Korean Job Discussion Forums

[toph]

Does anybody know if epilepsy medications will show up on the medical exam??

More specifically, will Zonegram (generic: Zonisamide) show up on the medical check? I'm a controlled-epileptic, and I have no fear of having a seizure in class. My only concern is that I will get refused/deported by the school through failing the medical test.

PLEASE HELP~!!!

[onlyinkorea87]

[moosehead]

I would totally disagree with this info - a school or recruiter is likely to pass on your app if they hear about this for plain ol' discrimination reasons.

you won't take the medical until in-country so just go ahead and fess up to the DOCTOR NOT THE NURSE when you take your exam. you'll be fine. make sure you bring plenty of meds w/you and have made arrangements to obtain more in case you can't get them in Korea - most but not all western meds are available.

good luck!

[toph]

Hey, thanks for the help! I really appreciate it.

But I'm actually going to apply to a hagwon, and I've heard that you won't need a medical check for those. Idk how true this is (especially since each hagwon contract can vary), so can you clear this up for me?? Oh, and I'm a gyopo who's going to get an F4 visa if that changes anything. Even so, I guess it doesn't matter since I have a note from my doctor already, explaining my situation.

And I'm definitely going to be bringing a year's supply of medicine here.

[moosehead]

everyone getting an E2 needs a med check - it doesn't matter if it's a hakwon or not - F4 - donno - call immi and ask - you do the med check and bring it with you when applying for your ARC so immi should know

[loyfriend]

As a drug counselor, I would tell you that drug will show up as a barbituate. If they test for it.

You can look up many medications and what they would show up as in a DMV 4 book. Any smart Dr. will know what disability you have and let it pass.

To me the real question is in your case what would you do if you had a seizure here at school.

Best of luck to you.

[toph]

[quote]To me the real question is in your case what would you do if you had a seizure here at school. [/quote]

Actually, I'm not worried about having a seizure at all. I know for a fact that I won't have a seizure (I've had a valid, non-handicap [as in "normal"] driving license ever since I began driving...which totals to 6 years). During those 6 years of driving, I've of course had epilepsy.

I understand there is no matter-of-facts in life, but at the same time, as a gyopo I have a lot of support in Korea and so I'm not concerned about what would happen in the "worst-case scenario." Also, I've traveled to Korea many times, and I'm used to the conditions there. So I think I'm more than prepared for the living conditions...I'm just worried about this stupid med-test.

[quote]As a drug counselor, I would tell you that drug will show up as a barbituate. If they test for it.

You can look up many medications and what they would show up as in a DMV 4 book. Any smart Dr. will know what disability you have and let it pass. [/quote]

Thanks so much for this advice. Actually, I should have just thought of this myself, but I'm just stressing too much over this to think clearly.

[toph]

At the risk of being a redundant-noob: Should/shouldn't I disclose my epilepsy to the hagwon I apply to?

I know that many think it's unethical to do this. I know that many think I should do it, because there's no other way to get hired...but after doing an extensive amount of obsessing and researching, it seems that whether I tell or not will not matter. The only thing that WILL make a difference is if I tell immigration~

So I'm confused.

Should I tell the hagwon?

Should I tell immigration?

I know these questions are already posted here, but it's really hard when you're actually IN the situation. And I've actually posed a similar question to a recruiter (well, actually I just asked him whether or not he thought I was eligible to apply, considering my epilepsy). He actually told me that I will still have a "90% chance" (actual quote) of getting hired, and that my epilepsy won't really affect my chances--and that's if I TELL the school. (Oh, this was also when I was trying to apply for GEPIK, which I've decided not to do, as I feel like hagwons are better now--but that's a different story). So then my recruiter, Jay, asked me to get a written letter from my doctor explaining my epilepsy-history, and my current condition. He told me that if the letter says that I'm "seizure-free" under prescription medicine, I should be okay to apply. He also told me that he would personally mail the letter to GEPIK offices (which he's already done, and I'm just waiting for a reply) to see what they would say about my eligibility. But then I began thinking if I DON'T tell the school then who knows? Maybe I'm guaranteed a position; but the problem is, I feel bad in doing this as well. I also see this as unethical.

And, as someone mentioned before, what happens if I do have a seizure in front of my class (even though I vehemently argued that I'm seizure-free). So anyway, the point is: If I tell the school/hagwon, then I screw myself. If I don't tell the school/hagwon (now only hagwon, btw), then I still screw myself.

But the question is: WHICH is the smaller screw???? I know this is pretty much a new topic, and I really apologize for that, but I didn't want to post an entirely new thread on a fairly similar topic. And...I've posted two in one day so I need to slow my role as a noob.

Anyway, like always...ANY help appreciated (especially from anyone that has "been there, done that").

[toph]

@kiwigirl:

Thanks so much for that (I would PM you, but I'm new here, and I can't PM you). Anyway though, as you can see I'm actually considering not telling the hagwon about my condition. But then I've realized that it shouldn't matter since, like you said..."maintenance."

Sigh...

I just wish they understood the disorder better than they clearly do. It's upsetting, because I'm a gyopo and so I understand their naivety; but the ignorance is simply annoying at times. I think I should be okay though, because I have a letter from my doctor. I think I might get a new letter though, asking him to provide further information/detail.

But I just have a couple of questions for you:

You said you mentioned it on all health forms. Does this include the medical-report for immigration?

Are you working public or private? Are you on an E2 or an F4?

I know the last question shouldn't make a difference, but I think we all know that in Korea...well, it does.

[young_clinton]

Your drug is not related to any other medical drug groups, so its not related to any illegal drug groups that they would be specifically looking for in their drug tests. So I would doubt very seriously if the tests would pull it up. I think they would have to do specific chemical tests to identify what you are taking and the medical facility is not going to do that, it takes money.

I wouldn't tell anybody about your condition, definately not recruiters, and not the doctors or nurses that do the testing because they will report you possibly. It's hard to say.

[ttompatz]

E2 visa and you will be refused if you answer honestly on the application and be subject to visa fraud if you lie.

F4 visa is a different kettle of fish.

No medical required (so no drug test) and no CRC required unless your employer requests one.

.

[toph]

ttompatz: Really? I don't need the drug test if I get the F4?

I'm honestly not so worried about getting rejected from a school anymore as far as prescription meds go.

My only concern is that immigration will refuse me a visa. ttompatz...can you please explain the details on this a little bit more please? (Like, process of getting an F4). Or why don't I need a medical exam?

[ttompatz]

[toph]

Thanks! hmm...Well, I guess I'm definitely getting the F4 then.

It just seems like it's going to be a lot harder to get it, because I don't have a consulate in my state (Colorado). Maybe I could get it in Korea?? Does anybody know this? Anyway, thanks for the info!! You were really helpful

[Morticae]