Marg in BC;

[Guest guest]

Marg:

I live in BC, I hope you'll have better luck than I have. Before

diagnosis I spent years twisting in the wind with no support from the

symptoms I suffered from, passing the time-frame for Canada Pension

Plan. Doctors are reluctant to give a diagnosis which cannot be

absolutely verified (malpractice to scary or easier to write it off as

psychological, I don't know). Was often told that I should wait for

the constellation of symptoms to make things more clear - I think we all

know how varied our constellations are. I did at long last luck-out

with a pleasant and helpful GP, who is learning about this alongside

me. I've not been able to find anyone with any experience specific

to MSA. I have a lecture tape of a teaching doctor addressing his

students at " Lion's Gate Hospital " (to be kind I won't mention

his name), ran through the basics (incontinance impotence OH). A

student asked what else she should know, the doctor laughs - not

necessary to go into you are unlikely to come across even one case in

your practice. Statistically he is no doubt right, but it hurt to hear

that. This doctor works with my sister (she's a nurse) at the same

hospital, he has seen 3 MSA cases (my sister has worked with 2), if he

could be helpful to me my sister would have yanked me there, but she

advised not to bother adding no patient coming through there with MSA

ever leaves institutional care. I know this is not what you want to

read here. My advice get a good GP who does not mind learning a few

new things or trying new things, and get a therapist, aside from your

psychological well-being, they are excellent at tracking and monitoring

progress, something a GP often has no time for.

I don't know where you are in BC, but if you're in my neck of the woods,

we can do coffee or something, you're always welcome (not a politeness, I

mean that).

aletta mes, vancouver, bc canada

http://www.aletta.0catch.com