Korean Job Discussion Forums

KuroBara · Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:05 pm Post subject:

Does anyone know if Novolog is here, in either pens or vials? I'm not sure if Humalog and Novolog are the same. I should know, but I don't. Also, Zestril for blood pressure, or its generic, lisinopril? I have tried a search, but have not found any threads about those particular Rxs.

greedy_bones · Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Location: not quite sure anymore

yeah, they have it here. It's pretty much the same as humalog. I guess it varies a little bit, but not enough to make a huge difference. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/554340

I'm not sure how easy it is to find, but I know they have it in the daerim/sindaebang area of Seoul. When I lived near there, my doctor tried to prescribe it for me, but they only had it in pen form, so I declined.

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Korea is VERY backwards on this issue. My Korean girlfriend has type 1 diabetes and she keeps it hidden from EVERYONE. She is ashamed because people make her feel ashamed. She's even had some of her family members tell her it's her fault, that she eats too much sugar. According to my girlfriend, anyhow, Koreans view diabetes as something that a "weak minded" person gets.

I believe you will have to fill out a "self assessing health exam". You are going to have to indicate that you have Diabetes. I really don't know what the fine folks at immigration think of diabetes.

Say nothing to your prospective school (none of their business) and see what immigrations says. If you get rejected, you'll know the reason. But surely there are other people here with Type 1 diabetes?

Good luck. And I hope you don't run into any problems.

KuroBara · Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:10 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't worry about rejection. I have far worse issues than Diabetes and I still got my ARC. The biggest worry just seems to be finding the medicine.

Tobias · Joined: 02 Jun 2008

greedy_bones · Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Location: not quite sure anymore

denverdeath · Joined: 21 May 2005 Location: Boo-sahn

I worked one year for epik, and put that I have diabetes on their self-assessment health form. No problems. I had to do a medical with them as well; not for immi(was already on an f2 visa), but for the school. Your diabetes will more than likely show up when you piss on the strip. If not there, it will when your blood is checked. No worries for immi or the school, especially not if you don't let yourself or others believe it to be some kind of crippling disease requiring all kinds of sympathy. I've had it for 35 years now, and I'm doing just fine. For the year I was at that girls' middle school, I was told that I was much better, and better-liked, than the two previous teachers, both of whom did not have diabetes. Woo-hoo! Rolling Eyes

I use lantus and novorapid, both of which are quite readily available, although slightly expensive in the pen form. You ARE able to get a bit extra when you get a prescription filled if you plead with the doc a bit, but s/he will in no way give you a year's worth, so don't expect a refillable script like you'd get in Canada. When it comes to testing equipment and needles, Korea is significantly cheaper than the same junk back home - but also not covered by your plan here.

Any kind of illness is somewhat shameful in Korea, but I'd prefer to have my co-workers be aware of my problem if I happened to have one while on duty.

DCJames · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

dimnd · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: Western USA

I listed it and have always listed it with immi..Why lie?

I have never had trouble getting my E-2 visas and am at a ps this time round.

Joe666 · Joined: 19 Nov 2008 Location: Jesus it's hot down here!

bobbybigfoot stated:

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Korea is VERY backwards on this issue. My Korean girlfriend has type 1 diabetes and she keeps it hidden from EVERYONE. She is ashamed because people make her feel ashamed. She's even had some of her family members tell her it's her fault, that she eats too much sugar. According to my girlfriend, anyhow, Koreans view diabetes as something that a "weak minded" person gets.

Susquatch, I am sure your are probably aware of this, but just in case you are not: Type 1 is a genetic disorder which your woman was born with! She should tell her family that by the random chance of human genetics, she ended up with a shit gene from her family tree. She should turn that backwards ass nonsense right back at them! WOW, these people really blow my mind sometimes. That's incredible. They are backwards in a lot things from what I have seen and heard!

dimnd · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: Western USA

My ct's dad has it ..maybe that is why she is understanding.

Taiwanlight · Joined: 19 Apr 2009 Location: Ireland

What about other illnesses such as asthma? Is it easy to get medicine for them in Korea? Thanks.

joannabanana22 · Joined: 04 Nov 2010

I am Canadian and have type 1 diabetes and plan on travelling to Korea in May. I use humulog insulin for my pump. Should I be bringing over a years supply of pump supplies of have them shipped? Also I will be teaching in Gwangju, will I be able to get insulin easily? Please help I don't even know where to start and what about testing strips?

rayne · Joined: 05 Aug 2009

Kwangjuchicken · Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 12:57 am Post subject:

Two years ago I had my physical. I not only learned I had type 2 diabetes, but that I had most likely had it for at least ten years and it was so bad I was instantly put on maximum dose of Metformin. I was basically told it was a miracle I was still alive it was so bad. That is why my eye nerves are damaged. However, unlike type 1, type 2 can be "cured" through proper diet exercise and weight lost. I have now been 100% type two diabetes free for one year with ZERO medication. If you are on meds now, then your tests will show you are normal. My advice then, it to do what I did. I was sent to a diabetes specialist at a major hospital after the test results came beck. Your test results should be normal if on drugs. Still, find a diabetes specialist. He will continue your meds and then if you follow his diet exercise and weight loss program you can also be type two free with no meds. That is best. The meds are so bad for your health. Not to mention the fact that meds. for type 2 often stop working for many people after a year, many more after about 5, and almost all the rest after that. Then they have no choice except to control it without drugs. Why wait that long? Why wait at all? Get off the drugs as soon as you can. Thank God it is not type 1, that you can not control without meds.[/b]