Medical questions

[QueenOfBlades 224]

On the medical question sheet, it says "Have you ever been hospitalized (including psychiatric admission)?". I'm not really sure what to put for that as I don't know what counts as "hospitalized". I took an overdose in 2006 and I was taken to hospital about 3am, they took my blood and did checks on me and whatnot, they didn't need to do anything, they made me wait to see a psychiatrist to chat with him about it. I waited for him to turn up, spoke to him for an hour, then they let me go about 5pm the same day. Does that count as hospitalized? Is it any time I've been to a hospital or have been there for a pro-longed time? I've been there a couple of times for various things. Broken ankle, a few hours to check for DVT after a long flight.

Also, as the Varicella vaccination isn't available in the UK, will I need to get that vaccine before I adjust status in the US or is it not required?

[lynndy38 64]

First of all.

You're going to need a letter from your doctor regarding the incident stating 'is no longer a threat to herself or others' it must say that.

You will have to mention the times you stayed in hospital,they'll decide if it requires extra questioning. I too took an overdose and like you spent less than 24 hours in hospital.Ticking yes will not mean you fail the medical,as long as you have the letter from your doctor stating you are now well and no longer a threat it should be ok. But do bear in mind theres always the chance they'll want a pysch evaluation.

They ask if youve had chicken pox as a child if you say yes you're pretty much assumed to be immune. I'm unsure on the procedure if you haven't had chicken pox,hopefully someone else will be able to answer that for you.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/8321-london-medical-knightsbridge-doctors/page__st__765

Read my review of how my medical went......I had alot of mental health issues and was terrified. But thankfully the medical went really well.

Good luck

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

To me the American version of "hospitalized" (and this is a medical for America)--

You have something that is going to require you to be admitted to the hospital, get a room in the wing with all the sick people's rooms down a long corridor and a nurses station, your name on the door, meals served, a buzzer to call the nurse, daily visit by your doctor, vital signs taken every few hours, you spend the night or several nights, weeks......

Going to an Emergency Room and being treated then sent home, even if it was several hours and several doctors, is not being hospitalized.

Varicella shot:

CR1 can be given a waiver with the reason marked on the DS-3025 vaccination form "not available". The CR1 procedure ends with an interview in London that will give them a greencard as soon as they get to the US. There is no way to easily get a varicella shot before the London interview approving their greencard, so it is waived.

K1 doesn't even begin to apply for a greencard until they get to the US and get married and apply for Adjustment of Status. So, the K1 has time to get their shots completed and signed off by another doctor (civil surgeon) in the US before they apply for their greencard. The excuse of not available is no longer valid because it is available to them in the US. BUT anybody that has had chickenpox is given a waiver and they take your word for it. They mark the DS-3025 sheet with VH on the varicella line.

If a K1 can get everything complete and marked on their DS-3025, then they don't need to pay a civil surgeon in the US. If they get shots after Knightsbridge has sent their form to the embassy, then they will pay for a civil surgeon in the US to fill out/sign a new immunization form I-693 before they apply for AOS.

[lynndy38 64]

To me the American version of "hospitalized" (and this is a medical for America)--

You have something that is going to require you to be admitted to the hospital, get a room in the wing with all the sick people's rooms down a long corridor and a nurses station, your name on the door, meals served, a buzzer to call the nurse, daily visit by your doctor, vital signs taken every few hours, you spend the night or several nights, weeks......

Going to an Emergency Room and being treated then sent home, even if it was several hours and several doctors, is not being hospitalized.

Varicella shot:

CR1 can be given a waiver with the reason marked on the DS-3025 vaccination form "not available". The CR1 procedure ends with an interview in London that will give them a greencard as soon as they get to the US. There is no way to easily get a varicella shot before the London interview approving their greencard, so it is waived.

K1 doesn't even begin to apply for a greencard until they get to the US and get married and apply for Adjustment of Status. So, the K1 has time to get their shots completed and signed off by another doctor (civil surgeon) in the US before they apply for their greencard. The excuse of not available is no longer valid because it is available to them in the US. BUT anybody that has had chickenpox is given a waiver and they take your word for it. They mark the DS-3025 sheet with VH on the varicella line.

If a K1 can get everything complete and marked on their DS-3025, then they don't need to pay a civil surgeon in the US. If they get shots after Knightsbridge has sent their form to the embassy, then they will pay for a civil surgeon in the US to fill out/sign a new immunization form I-693 before they apply for AOS.

I would agree about the broken foot and the DVT incident but she'll surely have to mention the overdose as she'll be asked about her mental health history.

I guess if you've disclosed the fact you had a mental health crisis in the past and are prepared to cover that with your doctors letter,then the question about being hospitalised could be answered as no,I did ponder over it myself.Or you can always say to the receptionist I don't know how to answer that (I did) she said to just talk it over with the doctor.You get given another questionaire at the medical and that one asks have you ever actively tried to take your life. Just want you to be prepared

Edited February 17, 2013 by lynndy38

[QueenOfBlades 224]

Thanks for replies all. I likely will put "no" to the hospitalized question but make a cover letter saying about my overdose in 2006 and self-harm (one little cut on my left forearm). I had mild depression for a few months last year, but it wasn't anything serious, just feeling very down and lack of energy and my USC fiance came with me to my GP. It's funny as it is on my medical history that I have a "very supportive partner" lol. Got off the pills relatively quickly and was given all clear by my doctor. He said he will write a letter when the time comes saying I am not a threat to myself or others, and nor does he believe I would be in the future. Really hoping I don't have to get a psych. I've had no other mental health problems, no criminal history, and have been employed full time for 6 years now without any issues/sickness due to mental health problems.

With the Varicella thing then, I would need to get a vaccine in the US and get a I-693 signed by them? Do I get the form and take it to them or do I just go in and ask? Do I need to ask for anything at the Knightsbridge doctors to take to the US to give to the civil surgeon?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thanks for replies all. I likely will put "no" to the hospitalized question but make a cover letter saying about my overdose in 2006 and self-harm (one little cut on my left forearm)

You don't need a cover letter. You can answer any questions they have in person.

With the Varicella thing then, I would need to get a vaccine in the US and get a I-693 signed by them? Do I get the form and take it to them or do I just go in and ask? Do I need to ask for anything at the Knightsbridge doctors to take to the US to give to the civil surgeon?

I would say I had chickenpox and save $100 or more plus a lot of hassle. The Knightsbridge clinic will give you a photocopy of your vaccination record they fill out. You can show that, or records from your GP, or flu shot record from Tesco, or shots from the health department. The civil surgeon will combine everything onto one form. Don't expect it to be easy or cheap. Here, read what I already said about it

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/412846-a-few-questions-help-please/page__p__5961637#entry5961637

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/350185-london-2012-k1s-from-noa2-to-interview-thread/page__st__1035__p__5946480#entry5946480

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/101202-faqs-forms-i-693-and-ds-3025/page__st__420__p__5923424#entry5923424

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/408622-tricky-situation-with-passport-and-vaccinations/page__p__5919506#entry5919506

[QueenOfBlades 224]

Is there any way they'd find out? I've never had chicken pox so I wouldn't want to be caught out and then get done for it >.<.

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

Is there any way they'd find out? I've never had chicken pox so I wouldn't want to be caught out and then get done for it >.<.

You should get tested for immunity. It can be dangerous to get as an adult. I never had it as a child and neither did my mother, but I was tested for immunity during my pregnancy and it turns out that I am immune.

[QueenOfBlades 224]

Also about the cover letter thing, I said that because on the medical questionnaire it says "If yes to any of the above, provide a separate sheet with more information" so I was going to do that?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Also about the cover letter thing, I said that because on the medical questionnaire it says "If yes to any of the above, provide a separate sheet with more information" so I was going to do that?

I see. So not a letter, and not the cover, but a statement attached to the questionnaire. I actually thought the newer version had dropped that sentence about writing a statement. I know it used to be there at the bottom of the form, but I didn't see it on the current version.

[scotinmass 588]

As far as I remember they never ask you anywhere for your doctor's details so there is no way they can check up on you and I'm sure they don't care enough to even if they could. They want their easy steady income for having the monopoly on medicals in the UK. If you don't tell them something they'll never know. When they ask "have you had chicken pox?" you reply "yes when I was 6" and they check the box. You did have chicken pox. You're not lying. At least you're pretty sure you did but you were only 6 so memories aren't always accurate!

You should never lie to immigration officers but these people aren't immigration officers. They aren't even real doctors anymore. They're people who sold out for an easy buck!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

My husband said "My Mum said I had chickenpox in Dec 19xx". Check.

He didn't remember them himself because too young.

He also took anti-depressants for a month or two when he got divorced and was made redundant from a very long career because of a merger...all at the same time. I told him he was crazy if he reported depression. Seems like they hand those out like candy in the UK. Scars, however, are visible at the exam.

Not advising, just reporting an experience.

Here's some advice: don't forget a flu shot is required until Marxh 31. You can get them at grocery stores, chemists, etc. if your GP says they are only given to babies and the elderly. Take written proof to the medical.

[QueenOfBlades 224]

Yep. I have a little scar on my left arm and it might be in my history about the OD, so I wanna be as open as possible about that. Tempted to get the vaccine, thinking what if I get shingles when I'm older and then they question why if I've had the vaccine or whatever.

What do I need to bring to the medical exam usually? Do I need my full medical history or just vaccination records?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Yep. I have a little scar on my left arm and it might be in my history about the OD, so I wanna be as open as possible about that. Tempted to get the vaccine, thinking what if I get shingles when I'm older and then they question why if I've had the vaccine or whatever.

What do I need to bring to the medical exam usually? Do I need my full medical history or just vaccination records?

Nobody sees your full medical history, nor can they get it without your permission, nor do you take any of your medical records from your GP. If you have an illness or condition, the Knightsbridge doctor may want a short report written by your GP to explain it better. Some people take an explanation from their GP of their high blood pressure or cancer or diabetes with them so they don't delay by getting the info from their doctor after the appointment. You don't really know what the Knightsbridge doctor will want, but some take what they guess might be asked for in case he asks.

Have you not read all the London website yet? There is a link to Medical exam in the left column. On the page about the exam, there on the right is a "for more information" link. It's this document, the last page of which is the questionnaire http://photos.state.gov/libraries/unitedkingdom/164203/cons-visa/iv018a_medical.pdf The document tells you everything you need to know or bring. Read all of it.

Sure, get the vaccine if you want it. I don't understand who is going to question that you got it. Who is they?

[QueenOfBlades 224]

Thanks Nick. I've read through the form, just so much conflicting information so I want to clarify. I plan to take a letter from my GP about my depression.

I'm not sure who 'they' is really. The US Government. Very paranoid that I'll get something wrong or they'll think I'm not being honest. Want to be as transparent as possible so I don't always wonder "what if".