Korean Job Discussion Forums

JD_Tiberius · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Location: Korea

I have been in Korea for two weeks, and in that time I have been subject to two medical tests. The first one occurred immediately after arriving, I was taken to the hospital and all the tests where done. My blood tests came back perfect, and likewise for the chest scan. However it was noted that I had a BP of 145(they bother with the diastolic pressure, which was odd to me because its this one which is very important in young people, while systolic BP is more important in Older people, and I�m 23, so go figure) and Protein in my urine, which failed me. 5 days later my co-teacher took me back to the hospital to have the test redone and this time my BP came out at 140 and small amounts of protein were found in my urine again (proteinuria++).
After this was done, they retook my BP again and it had skyrocketed to 146 (Doesn't take rocket science to work out why...).I was diagnosed with Hypertension and Proteinuria and was told to come back in two weeks time for another test. Meanwhile my co-teacher got into contact with the education board about this and they told her that If I don't pass this third test I wont get my ARC.

Since last Monday I have done a huge amount of research into this condition and it appears that both are linked, the Proteinuria is caused by the hypertension placing too much stress on the kidneys, allowing protein to seep through the filters and if my blood pressure is reduced it will go away completely. The problem of course is that I need time to do this. I have made huge diet changes in the past week, adding tea, red wine and raw garlic to it despite despising them all, and have cut salt intake down to 1g a day. Actually, I'll quote myself from another topic to give you an idea of my situation:

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

Don't you have up to 90 days to get the health check? Meaning you could wait another couple weeks for you to get on the healthy living thing and potentially pass? You probably have already, but if you haven't, ask your co-teacher for more time.

waseige1 · Joined: 09 Oct 2008

Several of us 18 months ago had BP problems.

Why not go to a doctor and get the BP meds to bring it down. That is what I did.

Now, there is no problem.

Morticae · Joined: 06 May 2010

When they took my BP it was 140/180 I think. They wanted below 139/190, and on my health exam they recommended retesting. I thought that was stupid, given the fact they didn't properly test my blood pressure. I had another teacher call immigration for me and they said they don't care, they only care about drugs & aids. That was a few weeks ago.

Sure enough, they didn't care. But I didn't have any protein problem. I was good on everything else.

Who cares what the education board says. Just have her take you down to immigration, they might not care.

True_Blue · Joined: 25 Sep 2007

If you have any more trouble, just go to another hospital.

Immigration does not care about your BP. I submitted a medical in which hypertension was noted and immigration did not blink an eye. Even the hospital told me immigration only wants to know about HIV and drugs. I suspect they only do all the other tests so they can call it a "medical check" and not the "AIDS/Drug Test for Foreigners."

nathanrutledge · Joined: 01 May 2008 Location: Marakesh

Both times I've had physicals here my BP was high. The first time I was here, I had quit taking enalapril, an ACE inhibitor for BP and so I was at 150/100 I believe, or in that ballpark. This last test I took, it was lower, 130/90's (I've been exercising!) but my cholesterol was a bit high for their liking (i like dead animals!).

Either way, they just gave me meds the first time and told me to cut out some cholesterol the second time and gave me the form, no problems.

I don't see what the problem is. You can't "fail" a health check. They should give you the paper and that's it. You take it to immigration and they accept or reject it based on what's on it. Even if you have AIDS or are using drugs, they should still give you the paper, you take it to immigration and THEY are the ones who arrest/deport/harass you, NOT the hospital. I'd talk very firmly with the hospital and tell them that you just need the paper saying that you're drug/aids free and that it doesn't matter that your BP or protein is high. You wanted a physical. You paid for it. You want the results. Period.

nomad-ish · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 5:38 pm Post subject:

i would do what another poster mentioned. you do have 90 days to get your ARC, so i would visit another doctor to get BP medication for your condition and postpone the health check (just tell your co-teacher that you're getting treated and will get the 3rd health check within the 90 days once you're better).

Morticae · Joined: 06 May 2010

They may need your ARC to pay you, so I wouldn't wait. Just get your health check on paper, even with your high blood pressure and protein urine. What really matters is that on that piece of paper it shows you are drug free and don't have aids.

Like I said, it doesn't matter what your co-teacher/principal/education board/doctor thinks of the health check. If you "fail" a health check from a doctor, that DOES NOT mean that immigration has or will fail you and deny your application. Bring the paper to immigration, you'll almost certainly get your ARC a week later.

Then, if you wish, you can pursue further medical treatment if you think you have a condition.

When I did the EPIK medical exam, they included a piece of paper with my results "We advise you to get another medical test due to high blood pressure to avoid any possible complications with immigration." blah blah. Bottom line: immigration could care less, because we called them and asked about blood pressure specifically. So "failed" medical exam and all, it was not a problem in getting my ARC.

NM14456 · Joined: 21 Aug 2010

I had high blood pressure - actually I've been treated for mild high bp for several years. It was high for the physical as I was stressed about it as you were.

I'd try delaying the test for 90 days and try to exercise etc.. Also make a really conscious effort at knocking a bit of weight off if you've put on some pounds. Even 10 lbs could make a dent on it.

In the meantime, watch all of the salty foods here and I'd even check in with the doc at the International clinic to explain the situation. He's very fluent in English and seems to get us Ferner's pretty well!

Good luck.

alwaysbeclosing100 · Joined: 07 Feb 2009

JD_Tiberius · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Location: Korea

Thanks for the replys! Just to play devils advocate, what would happen if I got the second medical test results from my co-teacher and took them to Immigration in Masan only for it to be rejected by someone full of zeal(very unlikely by the sounds of it, but still a possibility)? Would I be given the opportunity to hand in the third test within the 90 days, or would I have to pack my bags within a few days?

I'm going with another native english teacher in this small town to her doctor to try and get meds. Hopefully that will work in time, though I will try and convince my co-teacher to get the POE off my back and give me some peace and respite until after my first pay day, so Korea is not a total loss for me even if I do fail the test.

Edit: Well that sucked. The doctor wouldn't give me meds because my blood pressure was only just marginally over and suggested that I have to go to a big hospital for the proteinuria. His only suggestion was that it was probably down to me loosing weight.

NM14456 · Joined: 21 Aug 2010

nathanrutledge · Joined: 01 May 2008 Location: Marakesh

Wait wait wait wait wait. You actually HAVE the results? With your photo attached and sealed to the paper? And it says you don't have AIDS OR do drugs? That's all you need. Take a hard line, tell them you want that paper and turn it in, yes. That is all you need. That is all immigration cares about. Quit wasting your time. If you want to address the BP and the protein, do it now, do it later, don't do it, it doesn't matter to immigration. You have all you need. Be firm, get the paper, turn it in.

Morticae · Joined: 06 May 2010

JD_Tiberius · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Location: Korea

I spoke with my co-teacher, the doctor at the hospital has the previous results. My next appointment there is on monday for my third test, which I expect to probably show a similar result. I spoke with my co-teacher about it and she agreed to go with me to immi regardless of the result to get the alien card and she also expects that Immigration will probably okay it. But the problem is the POE, when they find out she expects that they will probably terminate my contract, claiming that I had an undisclosed pre-existing condition (The contract states that the employer, the POE, can terminate the contract if any of the information in the application is false, though the medical form was accurate at the time I filled it in, months ago), even though it would be the most absurdly stupid thing to do(and a total waste of Korean taxpayers money as they will have to hire another expensive recruiter to find someone to fill this position out here in the boonies).