Moving to South Korea w/ UC

[taylerwithane]

Hi everyone! I'm pretty new to this forum and I have had Ulcerative Colitis since 2011. I am about to make a big move to Daegu, South Korea next month and was wondering if anyone has any tips, know of any doctors, or just has any general information about having IBD in South Korea.

I started Remicade in 2013 and it has worked wonders for me (currently in remission), so I definitely plan on continuing treatment while I'm living there. Any information anyone has will be so much appreciated, as continuing treatment for my disease is my #1 priority and making me the most anxious about the move.

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Annyeong haseyo and welcome to the forum! I don't know much about South Korea when it comes to IBD, but I do have an American friend who lives in Japan, and my friend suspects that he has IBD. He has told me that doctors in Japan don't see many cases of IBD, and that they really don't know much about it over there. His doctors were content to remove his appendix and tell him he'll be fine. They didn't really know how to test for IBD nor how to treat it, so essentially my friend is going untreated and just dealing with it for now. So, I presume it might be similar in Korea. Do as much research as you can now, as I imagine it might be difficult to find a doctor there who has knowledge about IBD.

I wish I had more information for you, but all I really know about IBD and Asia is my friend's experience. Good luck and keep us posted on how the move goes!

 

[taylerwithane]

Annyeong haseyo and welcome to the forum! I don't know much about South Korea when it comes to IBD, but I do have an American friend who lives in Japan, and my friend suspects that he has IBD. He has told me that doctors in Japan don't see many cases of IBD, and that they really don't know much about it over there. His doctors were content to remove his appendix and tell him he'll be fine. They didn't really know how to test for IBD nor how to treat it, so essentially my friend is going untreated and just dealing with it for now. So, I presume it might be similar in Korea. Do as much research as you can now, as I imagine it might be difficult to find a doctor there who has knowledge about IBD.

I wish I had more information for you, but all I really know about IBD and Asia is my friend's experience. Good luck and keep us posted on how the move goes!

Thank you for your info! As far what I've researched so far, I've read that Remicade is available as a treatment over there and it's covered under the National Health Insurance plan that I'll be on. So I guess it's more about finding a GI doctor and clinic who can administer it at this point which I'm hoping won't be too hard since Daegu is the 3rd largest city in Korea. And I will definitely keep you guys updated on the move

 

[Jabee]

Are you moving to South Korea for work? If so, does your company provide your health insurance? If so, then they should be helpful in finding a GI to treat you. If not, you will have to get an alien registration card and use the national health insurance plan or private health insurance. I expect you know all of this, though!

 

[taylerwithane]

Are you moving to South Korea for work? If so, does your company provide your health insurance? If so, then they should be helpful in finding a GI to treat you. If not, you will have to get an alien registration card and use the national health insurance plan or private health insurance. I expect you know all of this, though!

I'm going to be teaching English through the EPIK program, so I'll be covered under the national health insurance plan and have an ARC I'm hoping to have some help once I get over there, but I want to be prepared just in case because I hear sometimes it can be a crapshoot as to how helpful the program is with getting you adjusted to your life in Korea.

 

[mf15]

I can't tell you much about IBD treatment in South Korea.
Spent all of 1971 there, mostly up near the DMZ, it is a beautiful country.
I am sure it is much more modern now as opposed to when I was there.
Old Mike

 

[taylerwithane]

I can't tell you much about IBD treatment in South Korea.
Spent all of 1971 there, mostly up near the DMZ, it is a beautiful country.
I am sure it is much more modern now as opposed to when I was there.
Old Mike

Yes I am so excited for this next big stage in my life!

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

It definitely sounds exciting! Do you speak Korean? I have watched a few Korean dramas and I also listen to some K-pop, and I've taught myself to read hangeul, so I know a little bit about the language. It's a really fun language and I hope you have a great experience with your move.

 

[mf15]

I forgot to mention, I love going into a Korean restaurant or grocery store, and
start to speak Korean.
You should see the reaction, I am treated special after that.
Old Mike

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Old Mike, I think I'm too shy to try that! I go to a Korean restaurant sometimes but I think I would feel weird even saying "kamsahamnida".