|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Reise-ohne-Ende
Joined: 07 Sep 2009
|
 Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 2:11 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
| rayne wrote: |
| Taiwanlight wrote: |
| What about other illnesses such as asthma? Is it easy to get medicine for them in Korea? Thanks. |
I want to know about other illnesses too. What about hypothyroidism? I've had that since I was born but I've been freakishly healthy (says my doctor) because my prescription hasn't changed since I was born, which is really rare (says my doctor). I do, however, have to take a pill every day and I must have a doctor to give me a prescription... I should probably not tell them I have hypothyroidism, but I would like any medical expenses covered... 'cause then what's the point of even offering medical insurance? =S |
Nobody will care if you disclose your hypothyroidism. They don't even know what it is. If you have to explain it somewhere (like on an app), just say that you gain weight and feel tired unless you take your medicine. As for getting your medicine here, be aware that they don't provide the same dosages you can get at home (since Asians are generally smaller, I guess). At home I took 112 mcg of Synthroid, but here the closest denomination is 100. So every month I get a huge long strip of wax paper packets, each one containing 1 and 1/4 pill. I figure 125 mcg is better than only 100, since I usually forget to take one or two doses a month anyway. The other option is just to bring a year's supply with you; however, the medicine here is VERY cheap (compared to the States, at least). At home my prescription was $20/month with insurance; here it's about 5,000 won - like $4. I don't know if they have Armour here, so if that's what you take you might want to stock up.
It may take you a couple of tries to find a doctor who understands what you're asking for. I suggest going with a coworker (this is another reason I would avoid keeping it a secret). They won't offer you any blood tests - you'll need to ask for them yourself - but since you've been stable since birth you should be fine.
I hope this has helped, and if you have any other hypo q's feel free to PM me! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
stevieg4ever
Joined: 11 Feb 2006
Location: London, England
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 1:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Ofcourse Korean food can make you fat. It would be stupid to assert otherwise. Some Korean foods have appaling protein-fat ratios (삼겹살, 오겹살, 족발, 개고기, 순대) whilst they starchy carbs three times a day easily. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rayne
Joined: 05 Aug 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 2:10 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Reise-ohne-Ende wrote: |
| rayne wrote: |
| Taiwanlight wrote: |
| What about other illnesses such as asthma? Is it easy to get medicine for them in Korea? Thanks. |
I want to know about other illnesses too. What about hypothyroidism? I've had that since I was born but I've been freakishly healthy (says my doctor) because my prescription hasn't changed since I was born, which is really rare (says my doctor). I do, however, have to take a pill every day and I must have a doctor to give me a prescription... I should probably not tell them I have hypothyroidism, but I would like any medical expenses covered... 'cause then what's the point of even offering medical insurance? =S |
Nobody will care if you disclose your hypothyroidism. They don't even know what it is. If you have to explain it somewhere (like on an app), just say that you gain weight and feel tired unless you take your medicine. As for getting your medicine here, be aware that they don't provide the same dosages you can get at home (since Asians are generally smaller, I guess). At home I took 112 mcg of Synthroid, but here the closest denomination is 100. So every month I get a huge long strip of wax paper packets, each one containing 1 and 1/4 pill. I figure 125 mcg is better than only 100, since I usually forget to take one or two doses a month anyway. The other option is just to bring a year's supply with you; however, the medicine here is VERY cheap (compared to the States, at least). At home my prescription was $20/month with insurance; here it's about 5,000 won - like $4. I don't know if they have Armour here, so if that's what you take you might want to stock up.
It may take you a couple of tries to find a doctor who understands what you're asking for. I suggest going with a coworker (this is another reason I would avoid keeping it a secret). They won't offer you any blood tests - you'll need to ask for them yourself - but since you've been stable since birth you should be fine.
I hope this has helped, and if you have any other hypo q's feel free to PM me! |
Wow, great, I probably won't disclose it since it's so cheap... well, maybe I won't disclose it until I resign my contract or something?
I've been at 50mcg since birth and I recently went to my family doctor to get another prescription and she said that I've been so stable that she's worried so I had to get a blood test, haha!
I'm actually Asian, so maybe I'll find my dosage more easily? And I'm Canadian and my medicine's about... $15 for 200 pills?
Thankfully, I have Korean friends so I guess I can ask them, but I'm guessing they have no clue what hypothyroidism is... I'm going to try and find an English speaking doctor. How does the medical system work around here? I know in China they don't have family doctors or clinics, people just go to the hospital for regular checkups. Is that the same in Korea? Will I get the same doctor whenever I go or will I just get whoever's available?
Last edited by rayne on Sun Nov 07, 2010 3:01 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Reise-ohne-Ende
Joined: 07 Sep 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 2:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
| rayne wrote: |
| Reise-ohne-Ende wrote: |
| rayne wrote: |
| Taiwanlight wrote: |
| What about other illnesses such as asthma? Is it easy to get medicine for them in Korea? Thanks. |
I want to know about other illnesses too. What about hypothyroidism? I've had that since I was born but I've been freakishly healthy (says my doctor) because my prescription hasn't changed since I was born, which is really rare (says my doctor). I do, however, have to take a pill every day and I must have a doctor to give me a prescription... I should probably not tell them I have hypothyroidism, but I would like any medical expenses covered... 'cause then what's the point of even offering medical insurance? =S |
Nobody will care if you disclose your hypothyroidism. They don't even know what it is. If you have to explain it somewhere (like on an app), just say that you gain weight and feel tired unless you take your medicine. As for getting your medicine here, be aware that they don't provide the same dosages you can get at home (since Asians are generally smaller, I guess). At home I took 112 mcg of Synthroid, but here the closest denomination is 100. So every month I get a huge long strip of wax paper packets, each one containing 1 and 1/4 pill. I figure 125 mcg is better than only 100, since I usually forget to take one or two doses a month anyway. The other option is just to bring a year's supply with you; however, the medicine here is VERY cheap (compared to the States, at least). At home my prescription was $20/month with insurance; here it's about 5,000 won - like $4. I don't know if they have Armour here, so if that's what you take you might want to stock up.
It may take you a couple of tries to find a doctor who understands what you're asking for. I suggest going with a coworker (this is another reason I would avoid keeping it a secret). They won't offer you any blood tests - you'll need to ask for them yourself - but since you've been stable since birth you should be fine.
I hope this has helped, and if you have any other hypo q's feel free to PM me! |
Wow, great, I probably won't disclose it since it's so cheap... well, maybe I won't disclose it until I resign my contract or something?
I've been at 50mcg since birth and I recently went to my family doctor to get another prescription and she said that I've been so stable that she's worried so I had to get a blood test, haha!
I'm actually Asian, so maybe I'll find my dosage more easily?
Thankfully, I have Korean friends so I guess I can ask them, but I'm guessing they have no clue what hypothyroidism is... I'm going to try and find an English speaking doctor. How does the medical system work around here? I know in China they don't have family doctors or clinics, people just go to the hospital for regular checkups. Is that the same in Korea? Will I get the same doctor whenever I go or will I just get whoever's available? |
My general experience has been that each doctor has his own office. Usually you go in, check in, wait 5-10 minutes, talk to the doctor, then go down and fill your prescription at the pharmacy below. Sometimes buildings have several different doctors - usually with different specialties - on different floors, and they all share one pharmacist. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rayne
Joined: 05 Aug 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 3:03 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Reise-ohne-Ende wrote: |
| rayne wrote: |
| Reise-ohne-Ende wrote: |
| rayne wrote: |
| Taiwanlight wrote: |
| What about other illnesses such as asthma? Is it easy to get medicine for them in Korea? Thanks. |
I want to know about other illnesses too. What about hypothyroidism? I've had that since I was born but I've been freakishly healthy (says my doctor) because my prescription hasn't changed since I was born, which is really rare (says my doctor). I do, however, have to take a pill every day and I must have a doctor to give me a prescription... I should probably not tell them I have hypothyroidism, but I would like any medical expenses covered... 'cause then what's the point of even offering medical insurance? =S |
Nobody will care if you disclose your hypothyroidism. They don't even know what it is. If you have to explain it somewhere (like on an app), just say that you gain weight and feel tired unless you take your medicine. As for getting your medicine here, be aware that they don't provide the same dosages you can get at home (since Asians are generally smaller, I guess). At home I took 112 mcg of Synthroid, but here the closest denomination is 100. So every month I get a huge long strip of wax paper packets, each one containing 1 and 1/4 pill. I figure 125 mcg is better than only 100, since I usually forget to take one or two doses a month anyway. The other option is just to bring a year's supply with you; however, the medicine here is VERY cheap (compared to the States, at least). At home my prescription was $20/month with insurance; here it's about 5,000 won - like $4. I don't know if they have Armour here, so if that's what you take you might want to stock up.
It may take you a couple of tries to find a doctor who understands what you're asking for. I suggest going with a coworker (this is another reason I would avoid keeping it a secret). They won't offer you any blood tests - you'll need to ask for them yourself - but since you've been stable since birth you should be fine.
I hope this has helped, and if you have any other hypo q's feel free to PM me! |
Wow, great, I probably won't disclose it since it's so cheap... well, maybe I won't disclose it until I resign my contract or something?
I've been at 50mcg since birth and I recently went to my family doctor to get another prescription and she said that I've been so stable that she's worried so I had to get a blood test, haha!
I'm actually Asian, so maybe I'll find my dosage more easily?
Thankfully, I have Korean friends so I guess I can ask them, but I'm guessing they have no clue what hypothyroidism is... I'm going to try and find an English speaking doctor. How does the medical system work around here? I know in China they don't have family doctors or clinics, people just go to the hospital for regular checkups. Is that the same in Korea? Will I get the same doctor whenever I go or will I just get whoever's available? |
My general experience has been that each doctor has his own office. Usually you go in, check in, wait 5-10 minutes, talk to the doctor, then go down and fill your prescription at the pharmacy below. Sometimes buildings have several different doctors - usually with different specialties - on different floors, and they all share one pharmacist. |
I mean, will you see the same doctor every time you go? Or whatever doctor is available at the time and they'll have your record or whatnot in the computer system? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Reise-ohne-Ende
Joined: 07 Sep 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 4:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| I mean, will you see the same doctor every time you go? Or whatever doctor is available at the time and they'll have your record or whatnot in the computer system? |
Like I said, my experience has been that each doctor has his/her own private office. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rayne
Joined: 05 Aug 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 1:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Reise-ohne-Ende wrote: |
| Quote: |
| I mean, will you see the same doctor every time you go? Or whatever doctor is available at the time and they'll have your record or whatnot in the computer system? |
Like I said, my experience has been that each doctor has his/her own private office. |
Ummm, I guess you're not understanding my question. I'm not talking about the rooms. I'm saying for example, will I be the patient of Dr. X every time I visit and only Dr. X, or will I have Dr. A, B, C, whoever's available every time I visit? I'm asking this question because I'd like to get an English speaking doctor that I can become familiar with in case I need to ask personal questions.
In Canada, I always have the same doctor no matter what, so I have to call ahead and make an appointment.
In China, I have a different doctor every time so I just drop in.
I'm guessing from your answer you are trying to say that yes, I will get Dr. X every time? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Reise-ohne-Ende
Joined: 07 Sep 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 1:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Yes. I'm not talking about rooms either. I mean that, in one building for example, the fourth floor will be "Dr. X's Internal Medicine Clinic". His own receptionist, waiting room, etc. That's what I mean by his own office. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rayne
Joined: 05 Aug 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 2:03 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Reise-ohne-Ende wrote: |
| Yes. I'm not talking about rooms either. I mean that, in one building for example, the fourth floor will be "Dr. X's Internal Medicine Clinic". His own receptionist, waiting room, etc. That's what I mean by his own office. |
Ah, ok, I get what you're saying now. I thought you meant their own room.
Thanks =] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Reise-ohne-Ende
Joined: 07 Sep 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 3:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
No problem.  Sorry, I'm not the best at explaining things sometimes! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
interestedinhanguk
Joined: 23 Aug 2010
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 3:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Tobias wrote: |
| Hmmm. You may have a problem. Your employer will be footing your medical insurance and your deductibles. If you pay for any diabetes-related medical expenses out-of-pocket, you'll be fine. If you go down to the local doctor or pharmacy each week, order up tens of thousands of won's worth of meds and checks, and use your insurance benny to cover it all, well....look out. Nothing personal, but I wouldn't cover these costs if I were an employer. There are too many people out there wanting jobs who don't carry this baggage. Life sucks this way, but it is what it is. I'm thinking like a bossman would here. |
Um, is there any truth to this? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
