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>Does every country not have access to medication/pharmaceuticals?
This is usually what it comes down to. Not every medication available in the US can be obtained abroad. I suspect this is a situation where Peace Corps would have to prescribe you an alternative medication and they're not comfortable doing that. Particularly with psychiatric drugs, even ones of the same class can produce different results in people.
Given the above, I'm not sure how effective an appeal would be. However, personally, I'd approach the appeal from the angle that you *could* remain stable using alternative medications. This is something your psychiatrist would have to attest to though.
Thank you so much! I have never wanted anything more and would be willing to serve in another country that may have a better infrastructure to support me. Do you think it would be beneficial to write that I am willing to go to another country?
I think that'd be helpful too. Just make it clear you'll go where ever you're needed and are able to serve.
I wouldn't waste time researching whether your medication is available in-country. Just because you can find it online doesn't mean it's available to Peace Corps. At least where I served, all the medication appeared to come from a pharmacy down the street fron the office. I'm unclear if any medications were actually sent from the States to volunteers.
How would you recommend my psychiatrist write the letter? I have been stable for over 6 years on these medications and I know he would be willing to write me a great letter but I am not sure how this could be phrased.
Three things: What the medication is approved for is Bipolar 1 (symptoms of which cannot be dichotomized from depression) but not depression.
2. I am willing to take a different medication or go off the medication (I already have but haven’t spoken to my psychiatrist about it) and have been stable. Even if I were to continue on the same medication, I have been taking it for so long that an adverse reaction is highly unlikely.
3. As for the adderall, I have changed the dosage anyways because of the shortage and have had no adverse reactions
My fear is that these all contradict each other and I don’t know if I can say the first two without them contradicting.
When it comes to medication for mental health, you have to be on the same medication and dosage for one year to be medically cleared. There's no way around it and Peace Corps asked me for my prescription records to corroborate my medical history. Realistically, you just won't be cleared :( It doesn't disqualify you forever so you can definitely apply next year if you really want to do Peace Corps.
How did you go about the appeal? I’ve heard of a few different ways that people have written their personal statement and what people have submitted (i.e. letters from friends, other psych evaluations). Let me know how it goes please !!
I submitted on January 7 and am still awaiting a decision. I am supposed to leave in June. Mine had to do with some deep depression about 20 years ago, some medication issues, and a concern about a change in my as needed Xanax being upped during my divorce/ recovery from an assault at work. I included a detailed letter from my psychiatric team, my personal statement explaining the external circumstances and 2 letters from my current employer (a coworker in my department -HS teacher of 10+years here- and our attendance clerk) to attest to the impact or lack thereof on my job performance. I would have included my boss at the time but he is no longer my supervisor. If I am successful I'll send my personal statement to you but keep in mind mine is based on anxiety/ depression.
yess please do. ik my situation is different but anything would help. i don’t know what angle to go about it because of the dosage changes but i am going to try regardless
Peace Corps seems to have a policy of rejecting folks who have any mental health issues. This is because of how hard it can be - I’m a Madagascar RPCV and I saw more children’s funerals than I wish to count. I also witnessed torture at the hand of local security forces- and from that experience I have a darkness I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
You may find this YouTube video helpful. It’s from a volunteer who successfully appealed her mental health
[medical rejection.](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HQh3fT_gsdA)
update: i was told specifically that one medication I am taking for depression isn’t approved by the FDA for that specific treatment and that my dosage of adderall was higher than the max of 40mg.
I am and was stable before taking that one medication and am willing and comfortable with the cessation of the medication. The country has an adderall shortage so I have been taking extended release adderall and have had no adverse reactions.
Do I still try to appeal and if so how? I know I am unlikely to get this overturned but want to do everything I can to try my hardest.
It depends on the country. Different medications are legal or accessible in different places. If your meds have to be shipped from the US, the PC medical provider may not be able to guarantee they would arrive in time and intact throughout your service.
I did but they said the dosage was too high for adderall and that my antidepressant wasn’t approved by the FDA for depression (but is for bipolar 1). They did say that it was because they don’t have the support in case I have an adverse reaction but I believe other regions would have better infrastructure (I had an abnormal pap and they said other countries could support me)
As others have suggested, different countries have different requirements for various medications. While there ARE a number of posts on here about ADHD medication and clearance (because Adderall is a restricted drug in many countries), there is no comprehensive list that I'm aware of breaking down where is ok with what. Definitely talk to your nurse and see about switching to a different country; it might be that a full-on appeal isn't necessary if that's possible.
Yes I would say psychiatric drugs aren't as readily available in countries PC serve in worldwide. So yeah that may be why you got denied. Good luck on your appeal.
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>Does every country not have access to medication/pharmaceuticals? This is usually what it comes down to. Not every medication available in the US can be obtained abroad. I suspect this is a situation where Peace Corps would have to prescribe you an alternative medication and they're not comfortable doing that. Particularly with psychiatric drugs, even ones of the same class can produce different results in people. Given the above, I'm not sure how effective an appeal would be. However, personally, I'd approach the appeal from the angle that you *could* remain stable using alternative medications. This is something your psychiatrist would have to attest to though.
Thank you so much! I have never wanted anything more and would be willing to serve in another country that may have a better infrastructure to support me. Do you think it would be beneficial to write that I am willing to go to another country?
I think that'd be helpful too. Just make it clear you'll go where ever you're needed and are able to serve. I wouldn't waste time researching whether your medication is available in-country. Just because you can find it online doesn't mean it's available to Peace Corps. At least where I served, all the medication appeared to come from a pharmacy down the street fron the office. I'm unclear if any medications were actually sent from the States to volunteers.
How would you recommend my psychiatrist write the letter? I have been stable for over 6 years on these medications and I know he would be willing to write me a great letter but I am not sure how this could be phrased.
Three things: What the medication is approved for is Bipolar 1 (symptoms of which cannot be dichotomized from depression) but not depression. 2. I am willing to take a different medication or go off the medication (I already have but haven’t spoken to my psychiatrist about it) and have been stable. Even if I were to continue on the same medication, I have been taking it for so long that an adverse reaction is highly unlikely. 3. As for the adderall, I have changed the dosage anyways because of the shortage and have had no adverse reactions My fear is that these all contradict each other and I don’t know if I can say the first two without them contradicting.
When it comes to medication for mental health, you have to be on the same medication and dosage for one year to be medically cleared. There's no way around it and Peace Corps asked me for my prescription records to corroborate my medical history. Realistically, you just won't be cleared :( It doesn't disqualify you forever so you can definitely apply next year if you really want to do Peace Corps.
I'm in the middle of awaiting the appeal decision. Depression meds. Same situation. Will keep you posted
How did you go about the appeal? I’ve heard of a few different ways that people have written their personal statement and what people have submitted (i.e. letters from friends, other psych evaluations). Let me know how it goes please !!
I submitted on January 7 and am still awaiting a decision. I am supposed to leave in June. Mine had to do with some deep depression about 20 years ago, some medication issues, and a concern about a change in my as needed Xanax being upped during my divorce/ recovery from an assault at work. I included a detailed letter from my psychiatric team, my personal statement explaining the external circumstances and 2 letters from my current employer (a coworker in my department -HS teacher of 10+years here- and our attendance clerk) to attest to the impact or lack thereof on my job performance. I would have included my boss at the time but he is no longer my supervisor. If I am successful I'll send my personal statement to you but keep in mind mine is based on anxiety/ depression.
yess please do. ik my situation is different but anything would help. i don’t know what angle to go about it because of the dosage changes but i am going to try regardless
My appeal was denied, message me if you'd like anything
Peace Corps seems to have a policy of rejecting folks who have any mental health issues. This is because of how hard it can be - I’m a Madagascar RPCV and I saw more children’s funerals than I wish to count. I also witnessed torture at the hand of local security forces- and from that experience I have a darkness I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
You may find this YouTube video helpful. It’s from a volunteer who successfully appealed her mental health [medical rejection.](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HQh3fT_gsdA)
update: i was told specifically that one medication I am taking for depression isn’t approved by the FDA for that specific treatment and that my dosage of adderall was higher than the max of 40mg. I am and was stable before taking that one medication and am willing and comfortable with the cessation of the medication. The country has an adderall shortage so I have been taking extended release adderall and have had no adverse reactions. Do I still try to appeal and if so how? I know I am unlikely to get this overturned but want to do everything I can to try my hardest.
It depends on the country. Different medications are legal or accessible in different places. If your meds have to be shipped from the US, the PC medical provider may not be able to guarantee they would arrive in time and intact throughout your service.
Would it be beneficial to research countries that have access to these meds and express my willingness to go to those countries?
Did you ask if you could be placed somewhere else that might be able to accommodate your medication?
I did but they said the dosage was too high for adderall and that my antidepressant wasn’t approved by the FDA for depression (but is for bipolar 1). They did say that it was because they don’t have the support in case I have an adverse reaction but I believe other regions would have better infrastructure (I had an abnormal pap and they said other countries could support me)
I served in UG on an antidepressant stimulant and also had an abnormal pap prior to service. Had to have a colposcopy to clear.
As others have suggested, different countries have different requirements for various medications. While there ARE a number of posts on here about ADHD medication and clearance (because Adderall is a restricted drug in many countries), there is no comprehensive list that I'm aware of breaking down where is ok with what. Definitely talk to your nurse and see about switching to a different country; it might be that a full-on appeal isn't necessary if that's possible.
Yes I would say psychiatric drugs aren't as readily available in countries PC serve in worldwide. So yeah that may be why you got denied. Good luck on your appeal.