Korean Job Discussion Forums

[em]

As of this morning, my cold/flu whatever thing has started to move into my right ear.

(For crying out loud! I haven't had an earache since I was six!!! Why now???)

So, as of Monday morning, I think I will bite the bullet and head to a doctor who will, most likely, give me antibiotics. My question is, has anyone here taken antibiotics in Korea? Any concerns? Pretty much the same?

[VanIslander]

I had a serious case of bronchial pneumonia last winter and the antibiotics I was prescribed wasn't helping much. So, the doctor finally switched antibiotics and within two hours I had massive rashes and severe itching. When I returned to the clinic, the English-speaking Korean doctor wanted to give me more of the same administered by injection directly into my bloodstream, reasoning that the method would bypass the allergic reaction I was having. I worried about a considerably more intense allergic reaction. I told the needle-wielding nurse ne, ne. I asked for more of the antibiotic I had been using, and took it for the next three weeks until I could breathe normally.

I've been told by Koreans that they submit to the authority of a physician: The old, Doctor knows best. Having had two doctors as family friends back home, I've been advised against such a position.

More so in Korea, I feel.

I recommend that you ask a Korean about who has a good reputation. Some do, some don't. I found out later that mine didn't.

[matthews_world]

Em, do we need 2 such threads about 1 problem??

[desultude]

Em, look up the other threads on doctors in Korea here on Dave's. If you do not have a GOOD hospital where you are, go to a big city. The doctors in local clinics aren't reliable, and that is a real understatement.

Go to the doctor with a proficiently bilingual person to translate for you, and don't trust that the "English speaking" doctor will be able to adequately communicate with you. Ask lots of questions. The doctor will not necessarily want to answer them, but persevere. Especially ask about the medicines he prescribes. Some of the doctors don't seem to take allergies seriously, so if you are allergic to a medicine, check with the pharmacist before taking anything. (I am allergic to sudafed, I told the doctor, he looked it up in his PDR, and still prescribed something with it in it. I found out from the pharmacist, and it took her a while to sort it out with the doctor.)

You have to be very careful about medicine here. A university teaching hospital with an international clinic is best. Good luck.

[em]

Thanks all, for the cautions.

And thanks especially to Matthew's World for kicking a girl while she's down. Why don't you come over here, Matthew, if that is your real name, and edit my posts for me? And while you are at it, perhaps you can make me some chicken soup, go to the store for me when I'm out of juice, refill my hot water bottles, rent me a movie or two........

[schwa]

Korea has the highest per capita antibiotics consumption in the world, & prescriptions invariably run too short as well. Even innocent-looking throat lozenges come laced with them. This is where the first 'superbugs' will rear their ugly heads.

Merriam-Webster defines 'antibiotic' as 'tending to prevent, inhibit, or destroy life.' Avoid if possible, but if thats not on, consider replenishing the natural infection-fighters your body will lose -- load up on yogurt afterwards. Garlic & kimchi may play a useful role here too.

[em]

Thanks Schwa. I'm definitely going to try to avoid another bout of anything like this while I am here. Garlic and Kimchee - I'm right on top of that.

Nothing helped this cold, including massive amounts of garlic, ginger tea, Oo-ja-cha, water and orange juice combined with tons of bed rest and quite a few hot baths. I need to go the antibiotic route, unfortunately.

Question about getting my good bacteria levels back up to normal - would you eat yoghurt while doing the antibiotics, or wait until finished?

[schwa]

Both. Cant hurt. Go for the live action stuff -- yoplait & bulgaris are good.

& I forgot to add: get well soon!

[em]

Thanks schwa!

[desultude]

Oh yeah- running short on antibiotics. My bronchitus turned real ugly after the doc prescribed a three day supply of antibiotics. I objected, I protested, but I hadn't yet learned not to go to the doctor at the local clinic. Three days was not enough to cure me, and I got way worse. that was in April, I got completely well last month. Honest. ]

ONLY GO TO A GOOD HOSPITAL (PREFERABLY A TEACHING HOSPITAL) WITH DOCTORS WHO SPEAK ENGLISH. MAKE SURE YOU GET A FULL COURSE OF THE RIGHT ANTIBIOTICS. (Call your doctor at home for advice if possible.)

[em]

Thanks Desultude,

I actually went today and they did indeed precribe only three days worth of antibiotics - I was kind of wondering about that. They also gave me a shot, which I will admit had me starting to feel a bit better right away. If I go back on the third day, do you think I would be able to get the rest of a full course of antibiotics?

They really don't seem to get it here - that they are creating problems by using antibiotics so sporadically and impulsively. My boss went with me to the hospital and proudly told me that when he is feeling better he doesn't take the rest of his medicine. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Am I wrong in thinking that Korea has access to all of the latest medical information?

[desultude]

Where did you go to the doctor's? Do you have someone besides your boss to go with you? Doctors don't like to be asked questions, so it may be best to go back with someone else (who won't be offended if you are a bit, well, assertive.) Try to get at least 3-4 more day worth of antibiotics, and try to find out the name of the medicine in English- your doctor will have a Physician's Desk Reference.

One other thing- all of the new teachers in my program got sick a lot last semester, but the ones who had been here for a while were fine. As we go into winter, I am hoping that my immune system will now be up to the challenge.

You are being exposed to a lot of new viruses and other buggers that you immune system is not used to. That, and you are stressed from moving to a new country. And to a new job. So jus t hope that in the long run your body's own defenses kick in and do the job.

[em]

I went to the local hospital. Seemed good. All of the doctors (except the specialist) spoke good English and there were specialists right on hand.

I could have gone with one of my cooworkers but their Korean is iffy. Those are my only options. My boss was pretty good. I'm not sure even what questions I would want to ask. However, if I ask my boss to call the hospital with a concern, I know he will do it. Perhaps I'll have him call tomorrow and ask about the dangers in taking such a short course of antibiotics.

My cooworkers have said that every one of them got sick within the first six weeks of coming here. Stands to reason. Great excuse to super-healthify myself!

[marcy]

I know that you already went to the doctor's Em but just in case anybody else is wondering...the International Clinic in the Sinchon Severance hospital was absolutely excellent. While I was talking to the doctor I sort of forgot I was in Korea and just felt like I was in a doctor's office. Of course I did learn the hard way of going to a small clinic first, three days of antibiotics and five other pills that only made me stoned, not cured.

[crazylemongirl]

I'm glad I got two rounds of penicillin perscribed before I left.
However I'm freaked out about having another major asthma attack here.

CLG