As a woman who needs medical appointments for maintaining care (and possible) treatments for Fibromyalgia; who has no access to family physicians or nurse practitioner practices in my immediate local (I can't travel outside my city limits because I do not drive). I have to think outside my medical team "box" and pick and choose alternative health care solutions. Your medical team could include your GP/FP, a nurse practitioner, physiotherapist, message therapist, acupuncturists, and/or any specialist(s) that you need for your chronic illness care and maintenance.

Before I was diagnosed, I had an amazing physician who believed in my struggles and worked along side of me to find solutions; trial and error with prescriptions, tests such as ultrasounds, x-rays, CT-scans, MRI, and she referred me to different specialists. It was a long process of the elimination game to zero in on the "real culprit". In November 2018, she diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. The rheumatologist confirmed her diagnosis with additional blood work and a single consultation that I do, in fact, have Fibromyalgia.

My lovely doctor closed her practice in the summer 2019; my family was transferred to another physician within an umbrella of medical services but when he closed his office in April 2020, he did not refer us to another GP within that umbrella and we lost many needed services.

I was more likely to click the second over the first one for many reasons, but my #1 why is that I don't even have a waiting room to get to, there is no GP available and online services seem to begun a new health care system in its own.

I must note that this services look like they are coming from the private sector (Loblaws)  and most, if not all, have fees associated with them. To speak with a GP, it is $49 (please see gallery of screenshots from their PC health app. I read on the reviews page that PEI will assist or repay the fee to see the GP, if you do not have one to consult. I do not live in PEI, please verify with your health care department from your government agency.

With PC health services, there is an option to book an appointment with a chronic pain physician. I was most impressed with the variety of appointments.

As I have stated before, I am without a family physician; I have been without OHIP covered medical services for a year. Any services I have gotten since May 2020, I have paid out of pocket for physiotherapy, a consultation with a naturopathic doctor, and my adrenal function test. As a person who has no GP/FP (and on a waitlist), I am considering this alternative to find answers and continue to maintain care.

I am taking a course this fall to help me cope with my chronic pain. The course started ten days ago. I like the format of the "group therapy" of the class. The course instructors are lovely people, who have taken the course for themselves and believe they could share and teach this technique for chronic pain management. I was not sure what to expect and I am open to try new things to help cope.

For nearly ten years, I have had lower back pain, since 2012 I have had neck and shoulder pain, and just over a year with pain and difficulties with my legs. Plus, I have daily headaches and issues with my digestive system. I see my GP often, but "I'm fine" : no test results are negative.

In 2015, I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression; which I believe triggers the pains in my sides and effects my sleep.

Just 9 days ago at the sleep clinic follow-up appointment, I had received confirmation about my poor sleeping habits: it take me a long time to fall asleep, once I am asleep I get 4 to 5 hours of sleep.

The part that upset me at my appointment was that I had two "black out" moments while I was with the nurse then a second time with the nurse and doctor. I am not sure how to explain this situation, it's like passing out but not losing consciousness or falling over. I faded away and the doctor noticed it, he asked where I went/what happened. I was embarrassed and cried as I left their office after I explained myself and promised I would get a ride home to be safe.