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<blockquote data-quote="Melgar" data-source="post: 2690118" data-attributes="member: 520626"><p>I have never lived in ON but I have driven across it a few times. For those who don't know the geography, Ontario is a big province and can take three to four days to drive across it from East to West. And many communities in Ontario are very isolated with only a small general store for basics. You need a vehicle to get anywhere. Driving across the province there is nothing but forests for hours and hours. </p><p></p><p>Looking at the positives it looks like you have a Dr. Many don't, and likely your Dr is completely over worked and swamped, because of the Dr shortage, so it would not be personal, which does not help you, of course. I hear you on the walk-in clinics they can be a nightmare with long wait times - 6 hours or more - and no medical continuity. That said are your medical records on line and open to you in ON? You obviously have internet as you are on this site. The on-line medical records system is a slow roll out. Somebody previously mentioned the 811 line. They are staffed by nurses. They are very helpful. I have used them on occasions. I know if you are feeling desperate it's hard to think straight and keep things in perspective. I am going to make a few suggestions. I have also lived in those very remote communities. I lived in northern Québec. I did not have a Dr there due to the Dr shortage so it can be challenging.</p><p></p><p>Without access to your Dr for whatever reason the Emergency Room is your first option. Be honest and tell them your circumstances. The ER Dr should be able to give you insulin. There is a drug shortage for certain drugs like Ozempic. The ER Dr will put you in touch with the on-call social workers who will have access to people who can help you at a local level. Having a support system in place is important in times like this.</p><p> </p><p>A lot of towns have local church communities that may be able to help you or at least give you some emotional support. I'm not religious. but I know that they can fill in the gaps if social care is not available to you. Even small communities have them. Are you First nations or Metis ?, they have their own support systems in place.</p><p></p><p>You say that your private health insurance will not cover your prescriptions. Surely ON has a province wide medical program for those on low income? It doesn't matter that you have private health insurance, if you tell them your situation they should be able to offer you some alternative medications that are avilable from the Pharmacy and little or no cost. There is always an alternative and they will know those alternatives. Talking about pharmacies, can the pharmasist offer any guidance on alternative drugs that are still available? I have found the pharmacists to be very knowledgeable and can write prescriptions when your Dr is not available. And of course so many do not have a DR. So that's an option. Given your high blood sugars this should not be a problem for you as it's a major health issue. Please don't beat your self up about your weight it's not your fault, it is something you can do something about when you are in a better emotional place.</p><p></p><p>Are you close to a larger town with a supermarket? They have veggies and fruits on the shelves that are slightly past there best. I often buy them and cook with them. They are a lot cheaper and perfectly good to eat. I don't know if you have Loblaws in ON but they have this think in place where food that is coming up to its sell by date , they slash the prices fown by 30 - 50% . That covers all food, veggies, meats and fruits. If no Loblaws the IGA, Walmart ? Is there a food bank close to you? Thats an option. In these hard times many people use them.</p><p></p><p>Learn to cook on a dime. There are many sites on the internet that run free on line courses using cheap cuts of meat. I cook all my meals as I have Coeliac. It's a lot cheaper and healthier too. It can be hard but there are many alernatives. Find a farm shop that sells produce like eggs. Its only supermarket eggs that have to be kept in the fridge as they are washed. Fresh eggs from the farm don't need to be kept in the fridge as they are not washed and they still have that protective coating on them. </p><p></p><p>Wishing you well, Mel</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Melgar, post: 2690118, member: 520626"] I have never lived in ON but I have driven across it a few times. For those who don't know the geography, Ontario is a big province and can take three to four days to drive across it from East to West. And many communities in Ontario are very isolated with only a small general store for basics. You need a vehicle to get anywhere. Driving across the province there is nothing but forests for hours and hours. Looking at the positives it looks like you have a Dr. Many don't, and likely your Dr is completely over worked and swamped, because of the Dr shortage, so it would not be personal, which does not help you, of course. I hear you on the walk-in clinics they can be a nightmare with long wait times - 6 hours or more - and no medical continuity. That said are your medical records on line and open to you in ON? You obviously have internet as you are on this site. The on-line medical records system is a slow roll out. Somebody previously mentioned the 811 line. They are staffed by nurses. They are very helpful. I have used them on occasions. I know if you are feeling desperate it's hard to think straight and keep things in perspective. I am going to make a few suggestions. I have also lived in those very remote communities. I lived in northern Québec. I did not have a Dr there due to the Dr shortage so it can be challenging. Without access to your Dr for whatever reason the Emergency Room is your first option. Be honest and tell them your circumstances. The ER Dr should be able to give you insulin. There is a drug shortage for certain drugs like Ozempic. The ER Dr will put you in touch with the on-call social workers who will have access to people who can help you at a local level. Having a support system in place is important in times like this. A lot of towns have local church communities that may be able to help you or at least give you some emotional support. I'm not religious. but I know that they can fill in the gaps if social care is not available to you. Even small communities have them. Are you First nations or Metis ?, they have their own support systems in place. You say that your private health insurance will not cover your prescriptions. Surely ON has a province wide medical program for those on low income? It doesn't matter that you have private health insurance, if you tell them your situation they should be able to offer you some alternative medications that are avilable from the Pharmacy and little or no cost. There is always an alternative and they will know those alternatives. Talking about pharmacies, can the pharmasist offer any guidance on alternative drugs that are still available? I have found the pharmacists to be very knowledgeable and can write prescriptions when your Dr is not available. And of course so many do not have a DR. So that's an option. Given your high blood sugars this should not be a problem for you as it's a major health issue. Please don't beat your self up about your weight it's not your fault, it is something you can do something about when you are in a better emotional place. Are you close to a larger town with a supermarket? They have veggies and fruits on the shelves that are slightly past there best. I often buy them and cook with them. They are a lot cheaper and perfectly good to eat. I don't know if you have Loblaws in ON but they have this think in place where food that is coming up to its sell by date , they slash the prices fown by 30 - 50% . That covers all food, veggies, meats and fruits. If no Loblaws the IGA, Walmart ? Is there a food bank close to you? Thats an option. In these hard times many people use them. Learn to cook on a dime. There are many sites on the internet that run free on line courses using cheap cuts of meat. I cook all my meals as I have Coeliac. It's a lot cheaper and healthier too. It can be hard but there are many alernatives. Find a farm shop that sells produce like eggs. Its only supermarket eggs that have to be kept in the fridge as they are washed. Fresh eggs from the farm don't need to be kept in the fridge as they are not washed and they still have that protective coating on them. Wishing you well, Mel [/QUOTE]
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