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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 6/11/2009 9:46 PM (GMT -7)
For all you Canadians out there I have 2 questions.

First could you recommend a good GI? I live is Saskatchewan but I'm desperate enough to travel just about anywhere! I've seen 2 "internal medicine specialists" who each saw me exactly once and then expected my GP to look after me, and 1 GI who told me I was "too fat to possibly need his help". So if you have a really good doctor I'd like to know about it.


Secondly,

I'm fighting with my employer for accommodations. It's been 2 years since I was at work, but my insurance runs out at the end of this month and I have no other choice but to return to work full-time or lose everything an go on Welfare. My employer is extremely hostile, and reluctant to agree to any accommodations. My union, and insurance rep both feel they are looking for a reason to fire me. I have a meeting coming up soon and I'd like to be able to site some precedent for accommodation made for people with "Inflammatory Bowel Disease" (I didn't tell them specifically that I have Crohns cause the doctors are still humming and hawing after over 10 year of constant suffering) specifically for employees in Canada.

If you are at work, or were at work, and your employer made some accommodations for you would you please let me know a) what the accommodation was; and b) if your willing, where you worked. I've allowed my e-mail to show in my profile so please feel free to write me directly instead of posting. If it doesn't show up or you can't find it let me know and I'll post it tomorrow. For anyone outside Canada please know it's not that I don't want your input I just don't think my employers would accept precedent from anywhere but here.

Thank you so much. I don't know what I'd do without this site!

Sylph
Posted 6/12/2009 9:14 AM (GMT -7)
Hi Sylph.

I am sorry for your troubles. This is such a frustrating disease. I too, am fat and "don't look sick", even though my insides are in agony.

I live in Manitoba. I can highly recommend Dr. Charles Bernstein as a top notch GI. He works out of the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg and is known around the world for his expertise in Crohn's Disease. You have to wait a long time to see him but it is worth it.

I can't help with your second question. I am a nurse and I guess I accomodated myself by going from full time to part time. Of course, this didn't hurt my employer, it only hurt me with a subsequent loss of income. I was off work for a year back in 2006, trying for disability. I ended up on welfare for 6 months because my claim wasn't accepted and have been struggling financially ever since. I, too am interested to hear work/disability stories from other Canadians. Good luck in the future.

Posted 6/13/2009 2:58 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks for the reply Skylar I will ask my Dr. if she can refer me to Dr. Charles. Manitoba is definitely NOT too far to travel!

I will be sure to keep you posted on how things go. So far the responses have been, well you can see for yourself.

I think not too many Canadians make it to this site, which is a shame because Canada has the Highest incidents of IBD of any first world country, and this place is a godsend

Sylph
Posted 6/14/2009 1:57 AM (GMT -7)
I had a great GI in Calgary at the research center here who moved to Regina I think. Somewhere they were just opening up a new GI program? Her name is Dr. Jennifer Jones and she was amazing. I wish she was still here. Hope you find someone good it makes life way easier.
Posted 6/14/2009 9:26 AM (GMT -7)
I think there are quite a few Canadians on here, just thought I couldn't help you. Unless you wanted to come to Calgary. There are some top GI's at the Foothills but would probably wait a long time to see the best.
Posted 6/14/2009 10:15 AM (GMT -7)
Something you might find useful is ratemds.com. I have used it in the past more for curiosity sake when being referred to different doctors. I just looked up Jennifer Jones and Charles Bernstein. You have to remember everybody has ther own experience and opinions but it also might help you find doctors in your area and if they are taking new patients. 

Posted 6/15/2009 7:12 PM (GMT -7)
Hi As a fellow Canadian I am sorry that your Dr. has such a response to your condition. I would definitely find a new DR. and don't let one bad expercience get you down there are some good Dr.'s out there ...lol gail
Posted 6/17/2009 9:20 AM (GMT -7)
I live in Edmonton and this is mine:

http://www.cdhf.ca/profile_board_pcouncil.html#Dr_Clarence_Wong

He is awsome!!!! I was just in to see him this morning in fact.

As for work, I wish I could tell you something, anything really. I have the best employer who is very understanding and let's me come and go when I need too.

Good luck!

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