Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nick2124]

Hello there,

I'm currently teaching adult business English in Seoul and based on my student/managerial feedback I'm doing a good job.

However, I am struggling with stress, anxiety and insomnia.

Therefore, I sought out a doctor who could help. She prescribed an extremely low dose of xanax (alprazolam) for only one week.

I then went to another doctor who prescribed a stronger dose for one month.

Excellent ![/b]

I was now able to do my job without the fear of suffering episodes of anxiety and/or dissociation.

HOWEVER, when I took the script to a local pharmacy I was told she could not prescribe the medication as she could see my previous history (regarding the 1st doctor who prescribed a low dose).

AKA: I'm a "drug abuser". (Note: I've no history of abusing medication).

Frankly, I'm a little worried now.

Will my E2 be cancelled?
Will I be reported / deported ?
How can I get the medications I need?

Thank you for any helpful replies,

Again - I am not a drug addict. I simply suffer from an anxiety disorder (as does my father - genetic perhaps...) which needs medical treatment.

Hopefully, I don't lose my job.

Will my school immediately know about my mental health issues???

I appreciate any useful replies,

Nick.

[TheMeerkatLover]

Perhaps you shouldn't have lied on your medical questionnaire?

And yes, your school will find out about your medical issues. Medical privacy in Korea is not like it is back home.

[Paddycakes]

Don't worry about it..

Some posters make it look like every gov't agency has a direct hotline to your boss. I don't think so.

At least you haven't been banned from half the DVD Bangs in town... cough... cough...

[Oreovictim]

I'm in the same boat as you. I have (very mild) anxiety. But I only pop a Xanax maybe once a week.

Be careful about who you tell. During my first year in Korea, I needed to find a doctor for it, so my boss went with me. He was cool about it, but when I didn't sign on for a second year, he screwed me over. He gave me a bad reference, saying I have a drug problem and that about once a month, I'd just not show up for work.

At my medical check for year #2, I told the doctor that I occasionally take Xanax, and he got a bit serious. He said, "Why are you taking this drug? How long have you been taking it?" When I mentioned I take a few a month for the last several years, he said, "Oh, it seems that you are addicted now."

I hope you have some Korean friends. Hopefully, you can find one who can hook you up with an English-speaking doctor. A pharmacy won't refill it. Every time you need it, you need to make an appointment with a doctor. Usually, I would be given about 24 at the most. During my first year, the doctor said to me, "OK, how much would you like?" I said, "Er... six months' worth?" I was surprised that he gave it to me.

Yeah, everyone's different, but I've found if you massively cut down on sugar, alcohol, and caffeine, you'll do a lot better. And try to get 8 hours' of sleep with your whacky schedule.

[drcrazy]

They only way that they would know about the first script., is if you tried to fill the second one BEFORE the amout of time for the first one to be finished.
Never try to get the same meds. from 2 different doctors UNTIL the first scripts should be finished. Insurance will not cover two doctors giving the same med at the same time. Trust me. I have been in Korea since the 1990's and have never had less than 3 doctors at the same time, but giving me DIFFERENT meds. AND, the doctors never share info with your school. I have friends/students who are MD's they do not tell. It is illegal, and they can get in big trouble, same as in USA.

[Smithington]

[Kwangjuchicken]