Emigrating to Australia - MS and Visa's

[mrbarlow]

Have a bit of a dilemma which someone might be able to advise on.

I applied for an Australian residency VISA in 2008 under the skilled migrant criteria as I would like to work there for 3-5 years. However the process has been painfully slow and only yesterday have they processed my documents and instructed me to proceed with a 2nd medical and criminal background checks.

Since 2008 I had optic neuritis and a tentative diagnosis of MS although Im fine now bar a little blurriness in the eye. Infact my Doc in the Middle East has ordered a Lymes test.

As far as Australian Migration is concerned all my medical history is in Europe and apart from a visit to hospital when I had ON (on short leave) and a case of suspected ON there is nothing more.

I am certain if I say Docs in ME think I have MS the application will be rejected. Fortunately back in Europe in 3 weeks time so can get the medical down there.

What do you think - just say nothing in the medical? I thought I might tell them I had shingles shortly after the ON - throw em off the scent?

What do people think? I dont like lying I'll be dammed if this 'MS' ruins my chances on working in Australia as well

[jimmylegs]

i was able to travel to australia after an ms dx, although i had to put off my departure for minimum 3 months of stable health after dx attack, in order to qualify for pre-existing condition travel insurance.
i was able to get a student work visa while i was there... student being the key word.
it would probably be rather different in your case. what are the specific relevant questions on the application form?

[mrbarlow]

Hi JL

The questions - basically I have to go for a medical with a panel doctor. These are appointed by Aus Govt but you pay the fee. I will assume I am supposed to advise of any change in health status.

The thing as far as I can work out whilst I have been diagnosed with RRMS here, in the UK its CIS as I have only had one acute episode and marginal mri at the same time.

Im really tempted to blag it with the Doc. I will pass all neuro / physical tests

[jimmylegs]

just play it cool. i'm amazed what my neuro has NOT asked me in the course of my 'ms' experience.

[NHE]

I am not a lawyer and have no knowledge of immigration law. However, my opinion is this. Either you have an MS diagnosis or you don't. If you don't have an MS diagnosis, then you don't. Period. There are many conditions that elicit symptoms similar to MS and you could just as easily have one of those. Offering up the information that some doctor somewhere thought that you "might" have MS seems analogous to telling your car insurance company that you almost hit a tree. Your car is fine and nothing happened, but they'll likely raise your rates "just in case." Moreover, many people can go several years between their first symptoms and a diagnosis. For example, I experienced an 8 year remission between my first symptoms and my 2nd attack and subsequent diagnosis. I was fine during those 8 years and had no clue about anything related to MS.

NHE

[mrbarlow]

I am not a lawyer and have no knowledge of immigration law. However, my opinion is this. Either you have an MS diagnosis or you don't. If you don't have an MS diagnosis, then you don't. Period. There are many conditions that elicit symptoms similar to MS and you could just as easily have one of those. Offering up the information that some doctor somewhere thought that you "might" have MS seems analogous to telling your car insurance company that you almost hit a tree. Your car is fine and nothing happened, but they'll likely raise your rates "just in case." Moreover, many people can go several years between their first symptoms and a diagnosis. For example, I experienced an 8 year remission between my first symptoms and my 2nd attack and subsequent diagnosis. I was fine during those 8 years and had no clue about anything related to MS.

NHE

The problem is different Countries /Organisations have different criteria.

To date I have had one episode of optic neuritis. MY MRI showed some faint lesions which on their own my Neuro said would not warrant any treatment however due to the ON he was recommending Interferon. The diagnosis in the absence of other explaintions is MS.

According to UK guidance a diagnosis of MS is made when there are two episodes or indicative MRI's separated in time. Therefore it would appear that in the UK I still fall into CIS category.

Im praying my Lymes test which should be out in two weeks is positive.

Becausethe Panel Doc will be able to access my hospital records in Europe I am going to have had a mild bout of shingles after the ON

What hacks me off is there are hundreds of positions in Australia which they cant fill and Im stuck here because of VISA delays and now the possibility it will get rejected on 'health grounds'. The irony is I spend much of my day in 40 degree heat in the desert or on offshore rigs

[jimmylegs]

use the criteria that works best for YOU.

those dx criteria are half scam anyway, since there is no definitive test.

NHE is absolutely right - you could be one of even 1% of 'ms' patients that really look like 'ms' (whatever that is) but actually have something else going on.

so far, you can only have a higher or lower statistical chance of having 'ms'. statistics make a little sense when applied to 'average joe'.

in my case, being vastly different from average joe, they still dumped me in the same round file. so be it. i can climb out on my own

[Algis]

Chose a certified hospital; ask for an official check-up; don't say anything; get your paper stamped and signed; send it; go to Oz, work and don't even say you know what is MS or else... Have good luck, enjoy your journey; say hello to Sydney.

And I don't know you

[mrbarlow]

Thanks all

I feel any success in any area like this is a good hard kick in the balls for MS