Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Some kind of a sick joke.

Hi there, a bit of an update - to sum it up, I have been referred to the hematologist "triage" list, and based on my symptoms, I've been classed as semi-urgent, rather than just getting tossed onto the very long whenever-we-get-to-you list. Sounds good so far, no? Well, sort of.... because this gives me an appointment probably sometime in early March 2010 (maybe late Feb).
So... good that I got referred, bad that it's going to be a long wait. (How long to non-urgent cases wait here???)

Em... I don't know. Getting very tired of it all. Last time I went to the ER in a semi-conscious, very bad state, I laid on the floor of the urgent care clinic for over 3 hours. The wait at the ER was over 12 that night. If I ever get sick like that again, Glen and I have agreed to drive the 1.5 hours to a rural hospital - usually the wait times are less there. They won't treat me with meds as I don't have a diagnosis, but they can put IV fluids in me when I'm puking every 30 seconds.

As a student of community health, we're always being taught how much it costs a health care system when chronic cases aren't dealt with properly... seems like another big joke when we're taught that and then see this... do what I say, not as I do... that kind of thing.


Yes, if a family member has a diagnosis, then everything changes. People give your symptoms alot more validity most of the time, since porphyria is often genetic.

I don't understand what's going through my doc's head either. Late last night, while laying in bed, Glen and I were trying to figure that out too. I would think going to a US clinic would be good - ruling it in would mean proper treatment and slowing the damage; ruling it out would mean we could start looking for other causes.

There are no private labs here, we've now discovered. Only in Alberta, can they say, "Sorry, we're out of cash, we can't run your lab work", and then at the same time, make it against the law to pay that lab to run the test for you. And we even tried this - "ok we'll pay for the lab work NOW, and then when my name comes up later in the lab queue when cash flow is established, you pay us BACK". That way no one has privately paid, right? lol No go. There we go using logic again, silly us.

Side effects of heme therapy are very minimal (it's essentially a partial blood transfusion), especially compared to what I'm dealing with every hour of every day. But doc won't prescribe it since I don't have a firm diagnosis. Of course. I think if I was sick enough in an acute phase, they might prescribe it. Maybe. If they had it around - it's usually such a rare treatment, most hospitals don't even stock it.

About him waiting a month to tell me... ya. That's what makes me and Glen REALLY mad. Let's also mention that my first abnormal test happened in Sept, and I wasn't told until Nov. A full 2 months for a simple urine test. And then another month to tell me we have to wait. I'm just really angry and really hurt and feel so stupid for buying into this so-called fantastic private clinic. Argh.
We're thinking of maybe trying my previous GP out in Canmore - maybe there are differences in finances between regions in Alberta, I don't know. At least he was much more approachable, he just didn't have a clue what to do with me. Now we know what to do with me, so perhaps going back to him would be wise! lol I feel like a serious bother of a patient, but I just want to get well, that's all.
Ok enough already. lol Thanks for your concern. No beating your head against the wall, I do enough for the both of us. haha I'll get there somehow.
Hugs!

Thanks Kevin, Glen is my angel and my advocate when I can't do it for myself, so I told him he's not allowed to get arrested. lol
How are you feeling these days? Getting better, I sure hope. I keep sending lots of healing thoughts your way - get the feeling you could use all you can get lately.
Lots of warm hugs back your way too.

LOL I got the funny story, Alan. I just wanted to bug you enough for a joke too! Come now, let's hear a good joke from you. I need a laugh.... meet you in the joke forum, k?


.... and a joke not at Mig's expense. lol

Hi Megan,

Hopefully this is only a bad dream so to speak and you can get some attention and answers soon.

Tim

Hello, I was put in as semi urgent when I should have been put in as urgent and I waited 7 hours at ER. I sat beside a girl who hurt her ankle and was telling someone on her phone that some guy told her that she should get it checked so she went to emerg. There was totally nothing wrong with her. I could hear it in her voice when she was on the phone. She was in and out so fast I got real angry.

The thing I found out was that semi urgent are the last to be put in because urgent is obviously first, then there are the cases that can just be quick ins and outs and don't really need any type of diagnosis or care. I was told that this is the most efficient way to manage the patients.

right here we go, a joke not at Mig's expense.........rightthen.....errrrrrrr..............mmmmmmm.........weeelll........errrr..................cripes........well is there actually such a thing?


So there is an Englishman, trudging therough the desert carrying a motor car door!!

"Why are you carrying that?" asks his canuck friend.


"Ahh well deserts are hot places, says the clever Englishman (alan his name) so, when it gets too hot, I can wind the car window down....!!!"

Now how did I get stuck in the hot desert with such a crazy Englishman?

ahaaaaaa didnt say it was you did I!!!!!


Might have been Kat or Dan or my favourite camel (for which I traded 3 wives) the camel was carrying a truck door......don't want him too hot do we....!!!!

What! Not me eh, huh, well that's doesn't seem fair Alan. I took you snow-shoeing after all, the least you could do is reciprocate with a nice desert hike.