Advice please!

Today I found out that I've been awarded a prestigious fellowship to study Arabic in Egypt for nine months. I am SO excited and sort of can't believe this is really happening.

The problem is... what to do about the crazy? Recently I've been in and out of hospital every 3-4 months or so. What if I have an episode while I'm in Egypt? I couldn't survive a hospital there. I don't know anything about their mental health system, but I doubt it's any good.

I want so much to accept this offer, but I'm nervous too. I'm trying to get in touch with tdoc so I can discuss with her, but no email back yet.

Anyone have some advice? I'm trying to think logically about the whole situation but it's hard when I'm so excited.

Wow, congratulations!

I wish I had some advice but I honestly don't know. Maybe do some research into what hospitals/treatment would be available in an emergency and use that to help you decide? If you are near a city things might not be so bad except for a language barrier and maybe not even that (I have no idea).

I found a lot of broad perspective responses when I did a search for "mental health care Egypt ". Then there were some suggested searches which might also prove helpful.

Check if your meds are outlawed or not. Also check if your dosages are available. For example, the country may put a cap on the dosages available or they may not even able to offer that exact dosage you're on

Finally, check insurance. See how much things will cost.

EDIT: check brand name vs generic meds over there. The U.S. has laws that say generics must work the same as brand name, but who knows with Egypt

Wow that is an amazing amazing opportunity!!!!!!
I hope it works out for you because that is super cool stuff

I do not know anything about there laws , rx procedures or MI treatment centers ... but if you let this once in a life time slip by you will never forgive yourself ... I say go for it ... I would not worry about what "might" happen ... that's life ... sh** can happen here just as bad as there ... good luck ...

AMEN!!! Tigga

This is all really great advice, thank you!

In terms of meds, I figured I would just have my fiance send them to me in the mail. Maybe I can even get a couple of months in advance with proof of travel.

I don't want to end up in hospital in a foreign country, that sounds terrifying. Maybe if I start getting unwell I can book a last minute trip home instead?

When I was having a bad mixed episode and was scheduled to be on vacation (although not in Egypt) my pdoc just told me that I might need to fly home for treatment if things got worse but she'd help me on the phone. I was fine. Perhaps you can work something similar out?

I'm going to try to work this out with pdoc on Monday when I meet him. I might not have the same health insurance next year, that's my only concern. I wonder if he'll keep me as a patient.

WOW! Congratulations, that is a huge achievement even if you feel you must decline. However, I am with the 'yes, go' crowd. If worst comes to worse can't you fly home for 'medical reasons'? And then go back. It must be terrifying and exciting at the same time but opportunities like this do not come along, like ever. One thing though; what do your epidodes look like? Is it possible you could embarrass yourself? Or can you just put on a happy face and suffer in silence? My concern would be going psychotic or floridly manic. That could ruin your reputation.

Congratulations!!! Research your options in case you get sick and go for it. A few years ago, my mom and I were going to Russia for two weeks. I wasn't that stable. When we got to the Atlanta airport somebody had stolen her passport and she handed me the camara and said get on that plane. I did it and didn't regret it. Maybe the novelty of Russia helped me. She was able to meet me the second week in Moscow. I'm so excited for you. Good luck!!!

Stress--good or bad--can be de-stabilizing, but I think the whole point of treatment is to get one to a point which one can move forward and live a more or less normal(ish) life, whatever that entails for the individual.

I think you should do it, personally. It might actually be good for the whole mental health situation, too. A nice challenge, a big change of scenery, a move forward...

But I'm not you, and I wouldn't guilt trip you if you declined. I just think it might actually help you in all aspects of your life, mental health issues included. Personal opinion, of course.

Throw a loop to the entity. Finally leave him behind!

Wow! What an amazing opportunity! I hope you decide to take it and are able to find the required resources to support you.

That's a helluva an opportunity.

Wow, tell me what you really think why don't you.

I've lived in the Middle East before for long stretches of time. It's not at all a ridiculous idea. I just need to have a backup plan.

I think it is a big honor to be chosen BUT I would be worried about the same things.

I couldn't do it right now...too unstable.

But I think if YOU think you can maybe pull it off, give it a try.

Wow, congratulations!

I don't know. I usually take meds with me, but nine month's supply is a bit much.

Congrats!

Personally, I think you should take it because it sounds like a once in a lifetime kind of thing. Don't start thinking something bad might happen because it could be a self fulfilling prophecy. Who knows, you may be perfectly fine. Deal with the crises when/if it happens. Like people have said, you can either get help there or travel back if need be. Don;t waist the opportunity because you may regret it in the future.

Congratulations!


WC

Hmm. Well, congrats on the fellowship. You're cleay amazing and that makes me grin.

I don't know how to advise you except to suggest that you maybe do some research on Egypt. That way you can be better informed perhaps when you do finally get a hold of tdoc? Or maybe since you're studying the language you already know? What about the consulate? Can they help you maybe?

Well. first off, as others have said, a hearty congratulations!

I don't have bipolar... but I do have experience of going to a vastly different culture while dealing with mental health issues, so I hope you don't mind me adding how I dealt with it:

I too took this kind of opportunity by the horns in my mid twenties (despite mental health difficulties, a previous hospitalization and un-diagnosed autism (that came recently)... and ended up living and working in China for 4 years without any therapy or medication.

I'm not advocating the above as such, your issues may have complexities that require both.... but in essence I went balls deep and gritted my teeth when times were hard (and there were some very hard times with relation to depression).

The key I found was to keep myself as busy as possible and embrace the cultural differences and sites as much as I could.

Not sure if I'd have that kind of stamina or fortitude now that I'm hitting 40... but at the time... the literal 'sink or swim' approach sort of kept my head above water out of necessity (I too, did not want to end up in a Chinese mental health ward).

Edit: Might be an idea to get in contact with the consulate and ask their advice... even find out if there are western health care providers in the area you are going that can assist with medication.

Franz, congratulations on the tremendous accomplishment! That is an incredible opportunity you have.

I used to travel to Puerto Rico a lot, and eventually ended up living there for a while. I was diagnosed at the time, and traveled with my meds. When I did need help, I was eventually able to find providers there. The language barrier was a real thing, so this might be a good place for the American consulate to come into play.

If you do take the opportunity (and I think you should), it will be critical for you to set up a MH care team _before_ you go. You might well be able to forego a therapist since it's a short-term stint, but it will be critical for you to find a competent psychiatrist to work with you. It might also be wise to find a hospital where you could go if worst comes to worst. I don't know your linguistic chops, but you definitely need to find a doctor who is fluent in a language in which you are also fluent. Communication is key.

All that being said, grab life by the horns and hang on! It will change your life.