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CherylAnneClara
Joined: 09 Jan 2010
Posts: 17
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 Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 9:42 pm Post subject: Medical check |
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I take different meds for different things, and I am concerned I won't be able to get into China because of them. I have mood swings, so take a couple of meds for that. I have terrible trouble sleeping, and have special medications for that.
Do you think that will affect my chances of getting hired and getting in? |
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Sugar & Spice
Joined: 11 Feb 2010
Posts: 73
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| Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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I am not an expert on the matter, but, you might consider biting the bullet for 2 or 3 weeks before your physical and let the stuff flow away.
Better safe than sorry. |
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LanGuTou
Joined: 23 Mar 2009
Posts: 621
Location: Shandong
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| Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:25 pm Post subject: |
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Without wanting to sound condescending, if you have a problem with mood swings and sleep patterns, do you believe that coming to China to live and work is a good idea?
Quite frankly, there are aspects of life in China that would test the patience of the most tolerant saint. To one extent or another, I do not believe that there are any ex-pats in China that don't feel like throwing a tantrum at some stage. Most of us learn to bite our lips and simply tolerate the things that annoy us.
I am not going to cast aspertions as to your suitability to work here in China. You are the best judge of that. I only want to point out that there will be times that your sanity is tested to an extent that you will find hard to believe. |
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idiggs
Joined: 04 Feb 2010
Posts: 47
Location: Ecuador La Costa
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| Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Sugar & Spice wrote: |
I am not an expert on the matter, but, you might consider biting the bullet for 2 or 3 weeks before your physical and let the stuff flow away.
Better safe than sorry. |
I agree. You will be better off entering China without the medication worries.
I can't comment about your mood swings because I don't know how severe it is. Is it more like bipolar disorder or is it something less mild? However, I used to have insomnia for quite some time and I never resulted to pharmaceuticals. I do not know where you stand on holistic nutrition and naturopathic treatment but it may be your best bet.
I believe pharmaceuticals are great for life-threatening situations but nature should always be your first healer in regards to situations that are not life-threatening.
| LanGuTou wrote: |
if you have a problem with mood swings and sleep patterns, do you believe that coming to China to live and work is a good idea?
Quite frankly, there are aspects of life in China that would test the patience of the most tolerant saint. To one extent or another, I do not believe that there are any ex-pats in China that don't feel like throwing a tantrum at some stage. Most of us learn to bite our lips and simply tolerate the things that annoy us.
I am not going to cast aspertions as to your suitability to work here in China. You are the best judge of that. I only want to point out that there will be times that your sanity is tested to an extent that you will find hard to believe. |
Excellent advice. |
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Sugar & Spice
Joined: 11 Feb 2010
Posts: 73
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| Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:52 pm Post subject: |
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Come on over young Lady. We Love You.
If it is what you want to do - Go for it.
You only live once. |
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The Ever-changing Cleric
Joined: 19 Feb 2009
Posts: 1523
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| Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 11:55 pm Post subject: Re: Medical check |
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| CherylAnneClara wrote: |
I take different meds for different things, and I am concerned I won't be able to get into China because of them. I have mood swings, so take a couple of meds for that. I have terrible trouble sleeping, and have special medications for that.
Do you think that will affect my chances of getting hired and getting in? |
noone where you plan on working needs to know about your mood swings or trouble sleeping. and this isn't something that the medical exam in china screens for either so dont worry about not getting hired over it.
as for bringing medication into the country, bring the prescription with you and bring the medication in unopened bottles. you may (not very likely, never happened to me or anyone i know) have your bags checked when you pass thru customs but as long as you dont have anything illegal, you're ok.
some foreigners living in china also receive medication from home through the postal system. if you do this, the medication will probably be opened and inspected on arrival at customs/post office in china, then sealed back up again and sent to your address. |
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ttorriel
Joined: 13 Oct 2008
Posts: 193
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| Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 3:06 am Post subject: |
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Section 3 of the visa application form asks if you have any "mental diseases." While not clear in what they are asking, someone who takes four or more medications for "mood swings" and "terrible trouble sleeping" should answer YES to this visa application question.
Taking 4 or more drugs for such issues means you should not come traveling to another country such as China.
You're probably taking Ambien or one of it's family, probably Xanax, and more according to your statement.
You simply should not come here. I believe, by your simple statements that answering NO to this question would mean you're providing a false statement and have entered China illegally.
However, those classes of drugs are not one of the drugs screened for in the medical check. Unless you're taking morphine or a close equivalent, marijuana, cocaine, or has to sleep there is little to worry about. |
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tomstone
Joined: 09 Dec 2009
Posts: 293
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| Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 3:29 am Post subject: |
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| Coping with the stresses of everyday living are difficult enough on one's own turf. Multiply it by (at least) ten in a foreign land. You may want to seriously reconsider. |
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daCabbie
Joined: 02 Sep 2007
Posts: 244
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| Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 4:49 am Post subject: Talk to your DOCTOR! |
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This is something you need to seriously discuss with your doctor!! Not the people on this forum.
Quitting meds in progress without the supervision of a doctor can be dangerous and throw someone into an episode.
Having lived with someone who had "mood swings and trouble sleeping" I understand that these situations can rapidly go down hill and spiral out of control if not kept in check.
Your doctor might say that you are fine to travel just take extra meds with you and stay in contact with them. Then great. But it is something a qualified person who understands your situation should determine. Not a bunch of strangers.
My personal advice is DO NOT COME TO CHINA. You would not be the first or the last foreigner to have a nervous breakdown in China. Do your really want your parents to get a call saying, 'can you please come and get little Jane.'
Good luck. And please learn to use the search function. It really is amazing what you can find. |
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tomstone
Joined: 09 Dec 2009
Posts: 293
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| Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 4:55 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| This is something you need to seriously discuss with your doctor!! Not the people on this forum |
Perfect. 'Nuff said. |
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MisterButtkins
Joined: 03 Oct 2009
Posts: 1221
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| Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 9:58 am Post subject: |
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| There was a thread several months ago where someone was asking how easy it would be to get anti-depressant medication in China that provoked similar discussion, it might be worth a read. I don't have the link, sorry. Just my opinion here but if you currently have any mental health issues they are probably going to get much, much worse when you get to China. |
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The Ever-changing Cleric
Joined: 19 Feb 2009
Posts: 1523
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| Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 11:05 am Post subject: |
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| MisterButtkins wrote: |
| There was a thread several months ago where someone was asking how easy it would be to get anti-depressant medication in China that provoked similar discussion, it might be worth a read. I don't have the link, sorry. |
here it is:
Anti- depressants
| MisterButtkins wrote: |
| Just my opinion here but if you currently have any mental health issues they are probably going to get much, much worse when you get to China. |
i gave similar advice in that thread i just linked to above, but i just realized i dont know these people, and i'm no doctor, so in future i wont be telling anyone what they should or shouldnt do. they can decide that for themselves, maybe with their doctor's advice. |
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LanGuTou
Joined: 23 Mar 2009
Posts: 621
Location: Shandong
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| Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 11:57 am Post subject: |
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| The Ever-changing Cleric wrote: |
i gave similar advice in that thread i just linked to above, but i just realized i dont know these people, and i'm no doctor, so in future i wont be telling anyone what they should or shouldnt do. they can decide that for themselves, maybe with their doctor's advice. |
This is true! Only yourself and people close to you including medical advisors can judge the true extent to which you might be suited to life in China.
The thing that contributors to this forum can do is advise you as to the problems that you may encounter when living in China.
Like any other country, there are positive and negative aspects about life in China. What you must consider is one of the biggest negatives that we all have to deal with is the stress levels here.
For most ex-pats, the first few months can be soul destroying and some things remain deeply stressful throughout the whole term of living here. To a great extent, we just have to put up with these things because, for sure, they aren't going to change!
Some exist within the workplace, many exist outside the workplace. The list is too long to name all or even most of life's little joys in China but some examples are; rudeness, intolerance, disorganization, dishonesty, noise, disturbance, lack of privacy, inefficiency, dangerous driving, smoking, spitting, staring, attitude problems amongst students and teachers, lack of concern ad infinitum!
You may laugh and think that these things are common even in Western society. You will find them a day to day occurrence in China. But the major difference is you will get little protection from them and no-one will usually give a damn about your feelings.
The question that you and every other potential foreign teacher should consider is simply; can I deal with these situations? Is your medical condition OK under these circumstances? I would, if I were you, seek clear professional advice! |
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