Room For All

[ninj]

@Northwind You have my sympathy. Hope you're able to see a physiotherapist soon. Sometimes it's just easier to go private and that's a problem. Here in mtl I could not get a non-urgent appointment for my ankle and paid $100 to see a doctor in private practice. That's where we're headed. Scary if you don't have $$$

 

[ChemGal]

I had bloodwork done in GP last Friday. My doctor needed it for today. I started chasing it down yesterday with no luck. I finally reached two very helpful women today. I had wondered if it had gotten stuck because I have an old Alberta health care number. Turns out my doctor is not in their system so it got stuck with the people who enter that informatiom. Both women I spoke to were very helpful and assured me they'd get it moving. I was able to get the one number I needed an all is good in that department. I have the meds so don't need to wait to have them released to me this time.

These things can be frustrating especially when they can move with a push. I hope you get what you need soon

Got it in the mail today! Must be done at a hospital.

 

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

I spent four plus hours waiting for no more than five minutes with the doctor. He bent and poked my knee and determined it was merely strained. If it were torn, he said, there would be more blood pooling. He said there was no point doing diagnostic imaging and an MRI would take forever. He said a brace would likely help and to connect with my GP in a couple weeks if it hasn't improved. Big whoopie.

So, I got a knee brace. I think it helps. I also contacted the physio clinic to see if I can get a physio to look at it. I'm on a wait list for that and apparently have a good chance of being seen.

Hopefully it will heal on its own and will be no big deal as the doctor suggests.

Time will tell.

When I broke my patella - they slapped a too big brace/ splint on - built for a bigger, taller, male - in the ER and sent me on my way. It was difficult to organize follow up care and support. Because the brace was always falling down it was difficult to keep my knee stable and the break (which was in a pretty straight line right across so I didn’t need pins or surgery they told me) started to shift out of alignment. With help from a family member, I bought a fancy brace from a private facility the orthopaedic surgeon at the hospital also works at - he suggested it. It was about $300. My knee shifted back into place but took longer to heal - which resulted in other personal/ housing issues and delays, and family members who felt burdened. And that had a depressing impact on my mental health. The hospital should have taken greater care to get one that fit well in the first place. If I hadn’t had help with the cost, my knee may not have healed in alignment - and it may have created more impairment.

Right now I’m seeing a physiotherapist at a public rehab facility - I have a phone appointment soon to discuss my at home exercises - interim until I wait for up to a year to get into a regular program at the facility. On top of that - just got a letter saying my doctor at a community family practice and urgent care clinic will be taking a year off. They are trying to find a full time locum to cover her, but haven’t yet. So thousands of patients will have to see whoever, whenever they’re available. Lots of marginalized people use this clinic. I’m concerned about medication management and meds I take for different things not being compatible and potentially dangerous, and I have no team to discuss it - it all feels disconnected even though the facilities and coordination are still better in Van. I’m also confused about who has my medical records, where, and how to get them in one place. My doctor in Victoria quit, and I never saw his replacement - and now she’s gone too. It’s a sh*tshow.

Long story short. BC is a mess and I sympathize with a number of your concerns.

 

[Northwind]

Got it in the mail today! Must be done at a hospital.

Mine is different because I'm out of province. They need to know the doctor is legit. She is.

 

[Northwind]

Long story short. BC is a mess and I sympathize with a number of your concerns

Sadly it's not just BC. I have the opposite problem to you, the "one size fits all" brace could be a smidgeon bigger. There's a pharmacy in town that may sell better braces that may come in different sizes. I might go there to check.

 

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

Sadly it's not just BC. I have the opposite problem to you, the "one size fits all" brace could be a smidgeon bigger. There's a pharmacy in town that may sell better braces that may come in different sizes. I might go there to check.

Frustrating. Might be ok for a sprain. I hope so.

 

[ChemGal]

how to get them in one place.

I can at least comment on this, in AB. It's not possible. Frustrating.

 

[Carolla]

Ah I remember you knee issues Kimmio. Re current medication issues - a pharmacist is expert on drugs & interactions, so that might be an option for you to allay your concerns. You may need to book a consultation appointment time tho - then you would have their undivided attention to review your meds etc. Are you living in Van now?

 

[Northwind]

Frustrating. Might be ok for a sprain. I hope so.

If I needed it for longer I would find a better one. It does help somewhat

 

[Carolla]

Here in mtl

Wait - did you move ninj??

 

[ninj]

Wait - did you move ninj??

Yes. I've been here almost a year. Love it here.

 

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

Ah I remember you knee issues Kimmio. Re current medication issues - a pharmacist is expert on drugs & interactions, so that might be an option for you to allay your concerns. You may need to book a consultation appointment time tho - then you would have their undivided attention to review your meds etc. Are you living in Van now?

Yes I’m not there for a few days but I moved last year.

 

[KayTheCurler]

When I broke my patella - they slapped a too big brace/ splint on - built for a bigger, taller, male - in the ER and sent me on my way. It was difficult to organize follow up care and support. Because the brace was always falling down it was difficult to keep my knee stable and the break (which was in a pretty straight line right across so I didn’t need pins or surgery they told me) started to shift out of alignment. With help from a family member, I bought a fancy brace from a private facility the orthopaedic surgeon at the hospital also works at - he suggested it. It was about $300. My knee shifted back into place but took longer to heal - which resulted in other personal/ housing issues and delays, and family members who felt burdened. And that had a depressing impact on my mental health. The hospital should have taken greater care to get one that fit well in the first place. If I hadn’t had help with the cost, my knee may not have healed in alignment - and it may have created more impairment.

Right now I’m seeing a physiotherapist at a public rehab facility - I have a phone appointment soon to discuss my at home exercises - interim until I wait for up to a year to get into a regular program at the facility. On top of that - just got a letter saying my doctor at a community family practice and urgent care clinic will be taking a year off. They are trying to find a full time locum to cover her, but haven’t yet. So thousands of patients will have to see whoever, whenever they’re available. Lots of marginalized people use this clinic. I’m concerned about medication management and meds I take for different things not being compatible and potentially dangerous, and I have no team to discuss it - it all feels disconnected even though the facilities and coordination are still better in Van. I’m also confused about who has my medical records, where, and how to get them in one place. My doctor in Victoria quit, and I never saw his replacement - and now she’s gone too. It’s a sh*tshow.

Long story short. BC is a mess and I sympathize with a number of your concerns.

Sure is frustrating Kimmio. Actually, I get excellent care from the local pharmacy. They alert me if there is a potential problem with a drug combination, or if a doctor didn't specify the best time of day to take something.

 

[Mrs.Anteater]

I can at least comment on this, in AB. It's not possible. Frustrating.

That place should be your own file folder. Ask your doc to give you copies of everything important. Keep a running record of all things medical.
Unfortunately, it’s the patient today that has to advocate for themselves, and people who are not organized enough or are illiterate are falling by the wayside.

 

[ChemGal]

That place should be your own file folder. Ask your doc to give you copies of everything important. Keep a running record of all things medical.
Unfortunately, it’s the patient today that has to advocate for themselves, and people who are not organized enough or are illiterate are falling by the wayside.

Do you know how much it would cost to get all of that information? And then some of it is a massive fight to do so.

 

[KayTheCurler]

It is getting quite difficult to get timely care here. A regular appointment will probably be a three week wait. The ER gets overwhelmed.

I was told of a problem in November and still don't have an actual diagnosis. Scans - biopsies - blood work etc. - visits to various specialists - but no real results. Waiting, waiting.

Hubby had an ultrasound that confirmed an abdominal aneurysm. So I wonder why they didn't alert the doctor and patient of the kidney stone that was just starting to travel? It was plainly evident to someone reading the scan. If the results were read thoroughly right away the system could avoid trips to the ER!

 

[BetteTheRed]

Hubby had an ultrasound that confirmed an abdominal aneurysm. So I wonder why they didn't alert the doctor and patient of the kidney stone that was just starting to travel? It was plainly evident to someone reading the scan. If the results were read thoroughly right away the system could avoid trips to the ER!

The reason that they don't is largely the compartmentalization of medicine into body parts/symptoms.

 

[ChemGal]

The reason that they don't is largely the compartmentalization of medicine into body parts/symptoms.

Until something is a test the province doesn't want done then the specialist who deals with that sort of thing isn't allowed and a specialist has to deal with something outside of their area as they are on the 'list' for having access to testing.

 

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

Sure is frustrating Kimmio. Actually, I get excellent care from the local pharmacy. They alert me if there is a potential problem with a drug combination, or if a doctor didn't specify the best time of day to take something.

Problem is two of mine are at a different pharmacy because I was going away - last minute and didn’t get all my errands done in time - the one at the little clinic pharmacy I was using had closed for the weekend. I could change that easily enough or just tell my reg pharmacy about the other two meds. Physiatrist (physio doctor) doesn’t think my meds are a prob. I take 5 now, occasionally 6 and she doesn’t think it’s a problem. Says it’s a short list compared to many of her patients.

 

[BetteTheRed]

Yes. Get all your meds at one pharmacy, for sure.