Advice

[josie_may]

Hi my name is josie I am originally form illinois. in 2005 when I was 15 I was told that I might have MS. My legs were going numb and I was haveing migrains that lasted for days. Ihad an MRI with contrast. It showed that I had 3 leasions on my brain. The neurologist that my doctor sent me to said they were ok and put me on meds for the migrains. The medication never helped. He continued to try different ones until I turned 18 and had no health insurance. A few months after I started to get really dissy for no reason It eventually started to cause me to fall and not be able to stand for a while after each spell. Just before I turned 19 I got pregnant I had the same symptoms still and they did not get any worse at that time. I had my older son I nothing changed. I moved away And stopped working and the symptoms seemed to happen less ofen then when I got pregnant at 20 they stopped competly. My new baby is now four months old and the symptoms have returned. I live in canada now and am awaiting my perminent residence from the gov. so I have not told any of the doctors here about anything for fear that the gov will find out an make me leave the country due to a perexisting medical condition. Also about six months ago my sister was haveing the same symptoms and went to the doctor and they said they thought it was MS but she never followed up with her tests. Please help me I need advice I dont know what to do.

[josie_may]

I found out this afternoon that the gov can;t access my records without my permission. My perminent residence should be done by may 19 this year. I am just going to go ahead and talk to my doctorabout everything and see if he thinks that I can wait a few months to get further testing, but if he says no then I am going to go ahead with it with my fingers crossed. thank you all for the advice.

[heartfelt77]

I hope everything works out for you.  So, how long does it take to get the app. Approved.   I don't think that's its really a good idea to go to the doctor and say that.   Just my opinion. I know that you need care.  But, it needs to be done the right way.   As far as the gov finding out.  I'm sure that they can by the trace of your social society number.   I would be extremely careful about what u say and where.  I don't know Canada laws. But, maybe u need to speak with an attorney. So, u know what's right and what's not.

Just a thought.....  I hope u get to go to the doctor soon.  If it was me I wouldn't involve the doctor until u had everything together.  If u know what I mean.

Take care...... I hope Things go smoothly for you.

Misty

[josie_may]

i am applying under sposual sponsership the app. is for me and my oldest son. i have alberta health care and blue cross both. i have been going to the docter but i have not told my doctor for fear that the gov could find out. i told my husband and he told me that he wanted me to go in so i made an appointment for next thursday. before i tell the doctor the truth i am going to ask him if the gov can get access to my records and if so i will tell him nevermind and if not then i will hopefully i will be able to get some answers.

[doublevision1]

Another thought.......when I'm in my GP's waiting room, I notice many patients coming in who don't have an Alberta health card as they don't have Citizenship or Perm Residence status in Canada.  They're told they need to pay out of pocket; some do, some leave. I've never noticed those that stay providing ID; I guess they don't need to as the office won't be billing the govt for services provided to them.  So it may be possible to see a doc about this without providing identifying info if you're paying cash, though you may not be able to get much further than that (neuro MS specialist) as I would think you would need to provide honest personal info in order to be referred.

Hope all of the above helps and that you can get some clear answers soon.  If you do have a serious condition (MS or something else) it's important that you promptly get the medical care you need.  Keep us posted and let us know what you find out and how you're doing.

[doublevision1]

Hi Josie, I'll try to offer some advice though have never run into a situation exactly like yours.

I suggest you talk with someone at Lethbridge Family Services in their Immigrant Services program.  This is a not for profit govt funded community agency.  Website is: http://www.lfsfamily.ca/IS/immigrant.php.

I'm sure you could call them and without providing any personal information, ask a hypothetical question describing your situation.  I previously worked with a similar agency in another city in Alberta and we fielded questions from people like you, though as I said, your specific situation is new to me.

When you applied for Permanent Residence status, did you undergo a medical exam?  I know that those applying for Canadian Citizenship must do so, but I'm less familiar with Perm Residence status requirements.  

I know that Citizenship may be denied on medical grounds if an applicant's health "would cause excessive demand on the Canadian health care system or on social services in Canada.'"  This clause ensures people with serious and expensive medical conditions don't immigrate here for the free health care and inundate our system.  I'm thinking that a diagnosis of MS might fall in this category given all provinces supply DMDs to Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents at no or minimal out of pocket fee.  I'm not so sure though, about a suspected condition such as you have as opposed to a firm dx.  

Having said that, for Citizenship applicants, the "excessive demand on health or social services in Canada" clause is waived for:  opposite and same-sex /spouses/common-law partners and dependent children of their Canadian citizen sponsor.  This may be true for Perm Residence applicants as well.  "Dependent children" are those applicants under the age of 22 who aren't married/common-law.

So the answer to your questions will also depend on which category you are applying for Perm Residence status: Family Class, Skilled Worker, Entrepreneur, Investor or Humanitarian/Compassionate.

Just curious, how have you been accessing medical care in the time you have been in Canada? You mentioned having a baby recently.  Have you been paying out of pocket or did you purchase private insurance when you first arrived?  I guess another possibility if for some reason you are denied provincial health insurance, you could carry on with your own private insurance?  

[sllowe]

Hi Josie,

Welcome to the forum. Congratulations on your new baby :)
I'm sorry to hear you are having problems and can't go to the doctor. They would make you leave if dx'd with something? If so, that's horrible.

Medically, my only suggestion is to go to the doctor, and describe that the migraine meds did not help you. If your problems are related to migraine, there are medications that can be tried. And, describe the dizzy as cause of falling.

You'll find supportive members here on the MS forum, and also on the limboland forum. Please be careful and hopefully some others will have more thoughts to add.
Thanks for joining us,
-shell