Moving to a rural area?

[rBoulet]

Alright, although I'm not officially diagnosed as bipolar anymore I still thought this would be the best place to ask. I recently just finished technical school, and I've got a pretty promising looking job offer up in a small town called Valleyview. The problem is that there isn't really any medical facility up there. The closest full hospital is in Grand Prarie, an hour and a half away.
I'm kind of worried about what would happen if I move up there and something extreme happens with my mood, it seems to happen at least once or twice a year that I actually end up admitted to hospital. If any of you live in rural areas I'd love to know how you deal with this problem.

[starbunny]

I live in a rural area, and the most inconvenient thing is getting an appt with a pdoc as they are always overstretched and the appointments are always full unless you book months and months in advance. Non emergency appts are a pain, as it is impossible for most people to give a prediction of this length of time when you are going to have an episode.

However when I had an immediate emergency of the sort requiring hospital admission the pdoc / GP were willing to travel miles to get to me at the drop of a hat. My advice is be as prepared as you can. Talk to the health profesionals about your situation and previous history, only tell people you trust about your illness, but tell someone because in an emergency you may need someone there whilst the pdoc is travelling to get to you (or vice versa).

[kissym83]

Hi I live in a rural area, about an hour from 3 different cities. Although I have not had to be hospitalized, I do have to travel an hour to go to my pdoc...which is aggravating. My one bit of advice is keep your diagnoses to yourself, when you get in small towns at least mine, the people have been very judgemental, and treat you like a leper.