BC-CLMF Patient Testimonials

The BC Centre for Long COVID, ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia (BC-CLMF) uses an effective virtual model of care for patients with complex chronic disease. These testimonials speak to why patients are fighting so hard to keep the clinic viable.

BC-CLMF v. other Long COVID treatment programs: “Prior to getting a Covid infection I lived life to the fullest. I worked as a frontline nurse for 20 years, I ran every day, I was active with my child, participated in community theater, travelled the world. […] I was luckier than most and received support through work and my [General Practitioner] (GP) referred me to the Post Covid Recovery Clinic. However, by the time I had my appointment with the Post Covid Recovery clinic, I already had most of the education the clinic offered which was very basic. […]. My GP referred me to CCDP, and I am still waiting to be called (it has been almost 3 years!). My condition continued to deteriorate. Thankfully, I found out about Dr. Arseneau and since 2023 I have been a patient of his.”

BC-CLMF quickly helps patients: “After being unable to obtain effective medical help from walk in clinics and eventually a general practitioner, and being on waiting lists for several years, [my daughter] was finally included in 2024 as a patient [at the] BC-CLMF. […] Wonderfully, she has been experiencing improvement since January, after zero improvement for the previous 3 years, and is now able to be up for several hours each day and can use a wheelchair in her apartment. The improvement so far has been significant, and hopefully ongoing, but she is still a long way from being able to look after herself or to return to work one day.”

BC-CLMF can help people get back to work: “I’m a family physician and I have been a patient of Dr. Ric Arseneau since 2021. I suffer from widespread chronic pain and carry the diagnoses FM [Fibromyalgia], CRPS [Complex Regional Pain Syndrome] and CFS among other diagnostic labels. […] I’m glad to say that I have since been able to return to work part-time, which was unimaginable some years back. I still reference notes and worksheets from the course and what I have learned from Dr. Arseneau and his guest lecturers as a patient has significantly impacted my clinical practice as well. I was fortunate to have been able to access specialized care in a timely manner at a critical time in the course of my illness.”

Early diagnosis saves the system money: “The BC-CLMF’s virtual care has given our daughter and family hope and tools to work towards improved health. Prior to my daughter’s referral to the BC-CLMF, we spent years without a diagnosis and travelled throughout the province and to the US [United States] for specialists, made several ER [Emergency Room] visits, had numerous specialist referrals, scans, and tests. If we had earlier access to the BC-CLMF, we would have saved both ourselves and the health care system significant costs.“

Compassionate treatment is vital for CCD patients: “[I] was considering MAiD, however the clinic's support has given me hope. I'm gradually regaining my functional abilities. Any improvement I’ve experienced wouldn’t have been possible without the clinic's (doctors + other practitioners) valuable knowledge and support.”

Virtual care is non-negotiable for CCD patients: “The Virtual Group Medical Visits at the BC-CLMF have changed my life for the better. No other health care provider has been able to provide the care I need to improve and start functioning normally [again]. I see an improvement after every single virtual group medical visit. I am not able to attend in[-]person events due to my health. If the Virtual [Group] Medical Visits were not available, my health would decrease and I would lose hope that I would ever be able to function normally or return to work.” 

Group medical visits provide multiple benefits for patients: “The group visits are very informative, and I've learned more from hearing stories from other patients than if I had individual appointments only. No other care from a primary care provider or specialist is comparable when managing multiple complex and overlapping conditions. After 30+ years of struggling to access appropriate care and getting sicker, I'm finally getting help from this clinic.”

Anyone anywhere in BC can be treated at BC-CLMF: “These visits have been pivotal for my family member [as we live in rural BC]. The ability to attend an appointment virtually has cut [our] costs significantly (including travel costs, housing, food and requiring kenneling multiple dogs). This clinic... [finally diagnosed] my family member, [and provided her] access to support immediately via lectures and group meetings... compared to the CCDP (which doesn't offer any resources and it's a 2.5+ year wait). [It's important to me to know] my family member [has] a community she can connect with because of the lectures and meetings, [and that she can] learn more things about her health needs and begin working on things immediately.”

BC-CLMF takes pressure off of family physicians: “This is a VITAL service for both patients and community providers - patients are able to access care in a much more timely and sustainable way. This model and specifically this program takes enormous weight off primary care providers and other provincial medical services. It creates an opportunity for patients that were previously unable to even access care; whether due to their remote locations, or severe mobility issues. The BC[-]CLMF leadership is supportive [and] wonderful to work with/for.”

Note: All BC-CLMF testimonials previously published in the SROI Report unless otherwise marked.