Calling all Canadians

[kaitlynsi]

Fellow Canadian

Hi littlebelle,

I am originally from Bradford, Ontario. My sister lives in Barrie, parents in Wasaga. I am now in Richmond, B.C. which is just outside of Vancouver. Our medical system is very different.
I heard the Doctor situation is very difficult in Barrie because of the shortage of Physicians.
Have you heard about the new treatment (CCSVI).
Anyway, hope to hear back from you.

[walter]

I am sure there are many out there. I have met a few. So Where in Canada are you from? If you do not want to say that is fine. Just pop in and say Hello.


I think since our insurance issues and medical supplies issues are different from our US friends we should have a place to discuss how our system works. What trials we have going etc.

Looking forward to meeting you all

I live in Barrie Ontario 100 KM from Toronto.

[SueZZ]

TORONTO

WELL, I'M AN AMERICAN LIVING IN CANADA WAITING FOR OHIP! DX IN 2006, AND NOT ON MEDS, B/C NO COVERAGE! I'VE TAKEN STEROIDS FOR FLARE UPS.......

[viper123]

Canadian I am

I'm from Wallaceburg, DX Sept 2008 SPMS
NO MEDS just script for bladder control, getting wheelchair next week.

HI TO ALL

[bubbadan]

US

If you think that its any easier in the US you are sadly mistaken. I've had M.S. for 18 years now and it took numerous testing to finanally come down with a diagnosis. I have many relatives in Canada, Gult, Toronto, Keswick, too many places to mention. I sure wish I were there again on a perminent bases. Its my understanding that Canada will be first before the US to initiate Stem Cell Therapy.

[Mctutums]

just starting on this journey

Hello, I am new to this, I have SLE, which was dx 20 years ago, and a few years ago, I had really bright lights in my eyes, even when my eyes were closed and the room was dark, (nighttime). Then I fell down three steps and broke my leg. I couldn't figure out where the step was, really weird.
From there, I had balance problems and concentration difficulties. My right eye started to pain, then the tremors! oh boy, vibrating inside at first until it was full body tremors, waking up in the middle of the night like the exorcist, bed shaking and it was me!
really odd feelings as if my body hair on my legs were twitching and loss of sensation on the sole of my right foot.
I tried to tell myself, it was all stress related and in my mind, UNTIL I fell three times and couldn't open my hand properly, well I thought I could but it wouldn't do it.
So the upshot is, mri of my neck which showed nothing, as per the expectation of my docs, now I am having two more MRIs, one of my head and one of my thoracic spine.
I can't stand being hot, I can hardly move when i get too hot, and am very weak attempting to get out of a bathtub when I used to love having a long soak with nice soaps.
Double vision and sometimes blurry vision... man I could go on for ever.
To cut it, they are thinking MS. I find steroids really helps but I don't like the after affects, during my stint with a flare in SLE, solumedrol really worked for me. I have no idea what kind of MS if I have MS, it is... or what meds I will have to take... makes me very nervous, yet another autoimmune disease, does anyone else have other immune disorders? I would love to hear from you. thank you for reading this long winded story, I truly appreciate being able to talk about this without thinking I am off the wall.

[laurakim]

kathrina

Hi kathrina,
Must be something about AB doctors, best neuro here than in all my travels.

2A to Red Deer - on the way to the way to William Watson Lodge (know it? For persons w/disabilities in AB) Hmm, seems we often stop at Black Falds to wait out hail then move onto Red Deer for a bite and a pit stop . I'm always grateful to see Red Deer in the distance.

I'm an ex-base brat and an ex-military wife, also came to rest in AB.

See you on the board!
Laurakim

[kathrina]

Re: Military and Ex and Dependents with MS and everyone else on this wonderful site.

Hi there Laurakim and Harleychichy and everyone else on the site. I also am not a member of the military but my husband was military for 31 years. I also am a military brat! I never thought my retirement would involve this monster MS either, mine took a long time to diagnose and went from
RRMS to SPMS but I am still doing fairly well, I walk with a cane now.I had to retire from Nursing 3 years ago.

No Nurses in Alberta using canes to ambulate yet but with the health care system going the way it is we may see that soon also.LOL. We are trying to do as much as possible to enjoy life and get out and travel a bit while I still have the mobility. It is what it is, We can't change it! I have a wonderful MS Specialist in Calgary at Foothills ,thank God! He actually listens to me and takes the time to explain things about MS to me and my husband. It's wonderful to have this site and not feel so alone.We have to really appreciate the moderators and fellow MS friends in the US that keep this site going. Enjoy your retirement the best you can.I feel things could be a lot worse. It took quite a while for me to accept my diagnosis. I had a poor me pity party for quite awhile, then found out one of my closest girlfriends had rectal cancer and died in 8 months. Her diagnosis and horrible illness sure put things in perpective for me. Bye for now and all the best. I feel a kinship with all the others on MS world so that helps me feel less alone with this disease. Take care, By the way I live in rural Alberta, near Red Deer.

[godiva12]

i live in montreal, quebec

[snowbunny]

Hi Littlebelle

I am sure there are many out there. I have met a few. So Where in Canada are you from? If you do not want to say that is fine. Just pop in and say Hello.
tony Lake Just outside of Peterborough ON.About 1 .5 hours from Toronto. Have lots of family in Barrie

I think since our insurance issues and medical supplies issues are different from our US friends we should have a place to discuss how our system works. What trials we have going etc.

Looking forward to meeting you all

I live in Barrie Ontario 100 KM from Toronto.

[Oggel]

Hi,

I'm living in Markham, a little south of you.

I am newly dx and am currently researching DMD's to determine which on will fit into my daily routine of life.
I have a neuro appt. in Jan and will most likely start then.

I've been reading posts of peoples' personal experiences with side effects. I am concerned about that. I am still working and my job is very demanding. Has anyone had to take time off work due to side effects from Ribif or any of the other Beta Interferon meds?

I am so glad this site is available. Now I don't feel so alone with this.

Please excuse me if I have posted more than once. I am still trying to navigate my way around here.

Kinda like learning how to drive on a highway with so many exits to take. LOL!

Cheers,
Oggel

[Oggel]

Hi from Markham, ON

Hi Folks,

Like Kid1971, I too found out I had lesions on my spine accidently. I had an MRI done cause my arm is numb and it was suspected that I had a neck injury. I do! That was approximately 1 1/2 years ago. my neuro sent me for a brain MRI and guess what, found lesions there too. ****, that was a total shock!

I was having other symptoms too but she said that in her opinion she felt I have MS but could not give me a definite (clinical) diagnosis until I have an attack.....Incredibly frustrating to say the least.

Well, in August I lost my vision in my left eye and both eyes were aching like crazy. My neuro was on holidays. Anyway, long story short, she sent me to see Dr. Paul O'Connor at St. Mikes, he did an evoke potential and determined there was imflammation to the optic nerve and diagnosed me with RRMS.

I went back to my neuro the next day, she perscribed prednisone; 50 mg. for a week and ageed with the diagnosis. So, currently I am always exhausted but trying to work, plus I have many other symptoms as well.

My neuro perscribed modafinil; 100 mg's to help combat the exhaustion. she gave me dvd's and literature on the five modifying therapies available in Canada and asked me to research them and decide which one I think would be best suited to me. I think I will start this treatment in January 2010, unless I have a relapse before then. I am seriously looking at Rebif....What are your thoughts and experience with this med?

I live in the York East chapter of the MS Society of Canada and it appears that there is not much happening here. I think I would really benefit from a support group at this stage. Is there anyone out there who also resides in this area? If so, any suggestions of where to go?

I am hopeful and I wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Oggel

[clark49]

HI THERE

I HAVE LOOKED ON MANY FORUMS FOR PEOPLE WITH PPMS!THERE ISN'T MANY OF US!WE'RE SPECIAL!MY WAY OF LOOKING AT THINGS.EMAIL ME WHEN YOU HAVE TIME.

[FLAW45]

I'm Canadian

Hi There

I was diagnosed with PPMS in Oct 08. The last year has been a real drag. Was told there was nothing I can do for PPMS. Would like to try LDN though. Will have to wait and see at next neuro appt in November.

Fiona

[missms2009]

Hi
I was told that I have MS May 2009. I am taking Rebif, STILL not use to it, will I ever be... , i haven't met anyone with MS yet. I live in Woodstock, near London.