For Canadians Definitely worth it !- But very hard to watch

Hi Everyone,

Every once in awhile a real life story comes along that shows the depth of human endurance, the strength of ones faith, the will to live, the compassion and love of fellow humans and the complete failure of an archaic Canadian governmental healthcare policy on an insidious disease that is a secret epidemic taking place before our eyes in Canada.
This is probably one of the hardest stories/films (approx. 1 hr.) I have ever watched in my life but it is real life for thousands of people and thousands more who never get any treatment at all or can’t afford to go to the U.S. for treatment. Being misdiagnosed or undiagnosed is the norm in Canada. Can you imagine if Canada’s regular health practitioners were given the tools/accurate tests to at least rule out this disease from the onset of symptoms?(current ELIZA test is only 30-60% accurate-if negative, the current protocol is that no further testing is done in Canada)) . Thank-you Health Canada for nothing. Oh, I forgot, Health Canada doesn’t even recognize that the Chronic form even exists. Maybe we should call it something like “SARS” and see how our Healthcare providers react. The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in the U.S. says that 30,000 cases are formally reported each year but admits that the actual number of total cases is probably close to 300,000. In Canada the total is about one tenth which only means about 30,000/yr. If SARS had these #’s, don’t you think it might attract a little attention in Ottawa and the Canadian medical community?

The symptoms of the chronic version of this disease are so varied and common, that’s why it is called “The Great Pretender/Imitator”

If you think you are up to a very powerfull yet “hard to watch” story then please watch even bits at a time.

I relate to this story/movie/documentary(thankfully not at the same degree) and comment on this issue from personal experience. I have never been diagnosed positive(Canadian ELISA test was neg. 4 yrs. ago) and yet over the past 5 yrs. I was constantly presenting with the many, many of the typical symptoms of this disease .( severe “flu like” exhaustion-in bed 18-20 hrs./day, joint/muscle pain, brain fog, GI pain and on and on... For each individual symptom I always underwent a corresponding individual test which always came back neg.(scopes, bloodwork, MIR’s CT scans, sleep study etc.etc.) This took place over the past 5 yrs. and probably cost the Canadian Healthcare system many thousands of $$. It all could have been avoided if the testing protocol would have include a simple accurate blood screening test up front for anyone showing any clinical symptoms or knowingly having been bitten by a tick. This testing is easily available in the U.S but can cost up to $1500 per test panel. (I recently had 2 and both were double positive).How many people would send their own blood to the U.S. at a huge cost after the Dr. says “your fine”.-just take a tylenol.?

I won’t even address the issues relating to treatment in Canada which are basically non-existent(You’re on your own-don’t forget that Health Canada doesn’t even recognize that this CHRONIC disease condition even exists. I’ll just say that treatments for Canadians are a horror story (very long, arduous, expensive and without a guaranteed result)- It’s best to watch the Canadian story/ movie(below) to get a much better perspective than I could ever describe.

Just a final warning that the movie really is hard to watch but don’t give up until you see end. It’s worth it!!! Best Regards.- Story link below

http://www.justinandchrista.ca/

Hi Rocky - Justin and Christa's story has been posted on the forum a few times - it's so moving - I've seen it three times and cry every time.

Thanks for posting the link for those who haven't seen it yet.

I have to say that here in B.C. there are quite a few options for treatment - several LLND's on the lower mainland and in Victoria, as well as the smaller town of Courtenay on Vancouver a Island.

But, the diagnosis still remains a challenge - as most people don't know they have Lyme or if they do - don't know where to go for help - as it is outside of the Provincial healthcare. The MD's are still clueless for the most part and patients are passed around from Dr to Dr undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

Things are changing, though, slowly but surely - no thanks to the Bill that was passed over a year ago (Elizabeth May pushed for it). Nothing has happened since it was passed. A committee was supposed to be formed to develop better testing, diagnosis, and treatment of a Lyme Disease for us Canadians.....haven't heard a peep about it.