Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ninja Bees]

So, I am getting my results back tomorrow and I am wondering if the nurses and doctors know what it is going. I arrived Wed. at 5am (4 hours sleep on a 36 hour trip), all of my bags were lost, and I had to be in work at 9am. The next day, first thing, I had to get my medical exam. My blood pressure was high and it kept going up the more the nurse tested me. Needless to say, the nurse flat out told me that this will cause problems at immigration.

I know that I do not have HEP or HIV (got tested before I left) and there aren't any drugs in my system, but I do like my drink and I am still considering myself a smoker. Both are not good for my blood pressure, my liver, or lungs. I fully expect to have high-blood pressure and fatty liver on my immi form. Should I be packing for another hellish flight back home? There is no way that every foreigner that comes to Korea is in perfect health.

It would be nice to have a "its all gonna be okay" with a pat on the back. In any case, I will post what happens in case anyone else ends up in this situation.

[Riker]

Well, in a professional environment, "white coat" syndrome is easy to spot, where being tested or around doctors makes your blood pressure spike.

A professional nurse/doctor would have said " hey look take a minute and clear your thoughts " and we will test you after you calm down.

Not sleeping is a bitch. I have a little insomnia and have enough trouble sleeping myself, let alone on a plane.

My only advise I would have given you was to take a few shots of alcohol before you went to calm you down.

Keep us posted ok?

[northway]

You'll be fine. I've had high blood pressure and really high cholesterol. Even if it's really bad they still give you your ARC, they just give you a follow-up.

[Ninja Bees]

Riker,

I was seriously considering have a beer or two just to help with the stress and my blood pressure, but it would of been interesting to see my blood results. Next time I have to go, I will definitly consider it.

When I got my first test, I had nictoine gum, which helps a lot when you are a smoker. The nurse starts making that hissing noise when she saw my blood pressure (you know the one, when they are getting a serious point across, or upset). I've been here before and I knew something was not good. I kind of worked myself up more and more each time she asked me to take the test. It had literally jumped from 144 to 162 (I don't understand the single number - I know 140 is the max).

Northway,

Can they revoke you on the follow-up? I'm going to continue cutting back on smoking (I wish quiting was easy), drink a lot less, and hit the gym. The walking has helped a lot and I am back into the Korean diet (no noodles this time). If anything, I will go to a doctor and pay for some blood pressure medicine.

Thanks to both of you, I guess I owe you two a beer.

I will let the board knows how it goes.

[Riker]

I suggest cutting sodium consumption up until your follow up. A typical restaurant meal has more sodium than you should eat in a day.

See if you can keep your sodium under 600 mg up until test. Your blood pressure will go down 10%.

That's a lot, and its a free 10%.

Just having the confidence of knowing you have restricted your sodium intake will probably lower it another few points as well.

Its a win win.

Also, don't drink too much water. Just what you need to feel good. Too little or too much will impact your test. Just be "normal"

Be warned, all processed food is LOADED with sodium. You will have to prepare your own meals.

BTW - one spoon full of salt has about 2,400 mg, about 4 times what you should take in.

[Riker]

Ninja bees any news?

Keep us posted ok?

[alwaysbeclosing100]

immigration cares about nothing other than a drug test and a test for HIV but i think they might have dropped the HIV test..........but a school could stop opt to request it i think.............

[millyfrend]

Go see a doctor.

[bobbybigfoot]

Unless your test shows blood pressure something like 190/110 then I wouldn't worry about it.

150/90 is no biggie, immigration wise that is.

[Ninja-Bees]

Due to some pain in the a** circumstances, I am now able to log on and tell everyeone what happened....nothing. I passed, and everything is in the works for the ARC card. My blood pressure was 149/? on the form (minimum was 140), liver was fine (shocking considering how much I like to drink).

On a side note, whoever (in the internet world, not here - just needed to vent) hacked my email account and screwed up the accounts tied to it, I really hope something on you falls off.