Astma
#31
Re: Astma
It rather depends on what the trigger is, doesn't it, as to whether you'll be better worse or the same when changing habitat.
If damp weather bothers you, then the dry climate of Alberta (for instance) will help, but wet parts of BC, or the humidity of summer in Ontario may exacerbate it. If your main trigger is grass pollen, then "the Prairies" may not be the best bet!
My OH found his "allergic rhinitis" and nasal polyps were much improved by moving to Calgary. A better sleep is had by all! ,
..... and, incidentally, I personally have had very few colds since we moved, whereas I had two or three bad colds each year in UK.
If damp weather bothers you, then the dry climate of Alberta (for instance) will help, but wet parts of BC, or the humidity of summer in Ontario may exacerbate it. If your main trigger is grass pollen, then "the Prairies" may not be the best bet!
My OH found his "allergic rhinitis" and nasal polyps were much improved by moving to Calgary. A better sleep is had by all! ,
..... and, incidentally, I personally have had very few colds since we moved, whereas I had two or three bad colds each year in UK.
#32
Re: Astma
I was on Asthma meds from the age of 6 (in Manchester UK). "Spinhalers" and Ventolin.
I never had to prove I was ashtmatic here in Canada - I just took my current meds to the Canadian doctor.
I am med free now. I haven't had to use asthma drugs for years now. At one time I was nearly crippled by asthma. For instance as a kid I couldn't go outside during Bonfire night since I was so susceptible to the cold damp air, smoke from fires etc.
I never had to prove I was ashtmatic here in Canada - I just took my current meds to the Canadian doctor.
I am med free now. I haven't had to use asthma drugs for years now. At one time I was nearly crippled by asthma. For instance as a kid I couldn't go outside during Bonfire night since I was so susceptible to the cold damp air, smoke from fires etc.
#33
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: Currently in Sittingbourne
Posts: 105
Re: Astma
Mat is allergy induced, but since giving up smoking some time ago he rarley uses it anyway, lets hope it improves even more when he is in Canada.
#34
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,159
Re: Astma
IMO the health service here cant touch the Uk's NHS. You will see people collecting for money in supermarkets here to pay for all sorts of life saving meds, that are not fully cover by the provincial health care. A lady I know just has a mastectomy and was told by the surgeon that he would not pay for her chemo. OHIP only covered a %, her drugs plan covered some more but there was a short fall, which she re-mortgaged her house for.
Last edited by Miss Clinique; Mar 25th 2011 at 12:41 pm.
#35
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: Currently in Sittingbourne
Posts: 105
Re: Astma
Its not the only reason of course, but things are definetley getting worse with all the public cuts etc. Just another nail in the coffin.
#36
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: Currently in Sittingbourne
Posts: 105
Re: Astma
Excuse the spellings.
#37
Banned
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: the GTA
Posts: 3,824
Re: Astma
Hope thats not the only reason.
IMO the health service here cant touch the Uk's NHS. You will see people collecting for money in supermarkets here to pay for all sorts of life saving meds, that are not fully cover by the provincial health care. A lady I know just has a mastectomy and was told by the surgeon that he would not pay for her chemo. OHIP only covered a %, her drugs plan covered some more but there was a short fall, which she re-mortgaged her house for.
IMO the health service here cant touch the Uk's NHS. You will see people collecting for money in supermarkets here to pay for all sorts of life saving meds, that are not fully cover by the provincial health care. A lady I know just has a mastectomy and was told by the surgeon that he would not pay for her chemo. OHIP only covered a %, her drugs plan covered some more but there was a short fall, which she re-mortgaged her house for.
#38
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 48
Re: Astma
It rather depends on what the trigger is, doesn't it, as to whether you'll be better worse or the same when changing habitat.
If damp weather bothers you, then the dry climate of Alberta (for instance) will help, but wet parts of BC, or the humidity of summer in Ontario may exacerbate it. If your main trigger is grass pollen, then "the Prairies" may not be the best bet!
My OH found his "allergic rhinitis" and nasal polyps were much improved by moving to Calgary. A better sleep is had by all! ,
..... and, incidentally, I personally have had very few colds since we moved, whereas I had two or three bad colds each year in UK.
If damp weather bothers you, then the dry climate of Alberta (for instance) will help, but wet parts of BC, or the humidity of summer in Ontario may exacerbate it. If your main trigger is grass pollen, then "the Prairies" may not be the best bet!
My OH found his "allergic rhinitis" and nasal polyps were much improved by moving to Calgary. A better sleep is had by all! ,
..... and, incidentally, I personally have had very few colds since we moved, whereas I had two or three bad colds each year in UK.
I too was asthmatic in the UK, using an inhaler most days. Been here 3 years now and never needed them - in fact mine that I brought with me are all well out of date. Had to return to UK unexpectedly in December for a week and had to "borrow" a couple of my Mum's husband (pensioner so free!) less than 24 hours after landing. For the rest of the week I needed them daily, especially during the nights when I would wake up very short of breath. Besides the obvious health symptoms, having to remember to carry an inhaler also reminded me how annoying and frustrating asthma is to those who suffer from it (from making sure I had an inhaler with me at all times, to being short of breath after climbing a few flights of stairs or jogging 50 yards to catch a bus).
Last edited by B91212; Mar 25th 2011 at 4:50 pm. Reason: Missed a word
#39
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 829
Re: Astma
The think about Healthcare in Canada is that it is provincial rather than national.
For example in Quebec, you have to pay for an ambulance if you need one. This means that some people in an emergency will ask a friend to drive them.
In the UK we also had a post code lottery when it came to what treatments we receive, In Canada it is the same.
Though I am not Asthmatic now (I have full lung function), I may be when I go back to the UK.
I had a runny nose and a cough most of my life in the UK. Now the symtoms are much reduced. It has taken me 3 years to get to where am now.
I will be going back to the UK soon and am dreading it.
For example in Quebec, you have to pay for an ambulance if you need one. This means that some people in an emergency will ask a friend to drive them.
In the UK we also had a post code lottery when it came to what treatments we receive, In Canada it is the same.
Though I am not Asthmatic now (I have full lung function), I may be when I go back to the UK.
I had a runny nose and a cough most of my life in the UK. Now the symtoms are much reduced. It has taken me 3 years to get to where am now.
I will be going back to the UK soon and am dreading it.
#40
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 829
Re: Astma
Many employers have a group health insurance plan which pays for many of the things not covered by the provincial program.
Prescription charges are normally covered by this.
Prescription charges are normally covered by this.
#41
Re: Astma
To help the OP have a clearer idea generally the employee pays something like 20% of the cost... Few non government employers cover the full expense now, and not every employee in every job can expect a benefits package.
#42
Re: Astma
I agree with the 50 ukp being small fry . I disagree about the usefulness of the records.
we paid 50 ukp each for ours. They are sat unread in our safety deposit box.
Unless you have an ongoing condition , the only useful thing I can think of is vaccination records for children. They'll need these for school
we paid 50 ukp each for ours. They are sat unread in our safety deposit box.
Unless you have an ongoing condition , the only useful thing I can think of is vaccination records for children. They'll need these for school
AS for the vaccination records for school - if you have your kids red book, that should have all the vaccinations they have had in them. BUT having said that, the school was also not interested in their vaccination records at all... it was a good 6 months after they had started that the school nurse got intouch and asked if I could supply coppies of their records "for her records"... but she also said to me that it wasn't compulsory!
#43
Re: Astma
interesting , we are actually audited by public health and theoretically students with missing vaccinations can be sent home until the situation is sorted out.
#44
Yorkshire meets Vegas
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: T. ON (so there!)
Posts: 1,354
Re: Astma
My asthma has been variable since coming to Canada. Up to eighteen-ish months ago I stopped having to use inhalers like many here.
When the other half moved in, bringing with him an additional cat (I'm allergic to them) and associated clutter and dust (which I'm also allergic to) my asthma actually got worse to the point that now its much worse than it was in London, despite giving up smoking.
However, I've found the treatment here about 1000% better - I was referred to a specialist for a proper diagnosis and treatment schedule, and even though my symptoms are worse, the treatment is a lot more effective.
I'm also fortunate in that I have 100% coverage under my work health insurance, so it now costs me less to be an asthmatic, and my Dr is very keen to prescribe me the most expensive (and generally) most effective treatment. Which may or may not be a good thing, depending on your perspective....
When the other half moved in, bringing with him an additional cat (I'm allergic to them) and associated clutter and dust (which I'm also allergic to) my asthma actually got worse to the point that now its much worse than it was in London, despite giving up smoking.
However, I've found the treatment here about 1000% better - I was referred to a specialist for a proper diagnosis and treatment schedule, and even though my symptoms are worse, the treatment is a lot more effective.
I'm also fortunate in that I have 100% coverage under my work health insurance, so it now costs me less to be an asthmatic, and my Dr is very keen to prescribe me the most expensive (and generally) most effective treatment. Which may or may not be a good thing, depending on your perspective....
#45
Re: Astma
I have very mild asthma, and use a Bricanyl Turbuhaler (Terbutaline sulphate I think). In the UK I had the aerosol version but they don't appear to have that over here, only the powdered one.
I was able to go to a walk-in clinic and present my OHIP card and get a repeat prescription without and trouble at all. I usually ask if they'd provide me with a number of refills, usually two or three and they seem happy to do so, and then when I've used that up, typically six to eight months, I'll pop back.
Pretty sure each prescription is about $30 including tax. I'm covered on my wife's health insurance plan and it usually pays 80% of the cost of the prescription.
I was able to go to a walk-in clinic and present my OHIP card and get a repeat prescription without and trouble at all. I usually ask if they'd provide me with a number of refills, usually two or three and they seem happy to do so, and then when I've used that up, typically six to eight months, I'll pop back.
Pretty sure each prescription is about $30 including tax. I'm covered on my wife's health insurance plan and it usually pays 80% of the cost of the prescription.