My colonoscopy cancelled in BC because I have MS

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Azaeleaprawn
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My colonoscopy cancelled in BC because I have MS

Post by Azaeleaprawn »

Here's my situation for which I'm pursuing a solution - tell me what you think.
In the middle of December 2014 I was turned down by VIHA (our local health authority in Victoria BC)  for a colonoscopy because I have MS with bladder, mobility and spasticity issues which I was told cannot be  dealt with by the facility/team doing colonoscopies at our local hospitals.
I was told this by the booking person from VIHA who contacted me to advise me of an appointment for a colonoscopy was coming up.
My GP had written VIHA a letter advising them of my MS issues when he requisitioned for the colonoscopy. It appears the people at VIHA  didn’t bother to read that letter and thus being totally unaware of my disabilities, I was quite simply told during the booking phone call from VIHA that I couldn’t have the colonoscopy and I’d have to see a gastroenterologist to see what could be done for me and if I really needed the procedure.
The backgrpound to this is I had a test done back in Sept/Oct 2014 which came back positive for occult blood so that indicates that I need a colonoscopy which is to be done, in a timely manner for this province, which is supposed to be a six to eight week wait (but commonly 4 months).
I had originally indicated that I would rather have this procedure done privately here but subsequently discovered that there is no private facility in Victoria.
I then went back to my GP to find out my options. I was told that there was a CT scan available for this procedure or a regular colonoscopy. I opted for the `ct scan and was contacted by letter of the availability of an appointment but I quickly realized from the description of the prep for the CT scan that it was beyond me.
I then asked my GP to book me for a regular colonoscopy as I’ve already indicated that didn’t work out because of my disability. So VIHA contacted my GP’s office for them to book me in to see a GI specialist.
Well yesterday I got a call from my GPs office telling me that an appointment would be set up for me somewhere in 8 to 12 months! If my GI issues are serious and maybe cancerous I may well be dead by then. :sad:
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Re: My colonoscopy cancelled in BC because I have MS

Post by ElliotB »

Can't you find another facility to go to?
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Azaeleaprawn
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Re: My colonoscopy cancelled in BC because I have MS

Post by Azaeleaprawn »

Nope - our hospitals are the only choice here in Canada. Other than the odd private clinic of which there was one in this city but no more. I've got to fight my way through this by going through public health care channels, talking to some politicians and possibly even the media. If this the usual way in which disabled people are treated here it verges on a human rights violation as this policy targets a very significant portion of the population.
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NHE
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Re: My colonoscopy cancelled in BC because I have MS

Post by NHE »

Azaeleaprawn wrote:In the middle of December 2014 I was turned down by VIHA (our local health authority in Victoria BC)  for a colonoscopy because I have MS with bladder, mobility and spasticity issues which I was told cannot be  dealt with by the facility/team doing colonoscopies at our local hospitals.
I don't know why MS is an issue. Many folks are sedated during a colonoscopy. I have a family member that was anemic. The anemia didn't resolve after a blood infusion was performed so a colonoscopy was done. It found a stage one carcinoma. We're grateful it was found early. Surgery was done to remove the ascending segment of the colon and no chemo was needed since it was stage one. I hope that you can find a way to get checked. By the way, CT scans scare me. They use a very high dose of x-rays. One CT scan of the chest yields the same radiation exposure as about 270 chest x-rays. That's several lifetimes worth of radiation exposure in one scan.
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Re: My colonoscopy cancelled in BC because I have MS

Post by ElliotB »

If you can't get the issue resolved quickly, you will need to do what many other Canadians do, cross the border.

Can they do a virtual colonoscopy?
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NHE
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Re: My colonoscopy cancelled in BC because I have MS

Post by NHE »

ElliotB wrote:Can they do a virtual colonoscopy?
That's an interesting idea. I wonder if one of those pill cameras would work?
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Re: My colonoscopy cancelled in BC because I have MS

Post by ElliotB »

The only problem with doing a virtual colonoscopy is that it is done with X-Rays (quite a few) and is may not be quite as accurate as a real colonoscopy, and if polyps are found, you have to go back for their removal.
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Azaeleaprawn
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Re: My colonoscopy cancelled in BC because I have MS

Post by Azaeleaprawn »

Have looked in to the virtual colonoscopy and the problem is if there are polyps I'd have to back for a regular one (which at this point I'm not eleigible for) -catch 22 and as well the virtual isn't a accurate.
As it is the reason `i''ve been given for not being eligible for one here is that `i have MS and as such have mobility issues the main one being that I have trouble rolling over which is one of the things that need to be done several times in the procedure ( there's no way they can roll me over - i'm not that big)...who knew disabled people aren't eligible for certain medical procedures in BC.
Sounds like a pretty serious human rights violation as this policy cuts out a large section of the population.
I'm not finished with our `health authority as I'm getting media coverage on this and have talked to my lawyer on suing them and she is rubbing her hands in anticipation for a good fight that she knows she'll win.
I live on an island so to get this procedure privately `i have to go to the mainland to either the US or stay in Canada and go to a private pay clinic in Vancouver BC. AS I've said I'll get this done one way or another but `i'm taking this on as a human rights issue to make it possible for others in my situation to get the procedure without the hassle that `i'm going through. And even if I go through a private pay clinic, I will be getting the gov't to ultimately pay for the procedure as well they will pay for what they've put me through...I'm not letting them get away with this.
AS my husband said, so you end in in the hospital with a bullet wound going trough your chest but you're disabled are they going to turn you away because you can't roll over...like sorry we can't deal with you, you'll just have to go somewhere else or bleed to deahth.
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Re: My colonoscopy cancelled in BC because I have MS

Post by ElliotB »

"I have trouble rolling over which is one of the things that need to be done several times in the procedure"

That is a lame excuse. I was put to sleep when mine was done. Most people are as far as I know. I guess in your area that is not an option.

Good luck and don't delay too long in getting it done.
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Re: My colonoscopy cancelled in BC because I have MS

Post by Scott1 »

Hi,

You have struck a bureaucrat. Look up the tree to see who governs them and try at that level, perhaps through your local or regional politician if needed. Alternately find a head office of the MS society or bowl cancer society and ask them to intervene. There's no point being polite in this situation. You'll need to make a noise. Local newspapers and current affairs programs love this stuff. This hopeless "computer says no" behavior is everywhere and people in those structures always crumble and blame each other if you can elevate the bureaucratic discomfort level.
Either a paper pusher with no brains or a very weak doctor has made this decision. If its a doctor then it borders on negligence and I'd report them. I agree with NHE. It doesn't make sense.
Try the governing MS and bowel cancer organisations first.
Regards
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Re: My colonoscopy cancelled in BC because I have MS

Post by 1eye »

Scott1 wrote:Hi,

You have struck a bureaucrat. Look up the tree to see who governs them and try at that level, perhaps through your local or regional politician if needed. Alternately find a head office of the MS society or bowl cancer society and ask them to intervene. There's no point being polite in this situation. You'll need to make a noise. Local newspapers and current affairs programs love this stuff. This hopeless "computer says no" behavior is everywhere and people in those structures always crumble and blame each other if you can elevate the bureaucratic discomfort level.
Either a paper pusher with no brains or a very weak doctor has made this decision. If its a doctor then it borders on negligence and I'd report them. I agree with NHE. It doesn't make sense.
Try the governing MS and bowel cancer organisations first.
Regards
I agree on your elected MP. Election time is looming. Tell him or her about the bad press you are going to generate if you do have cancer. Time is of the essence.
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Azaeleaprawn
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Re: My colonoscopy cancelled in BC because I have MS

Post by Azaeleaprawn »

I have contacted the local MLA who wants to wait for the outcome to the health authority complaint board before she gets involved and as well I've talked to my neuro who is incensed and looking into why this ever happened in the 1st place. Also am calling MS & Bowel Societies.
Thanks for the input & support it's really helped.
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Azaeleaprawn
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Re: My colonoscopy cancelled in BC because I have MS

Post by Azaeleaprawn »

Well, I guess if you rattle enough cages and make enough noise, you can get listened to...suffice it to say I'm one squeaky wheel and the "squeaks" caught somebody's attention. I am scheduled for a colonoscopy with an info call this Thursday, an information meeting to attend in the next days and apparently the colonoscopy scheduled somewhere in the next two weeks.
Thanks for everyone's encouragement - it helped me stay on track to get this done and it worked!
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Re: My colonoscopy cancelled in BC because I have MS

Post by Scott1 »

Good luck and well done.
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