sudan or some remote part of Afganistan. Any not-first-world country will be harder on diabetics than staying at home, but I'm sure you can handle it. Bring ample supplies before you leave home for the first time, and learn the word for diabetic in the local languae before you arrive (it's an old and common condition so many, if not most, languages have their own term for it).

[joe beets]

I am a diabetic in Thailand. I know several others, Thai and westerner alike. The doctors are almost without exception well versed on the subject, as many have had some training in the west, and as a bonus they can also keep up with your English. Glucophage is plentiful and cheap.

I do have to be more watchful than the average guy in what I eat, as Thais like to put sugar in nearly everything. On top of that, the staple of the Thai diet is rice, which has a relatively high glycemic intake value. Still, it's doable, and I don't feel all that deprived of variety.

Exercize presents additional challenges, as it's so #&%ing hot all the time, but where there's a will there's a way.

If Thailand was on your list, diabetes is no reason to cross it off.

jb