Moving Questions
Hey all, I am currently in the process of getting started with INTERAC. However I wanted to ask about some logistics about more long term advice that I can’t seem to get some straight answers to online.
1. Medications: I am currently on several medications which range from biologics, intravenous infusions, antidepressants, ADHD (Vyvanse), and other maintenance like Synthroid (I don’t have a thyroid so I do need to be on this). I have seen some advice about either getting a Yunyu Kakuin-Sho (+ getting insurance is mandatory and could I see if my UHC insurance here would even fill for more than 30 day supply), or getting a local provider wherever I am placed. Some of the meds like IVIG I get I can live without while I am there, but others like my ADHD stuff will honestly be a struggle without and I know they are much more strict with controlled stimulants over there. I really do want to do this program so if I need to just go without some medications I can do it but of course there are some that I genuinely need to be on and despite the quantity of medications I’m on I am surprisingly healthy otherwise.
2. Phone: What did you guys do about your phone? I am on AT&T but I’ve seen how exorbitant their fees are, I’ve seen options for google Fi, or getting a SIM card there. Most of the stuff I can find online includes information about short term travel.
3. Are there any books or others that have good sources for learning common Japanese kanji for navigating through Japan? I’m taking a few classes already but they’re more focused on grammar and vocabulary and that’s perfectly fine; however I am more concerned about not being able to familiarize myself with these kanji that may not show up earlier in the curriculum.
7 comments
This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.
—
**A few questions before ALT**
Moving Questions
Hey all, I am currently in the process of getting started with INTERAC. However I wanted to ask about some logistics about more long term advice that I can’t seem to get some straight answers to online.
1. Medications: I am currently on several medications which range from biologics, intravenous infusions, antidepressants, ADHD (Vyvanse), and other maintenance like Synthroid (I don’t have a thyroid so I do need to be on this). I have seen some advice about either getting a Yunyu Kakuin-Sho (+ getting insurance is mandatory and could I see if my UHC insurance here would even fill for more than 30 day supply), or getting a local provider wherever I am placed. Some of the meds like IVIG I get I can live without while I am there, but others like my ADHD stuff will honestly be a struggle without and I know they are much more strict with controlled stimulants over there. I really do want to do this program so if I need to just go without some medications I can do it but of course there are some that I genuinely need to be on and despite the quantity of medications I’m on I am surprisingly healthy otherwise.
2. Phone: What did you guys do about your phone? I am on AT&T but I’ve seen how exorbitant their fees are, I’ve seen options for google Fi, or getting a SIM card there. Most of the stuff I can find online includes information about short term travel.
3. Are there any books or others that have good sources for learning common Japanese kanji for navigating through Japan? I’m taking a few classes already but they’re more focused on grammar and vocabulary and that’s perfectly fine; however I am more concerned about not being able to familiarize myself with these kanji that may not show up earlier in the curriculum.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/movingtojapan) if you have any questions or concerns.*
1. You need to check to see if your medication is available here, and if not, ask your current doctor for alternatives that would be available here. I don’t think you should consider “just going without” your medication. If you have challenges coping in your home country, imagine doing that in a country away from any support system.
2. I signed up for cell service here after I moved.
3. There are lots of great beginning books. I would avoid phrase books and go towards text that is geared towards learning japanese such as Tae Kim’s book or Genki.
I am really worried about the idea of you moving with such complex medical needs to a country where you do not speak the language fluently. Please be careful and take care of yourself.
You can’t get Vyvanse if you weren’t diagnosed with ADHD until you were an adult. You CAN get concerta though – part of the reason I switched to concerta is to make it easier for when I move. For some reason they don’t treat concerta the same way in Japan as Vyvanse or Adderall or any of the other stimulant ones!
You won’t be able to get Synthroid here but since you have no thyroid it should be easy to get diagnosis and receive medicine. It’ll be a Japanese brand.
You’ll need to make an appointment, do a blood test, and talk to the doctor before you can get the medicine, so for sure bring as much Synthroid as you can with you (I’d bring about 3 to 6 months worth, should be 2 or 4 pill bottles total). Of course fill the import form for that.
For 2. When I worked for them, Interac had the phone company and set us up during training.
Best of luck making your dreams come true even with medical issues.
1. I personally take Concerta so I know you can get that here, IDK about Vyvanse. Expect to pay about $30-60 USD for each trip you make to the doctor, that includes filling your prescription.
2. Sakura Mobile is (I think) the only carrier that lets you reserve a SIM card from outside of Japan, then pick it up at the airport. Interac’s initial setup paperwork should tell you things like this.
3. Maybe google the phrase “survival Japanese”, as “survival (language here)” tends to be the term used for that type of thing.