[settersred]

Hi guys

Well after 2 years of debating and one holiday we have finaly decided to make the move from wet and miserable Devon to Christchurch. Have already sold hs so no ties this end.

The only concern I have is my medical check. I am happy for OH and the kids to get theirs once we get there but as I have smoked for the past 20 years I feel I should have mine done before we fork out on shipping etc.

Appart from being scared that the doctors may find something I am also worried how it could affect our application for residency. So can someone please tell me what the medical actually consist of and what sort of problems would prevent our residency app.

This is worrying me so much it could halt all our plans. Any help much appreciated.

[bartons]

Hi Steve,

have a look at this thread: http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?p=50384#post50384
It's a good list of what the medical consists of.

I don't think you have to worry about smoking (unless there's an obvious death rattle in your lungs); my OH smoked for 25 years and had no problems with the medical.
We did our medicals in Devon: at the Stannery Surgery in Tavistock (with the X-Rays done in Plymouth), and we found them friendly, fast and professional.

On the NZIS website it lists the conditions that would prevent you from gaining residency: requiring dialysis treatment, having TB, having severe haemophilia or having a physical incapacity that requires full time care. Don't worry about a simple smoker's cough!

Mareike

[pinkpiggy]

Hi there,

The medical consists of a chest x-ray (which has to be done before your medical as you take the results along), blood tests, urine sample and then a full check - basic eye test, weight, height (to work out BMI which should be under 35 - if it's over 35 you'll need an extra fasting blood test), they check your hearing and that's about it.

They check for things that could potentially be a burden on NZ Health Care system - not sure exactly which conditions particularly - although if you have say, for instance, diabetes as long as you can show it's under control then you should be okay.

Hope this puts your mind at ease and good luck with the plans.

[marcia]

I can understand your concerns, we were exactly the same - sometimes little things just don't show up till you go for a medical - we didn't know my son was short sighted till he had his!! It wouldn't have stopped the visa, but goes to show you never know!

At one point we were looking to come to NZ without a visa and do it all when we got here - but we got the job offer which made it easier for us. But we said that we would have medicals in the UK before we went, if we had done it that way, just incase there was anything which would stop NZIS from allowing us to stay - in our eyes it would have been money well spent, a few hundred pounds to find out everything is ok, as opposed to the thousands it would cost to move back if you were refused a visa in NZ. Ok you will still have to have a medical over here, but at least you will have piece of mind that is nothing major stopping you health wise.

Good luck whatever you decide, and remember the decision is yours, and you are the one who has to live with it, what works for one won't work for others so go with your gut feeling!

[zardell]

The only concern I have is my medical check.
I have smoked for the past 20 years
Appart from being scared that the doctors may find something I am also worried how it could affect our application for residency.


I can't tell you how much I relate to your comments, not because I'm a smoker, I'm not, but from the 'scared what they may find' angle.

Both my parents died of cancer and they smoked - scares me silly to be honest.

My FIL died recently of lung cancer - heavy smoker all his life.

Never mind about how it could affect your residency - if your chest x-ray is clear you'll get through, but if you are concerned enough, now may be the time to try and stop the smoking and look forward to a longer life in NZ with the rest of your family.

I don't mean to preach - honest I don't. It's just that I know what it's like to loose those people most dear to you............

I'll sod off now......:exit

Julie

xx

[CjChris]

Hi guys

The only concern I have is my medical check. I am happy for OH and the kids to get theirs once we get there but as I have smoked for the past 20 years I feel I should have mine done before we fork out on shipping etc.

Appart from being scared that the doctors may find something I am also worried how it could affect our application for residency. This is worrying me so much it could halt all our plans. Any help much appreciated.

At the risk of my post not being received well, I must respond frankly. I think if you are this concerned about the effect your smoking has on your health, you should consider quitting.

My husband worried that his heavy smoking would kill him for 10 of the 28 years he smoked. Well, guess, what? He's now my late husband. He did not have a death rattle even on his "death bed."

I'm not trying to be cruel by pointing this out, I'm just offering a different perspective than other responses to your post.

Have you talked to your family GP about your worries? (Scott avoided the doctor for years because he was afraid of what he would find out. Had he just faced his fears, he might have saved his own life.)

It sounds like it will take a lot of courage to have your chest x-rays completed since you are somewhat nervous already; think of it this way: if there is anything going on, early detection will hugely benefit you. And if everything looks OK (which it probably will), then you will feel enormously relieved and can get on with your plans to move. I wish I could give you a big hug because I personally know how heavy the weight of such a worry can be.

Christine

[zardell]

Well said Christine.....:clap

It wouldn't let me rep you, so have one of these..........:raebanana

Julie

xx

[nippa&pippa]

agree with others, maybe you should be thinking about giving up smoking for children's sake...for my OH's father although he did gave up but too late, got him in the end last year.

[Nathan]

The rules might get tighter if physicians are heard.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=321&objectid=10448795

"Keep smokers and fatties out - Doctors

5:00AM Saturday June 30, 2007
By Catherine Masters

Potential immigrants should be screened for obesity and smoking habits because they place such a heavy burden on health services, respiratory specialists have suggested."

[marcia]

Ok just to add - my mum aged 60 years, has just managed 7 weeks not smoking after a lifetime (around 45 years!!) It is still hard for her, extreamley so, but she thinks of the money she is saving, (in fact so far it might have got her to singapore!!!!) But the health benefits far outweigh anything else, she had a shocking hacking cough, which my dad says has improved 100% since she gave up.

At the end of the day no amount of preaching from anyone can make you give up, you have to be ready to do it for yourself. But if you do make that difficult decison, good luck - we'll all be rooting for you (now theres a word you have to be careful about using - ROOTING - it means doing rudies here!!!!!!!)

Good luck!:nice1

[thepiesleys]

I know exactly what you mean - I have smoked for 20 years also, although I have managed to curb the last five to when I drink. When I had the x ray here I was in a right two and eight. Convinced myself I was gonna be diagnoised with Cancer, ended up hyper ventilating for a week with worry. It was all clear, thank christ. Just to let you know I empathise and can only tell you to just get it done and get it out of the way.

Fingers crossed for you.

Dan

[Rabbit]

Hi guys

Well after 2 years of debating and one holiday we have finaly decided to make the move from wet and miserable Devon to Christchurch. Have already sold hs so no ties this end.

The only concern I have is my medical check. I am happy for OH and the kids to get theirs once we get there but as I have smoked for the past 20 years I feel I should have mine done before we fork out on shipping etc.

Appart from being scared that the doctors may find something I am also worried how it could affect our application for residency. So can someone please tell me what the medical actually consist of and what sort of problems would prevent our residency app.

This is worrying me so much it could halt all our plans. Any help much appreciated.


Well, time for an alternative view.

a) Firstly, I know personally of people who have smoked for 35 years or more and who have been successful with their medicals - so unless you have some damage to your lungs, that you will want to know about anyway - then do not worry about it. A small X-ray will not do you any harm, and will probably put your mind at rest.

b) Where I work in NZ (They are all bungie jumpers and jet boaters), there are loads of people who are dropping down dead from heart attacks who have never smoked. e.g. marathon runners, mountain climbers, mad cyclists, work-o-holics and the like...

c) Smoking is a terrible thing, and let's hope the next generation can stamp it out, and something is eventually going to get us - so let's atleast try and die happy?

d) My mum quit smoking at 75, and she now swims 50 lengths a day, so there is always hope and never too late to give up.

So, relax, focus on today - it is your life and feel free to live it the way you choose.

Do not worry to much about the medical, and if it does not work out, then it was meant to be.

Meanwhile, there are lot's of people who do not smoke who are worrying about diabetes, B12 deficiency, other genentically inherited diseases, wine consumption etc.

I have heard, that it is best to start smoking at 65 as it stops senile dementia.

Personaly, I think all these NZ morning tea's with greasy sausage rolls are highly dangerous!

Good luck & do not worry!

A good check-up and MOT will do no harm.

Rabbit.

[settersred]

Thanks for all your comments guys.

I too have had family that have died from cancer and even this did not make me quit but I think as smokers we live in denial or are just too scared to face the truth.

I have in the past tryed everything from hypnosis to group therapy to quit and nothing has worked, until I came to NZ in April for 5 wks.

We have never had a holiday before, just the odd weekend away and my willpower is non existant. So I decided that if/when we moved to NZ for good, it would be a new start and no smoking, so thought I would prepare myself while on holiday. Had my last one at Heathrow :clap

The fact that we were busy and I was never alone was a great help. It has been hard being back home though as my support network is now back at work/school (oh & kids), Not long to summer hols though then the kids will keep me busy again. I have also decided that i will get my medicals once i'm there.

Thanks again :cheers

[Lupin]

Congratulations settersred :clap

[CjChris]

Thanks for all your comments guys.

I too have had family that have died from cancer and even this did not make me quit but I think as smokers we live in denial or are just too scared to face the truth.

I have in the past tryed everything from hypnosis to group therapy to quit and nothing has worked, until I came to NZ in April for 5 wks.

We have never had a holiday before, just the odd weekend away and my willpower is non existant. So I decided that if/when we moved to NZ for good, it would be a new start and no smoking, so thought I would prepare myself while on holiday. Had my last one at Heathrow :clap

The fact that we were busy and I was never alone was a great help. It has been hard being back home though as my support network is now back at work/school (oh & kids), Not long to summer hols though then the kids will keep me busy again. I have also decided that i will get my medicals once i'm there.

Thanks again :cheers

Thank you for sharing your story! I think everyone needs that certain "life event" to get them to stop or think seriously about being healthier and stop the denial. Good for you.

Christine