Korean Job Discussion Forums

[brachy]

Hi All,

I was recently home on a quick visit. I had only one free day in which I had a doctors appointment and an eye appointment. I have noticed a dramatic change in my vision (4 perscriptions in 13 months) as well as dizzy spells etc. After a thorough eye examination came up clear, I headed to the doctors.

I had a blood test done, and it turns out I have some blood sugar extremes... and need to seek further medical help, but unfortunately I was back on a plane and in Korea the next day. I live just South of Seoul (about 45 minutes) and am hoping someone can recommend a doctor (preferably english speaking), websites , dietary recommendations anything to help me research this, and get some help.

Thanks in advance!

[changmee]

The International Clinic is Seoul (Hannam Building) tests for diabetes. The doctor speaks English fluently. I've been there twice and was pleased with the service.
http://www.internationalclinic.co.kr/

Also www.webmd.com has loads of medical advice/information

Good Luck!

[brachy]

Hmmm I thought about going all the way into seoul to the international clinic.... however.... is it true one cannot use the insurance coverage there?

I pay 40 dollars a month for my insurance and would like to go somewhere where this will be of value.

Anyone else?

Thanks.

[trevorcollins]

Roughly what part of Korea are you in...?

[canuckistan]

Seoul National University Hospital foreigner's clinic. Top notch hospital/doctors.

Seoul National University Hospital: http://snuh.snu.ac.kr
760-2890/011-9150-2890 (emergency)
SNUH Foreigner's clinic: http://snuh.snu.ac.kr/hosp/ic/index_ic.html

[Flossie]

[lbellamy]

Hi,

You've probably found a doctor by now and have things well in hand but in case some more info helps here's some stuff I found out when researching type II for someone newly diagnosed. (I took this on because I have a biochemistry degree and he had no idea what a carbohydrate was:)

International Clinic in Itaewon can sell you a blood glucose monitor and wrist style BP monitor. They also have vitamins and stuff. They probably have Chromium Piccolinate (sp?) which has a reputation for assisting with blood glucose control. For your regular checkups - yes they will be expensive but while you learn about controling your glucose levels and get your medicines right it could be useful to have such a one-stop shop with an English speaking doctor who understand western patients.

Diabetes education: If you look up the diabetes organizations in your home country they can probably mail you a big package of education materials. There will probably be documents in PDF you can download.

Try to get a list of foods and their glycaemic index. It's not just the carbohydrate load, but how quickly the particular carb is digested that influences your glucose level. So complex carbs are better. There are all sort of surprises when you read these lists.

Some glycaemic info is available on the web and you can buy books. The lists get long so consider buying a PDA to keep them on. Then you can find info easily when you're grocery shopping or eating out. There are loads of diabetes software packages for PDA that for a small outlay can help you track your glucose levels, diet and exercie. Then give you little reports and charts etc. Handy for taking with you to checkups.

A good site for diabetes ed is http://www.mendosa.com which also has a glycaemic index list http://www.mendosa.com/gi.htm

Also there are little 'dieting' books with food analysis lists in them at your local book/magazine shop. They're in Korean but if you can read hangul they still will help you carb content for local food products. Likewise ask a dietician at the hospital for some lists.

If you ask at your local yak guk they'll probably be able to direct to your nearest medical appliance shop. That's where you can buy the urine test strips, glucose meter, and refill reagents. To price shop, consider ordering in bulk from diabeticexpress.com (meter reviews on that site too) Getting a meter might feel like an over reaction but that's what the doctor will measure you with. And that's the only real way for you to know between doctor visits. Tight sugar control is really important to avoid all the bad stuff that goes with diabetes, whether type I or type II. I think you can even now get a watch style monitor that meaure glucose through your skin. No finger pricking.

The doctor will probably order a whole lot of blood tests. One of these measures glycosolation of haemoglobin, which tells the doctor how well the blood glucose is being control over the preceding few months. Other things they look at are your cholesterol and other fat levels (if you can't burn sugar then the body will mobilise your fat stores). My friend paid about W60-80,000 for a panel of tests, without health insurance. Mendosa's site will teach you about this. He has a newsletter you can subscribe to by email as well.

Even if you are 'only' type II, you need to keep on top of it. If you get out of control you could need urgent hospital admission. So if you live alone, consider getting something written out in Korean to show your neighbors or boss if you need them to help you in an emergency. Also don't forget there are those international bracelets which would be useful in the event you faint in a public place.

Your nearest foreigner clinic at a hospital will probably be able to refer you to exactly where you need to go for English information and care. Diabetes is a serious disease, so don't feel bad if you use a clinic for the uninsured when you are insured. Just show your insurance card and let the staff decide. At the least insist on seeing a doctor to ask to refer you to the best possible clinic where you can use your insurance.

Diabetes is an epidemic in Korea just like in the west, so don't feel alone. A preceding condition is called 'metabolic syndrome' or 'insulin resistance'. Try googling those topics too.

If you pm me I'll send you all the links I found in my research. Also feel free to pm me if I can help explain any of the biochemistry stuff or find some specific links for you. I subscribe to some medical news bulletins and can send you some links for those if you like. (You can narrow down what bulletins you get to just the endocrinology/metabolic/diabetes.)

Lisa

[K-in-C]

Does anyone know if beef (bovine) insulin can be purchased in South Korea?

Regards,

Kate