Question:

Dear Terri,      I read your last post regarding your awful experience with a branch of the Mayo Clinic.  I had to log off and I couldn’t find it there are over fifty posts on that thread (the one about lung disease).  I was referring to the Minn. branch.  It is so awful that we are in a way virtual prisoners of our insurances.  I have personally dealt with socialised medicine and now an HMO. I don’t know much about Canada other than the fact that some patients with heart disease have died while on a waiting list for bypass surgery which is considered a very routine surgery in the US.  For me after my PFT’s came back with such good results I had a fight on my hands to obtain authorization for the high resolution cat scan.  It was felt by the gods of the HMO not to be needed.  I paid for it and after my doctor sent a very strong letter was reimbursed.  I still feel short of breath often but have had every test including a full cardio work up (echo, stress, and thalium stress) all at my insistence.  Nothing has shown up.  I hope if you keep pushing that you will be seen faster.  The diagnostic process can be the worst part.  PLEASE don’t diagnose yourself based on another patient’s experience.  Just don’t let up until you get satisfaction from your doctors.  I would even contact one of the US senators if you cannot get anywhere in Canada.  It is an election year.  Who knows what help you may obtain. All the best, Regards   Tamara

Response:

> PLEASE don’t >diagnose yourself based on another patient’s experience.

I have no intention of doing anything like that. I am only trying to figure out (along with my doc) what my strange symptoms can be attributed to. > I would even contact one of the >US senators if you cannot get anywhere in Canada.  It is an election year. >Who >knows what help you may obtain.

I think it highly unlikely that a US government official would give me any help at all. I do not pay taxes in his/her country, nor am I able to vote for him/her. I would consider contacting my Member of Parliament (who happens to be a physician – a pediatrician) or my Member of the Legislative Assembly (provincial government – who probably can do nothing as he is not a member of the party in power). I am also well known to the executive assistants of the provincial Minister of Health. I spoke to them several times when the waiting list for a bone density study was over 14 months. It is now down to about 3 months. I have also spoken to them many times about medications that are disallowed on the provincial formulary. If I feel that this entire diagnostic procedure is taking too long, I would not hesitate to call the Premier of the province. My husband knows him and has worked tirelessly on his campaigns. I don’t like "pulling strings" but I will definitely do so if my health is endangered. From what I understand about the American HMOs, I am greatful that I live in Canada. We may wait for some tests but they don’t have to be pre-approved by anyone. With all the health problems that I have had in the past 15 years, if we did not live in Canada, I know that we would be bankrupt. Also, I would probably not be insurable with any private health group. In Canada, I am free to move to any province that I wish and they must provide me with their provincial health care plan – after a 3 month waiting period. Until the waiting period is over, the health care plan of the province that I previously resided in, must pay for my care. Thanks you for your suggestion. Terri

Response:

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