Let's create a list of IC specialists in Canada?

[icnmgrjill]

We all know about Curtis Nickel and his awesome IC research in Ontario... but what we don't have is a comprehensive list of other IC centers in Canada. So, let's put one together. Do you have a physician that has really helped you?? If so, please share their name/clinic/city below so that we can start to put together a better list!

Jill O.

[sandramac]

Ok Jill , Who is this Doc and where in Ontario is he ? I live in Toronto. And would love to see a IC sp. I like my uro but I dont think he knows much about Ic.
Thanks Sandra

[DebbieB]

Hi Sandra,

I did post this on the Canada IC message board lots of time.
We have a IC Clinic at Kingston General Hospital in Kingston , On..
I went there for over eight years and had done all the treatments done there.
They really know their stuff about IC there..
Please PM me if you want any more information about the clinic ..

Debbie

[sandramac]

Thanks Debbie. That location is too far for me.As I need to get my drivers lisence. thanks again!
Sandra

[curlette]

There is a Doctor in Vancouver BC

I'm seeing a Dr. Joel Teichman at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, he's the head urologist and surgeon.

I'm going back to see him for some more results, I've been on Elmiron now, although he stopped my self-catheritization that my other urologist had started and now it seems that I'm getting urinary infections more and more frequently. Will keep you posted if I feel that he is helpful, although all my other doctors have told me that of all the doctors that are even aware of this disease, he is the most informed and educated about it. Hope this helps anyone. Hugs to all.

(Edited by Jill. We can't libel or slander any physicians in this forum... so please don't post them publicly)

[CarolineJulia]

Hi There! I saw Dr. Joel Teichman (although it may be because I saw a complete (excuse my language) a--hole before him, so he seemed better by comparison. I went to Dr. ****, a urologist at VGH. He deals with most male urology problems, so that should have been my first inkling not to go... anyways... it was your typical "come back in six weeks if you don't feel better" experience. Completely unwilling to consider i.c. and basically said even if it was, there was virtually nothing he could do. NOT FUN.

Anyways, Dr. Teichman's office was much more accomodating. He's an i.c. specialist that was imported from Texas especially to St. Pauls Hospital because of his research with kidney stones (as well as his research with i.c.) Things to consider: he was researcher for elmiron (so he's definately pro taking this drug). For me, he didn't even do a potassium test or hydro (although he would if I asked) he listened to my symptoms which were hallmark ic symptoms and diagnosed me and sent me home with a prescription that day. He also gave me a voiding diary and a sex questionnaire.

His bedside manner isn't the greatest, but like I said, I've had worse. He was pretty business like, but when I started to cry in his office he was very understanding, got me kleenex and seemed really concerned. His curtness is more a product of him being busy and the fact that our medical system is so congested and disorganized (my parents are both Doctors, and they will agree with that last statement). Dr. Teichman also offered me instillations starting the following week and gave me a prescription for small catheters which he custom ordered to the pharmacy near St. Pauls... so he's not all bad...

There is another Dr. LYNN STOTHERS at St. Paul's who is a woman and she's supposed to be good. (Does a lot with female urology and is said to be more understanding). Her waiting list is about six months to a year though because there is only one other female urologist in the city.

Lastly, Dr Masterson used to be really good but he's switched to pediactric urology at Vancouver Children's (probably because he was such a kind hearted man). However, there may be some way to get in and see him. And if you are dealing with a child that has ic. or a young teenager, he might be good to visit.

I've also heard that Dr. Howard Fenster is decent as well.
So, in conclusion I would add:

Lynn Stothers,
Joel Teichman
Dr. Masterson

to the list of specialists in Vancouver.

Caroline

[ICNDonna]

Reminder: Negative statements regarding specific individuals or medical facilities are not allowed on the IC Network --- due to the potential for legal liability.

(Hence the editing.)

Donna

[CarolineJulia]

woops!

woops!!! i'm forgot about!! terribly sorry! i didn't mean to break the rules...

thanks for reminding me, donna!

love and light!

caroline

[Braedley]

Does anybody know of any IC specialists in the Atlantic region (mainly Nova Scotia) and potentially any high risk OB/GYN's too?

have a uro I'm seeing next week for cysto/hydro but I'm not sure how I feel about him...my family doctor has been trying to educate herself for me and she's been very helpful so far...but it would be nice to have a uro who you could use as well, I don't know that I feel this one is very approachable I guess...they're supposed to be the best in our city, but I wouldn't say they're an IC specialist per se...

[CarolineJulia]

Dr. Joel Teichman at St. Paul's in Vancouver (my urologist) also held a conference at St. Pauls 2 years ago in hopes of educating other urologists in the city about I.C. So he's definately at the forefront of things in terms of Vancouver. People with i.c were allowed to attend and there was even some guy there speaking about low-oxalate diet, etc. I didn't go (wasn't diagnosed back then), but apparantly many people found it valuable.

Does anybody know of ic support groups that meet in Vancouver? I know there used to be one, but I think it got shut down!

Caroline

[DebbieB]

Hi Caroline;

Here is one that I found for a support group in Vancouver ..

Contact Sue at [email protected]
or phone Shirley Oliver at 604-224-4722


I hope this will help you !!

Debbie

[DebbieB]

Here are some of the listing of support groups !!

Alberta
IC phone support only
Edmonton
Sharon L. Montgomery, (780) 434-0027 - e-mail: Sharon Montgomery


British Columbia
NEW! (05/05) VANCOUVER IC Support Group
Contact Sue at [email protected]
or phone Shirley Oliver at 604-224-4722
Scheduled meetings for 2005 are: May 28, June 25, Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 19. Meetings are from 10:00 am - 12:00 noon and held at the Royal Columbian hospital in room T047.

Prince George I.C. Support Group and Info.
Darleen O'Neill 250-962-7943, e-mail: [email protected]
Brenda Daly 250-964-0948
This group meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month except for July, August and December. Meetings are held in room 105 at the Prince George Regional Hospital at 7:00 pm.

Comox
IC phone support only
Shirley Apsouris, 1-250-339-1240

Nanaimo
Phone Support Only
Sandy McNicol: 250-758-3207 - e-mail: Sandy McNicol

Nova Scotia

Halifax
Phone Support only
Liette Connor, RN 902-473-4186


Ontario
IC Support and Info. Group of Brantford
Helen Prince 519-752-2534
Please call for meeting information and IC phone support

IC phone support only
Cornwall - Francine Brisson 613-936-2016

IC Support and Info. Group of London
Carol Shaw 519-474-1680
Marilyn Cousins 519-438-1500
Marilyn's Email: [email protected]
2006 Meeting schedule:

Wednesday, October 17: 7:00 p.m. at the Landon Branch of the London Public Library. The address is 167 Wortley Road, London. The speaker will be announced soon. For further info, contact Marilyn either by phone or email above. Future meetings to be announced.

Updated! (01/06) IC Support and Info. Group of Ottawa
Inga Legere 613-839-6188, e-mail: [email protected]
Anne Raina 613-733-5891
Support group meetings for those who have Interstitial Cystitis, and for anyone interested in learning about IC. We offer daytime and evening meetings. You are welcome to attend any meeting and do not need to be a member. Please join us to discuss your concerns, and to share helpful ideas about coping with this difficult disease. Please call for additional meeting information and IC phone support!

Our 2006 meetings dates are:
April 6 (Thursday), 1:00 p.m. at the City View United Church*
June 15 (Thursday), 7:00 p.m. at The Citizen Building**
September 5 (Tuesday), 7:00 p.m. at The Citizen Building**
November 9 (Thursday), 1:00 p.m. at the City View United Church*

*Daytime meetings will be held in the "Sunshine Room" at the City View United Church, 6 Epworth Ave. Follow Merivale Rd. south from Baseline Rd.; turn right onto Rossland (opposite Emerald Plaza - there's a gas station at that corner); proceed to Epworth which is on the left. You will see City View United Church. Go left into the parking lot and use the central door to the church. Parking is free.

**The Citizen Building is located at 1101 Baxter Road. From the Queensway, get off at the Pinecrest/Greenbank exit and head south (Greenbank). Just over the Queensway bridge turn left onto Iris. Proceed past the back of the Ikea Mall, and turn left onto Baxter. Free parking is available at the Citizen Building lot and adjacent roads. Use the main entrance door. The security guard will direct you to the meeting room.

IC Support and Info. Group of Toronto
Mary Andrisani 905-850-0589
Please call for meeting information and IC phone support

Québec
IC phone support only
Montreal - Lise Laroque 514-524-7750 (French and English speaking)

Saskatchewan
IC phone support only
Saskatoon - Candy Zacharias 306-384-30

[Shirley O]

Vancouver Support

Hi Caroline and anyone else reading these posts. I'm glad to see that Debbie has mentioned my name and number (Shirley Oliver @ 604-224-4722) for IC support. I have tried to put a notice up at St. Pauls, where Dr. Teichman's nurse does the installs but to no avail. Please phone me and we can try and get together.

There are no longer mtgs at the hospital in New West...for people in Vancouver, it was too far to travel. I would like to start a support group for Vancouverites and I have a friend who would do a second support group for ICer's living east of Van. Please phone and let me know if anyone is interested in working towards that goal.

I have been going to Dr. Joel Teichman for 2 years now. He is my 3rd uro and while his bedside manner is "brisk", he does know a lot about IC and has the support staff to do installations in a timely manner.

I was initially on a DMSO cocktail installation, then went on to "rescue installs" and am presently doing Uracyst Sodium Chondroitin instills (which have helped me tremendously). I see from the recent ICA newsletter, Uracyst will be sold in the U.S. I hope it will help some people there....different things work for different people....that's why we have to share information with each other.

Another uro who I have heard is compassionate and caring (and female!) is Dr. Stephanie Cripps on King George Hwy in Surrey. I have given her name out to some people that find the trek to St. Pauls too much. Her waiting list is long but I think all good urologists have long lists.

Again, please phone me and let's try and get some people together to share info and hugs.

Shirley Oliver
Vancouver
604-224-4722

[Janette Rass]

Vancouver BC, Drs & Support groups

Hi there fellow ICers, I have seen several Urologists in the Vancouver area.[I won't mention the one's I was not happy with] Dr Fenster of VGH diagnosed me, He seemed very caring, but short on time & solutions. I was looking for more & since have been seeing Dr J Teichman of St Paul's. As mentioned Dr Teichman's beside manner is "brisk" [to say the least], but he does seem knowledgeble & as Shirley mentioned, his clinic does installations. I have tried both Dr Teichman's "rescue solution" & "Uracyst". The "rescue" solution was not for me but I have had some success with the "Uracyst". As to local support groups, I am in contact with several ICers interested in continuing with a Vancouver group. Feel free to contact me [or Shirley]for info. Thinking of you all. Great Big Hugs Janette

[camackin]

Vancouver Dr. **** is bad

I Dr.****was recommended to me before I knew I had IC. It was right when my flare started and I could hardly get out of bed the pain was so bad and was waking up 6 times every night. I told him how bad my symptoms were and he said, "I'm 80% sure you have interstitial cystitis. Come back in 6 months".

What?! He expected to go on living like that for 6 months before he took the time to do anything about it? He knew what I had and decided to NOT diagnose me? So I went back in 1 1/2 months because the symptoms were not better and he said, again, "come back in 6 months".

That was complete **** and I argued with him, but he didn't have time for me. So I saw instead Dr. Leone who's bedside manner is about 100X better. He diagnosed me right away and started me on Elmiron. When the Elmiron didn't have any effect after 2 months (and still hasn't had much of an effect), he stretched my bladder. I'm still healing from that surgery, but I think my pain is better than it was before. But at least he DID something about it and is trying to help me.

Carolyn