Healthcare professionals were
hesitant about wanting to treat
me. Not because they didn't
want to help but because they
lacked the understanding and
ability to do so. This also meant
that they couldn’t offer me any
alternative treatments. I practically
begged my physician to get
me into physiotherapy to try and
help with some of the symptoms.
Around this time, I tore the tendons
in my left ankle. Right
away I started showing the same
symptoms as my arm so it was
pretty obvious that CRPS had
spread to my leg as well. Walking
was next to impossible because
of the pain. In order to get
around I had to use a walker.
At this point, finding treatment
has come to a standstill. I was
stuck in a system that didn't really
know what to do with me.
Canadian Healthcare
I want to be very clear about
something. In no way am I trying
to lay blame on anyone. Unfortunately,
there are gaps in the
Canadian Healthcare system.
Those of us dealing with chronic
pain fall right into a big gaping
hole. Canadian healthcare is a
publicly funded system, one that
is administered on a Provincial
basis with Federal guidelines. So
as great as universal healthcare
is, it doesn't come without its
challenges.
Here in Saskatchewan, I don't
have access to private care. This
means that I'm at the mercy of
waiting times to see specialists
in order to have tests done. If
I'm lucky, I get in to have a test
anywhere between six months
and a year.
Accessing care at all is a big issue.
In my province it can be
very difficult. My choice is wait
or pursue private care out of
province at huge cost. I can't afford
them. Those of us who need
specialized care for rare chronic
pain conditions have an added
disadvantage.
We have a dedicated chronic
pain facility however it is only
open for half a day a week. This
has to serve one million patients
province wide! I believe this is
(Connued from page 19)
22—iPain Living Magazine