Re: appts & q about elavil-health care system

July 10, 2001

After reading some of these awful things you folks are experiencing with the

American medical system, I should be counting my blessings that I'm

Canadian. Yes, we up here in the Great White North have to wait for

appointments for specialists, but thankfully I happened to find a GP that

specializes in chronic pain,freely gives referrals, and usually takes only

45 minutes to see. Perfect timing too, because my previous GP was a young

overly busy doctor that never had enough time for me as a rule, and was

becoming increasingly uncooperative.) My new GP accurately diagnosed my FMS

right off the bat, gave me a prescription for two tens machines, and does

spend time with me. I go once a week for TPI (Trigger point injections using

a freezing agent called Marcaine) All this and more and thankfully, I don't

pay anything, because of our National healthcare system. (which to us

Canucks is the 'holy grail; that our nation deems of almost sacred

importance )Don't use words like 'user fees' around here... that's the

equivalent to cussing , especially in the province of Alberta. I really feel

for you all, and it sure must be a challenge to deal with HMO's and pay for

use medicine.

appts & q about elavil

> Is this the way it is in the states -- that it takes so long to get an

appointment? I think that waiting more than a week is ridiculous. In Israel

you never have to wait that long except for a check-up or something really

routine.

>

> I'm supposed to up my dose (elavil) to 20mg a day (from 10) & I'm

terrified that I'll go through the same thing that I went through when I

started taking the Elavil (i.e. feeling drowsy all day). Any advice?

>

> Arik

> Modi'in, Israel

>

> -------Original Message-------

>

> From: Carol Lugg

> I'm anxious to see my new Rheumatologist in September. I've great

> things about this office. I don't go until September, but at least I've

got

> an appointment!

>

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