Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ryleeys]

I'm concerned that I may have to go back to America out of health concerns. I've been having issues here with the generally poor airquality, as I have tempermental allergies. I bought a massive air filter (30 pyong capacity for my small cardboard box room) and this helped for a week. Then we started getting all this yellow dust, hwang sa crap... and my sinuses have just been b*tch slapped. I've been having horrendous headahces and fits of coughing for two weeks straight along with the traditional overzealous mucous membranes. And today, with the worst case of hwang sa I've seen to date, I've been feeling this horrendous pressure in my sinuses.

What are your recommendations for helping this situation?
How long does this yellow dust crap last?
If I see an allergy specialist in Korea, are they going to fix me, or pump me full of random antibiotics just for the hell of it?

[desultude]

I got sick with the same crap last April, it lasted, in a less severe form, until August. I was entertaining the idea of leaving if it didn't get better. It did, and hasn't been a problem since (knock wood!).

I think, from what I have read on the board, and heard from other teachers, it is not unusual to get severe upper respiratory problems the first year here, and then have your immune system adjust. It sure seems to be the case for me, so far.

[JackSarang]

I had chronic sinus issues here my first year, mostly just the sniffles and constant phelgm but they've cleared up now.

If you go to a Korean ENT (Ears Nose Throat) they'll drain your sinuses for you right on the spot. Its makes you a bit teary but they really suck it all out. They then, without fail, proscribe you an antibiotic and tell you to come back in 2-3 days.

If you're in Seoul but you can't find one, I can give you directions to the guy I've been to several times in Bundang, they've always been good to me there.

[ryleeys]

Drain my sinuses? That involve needles and the general sensation of "Get the hell away from me with that thing!!!" feeling?

[Juggertha]

anyone else getting headaches and feeling abit run down?

[Mr. Pink]

My first year here I had that problem too.

Now I think I am used to it.

[just because]

I've been very sick since Tuesday(had 3 hours sleep last night).

I figured it had to happen due to
1. Myg/f has been very sick
2. My new roomate has been very sick
3. I hadn't taught kiddies for over 4 months until i started again last week.
4. Spring is here with all the new crap floating through the air.
5. Top it all of, the yellow dust.

[kangnamdragon]

I can taste the dust in my mouth. How much are one of those filters?

[ryleeys]

I paid 180,000 for my 30 pyong filter.

Nasty things done to me today at the sinus doctor... stuck stuff up my nose that sucked out my snot.... swabbed my throat and nearly made me puke... sprayed water up my nose.

Bleh

Then gave me medication. They want me to take 6 different pills along with some liquid stuff 3 times a day.

[the saint]

I just had a day and a half off work. My throat was raw meat and still hurts.
Funnily enough, I thought because I've just come from Japan where low humidity and yellow dust are par for the course in winter, that I'd be fine.

Two things contributed to this I guess....
Working in a big office building like environment where the environment is controlled and artificial and...
Living in a huge city pumping out pollutants.

I'm on the mend now but it was not pleasant. Had a humidifier literally blowing me in the face on my desk at work today. Can't say it helped much either.

[jazblanc77]

I had the same deal my first year here. Winter is really dry... get a humidifier. Lots of places still use gas heaters in unventilated areas... be careful becase this will screw up your sinuses (and your brain cells - carbon monoxide - way worse than anything else). Spring has Yellow Sands so try to stay inside on those days... it only last maybe 6 weeks I figure. Summer is really humid and in the cities smoggy... get used to it! Air-conditioners can mess with your sinuses too or cause respiratory problems. Oh yeah, one other BIG factor... if you hear a sputtering car of bike outside and see a white cloud.. close your windows freakin quickly, they spray deet for mosquitoes everywhere in the summer... not good at all!

Perhaps this won't help you but these are the issues.

[Ghostinthemachine]

[the saint]