Did you do your medical in Toronto?

[keysjangle 145]

If you did yours in Toronto how did it go? Interested in wait times, questions you were asked, overall experiences etc. Fees and other requirements are all on the website so those are no brainers.

Did they ask you about drug use? Being a 21 year old Canadian girl, pot has always been around and I'd be lying if I said I never partook, but its been MONTHS since the last time, and I won't be touching any before my medical. I've heard some scary things about even admitting you've touched any drugs... mind you the differences between crack/meth/heroin/coke and pot are huge but Americans seem to regard them all on the same level.

This is the place: http://www.panelphysicians.com/

Thanks guys

[MOandDB 4]

i didn't do my medical in toronto, but then i guess every clinic will ask if you've ever used any illicit drugs.

and just so you know...pot usually stays in the system for around 4-6 months, and longer if you're on the heavy side.

[keysjangle 145]

Happy to say I'm on the very light side then It's been at least 3 months since the last time, so I think I just might be alright

[MOandDB 4]

Happy to say I'm on the very light side then

hahaha...way to go! be good now.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Do a sesrch in this forum for Toronto Medical review - everyone who goes ends up doing a review.

No one here is going to recommend that you lie, it is entirely up to you how you decide to handle your situation, we cannot tell you how to handle it.

I can tell you what I did, mind you I was at a siginificantly different place in my life than you. I was 37, haven't played with pot since I was 20 so I saw no need to bother reporting it - did I lie, YES, has it hurt anynody, NOPE.

[keysjangle 145]

Great, thanks for the heads up about the reviews - didn't even think to check that, durrr.

After reading them I don't think that it will be an issue if it's been 6+ months if I've smoked pot (and god knows how long it had been before then).

I also have a heart murmur though but my blood pressure is normal and healthy. My stress test was passed with flying colours too. Although I'm going to Toronto General in a few weeks to have a heart defect specialist run more tests and give me a final prognosis I've been told it's a .6 cm hole but that it shouldn't be an issue but I need to get it checked every 2 years. I should probably get that all down in writing before I go as it is suggested on the Panel website. Also need to get my vaccination records and get anything I might be missing. Besides that I have no other issues and I'm not on any meds

I remember getting a shot in middle school around 13 years old. Maybe for Hep C? Anyway, it's a load off my mind.

[Andy and Kayla 45]

I did my medical in Toronto. I wasn't really asked much about drug use - I think what he asked was more along of the lines, "Have you ever dealt with addictions of any kind? Alcohol, drugs? No Lindsay Lohan sort of stuff?"

I got there right at 6:30 AM or so, maybe a little after and there was only one girl in front of me. There was some minor waiting between rooms (as in, you'll go to different rooms for different portions of the medical) but I was finished before 9:00 AM.

[pocheros 101]

You can read my review here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/316224-toronto-medical-review/

If they ask just say you don't do drugs The medical is very easy. Like Andy&Kayla noted, they care more about whether or not you have a serious addiction.

I was let in around 6:20am, was out about an hour later. I was first in line.

If you haven't already, make sure to gather your vaccination records and/or get titre tests done!

Edited August 31, 2011 by pocheros

[keysjangle 145]

I forgot Public Health had our records!! I might also call my pediatrician to see if I can get my old records in hand. I know my current doctor has given me a couple as well, not sure which though. I remember a lot of kids in high school getting suspended for not being up to date, and I wasn't one of them so I assume I'm all set.

I got the Hep B and Meningococcal vaccines in grade 7, and these are what were needed to stay in school some 7 years ago: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella.... All I need is a damn flu shot. Never had one in my life. Go figure.

[pocheros 101]

I forgot Public Health had our records!! I might also call my pediatrician to see if I can get my old records in hand. I know my current doctor has given me a couple as well, not sure which though. I remember a lot of kids in high school getting suspended for not being up to date, and I wasn't one of them so I assume I'm all set.

I got the Hep B and Meningococcal vaccines in grade 7, and these are what were needed to stay in school some 7 years ago: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella.... All I need is a damn flu shot. Never had one in my life. Go figure.

I may be wrong on this one, but I *think* that for the MMR vaccine, immunity to one of those three things fades (I forget which) so it might be helpful if you can get an MMR booster if you haven't had once since you were quite young. My doctor gave one to me for free, although according to the website for Dr. Seiden's it's not necessary if you've already had one when you were a kid. I just remember my doctor saying that I should really get one for immigration purposes, and I believe some other VJers here have had to get titre tests done (though I think it was because they didn't have the MMR on their records).

This is just my personal experience, I'm trying not to be confusing, lol, and it's not necessary since you already had an MMR, just an idea (depending on how helpful your family doctor is.) It might be good to check your immunity to rubella if you plan on having kids since it's really bad to get it while you're pregnant.

Edited August 31, 2011 by pocheros

[Inky 1,110]

I got MMR booster from my family doctor so i didn't have to pay $$$$$$$$ from the immigration medical. Got it free. But my DR also said you lose immunity to one of them can't remember which either BUT she also said if you plan on having a kid sometime soon and you are a female you most deffo should get a booster to protect your baby.

[Shawna and James 4]

MMR is definitely something you need a booster for. As far as kiddos go, if you are pregnant, they cannot give it to you. It has been linked to birth defects. That said, if you ARE pregnant, its considered contra indicative or something so since they CANT give it to you, it doesn't count against you. You get a pass. After we lost our baby, I was eligible to receive the immunization, but my dr did tell me under risk of like.. death.. not to get pregnant again for at least 3 months because of the MMR.. so just keep that in mind. If you are planning on starting your family, wait at least 3 months before doing so after the MMR

Other than that, my TO medical was pretty straight forward. they do the chest x ray first... then blood.. then the physical. There was a problem for me getting blood out. I have small veins and they roll so the nurse had a hard time. As far as the physical goes, that's when they ask about substance abuse. They will also have a female nurse do a breast exam and a visual of your genital area, no touching. So.. just be aware of that because I definitely wasn't expecting it. It wasn't intrusive, just surprised me

Edited August 31, 2011 by Shawna and James

[keysjangle 145]

My GP is really amazing, and I've already talked to her about the immigration business. She had said she has another patient who went through the same thing, so she's somewhat familiar She's also going to get all my medical records with her photocopied for when I move. What a saint. I'll start collecting my vaccination records soon and going to her for whatever I need once I know what I'll need. Not worried about the rest of the physical really. I have "lumpy breasts" though. Tmi? haha. It runs in my mom's side of the family. I might want to get my GP to write up a little something about that. Super fun! lol

[Udella&Wiz 325]

My GP is really amazing, and I've already talked to her about the immigration business. She had said she has another patient who went through the same thing, so she's somewhat familiar She's also going to get all my medical records with her photocopied for when I move. What a saint. I'll start collecting my vaccination records soon and going to her for whatever I need once I know what I'll need. Not worried about the rest of the physical really. I have "lumpy breasts" though. Tmi? haha. It runs in my mom's side of the family. I might want to get my GP to write up a little something about that. Super fun! lol

Lumpy boobies are fine and normal - I wouldn't say there's any need to have the Dr write a note....mine are the same, nurses are experienced with normal lumps Trust us when we say the breast exam is so minimal - you will wonder if it really happened!

PS - if the records don't cost you anything then great (my Dr wanted to charge per page...screw him) - but I wouldn't bother bringing them unless you have a current condition. When you go to your new Dr in the US - you'll get a full work-up of everything at your first visit.

Don't frget to fill any prescriptions for 3 months before you move

Edited August 31, 2011 by Udella&Wiz

[keysjangle 145]

oh, jeez lol. maybe i won't feel so bad with this breast exam if they don't wine and dine me first

i do have a heart murmur that's getting further testing soon. i'd like to at least bring all that info with me so i don't need to do a million stress tests and painful ECGs again :\

Edited August 31, 2011 by Gervl