no longer applicable

[HabBear]

You're leaving the US for the wrong reason. You should be leaving the US because you can earn more money in the US and things are cheaper in the 3rd world country.

The income-spend arbitrage is huge! And it's a great reason to leave the US.

I'm not kidding, but I also understand the other reasons to leave the US. Politics or whatever, do as you will and don't look back. You're much better than those that threaten to leave and then do not.

[Sithara007]

You're leaving the US for the wrong reason. You should be leaving the US because you can earn more money in the US and things are cheaper in the 3rd world country.

If you have the right skills, then you can earn decent amounts of money in the third world nations also. And it is also possible to earn revenues from the US, while residing in a third world nation such as the Philippines or Thailand.

[iamnotback]

The idiot Marxist from the global warming thread comes over here to try his luck at putting his foot in his mouth some more...

80% of the people in the Philippines have Tuberculosis which is a very serious illness spread by coughing. You will catch this. I did. You will then need 6 months of medicines and you will never be guaranteed to be cured. You can relapse later in life.

If the TB is multi-drug resistant, you are in big trouble.

http://www.philstar.com/health-and-family/763897/tuberculosis-philippines-10-things-you-should-know

Incidence of Tuberculosis in Philippines is 322 per 100,000 or 0.3% according to the World Bank.

http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.TBS.INCD?name_desc=true

Those are active symptomatic TB disease admitted to a hospital for treatment on an annual basis.

It appears to be difficult to get the LTBI rate online, probably because the government does not warn to alarm you idiots about how bad the problem really is. But the doctors have all told me the rate of LTBI is 70 - 80%.

The incidence of latent TB infection is 70 - 80%. Here is one resource that documents the infection rate is 8 to 12 times higher than the smear positive incidence rate:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18235886

Even amongst healthcare workers in the Philippines the LTBI (latent TB) rate was measured at 27%:

http://www.ejbronchology.eg.net/article.asp?issn=1687-8426;year=2015;volume=9;issue=2;spage=183;epage=187;aulast=Abdelghaffar

The following resource says 2.33 billion people have LTBI:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4024230/

Here is a 46% LTBI incidence in a village in China:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4440671/

The 0.3% active annual TB incidence is not unreported active TB prevalence, which is at least double of that and much more likely given how filipino culture favors suffering and not going to hospitals (more so than northern peoples such as those in Laos) that I suspect prevalence much higher probably > 1% a year.

So that means in any given year, the risk of TB infection is greater than 1.2% and relatively speaking it looks like it must be about 3 - 5% on average. Given I have been in the Philippines culmulatively for ~26 years, so my risk of TB infection is virtually the same as the general population thus 70 - 80% incidence of TB infection (not necessary active disease, just infection). And given I did not shield myself from the ~100% endemic TB infection incidence squalor population, my risk of TB infection is about 100% (and I do have TB).

So I hope you see how the 0.3% active annual TB incidence figure from the WHO is so misleading.

In other words in the Philippines, from the pool of an estimated 70 - 80% who are TB positive, roughly 3 - 5% become active and contagious with each year.

Risk of infection from living with a TB patient is greater than 38%. Contact with people from increased poverty increases risk of infection.

The incidence of MDR (multi-drug resistant) TB is very high in the Philippines. This is nasty shit:

MDR-TB IN THE PHILIPPINES: ONE WOMAN’S FIGHT
Mildred Fernando was diagnosed with tuberculosis in her native Philippines nearly 12 years ago, at age 19. We caught up with Mildred after she spoke at a RESULTS event for World TB Day 2013, eager to hear more about her experience with a multidrug-resistant strain of the disease, the help she received from the Global Fund and her courageous, decade-long fight back to health.

Friends: So why don’t we start with a little bit of the history behind your experience with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

Mildred: I was diagnosed to have TB in the year 2001; I was at my last semester in college during that time. I got it from my father. I went to a private doctor for treatment and diagnosis was through x-rays only. So the doctor gave me first line drugs, and then I took them every day. After six months, I wasn’t cured. And then another cycle took place with the same doctor, still using x-rays. My father already had resistance to drugs, but I don’t know why the doctor didn’t intend for me to undergo certain tests.

After five years, the last doctor said that she didn’t have any drugs that she could give to me. So she referred me to the Global Fund-financed Tropical Disease Foundation (TDF). I went there, they had me screened, and then I underwent sputum collection. I finished my treatment after 18 months. During that period I suffered from electrolyte imbalance and drug-induced hepatitis. I had profound hearing loss, especially in my right ear.

In August 2008, I was declared cured. After six months, I went back to TDF for my first post-treatment check-up. And I found out that I relapsed.

Friends: [Oh my God.]

Yeah, it was actually a decade of TB. So I relapsed, and I had to undergo another treatment for 24 months, which was covered by a clinical trial. I was confined in the hospital for six months. I lived in the hospital for six months. I underwent an operation and they put a catheter in my right arm, where one of the injectable drugs is administered twice a day for six months. After six months, I had lung surgery. So part of my right lung was cut out, and after my surgery I continued to do my treatment until I finished my 24 months of treatment.

Click here for a world map of MDR-TB incidence amongst previously treated patients.

Apparently I was mistaken, and the 14% is for MDR in previously treated patients. For new patients, it is 2 - 4%.  Apparently no worse than the USA:

http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/1/1/00010-2015

[Sithara007]

^^^^^ Normal healthy people don't catch MDR-TB from short-duration atmospheric exposure. But if you are living in a slum and has to inhale contaminated air 24x7, then it is a different case. That said, I don't think that the American expats will have to live in slum areas.

[iamnotback]

^^^^^ Normal healthy people don't catch MDR-TB from short-duration atmospheric exposure. But if you are living in a slum and has to inhale contaminated air 24x7, then it is a different case. That said, I don't think that the American expats will have to live in slum areas.

I am not sure if that is correct or not.

Although living next to a slum where there is likely a high incidence of infection likely means a higher risk of infection, I don't know if that implies higher risk of MDR-TB strain (as a percentage of infected cases).

The MDR-TB strains are created by those who medicate. Since many people in the slums didn't medicate then maybe you are incorrect.

But seems that in recent decade, the people in the slums are medicating and even not completing their meds, so in that case I think you are correct.

But the fact remains that every year you as a foreigner stay in the Philippines and interact with the people, even if you are not in a slum, you multiply your risk of TB infection by roughly 1.03 - 1.05. So compound that by the number of years you stay here.

E.g. 3 years in the Philippines gives you roughly a 1.03³ = 1.093 = 9% risk.

Of course if you get close with people who are coughing, you probably increase your risk significantly.

So you are correct that if you have your own car and don't use taxis, public transportation, live by yourself in upscale apartment or house, and don't hang out in crowded enclosed places such as the mall, then you probably reduce your risk significantly. Taxi drivers are often coughing.

[Slow death]

If you have the right skills, then you can earn decent amounts of money in the third world nations also.

You can even earn a considerable amount per month, but the problems that these third world countries have makes their money become nothing,

In my country has bumpy roads, has water problems, energy problems and poor quality health system, lack equipment for everything.

Why the hell would someone living in the US come out and live in a country like mine? I would honestly call that person crazy.

I see some American citizens coming to live here and I can not understand why?

[ValeryBark]

It seems to me that to live in third world countries good only when to make money going in America. Moving of America is more of a PR move. I doubt very much that someone to decide on it.

[Sithara007]

It seems to me that to live in third world countries good only when to make money going in America. Moving of America is more of a PR move. I doubt very much that someone to decide on it.

It is not a PR move. In 2016, more than 5,000 people had their American citizenship revoked, and almost all of them gave up their passport voluntarily. In 2015, this number was only around 1,000.

[Maximilian_333]

It seems to me that to live in third world countries good only when to make money going in America. Moving of America is more of a PR move. I doubt very much that someone to decide on it.

It is not a PR move. In 2016, more than 5,000 people had their American citizenship revoked, and almost all of them gave up their passport voluntarily. In 2015, this number was only around 1,000.

What's the reason that they surrendered their passports? Maybe they like Snowden? I think you need to be a complete idiot to take an American passport. In General, where we have good. We used to see only the America that is shown in movies. We do not see abandoned towns and cities from the trailers.

[Sithara007]

What's the reason that they surrendered their passports? Maybe they like Snowden? I think you need to be a complete idiot to take an American passport. In General, where we have good. We used to see only the America that is shown in movies. We do not see abandoned towns and cities from the trailers.

You should remember that all the American citizens need to pay income tax irrespective of their residential status. So if someone is working in Ireland or Germany, first he needs to pay the local income tax, and then the American federal income tax. This double taxation is creating a lot of problems for the American citizens, and a lot of them are opting to surrender their citizenship.

[iamnotback]

You should remember that all the American citizens need to pay income tax irrespective of their residential status. So if someone is working in Ireland or Germany, first he needs to pay the local income tax, and then the American federal income tax. This double taxation is creating a lot of problems for the American citizens, and a lot of them are opting to surrender their citizenship.

Incorrect. Income taxation treaties prevent double-taxation. Besides an expat (meeting the foreign residency test, e.g. 335 days of the year outside the USA) doesn't pay federal income taxes on the first $100,000 of foreign earned income.

[Sithara007]

If you have the right skills, then you can earn decent amounts of money in the third world nations also.

You can even earn a considerable amount per month, but the problems that these third world countries have makes their money become nothing,

In my country has bumpy roads, has water problems, energy problems and poor quality health system, lack equipment for everything.

Why the hell would someone living in the US come out and live in a country like mine? I would honestly call that person crazy.

I see some American citizens coming to live here and I can not understand why?

Actually, it is not that hard to comprehend. In the US, if you are living in a metro city such as New York or Los Angeles, even if you are earning around $5,000 per month, that may not be enough to cover the expenses. On the other hand, if you are living in a developed nation such as Thailand or Costa Rica, your monthly expenses will rarely cross $2,000. The remainder can be saved for future use.

[Casanova18]

If you have the right skills, then you can earn decent amounts of money in the third world nations also.

You can even earn a considerable amount per month, but the problems that these third world countries have makes their money become nothing,

In my country has bumpy roads, has water problems, energy problems and poor quality health system, lack equipment for everything.

Why the hell would someone living in the US come out and live in a country like mine? I would honestly call that person crazy.

I see some American citizens coming to live here and I can not understand why?

Actually, it is not that hard to comprehend. In the US, if you are living in a metro city such as New York or Los Angeles, even if you are earning around $5,000 per month, that may not be enough to cover the expenses. On the other hand, if you are living in a developed nation such as Thailand or Costa Rica, your monthly expenses will rarely cross $2,000. The remainder can be saved for future use.

The idea of course is good, but how do you imagine to live in Costa Rica, and receive a salary from new York? This is possible only among the IT companies but the competition in this market is large and therefore cannot be considered as a mass example.

[Sithara007]

The idea of course is good, but how do you imagine to live in Costa Rica, and receive a salary from new York? This is possible only among the IT companies but the competition in this market is large and therefore cannot be considered as a mass example.

If you are working in web designing or coding, then you can get similar jobs from New York or Miami, even while residing in Costa Rica or Mexico. That is the advantage of freelancing. It is mutually beneficial for the employee, as well as the employer.

[iamnotback]

Fools go live in developing countries:

http://global-diseases.healthgrove.com/stories/20689/diseases-developing-countries#35-Tuberculosis

... [detailed history]...

In short, I've been through 10 - 11 years of hell (or 22 years if you include the mistake of finding my ex in the Philippines), mostly because I decided to travel and live in a 3rd world country and also took pride/solace in being like Jesus and living amongst some of the most indigent people on earth. Big mistake!

Liver pain (which also causes the back of my head to itch and ache and chronic fatigue) is preventing me from doing any productive work. Just sleeping always (not always comfortably). 12 (to 15) more days on the 4 drug regimen. The meds are toxic to the liver (as was the disseminated TB infection before I started the meds). But there is no guarantee that the liver pain won't continue for the additional 16 weeks (minus 3 days) on the 2 drug regimen.    

...

There is a much better new PaMZ treatment for TB coming from the http://TBalliance.org in a couple of years. In Phase 3 trials now. Will also be effective against MDR-TB.

The current treatment for MDR-TB is horrific:

TB is the world's deadliest infectious disease, killing 1.8 million people each year.

TB patients urgently need new and better antibiotics. Treatment for drug-resistant TB is long, toxic, complicated, and expensive. It can consist of more than two years of a dozen or more pills per day, along with six months of daily injections. And for those unfortunate enough to have extensively resistant TB, even if they take every one of those 20,000 toxic pills and hundreds of injections, they will still have less than a one in three chance of survival.

I don't know if I have MDR-TB or not. I suppose my risk of having it is greater than 4%. I am not treating for MDR-TB...

Btw, most of those over age 60 here the Philippines don't survive the medicines...

Just in case, I saw the antibiotic ofloxacine (fluoroquinolons class) in your thread. Worst antibiotic used, the nuclear bomb of meds, which side effects are very well known and documented after ruining many lives, especially healthy athlets. Similar to your diseases.

It is true that my condition worsened after taking that antibiotic for 24 days in 2012.

That is another reason if I do have MDR-TB, I'd prefer to wait for the experimental PaMZ treatment to become approved than to go with the 20,000 pills and 100s of injections currently employed to attempt to cure it.

I doubt most readers appreciate (the gravity of) how toxic these antibiotics I am taking could be. Any way, I am optimistic, because I am somewhat superman especially with my willpower to push myself on athletics in spite of the ailments. I am already getting strong sprinting results (age 52 in June!) and only 9 - 12 more days to go on the 4-drug intensive phase (of the non-MDR-TB treatment). My feces and digestion is consistently back to normal for the first time in years. Still battling sometimes the liver pain and fatigue, but not yesterday and today (probably need to just maintain strict diet until I complete the liver toxic meds so as to not add extra stress on my liver).

Past years have been an ordeal. And I am ready to put it behind me and get on...

...let's please put the health discussion to rest (unless there is some important unexpected outcome) and get back focused on what we have to do.

I worked 17 hours yesterday. And I was awake 2am and already 6 more hours worked thus far today.


I can't emphasize enough to avoid these infections and the developing countries.

(Apologies to those in the developing countries, but get your culture more organized such as the persistent laziness, theft from your employer as a form of extra income, lack of word of honor and responsibility, horrendous education system where teachers go on seminar every week, cancel classes, and extort money from their students, etc, etc).

[anticolay26]

Congrats! America will be a better place to live without brain-dead liberals like you. Also, you must renounce the American citizenship as soon as possible, else you have to pay income tax on your earnings in Philippines.

[Sithara007]

Congrats! America will be a better place to live without brain-dead liberals like you. Also, you must renounce the American citizenship as soon as possible, else you have to pay income tax on your earnings in Philippines.

Renouncing the American citizenship is a very simple and straight-forward process. But gaining one can take as much as 15 or 20 years. These guys will understand the value of their American passports, once they renounce them.

[Okurkabinladin]

Congrats! America will be a better place to live without brain-dead liberals like you. Also, you must renounce the American citizenship as soon as possible, else you have to pay income tax on your earnings in Philippines.

Renouncing the American citizenship is a very simple and straight-forward process. But gaining one can take as much as 15 or 20 years. These guys will understand the value of their American passports, once they renounce them.

Exactly.

And where is OP? Does the "new life" in Philliphines utopia work out for him? Did he get a cold feet just before revoking his citizenship?

Questions, questions...

As a side note, contaginous diseases should play only very small part in decision of adult man to emigrate or not. As should momental result of elections.

If you emigrate only and solely, because you disagree with some part of ongoing trend in politics - you will never stop running.

[signature200]

Congrats! America will be a better place to live without brain-dead liberals like you. Also, you must renounce the American citizenship as soon as possible, else you have to pay income tax on your earnings in Philippines.

Renouncing the American citizenship is a very simple and straight-forward process. But gaining one can take as much as 15 or 20 years. These guys will understand the value of their American passports, once they renounce them.

No one will ever give up my American passport. It was a PR campaign which does not carry meaning. If you don't agree with the policy Trump stay and fight. What is the point to leave? Besides, try to find a decent replacement for American citizenship.

[solitare]

I hope you did actually leave.

Maybe if you didn't want to be controlled by a boss, you should have started your own business.
As long as you are an employee you will always be controlled by a boss, no matter where you live.