Remicade, Korea and to stop or not~

[PrincessPeach]

Hey everyone~
I have some questions about a situation I seem to have gotten myself into~ I just graduated this summer with my Bachelors of Science so the boyfriend and I decided to put our degree's to work and applied to teach English as a foreign language in Seoul, South Korea. We passed the interview and are now just waiting on our Visas. This is all great and good except that after 6 months of being out of province (Alberta, Canada) I wont be covered by blue cross for either my 6mp or my remicade so both my GI and his nurse are poo-pooing the idea.
I don't think its fair because its my life and I am absolutely not staying in this stupid city forever! Or even the country! And also this is an AMAZING way to pay off my student loans, see some of the wider world and expand my resume~ I can buy both 6mp and remicade in Korea, but the remicade will probably be wayyyyy out of my price range. Also there are international clinics with english speaking doctors so I could probably convince someone to infuse me if I could afford the drug I really really really want to go and I guess what I'm saying is does anyone know how I could A)stay on Remicade while in S. Korea (aka some way to pay for it!) or B) would it really be a big deal to go off of it and basically maintain myself on 6mp and a careful diet of mostly softness

 

[guest3324]

i think your taking a huge risk. maybe look for alternative drugs that wont be as expensive as remicade

 

[spingirl]

Maybe it is not feasible but could you come home half way through your stay and satisfy your health insurance issue...get an infusion and a perscription? Or have it mailed to you? I'm sure you already thought about it. You might want to check with doctors over there from here...it might be a lot cheaper there for the meds. You never know.

 

[PeninsulaLil]

There are lots of ways to get out of town or even out of Canada that aren't going to Seoul right off the bat. Relocating, new job, etc. will be stressful even if it's also wonderful. You might think about taking steps towards your goal of Korea. For example,you could move to Vancouver or Toronto and teach English to recent immigrants. You would be getting experience that would help you in Korea and be doing it in an environment where you could stay on medications and be near medical support if you need it.

Before you commit to going to Seoul, it would be good to check out some of your assumptions-- find out how much the meds actually do cost, research and contact an English speaking GI and find out if you could be infused if you are providing your own medication, etc.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Lilly

 

[Steve_gatsby]

Do it Amigo. There is always a way. I'm about to embark on the same adventure.

 

[ThanksP]

^^^^ I agree. I moved to Costa Rica and still get my Remicade every 8 weeks.