The plastic surgeon gave me a couple post-surgery. They were $20 each.

If you’re in Ontario or Alberta, I know for sure your GP can refer you. Ontario currently has a longer wait list than Alberta, but it’s still there.

Maybe do some physio as much as you can afford/covered, and then try again. That way, you can show you have tried non-surgical ways?

I’m in Alberta. I have a history of chronic pain and, with my massive breasts, she felt there was well enough history to refer me (I’ve tried physio, exercise, specialized exercise classes, etc). The surgeon then saw me and he agreed with the previous assessments (plus by then I also had a couple other specialists…

Eek! I’m so happy I don’t really get neck spasms. That sounds horrible. I get “kinks” frequently, but meh that’s usually because I stopped doing my stretches (oh! I feel better! Honest!) and then my neck gets stiff, so I overdo the stretches and then hurt myself. I’m nothing if not predictable!

There’s plenty of backward Canadians, too. Hell, some believe we’ll be better off with American health insurance than our current system. These are generally people who also access every possibility of the health care system, think they would still receive the same level of access they get now, with paying only…

You should never lose your job for needing to see a doctor ffs, especially when it’s for something like finding out if you have effing MS. I’m so sorry :(

Agreed! The right to healthcare seems like such a basic human right, evidence of a society that is able to grow to consider the entire collective and look after everyone in a basic way. A gun is...not the same thing at all.

I’m liking this to show sympathy, not because I “like” this. I hope things soon turn around for you.

I’ve not been up to the sliders yet, but the neck stretches are basically amazing and “cures” my headaches for a solid week.

I didn’t even know a spinal headache was a thing! WebMD did not explain this to me. They told me it was cancer. They lied! ;)

I am so sorry :( I’m happy you have insurance that helps you, sure, but I wish you didn’t even have to worry about the cost.

I don’t get marketing for medication. The doctors will prescribe what you need ffs! I think there are rules for medication marketing in Canada...I could be wrong, but it doesn’t seem like we have nearly as much as on US TV, etc.

I do need someone on poop patrol. I have a lot of animals... ;)

I think it’s worth trying non-surgical options while you decide, too. I did physio and, even though it wasn’t going to be nearly enough to help, it actually helped build my back strength for post-surgery because...wow. I have fallen backwards several times while crouching because the positions I would normally be in…

Why is medication so much more expensive in the US than Canada? People keep saying it’s R&D costs, but it’s literally the same medication here...and our dollar is worth less.

“for insured people.” I don’t understand why there are politicians fighting to keep allowing their own people who elected them in financial ruin.

I’m going to go in for more tests to find out which nerves are pinched (they are sure I have them somewhere because my feet go to sleep when I have a lot of back pain/push myself too much).

If it helps, I’m jealous of myself, too. I never really though of health care until the entire “death panel” talks started. Then we Canadians got to hear some of the American propaganda and...well, I laughed a lot, but also felt keenly aware of how much I take for granted.

OMFG. I am so very sorry. Ensuring mother and child are healthy isn’t...oh, god, I’m so angry for you.

I wrote this in reply to someone else: