Hello everyone,
I am very fortunate to have recently become a patient of Dr. Hyde. My first visit was last Monday and already things are moving along quickly.
I have been off work with ME/CFS for the last 5 years but was struggling with the illness for many years prior to that. I first wrote to Dr. Hyde 4 years ago but did not hear back. Last September I was at the ME/CFS conference here in Ottawa and met Dr. Hyde and his staff. I told them my desire to become a patient and they said to resend an application. Once again I heard nothing....until, that is, 2 weeks ago. I got a call from the office asking if I would like to be a patient. The next thing I knew I had a 4 hour appointment with Dr. Hyde for the following Monday!! The office assistant jokingly said they are slow to respond to requests but once they contact you, they move very fast. No kidding.
I live in Ottawa so it is only a 10 minute drive to the office. Once there, Dr. Hyde methodically went through a checklist of medical problems and issues that I could have. During my 4 hours there, in which to my delight I was served tea and cake, Dr. Hyde went through my medical history bit by bit filling in a chart that he then subsequently sent me by email. It was nice to have a record of exactly what he is writing down and to have all the testing that he is ordering documented in one place. As he gets results he will fill this chart in until he has a complete scan of all the body systems.
After that first visit I have the following tests to do: 24 hour Holter monitor , Cardiopulmonary stress test,
spinal X-rays, Echocardiogram, EEG, bone scan, and a multitude of blood tests for autoimmune, rheumatoid, and clotting illnesses. He also requested the actual DVD of an MRI that I had done 3 years ago to have it reviewed. The amazing thing is that he was able to get me in to have these tests done all within a month, unheard of here in Canada with our current state of health care unless you have some life threatening illness.
I have my next appointment on April 4th, another marathon session of 3 hours. I can't wait to see what tests are ordered next.
How much is this costing, I hear you all asking? Dr. Hydes fee, which covers his services for the next 18 months roughly, is $3000. Because I live in Ontario, thankfully, much of the testing is covered by OHIP, the provincial health insurance plan that all residents have. Some of the more obscure blood tests have some additional fees but I'm hoping my husbands work health plan will cover that. I actually don't care if I have to pay for some of the tests since it will be worth it to find out what is wrong with me. I am not searching for a cure, although that would be great of course, but just more information about my illness.
I'll let you know how my next appointment goes. I just hope he has more of that delicious cake!
Gamboa
I am very fortunate to have recently become a patient of Dr. Hyde. My first visit was last Monday and already things are moving along quickly.
I have been off work with ME/CFS for the last 5 years but was struggling with the illness for many years prior to that. I first wrote to Dr. Hyde 4 years ago but did not hear back. Last September I was at the ME/CFS conference here in Ottawa and met Dr. Hyde and his staff. I told them my desire to become a patient and they said to resend an application. Once again I heard nothing....until, that is, 2 weeks ago. I got a call from the office asking if I would like to be a patient. The next thing I knew I had a 4 hour appointment with Dr. Hyde for the following Monday!! The office assistant jokingly said they are slow to respond to requests but once they contact you, they move very fast. No kidding.
I live in Ottawa so it is only a 10 minute drive to the office. Once there, Dr. Hyde methodically went through a checklist of medical problems and issues that I could have. During my 4 hours there, in which to my delight I was served tea and cake, Dr. Hyde went through my medical history bit by bit filling in a chart that he then subsequently sent me by email. It was nice to have a record of exactly what he is writing down and to have all the testing that he is ordering documented in one place. As he gets results he will fill this chart in until he has a complete scan of all the body systems.
After that first visit I have the following tests to do: 24 hour Holter monitor , Cardiopulmonary stress test,
spinal X-rays, Echocardiogram, EEG, bone scan, and a multitude of blood tests for autoimmune, rheumatoid, and clotting illnesses. He also requested the actual DVD of an MRI that I had done 3 years ago to have it reviewed. The amazing thing is that he was able to get me in to have these tests done all within a month, unheard of here in Canada with our current state of health care unless you have some life threatening illness.
I have my next appointment on April 4th, another marathon session of 3 hours. I can't wait to see what tests are ordered next.
How much is this costing, I hear you all asking? Dr. Hydes fee, which covers his services for the next 18 months roughly, is $3000. Because I live in Ontario, thankfully, much of the testing is covered by OHIP, the provincial health insurance plan that all residents have. Some of the more obscure blood tests have some additional fees but I'm hoping my husbands work health plan will cover that. I actually don't care if I have to pay for some of the tests since it will be worth it to find out what is wrong with me. I am not searching for a cure, although that would be great of course, but just more information about my illness.
I'll let you know how my next appointment goes. I just hope he has more of that delicious cake!
Gamboa
