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Wow, the Czech health system sounds amazing compared the the Canadian system. And yet when compared the the US health care, Canadian health care sounds like a dream! If only each country could provide the best care possible for its citizens free of cost…I’ll keep on dreaming!

I hope Freddy’s foot feels better soon. Take care!

Tegan

The same exact thing happened to me last year. One day out of the blue the bottom of my foot hurt. The next day I couldn’t walk on it, and there was a sore spot on the bottom. I went to the doctor because I thought it was a spider bite, and it turned out to be some kind of infection. They said if I had waited any longer it could have gotten really really bad. I had antibiotics and it went away in 3 days. Luckily I had insurance, so I only had to pay 20$ for the doctor visit and $4 for the medicine. Get well soon Freddy!

Wow… this is something that people in the United States need to know because some are wanting to have a health care system modeled after canada’s. This scares me! I hope He gets better.

Interesting. In the U.S. there are many positive and negative stories about Canadian health care. Positive stories like Americans going to Canada for cheaper drugs, and negative stories about “rationing”.

Sorry to hear about your experience with Canadian health care. If you think that was shocking, try coming to the US! You might faint from the inflated costs and ridiculous hoops you have to jump through with insurance. I lived in Spain for year and had to go to the doctor once while I was there. I wasn’t even a citizen and I paid nothing for the visit. That’s right, NOTHING! If I weren’t so close to my family, I would move to Europe in a second. Not only for the health care, but many reasons. Hope Freddy heals soon!

That is so crazy! Hope you feel better Freddy :(

Come to America you will get everything you need when you need it…. well for the next few years anyway, when 0bamacare kicks in we here will be in the same boat as Canadians, SOL

Hope you feel better Freddy!

Hey Zuzana & Freddy,

Freddy I hope your foot get’s better. Zuzana I agree with you on Canada’s health care issues. I live in Vancouver and I always have talks with people on how our health care is becoming insane. The easiest thing everyone could do to help out is exercise, since cardio vascular disease is so high up… Once again, Freddy, I hope your foot heals and I think that your exerecises Zuzana is a great example of being healthy, in a fun, active, non-expensive way.

One Love.

-Leonel

Can’t you guys just have a friend film the workouts?…or maybe Freddy’s brother?

Welcome to Canada!!!
Such a culture shock!! I am with you 100%
My husband has a foot problem too in May and he just manage to see the specialist last week which is impossible where I from.

Stress fracture? Spider bite? Even under the U.S.’s new messed up version of health care it would probably have been considered malpractice to not even suggest an xray. I once turned a stress fracture into an actual break with too much running, and although the description you gave isn’t tons to go on, it sounds similar to what I did. Hopefully it gets better soon!

Hi guys, I’m really sorry to hear that. Maybe you guys should consider coming down to US to get his symptoms checked out. I think that way, Freddy could be seen by a specialist a lot quicker and I heard that due to Canadian’s inefficient system of nationalized health care, a lot of Canadians are actually coming over here to get their health problems fixed. It is just very unfortunate to have a socialist government where it discourages capitalism which in the end, diminishes competitions for better living standards. I just really hope that it’s nothing serious and I’ll keep you guys in prayer. Oh, and by the way, thank you both for all your exercise tips, healthy/tasty recipes, and work-out videos. You guys rock!!!

Oh!
GEt better Freddy!!
I’ve had a similar situation recently. I’ve just fallen from my flip flop(yeah,don’t ask how) it startet hurting some time after and was really not nice for a week. Don’t know if u have some ointment with VIPER VENOM but if u do have it in chemist’s in Canada it s really helpfull!!

Awww poor Freddy! I hope he feels better soon. I’m sure there is a relatively simple explanation for the pain that can be fixed.

Sorry Freddie. It doesn’t sound good. That foot will have to come off ;-)
Seriously though 6-8 weeks to see a specialist is lunacy.

Hello Zuzana,
You have an excellent website and home instructional videos. I can’t name a more beautiful fitness teacher. I just wanted to let you know I experienced this foot pain Freddy did. I believe he experienced something called ‘Turf Toe.’ Perhaps while partying or hiking, Freddy took a step on a staircase or rock that bent his big toe back way too far? I did this on my steps with flips flops…ruined my summer with limping, almost. The treatment is Advil/Motrin Ibuprofin, icing and elevating the foot for weeks perhaps. it took mine 6 weeks to recover. I trained for the 4 Day Walk of the World this year 600 miles of hiking. I thought my injury would cost me the event. I couldn’t go after all – even though i healed because someone who promised me a pay check never sent it. Anyway…look up TURF TOE on Google. I believe this is his injury, if Freddys pain is focused behind his big toe and it happened suddenly. If he is a runner it may be Plantar fascitis. Hope he is better…those things will only get better with elevated rest, anti-inflammatory tablets and ice. Hope this helps, William Check out my web site…I walked 30 miles a day for 4 days…got totally defined legs as a result.

Hi Z and F,

That sucks about your experience in the Canadian Health Care system..I’m at nurse and live in Canada and think things are actually quite good. If you guys were to go a walk in clinic or ER, you could have waited 2-8 hours and got xrays, assessment, treatment etc. Family doctors are the ones that are really bogged down, but if you’re willing to see anyone then it would be sooner than waiting for the family doctor.

Also, if you were to ask for the ‘generic’ brand of antibiotics it would have likely been cheaper than the name brand that they likely sold you. Unfortunately, pharmaceutical companies are practically robbing people by the amounts they charge!

Does Freddy have cellulitis or gout? If it wasn’t broken or sprained, I’d bet it’s one of those two things…

Hope it gets better soon, take it easy :)

ND

Ahoj,
je mi líto té nohy, snad mu bude brzo lépe! S tím zdravotnictvím máš pravdu. Ceny léků u nás jsou opravdu neuvěřitelné:) Naopak si myslím, že zdravotnictví v cizině je lepší pro doktory, platy etc. To je jedno, každopádně přeji brzké uzdravení! Ať může Fredy brzo běhat jako laň:)
Good Luck*

So sorry to hear that your in such pain with your foot, Frederick. Could it be gout by any chance? Cut back on salt usage just in case. Zuzzana will take good care of you I’m sure. Hope you feel better soon and that it is not anything more serious that the antibiotics can handle. Will say a prayer for you.

i know exactly what you mean. i had an unbearable shooting pain in my tooth and i had to tell them it was an emergency to get an appointment 2 weeks later! by then the pain was gone completely and its pointless to go. Its at these moments i wish i lived in europe =[.

Hey Freddie,
I hope you’ll get better soon!
You take care,
all the best

Sorry to hear that Freddy, hope you’re well again soon! And hope it is nothing too serious.. What a f*cked up system!! And how weird, in Holland and Denmark everybody has a family doctor, and in Denmark everybody has an insurance card when you ‘enter’ the country, whithout paying (of course you pay a lot in taxes so that does make up for it. Everything medical (doctors and hospitals) is covered. You pay dentist, fysiotherapists and eyecare yourself or buy an extra insurance. Weird how in canada they don’t have this system!!! Sounds very medieval to me..

GET WELL SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!

haha move to US… but Obama is ruining it anyway…

But this happened to me a few weeks ago, it felt like there was a cramp in the top of my foot that didnt go away for about 3 days. It was swollen and hurt with any pressure so i had to use crutches. 1 legged squats really came in handy for me!! good luck but it does really suck not to be able to walk. when hes better he will appreciate being able to workout so much more:)

Get better Freddy!!!
ps… this happened to me actually, last year. one day i just woke up, got out of bed and could not walk. my foot hurt sooo bad. i dealt with it for a while!! b/c i dont have health insurance. finally it got soo bad that i just took myself to the ER, as i had done a lot of research and was convinced it was a fracture. sure enough, it was, and the thing about fractures are that there may not have been a specific occurance. its something that is caused over time. luckily, if you stay off it, you can heal in about 6 weeks. i did a TON of squats in this time frame and lots of pilates mat work. jumping is not advised.
Jill

Hi both,

sorry to hear Freddy is not feeling good.
I know what you mean Zuzana, most people say bad things about their country’s healt plan but they have no real base for comparison…until they live abroad and really start “seeing” things. I am sorry to hear your experience was not good. Unfortunately sometimes in some countries it really is better just to go to the ER, although it should not be like this.

I am no doctor, but anyway, my father has had gout problems from..since I can remember. He has it controled now but I still rebember how he used to feel when he had gout “break outs”. From the way you describe Freddy’s problem it it looks like gout to me. It’s terrible!! :s I feel so sory for you Freddy.

Hope you feel better soon!

Take care
MA

Sounds just like gout to me. I had it and it’s miserable. The only thing that helped was this awful prescription anti-inflammatory medication that made me feel looney. Luckily it only lasted a couple of weeks, and felt ok enough to walk on after a few days.

Good luck! Look forward to your next workout!

Im so so sorry to hear that I hope Freddie gets better soon. I find it strange that you got free health care at all though cause when I left the country I had to wait three months before i was covered again. If your out of canada for 6 months or more then u are no longer covered. If they figure out that he was out of the country for more then 6 months they will send you the bill and that can be thousands! cost me $2000 dollars to have my eye checked. I assume u guys were out of the country for more then 6 months when u were in malta and czech but if not forget all this :D I really hope he gets better poor guy.

Oh my! i live in the Netherlands. I am really shocked to hear this too :O i pay 97 euro each month and everything is taken care of. I really can’t understand why they treat people like that over there while they cán manage to have stuff like macdonalds and all. Isn’t it smarter to invest in proper healthcare is all that goes through my mind at the moment.
If freddy is fever-ish it probaply is an infection which indeed can be treated with anti biotics. If this doesn’t work it is most likely caused by overload which will be reflecting as bursa-infection, tendon (sheath) infection, capsular inflammation and irritation or even small broken parts in the bone.

So is doing more lately with his feet?, more exercise? different shoes? I advise u anyhow, to take proper rest, keep cooling , like peas in a washcloth or something. And finish those anti biotics!

I wish i could help u guys! And i hate the healthcare system there!

Lots of love and luck,

Romy_

Get Better Soon Freddie. I Have an idea for the filming… maybe you heard this already but if you set up the table so he can lay on it… then at least you can film from the front. Or ur couch for close ups… I know those are obvious ideas but they will work till then. :)

Hi there! I’m from Russia. For the last 4 years I’ve been living n the USA. The Health care systems scares me as much as you! You know how they say: everything is known in comparison. Just now i understand how appreciate should be people in Europe to the mostly free health care. Every time i feel sick i try to deal with it myself first, using Russian medications, otherwise it’s just one step to become a bankrupt.
Hope Freddy will get better soon!
All the best to you guys
Kate

Wow that’s terrible! If i have a problem i can ring a doctor get booked in to see them same day and because i have a special card i am usually charged nothing. I was in a bad accident in 2008 and spent 2 months in hospital and had to have another operation on my leg 2 months ago, cost of staying in hospital with world reknowned specialist = free, crutchers for 6 months = free, scripts = $5.40 MAX! Here in Australia we have a public system and a private system. in the public hospital you may have to wait to see a specialist if it is not an emergency but it costs nothing. You pay in the private system. Hope your foot feels better really soon Freddy!

That’s ironic.. I too spent lots of money and time at the doctor today for my ankle. I was high knee jump roping this morning and I landed on my left ankle… OUCH! (that’s not exactly what I said when it happened but you get the point). Now I’m gimping around with crutches for the next several weeks.

I feel your pain Freddy! Hang in there!

actually when i travelled to Canada in 2006 the insurance i had to pay incase i got sick was very expensive and the guy said it was because it’s very expensive to get treated in canada…

pps maybe you can come up with some 1 legged friendly exercises now that you are slightly incapacitated? i am not able to walk for a about 3 more months, on top of the past two months… and find it challenging to come up with good hard working exercise routines

Get well soon freddy!

So what did the Blood work results say? What was the problem? I can’t imagine that it would be Gout unless Freddy has bad kidneys. It usually strikes older people with bad diets, and who are carrying to much weight! But, like I said, the kidneys are why Gout occurs in the first place.

I hope Freddy is feeling better before you guys leave on your trip.

The Hospital system in AUstralia is also very average. To get cheap hospital, Doctors, Dental etc you have to pay about $100 per month. Even then you will end up footing a bill, but just a bit less that anyone who doesn’t have insurance.

I believe that anyone who pays taxes should be entitled to free Medical care.

Dee
Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oy Oy Oy

becca c. – obama isn’t ruining everything he is trying to fix everything the republicans have ruined in the US, which has very awful healthcare and has for decades – maybe you need to educate yourself.

Hope freddie feels better – I absolutely love your site, your workouts are incredibly challenging but you manage to make them fun.

Thanks for all you do!

Hope it’s not serious Freddy, but I am surprised the doctors didn’t even suggest a ligament or tendon pull/ tear in your foot. You have all the symptoms except maybe hot to the touch.

Anyways, get better.

97 euros is roughly 130 Canadian dollars.
In relation it’s not that bad considering Canadians aren’t paying this monthly, only when treatment is required. =]

Poor Freddy! :(
I’m a student nurse in Australia, we were looking at Health care around different countries the other day! I was shocked to read about a patient who was 36yrs old…young fit female, who had found out she has advance lung cancer (no family history, or history of smoking); she was put on a 4-6month waiting list as she couldn’t afford the private hospital care and had to wait for the public hospital to treat her in which she was told “there ‘might’ be a doctor there who could help you”… She died before she got to see a doctor at all.
I think hospital care and treatment needs to be available to Everyone, regardless of income, area, background!!

Get well Freddy – rest that foot of yours! xx

Mas pravdu, nas system funguje skvele, ja taky cekam jak pojedu domu na Vanoce nechat si spravit zoubky a udelat celkovou prohlidku, protoze v USA i kdyz mam pojistku, stale bych musela doplacet skoro 1000 dolaru za zubare, coz si obycejny clovek zas tak nemuze dovolit vyhodit z kapsy.
Myslim ze si u nas lide stezuji, protoze jsou zvykli mit vse zdarma.
And for you Freddy – get well soon!

Ordinarily health care in Canada is very good Zuzana. I think since you and Freddie are not permanent residents of Canada, this is why the high cost and the long wait to see a doctor. 1 month, wow thats just plain silly. Its very helpful to have medical insurance to pay for prescription medicines and other health issues such as crutches, eye care, dental care etc.
I hope Freddie gets well soon. When you mentioned his foot I immediately thought of gout.

I live in Washington and people come here from Canada because the wait list is so long to see even a specialist that it is faster to come to a different country and be seen within a few weeks than it is to wait in their own. Hope he gets better soon.

ITS AMAZING HOW THINGS ARE RELATIVE… I COULD ONLY DREEEEEEEAM THAT THE CANADIAN HEALTH SYSTEM WAS IMITATED IN MY COUNTRY (MEXICO). HONESTLY… I WOULD BE CONFORMED IF IT WAS 10% AS GOOD .. AJAJAJA SO….. YOU’RE NOT THAT BAD….. JEJE :)
FREDDY¡¡¡ HOPE YOU GET WELL SOON¡¡¡ BEING STATIC SUCKS…
ZUZANA¡¡ YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL¡¡¡ YOU ARE MY “ITS RAINING MEN” VERSION TO GET MOTIVATED BEFORE WORKOUTS JEJEJEJE.
CHEERS¡¡¡¡

Hi guys…
I’m a foot and ankle surgeon in the US and want to help… it will give me a chance to repay you for “helping” me over the last few months. Please send me pics of your foot and describe your symptoms in detail… type of pain, location, duration, onset, alleviating/aggrevating factors…… we’ll see how this goes!

That is quite rude that you feel we have a f*cked up system considering Canada has one of the better systems around! If you arn’t covered then of course you will have to pay.
As for Freddy sorry to hear about your foot! A walk in clinic is probably better to go too if you have to see a doctor immedietly!

Did Freddy have an injury to that foot a long time ago? Like, when he was a kid?

I have heard that when you have an injury and it is treated with drugs, the body still remembers that it has unfinished business in that spot and will take care of it later when it feels that you have been giving it enough right foods and you are not under stress.

If that is the case, it would be better to forego the antibiotics and just rest and continue to eat healthy and allow the body to heal the foot in the way that it wants to.

But, that is for you to discern.

I’m sorry you are having such a hard time with getting treatment.

~Sally : )

Just to clarify for the record, Canada does have a universal healthcare system. Any surgery, emergency visit or treatment in the hospital etc..is all covered for everyone who has a healthcare card (essentially if you have citizenship you are covered). When you seek out treatment at a clinic it is also covered. Things like prescriptions, physiotherapists, massage, dentist etc are only covered if you have extra insurance (usually through your employer benefits).

Hello, Zusana, hope freddy will be fine in next few days. if not, go to hospital ER. wish it is not DVT or clots in his leg. if it is, the early treatment, the sooner recovery.

with love

Epsom salts, soak foot 15-20min. 3x a day. Vitamin C is also a great natural anti inflammatory, lots building up to 8,000 mg a day.U.S is no better for health care and we’re going into the same socialist direction. I thank the Lord for my faith and healing because man certainly isn’t providing the needs of the people. Hope Freddy heals quickly.

I’m glad that you mentioned this because here in America this is what they are fighting to give us. Health Care for all Americans, it leads to many problems. And in the end the pharmaceutical corporations win. I am Canadian now living here in the US and it really scares me. Check out other people’s experience on youtube!

Much of Eastern Europe benefits from the fact that they are ex-socialist countries and have cheap doctors. Doctors there also have fewer years of education (they can specialize right away without getting a 4-year undergrad).
Even with the wait times the Canadian system seems much better than the US one. Walk-in clinics for example are easy to get into and cheap. You should only go to a specialist after recommended by a general doctor, not right away.
I really think Canada should loosen up their system of doctor/nurse education and immigration. The long wait times are terrible for people who are in pain.

I agree with ozzipossum (Dee!)

You should google it lol. I google EVERYTHING!

Or try going to a naturopath, it can be hella expensive, but they totally rock. They actually know their ass from a hole in the ground and will treat the cause not just the symptoms. I personally won’t have anything to do with doctors.

So sorry to hear about Freddy’s foot, i know it can be so frustrating not being able to do things when one is an active person. I would HATE it! Maybe its gout, or he has some stress fracture or something? Whichever it is, we do hope it gets better soon! Take care you guys

We actually do have a universal health care system in Canada. I have traveled/lived in Europe and our system is very comparable and some would say better because it is not a “two-tier” system and we do not have to pay a monthly fee.

No one has to pay for the doctor, and we are only charged for meds and dentists, but I have found this is the case in most countries. The cots for meds and dentists are unfortunate, but if you are a student like myself there is a minimal fee ($120 for the whole year) and all of these things are covered free of charge. Also your employer will cover these extra things if you have a job. There are programs to assist people in the lower socio-economic strata (but like in every country right now things are being cut).

Our system is not perfect and there are issues with not having enough family doctors in more rural and suburban areas, but nurse practitioners actually have just as much education as doctors (they often have their doctorate in nursing) and they are actually often better than doctors because they have a more holistic and preventative model. They can even prescribe medication, I actually usually ask to see the nurse practitioner.

I have experienced the American, Italian, British and Canadian healthcare systems, and Canada was the best/cheapest. I have never had to wait to see a specialist and have never had to pay anything, but I am lucky to live in Toronto where there are plenty of doctors.

We actually do have the same system. We have universal health care, where everything is covered, we just have to pay for extras like medication and dental (but if you are a student or have a job here this is also covered and you can also buy extra insurance at a minimal cost).

Poor, Freddy hope you get better soon.

Get well soon, Freddy!
I’m so sorry to hear about both your physical and financial pain :(
Think positive, healing thoughts :)

Our health care system is more like yours Zuzana: I pay $11.93 a month to be a ‘Gold’ member in ‘Israel’s Sick Fund’ (it used to be $9.28 when I started it) there are also ‘Silver’ members and regular members, which pay less and get less, but everyone get’s basic medical care like family doctor, gynecologist, dentist, etc’… If you go to a specialist more than once a month (Orthopedics, dermatologist…) you pay an extra $23.86 for it.
The only bad thing I can say is that there arent enough doctors (they are running away to countries that pay them more) and the ones that are here are being underpaid.

Freddy – get well soon and keep a positive attitude, it helps the body heal faster.

Hey guys – I’m not a doctor but just wanted to butt in – lol. If Freddy’s taking antibiotics – those destroy the good bacteria in the gut, so make sure to get some pro-biotic supplements for not and at least 3 months after he’s finished. It’s important for the immune system. If you don’t know which one – Douglas Labs is usually good quality and easy to get where you are. But I know that even those pro-biotic yogurt drinks will help a lot.

That’s awful! Get well soon, Freddy. Anyway, the time will pass very fast, you see! You’re going to be very busy with the site and the trip. As soon as you realized, you’ll be fine again ;)

I would have the same reaction as you, Zuzana. In Spain, healthcare is free and you only have to pay for medicaments, and even that, you can have a discount from your own doctor if he prescribes them to you. Saddly, there are a few politicians (extremely conservative) who want to destroy this system and make it private just for their own profit.

It’s unbelievable how people in US or Canada don’t have a system like ours. Fortunately, things are changing, at least in the USA thanks to Obama, who wants to remodelate the health system and make it free for everybody.

Again, get well soon, Freddy!

Ahoj Zuzko !
Precetl jsem si tvoje trapeni se zdravotni peci v Kanade. Clovek je pak rad za to co ma tady v CR, ale uz se to i zde zacina byt tvrdsi. Nova vlada chysta zavadet napr. 100 kc za den v nemocnici, platis za recept a nektere leky uz si taky musis zaplatit.
Jen tak mimochodem ohledne zubu. Vytrhnuti osmicky bylo zdarma.
Jinak mate super web.

Sorry for all who does not understand czech language :- ]

But in the Czech rep. people have quit different income, so be careful otherwise they will slap you with your “smart talks”:)

Ohh … it seems very complicated :(
I think the system here in Europe is much more better! Health Care and to go to the doctor should be free!!!!

Freddy, hope you will get better soon!!
all the best for you guys!

Oh I’m so sorry to hear about your injury, Freddy, and I hope you get better soon. As a Canadian, Im actually quite shocked that this happened – that has never happened to me – I’ve always been able to get through to see a doctor promptly and really the only thing that I’ve ever had to pay for is medication… So I think Sabrina is right in her earlier post that it might be that you had to pay so much because you were out of the country for so long because technically, the free health care benefits are for ‘permanent residents of Canada’ and sadly, they don’t consider you a ‘permanent resident’ unless you’ve actually been living there for a certain amount of time. That’s bureaucracy for you :(

Anyways, I hope you feel better soon Freddy!

Hi,
I had very simillar situation with my both feet but the left was painful worst than right one. I thought that must have happened because of hard exercises i was doing every day. I couldn’t walk and I was really worry because nothing like that ever happened to me before. But I found some medication which someone from my family bought once in chemist’s schop. It is for that kind of hurts, it is called “Altacet”, “Aluminii Acetotartras” -latin name. I used it for a coule of days, putting it on my swolled feet and it worked. Of course i stopped doing my workouts too but now the pain and swell are gone so i can spend my time active again.
I live in Poland, here is a lot of medication and ointments that you can buy in chemist’s shop i don’t mean antibiotics- for those we need prescription, but sometimes It’s enough to ask chemist’s worker if he or she would recommend you something.

Good luck and I hope you will get better soon Fred!

Hope you feel better soon Freddy!!!

If he was prescribed antibiotics, they probably thought it was some sort of cellulitis, which is a skin & soft tissue infection usually caused by staph or strep. Gout usually presents as a painful swollen toe or joint.

As for healthcare costs, it is far more expensive in the US than even Canada. It would be ideal to get everything free as long as you’re a taxpayer, but the usual consequence is rationing (which people dislike). Moreover, doctors in the West practice a lot of defensive medicine (getting expensive imaging studies) b/c they often get sued for missing something rare. All of those tests add to the bottom line and don’t necessarily help a patient.

In your case, it really is just a shortage of family practice physicians. There are too few of them because the salary is not very good compared to other specialties. In Europe that is not a problem because medical education is not as expensive as in the US & Canada.

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Speaking of feet… mine are incredibley charlie horse prone. :( It makes me scared to do certain workouts sometimes. I don’t let it stop me but I make sure to be extra careful.

Dee, “free” healthcare in canada creates a bankrupt government, high taxes(1/3 goes to health system), and most importantly a lousy quality of care and even more lousy health outcomes! We spend lots and lots on healthcare, even more on r&d yet we rank very poorly on the world scale of level of health!

M

I was just wondering, how much is your tax rate? Your health care system is subsidized by taxes. So if you earn $100, how much do you keep? I know here in the states the tax rates aren’t actually representative of what I pay. So my actual taxes are less than 10 percent of my gross pay, of which none of my medical benefits are taxed.

I just wonder after everything is paid for (through every channel) how the comparison would really shake out. As for the time it takes to see a doctor…good luck with that anywhere.

best,
N

Poor Freddy :( Tkae it easy and hope the foot gets better soon!

I can’t believe the prices of the healthcare in Canada. I am from the UK and get free health care as it is funded through taxation. We do have to pay around £7 per prescription of drugs but that is nothing really. In our country, people do tend to moan about our health care but I think it is fantastic. I can get an emergency same day appointment with my doctor or there is always A&E at the hospital too. And paying for crutches?? That is just crazy!

Thats canadian health care for you! Obama is trying to take the health care in the US and ruin it. Why can’t we learn, and not go down that road.

Health care is a business, just like any other business. It stinks that they don’t have a whole lot of competition to bring prices down, but you can’t expect them to do what they do for free. They have to get paid, otherwise there would be no doctors. Would you be a doctor and go through all that school if you ended up making nothing?

And people who get “free” healthcare end up paying it all in taxes anyway. I would much rather not be taxed as much and be able to delegate where my money goes. If every now and then it has to go to the doctor, so be it.

That said, I hope Freddy feels better. Broke my ankle a few years back getting bucked off a horse, and crutches are no fun at all! =(

Get Well Soon Freddy

I’m from Texas and play ice hockey and over the last 12 years I’ve had a couple of injuries that needed doctors attention. The first 12 years ago torn ACL $14,000, (day surgery), the last 1 year ago dislocated shoulder $7,000 (went in ER at 10pm got out 5pm next day). Just these two have taken all my savings and still paying monthly bills on the shoulder. The USA is a great country but don’t get sick or need surgery! Can’t afford health insurance for a family of 4 $1800 month! Hopefully things are changing in the next few years in congress – no more $25 asprins and $100 -rays.

Good luck Freddy, get well soon!

Gout can also occur in young people who eat a lot of red meat. Based on Zuzana’s posts they follow a very healthy diet but I think Freddie likes red meat(?) Perhaps you were bit by a Deer Tick? Anyway blood results I am sure will answer any questions. For the time being if this is any help, a gentleman I know who has gout eats fresh strawberries on a daily basis because the enzymes help to control some of the symptoms of gout. Hopefully this is just a weird thing that happened and it you will be all better in a few days. All the best to you guys. Get Well Soon!

Hey Zu and Freddie,

Wow this really sucks. After all the money you guys spent, still no diagnosis? I’ve had clients who have had plantar fasciatis and it will cause swelling and the inability to put weight on the affected foot. Icing is always a good idea. If this is in fact what he has, icing foot, and calf area along with gentle stretching of the foot and calf after swelling has gone down is helpful. He will need to avoid high intensity exercises for a while like running,jumping,etc. You can get it numerous ways, one being not having proper shoe support. I’ve known clients who have simply bought inserts for there shoes or new shoes and the problem has subsided. Just a thought. I’d do further research on plantar fasciatis to see if it matches his symptoms. Sure sounds similar to me. Sometimes it takes doing your own research to get some direction. Hope this is helpful.

Poor Freddy … We are so lucky in Europe, with our health care system. Everybody has a family doctor, medications are not too expensive (or we receive compensating money later with the mutuality – does this word exists in english ? XD)

Canada is supposed to have good health care, better than the USA which is basically the worst place for health care.
I guess things have changed up there.

I hope that what you have is nothing too serious and that you recover quickly.

Hi Dr.Charles – thanks for writing and for the offer of help :) Things seem to be on the mend today. I am on some anti-inflamatories as well now. I will keep you guys posted.

Hi Susan, I am a Canadian citizen.

Freddy držím palce a přeji brzké uzdravení.V tuto chvíly jsem ráda,že jsem v Česku,co říká Zuzana je svatá pravda!

Držím palce Freddy a přeji Ti bezbolestné uzdravení.Martina z Prahy

Freddy, I hope your foot feels better soon. And guys, I’m really sorry about the health care situation. Isn’t it so frustrating that when you’re already worried because you’re not feeling well, you have to worry about money and scheduling? I realize this is oversimplifying things, but it upsets me that a field which should be driven by good will is driven by economics. You’re in my thoughts. Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to help.

Hi Guys,
I hope Fredy gets better soon, yes I also come from a different country (South America) and our health care system is fantastic compared to the Canadian, when I first moved to Canada it was shocking to learn that to see an specialist takes some times months, by the time you go see him the original problem is not even the issue anymore, it has gotten 10 times worse or it has dessapeared with you not even knowing what it was, it is so frustrating… and in a country where we pay such high taxes.. it is so ridiculous that things work this way.
I hope health system here eventually improoves, it is just not fair to everybody that pays taxes and deserves a good service.
Get well soon Fred!!!!

I’ve only seen one possible diagnosis on here to help you kids out. I see a lot of patients come into the radiology clinic I work for that have gout. Certain foods trigger the gout as well as multiple excercises as well. High protein diets are known for causing gout due to the high acidity. Or….I suppose it could be a bug bite?!?!?!

Good Journey

Sounds like gout to me! My husband suffers from it. Can come from nowhere.

Freddy, hope your foot feels better soon! Be thankful you’re not in the US…our healthcare system is way more expensive and time consuming than that!

Those crutches will work your delts, haha :)

gets better soon Freddy !

Poor Freddy :( Hope you get better soon!

In Scotland we have free healthcare. Its always seemed to strange to me when I hear about the high cost of healthcare in other parts of the world.

Um…It’s interesting for those fortunate ones who say Obama is ruining healthcare… Well, I guess that solely depends on what your situation is already. It’s subjective.. I am a hardworking person trust me… Graduate degree and all… But I currently have not been able to afford health insurance for some years now like millions and millions of other Americans who cannot afford good healthcare for themselves and their families. Imagine what they (we) go through! So, for those who have good healthcare, yes, perhaps you’d think he is ruining it because you might not have the same benefits/luxuries without having to pay a little more… But what about those who have NONE??? Thank God I take care of my body pretty well because I do not know, at this stage of my life, what I would do…

Freddy, I hope you feel better soon. I am confident you will, you guys are strong! :) Zuzana, going from your situation in your country, I do not blame you for feeling like you do, rightfully so… Their are so many other countries who have better healthcare on the whole, for everyone, then the US. This is foreign to you and anyone who cannot see that, have some empathy people. Try to understand and put yourselves in others’ shoes for awhile. Trust me, you wouldn’t be so happy either…

I can´t agree more.. I´m Czech too living in Quebec and I haven´t got sick during this year I´ve spent in Canada probably just from knowing what for and how much I would have to pay. ;-)

Zuzi, držím palce, ať to není nic vážného a nezabrání vám to ve vašich plánech. Ale s vašim pozitivním přístupem určitě ne. ;-)

Lucie

You’d be paying a good amount to have that tooth pulled in the U.S. too. On top of that, insurance would find some reason not to cover it.

yo yo Zuzie,

Don’t forget compression. RICE Rest Ice Compression and Elevation.. Wrap it with an ace bandage and if it is swollen and tender consider Epsom salts soaks. There are directions on the label at the drug store. KEEP it elevated too… if he can stay off it, that is better. Good luck,

Dr Pain..

There is no way to compare Canadian health care system to most European countries; European is much more superior.
I live in NL (“which I call it third world province”, sorry dear NL), but I can’t even imagine this happening here in NL.
Also, I’m a nursing student, so I’ve seen weird things on floor.

Obama has taken the 1st steps in an attempt to FIX the healthcare in the US!!! The only people who think otherwise are people who either have insurance or work for an insurance company. Try getting medical care in the US without health insurance!!! You will be bankrupt with just one hospital stay!!! We need the single payer plan!!! Healthcare should not be a “for profit” industry!!! The only people holding up the progress are the money grabbers!!

Doctors should be paid…YES!! But insurance companies are ticks on the neck of everyone. They make huge profits and make all the rules about who gets what. The only time dealing with them is easy is when you are paying them. The minute you try to use what they “sold you” with their smarmy commercials all the “exclusions” pop up!! Those same exclusions don’t seem to pop up when you are paying though….only when you try to use the service!!@!

Mmmm…I’m in Quebec and I don’t find it all THAT bad. It’s “free” so of course, it’s not fast and perfect and too many people abuse and THAT IS the problem. My BF has insurance at work that pays for the meds and other stuff not included in the “free” system. So at the end, we don’t spend a lot (I know we pay taxes …) I’m happy that here, you can give birth and not have to mortgage the house. It seems the “rich” get mad because it’s “slow” but the “poor” are happy to be able to get some care even if it takes a whole day to see a doc. Can’t please everybody.

Get well soon Freddy !!!

it’s even worse in the us. i get free insurance because i’m a poor student, but when i tried to select a doctor none of them accept new patients. i complained to my insurance company and they supposedly found one that would – when i called the doc’s office they gave me a hard time because i don’t have any previous medical records, so they thought i was lying to them. so i was not welcome at their office. i never get sick, ever, since about age 14 (i’m 31 now), how ironic that i was treated poorly because i am healthy. all i had wanted was bloodwork to find out my blood type and check my vit & min levels. i gave up. thank goodness i wasn’t actually sick!

freddy’s foot pain sounds kind of like gout?
GET WELL SOON!

…after all the money they spent ?? How much do you think it would have cost in the USA ??

I wonder if something bit or stung him? That stinks though. I hope he gets better soon. Thanks for the update and enlightening discussion on canadian health care, and here we tend to glamorize that system in the states.

I’m so sorry to hear about Freddy’s foot – all my best wishes for a speedy recovery :)

Hi both of you! I hope it’s nothing serious and Freddy will recover soon. I am from Canada (Montreal, Quebec). My son has Down syndrome, and we need appointment on a regular basis, and it’s insane. The first time we asked for a physiotherapist, we were on a waiting list for 2 years!! and it’s been the same with any specialists we need; always waiting list!! Now he needs 3 surgeries to help with his apnea, and we’ve been waiting since december 2009! And my boy is only 3½. I am very disappointed with our health care system!

take care!

Poor guy… Get better soon. It’s not the same without you.

Spider bite, maybe?

Let’s practice some perspective on the health care debate…If you go into emergency in Canada, depending on what your problem is, you may have to wait a while. But would a trip to the ER be so expensive that you would have to choose between your rent or your health? No. In the US the #1 cause of bankruptcy is health care bills.
It is not perfect here in Canada. Many people wait months to see a specialist, and then wait months for life saving surgery. But they do eventually get it, and they don’t have to refinance to pay the bill.

We do have a shortage of family doctors in Canada. Why? Because our doctors get paid more to go work in the US. We can’t keep doctors here. We can’t compete.
You just need to learn how to work the system here.
You can pay into an extended health plan, like Manulife, and they cover your travel health insurance, drugs, and a number of alternate health services. Many companies offer these plans to employees.

Freddy, next time drop into a walk in clinic. And rent your crutches from a pharmacy that deals with that sort of thing. $150 for anti biotics? That is a rip off. they must not have had the generic brand in stock. I would go to the ER. You might spend the day there, but with out an xray I would be reluctant to fill up on antibiotic. Or better yet, get a second opinion at a walk in clinic.
I hope you get better!!

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For one thing here in Canada there is something called a health card. Obviously Freddy went into the doctors office without one cuz if he did his visit have been covered by OHIP. Also if Freddy had some time of medical coverage he would be paying next to nothing or nothing at all for antibiotics which all doctors just love to prescribe.

So lets not be in so much of a shock until we get our facts straight cuz Canada does have very good healthcare. Just sayin :-)

I hope you get feeling better, that sucks, I wonder if it’s gout. Have you been in any water lately? There are certain types of sea life that can give you these kinds of symptoms, so will certain types of spiders; you could have been bitten without knowing about it. (they usually hide in your shoes). I hope they find out what it is soon.

Freddy I am sorry your foot is hurt. That totally sucks. As another Ontarian, I can’t get a doctor’s appointment for over a month or more unless it is an emergency then there’s an on-call (nurse practitioner?)

I am lucky to have a full-time job with a large corporation so i have health benefits, but my partner owns his own business and is not covered and does not have a doctor either.

Yes our healthcare system here in canada is always crying “more money! more money! more money!” and we are getting less and less “care”. It is all becoming private enterprise. But our taxes are going up. It is frustrating to know they spent BILLIONS on “e-health” systems and it was found to be a fraud and no work actually got done just a bunch of rich people paying off their rich friends.

It’s a sad situation. Corrupt. I hope I don’t get sick. Because my outlook is very dismal for my survival. But it’s worse for those who don’t have corporate healthcare. All i can say is i hope you have savings and a credit line, because really, that’s the only true hope.

*sigh*

I may know what is wrong with Freddies foot. I’m an extermely active person and last year my foot went bad for no reason at all. I was in ballet clas and I could no longer dance one day. My great toe was swollen and very tender. I couldn’t put any weight on it at all or dacne, workout etc. I went to the Dr. had a slew of tests doe including an ultrasound to see if maybe I had a clot further up my leg. Nothing. After 6months with no progress ad the swelling moving over to my 2nd and 3rd toe the Dr. told me I would never dance again. That didn’t set with me. I went to acupuncture…no good. I finally went to see a friend whos a chiroprator. She had me come in for foot massages twice a week. Within 3 months I was back in ballet class. The pain came on for no reason and nothing except massge helped. I hope he doesnt have this problem but if he does I hope this may give you some insight
Best wishes
~C

Freddy, I pray in the name of Yeshua that your foot is healed & that the Pain & swelling must go. God created your amazing body and HE wants you healed more than you do! You are loved.
Blessings,
Shawnie

The reason health care needs to be “for profit” is so people will actually do the job of organizing an effective system. If there is no profit in the venture (of building a health system) people will only do what they are forced to. Take it from a guy who has grown up in the military health care system, you want “for profit”. As far as taking care of people who don’t have insurance…that’s a tough issue. Freddie, I’m gonna miss your camera work man, feel well soon.

If you had a job that carried insurance it would have cost around $25 to $50 and a few dollars for the meds. Nothing extra for the crutches. You would have been seen that same day in the emergency room (because that foot does sound emergent from the description) diagnosed and released with instructions for treatment and medications.
If you didn’t have a job that carried insurance you would still have been seen that same day in the emergency room and been given an enormous bill for the exact same treatment you would have gotten with insurance. The drugs would be astronomically priced. My sister had a child without insurance and she just finished paying for his birth this year (He’s seven). If an employee at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas has a child she will pay a total of $250 from her first visit after finding out she’s pregnant until she walks out of the hospital with a newborn child.

Hey Freddy hang in there and get well soon.

I’m a Canadian – always have lived in Ontario. I was on a waiting list for more than 2 years to get a family doctor and now the one that I have only works 2 days a week so she’s impossible to get into. When i call to see my family doctor they are always booked for at least a month then they tell me to go to a walk-in clinic. When i go to the walk-in clinic they always say that they’ve booked up their entire day and can’t take more patients and they tell you to go to the emergency room. Then when you go there you wait at least 6 hours to get in… The biggest problem is a lack of doctors… the health care is great and free (well… paid by our taxes) but there is a REDICULOUS complete shortage.. at least in Ontario!

Ah but everyone should make it a priority to afford insurance in the U.S. – taxes in Canada are MUCH higher than in the States.. so we are basically FORCED to pay for health insurance as it comes right off our cheques automatically. I had cancer and couldn’t get a doctor to see me… i had to go to the U.S. anyways and pay out of my pocket for treatment.. so my “free” healthcare (which I pay a marginal 42% off my cheque for) didn’t help me whatsoever. At least in the U.S. if you pay for insurance you actually get care!!!

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My bet is on gout. Gout sneaks up on “you” and it feels like you broke something without an explanation of why you have that severe pain. Alcohol “encourages” it and other foods do (or can), as well. Staying hydrated helps because, with dehydration, the uric acid feels like knives and pins in the affected area. Apparently, acerola cherry juice can help break down the uric acid faster and seems to work for my neighbor…but my husband, who gets outbreaks more frequently than you would wish upon an enemy, has never tried the cherry juice.

Well anyone who doesn’t live in the United States seems to have it made when it comes to health care. My husband pays $600 a month for our health insurance. I have a heart condition so I have monthly visits to my cardio doctor which is an automatic $30 co-pay every visit, all the test I have to undergo to check my heart, insurance only cover 80% leaving $249 left for us to pay and that’s for one test. Hospital visits are covered but only the basic things, we normally end up paying $20 but then we will still receive a bill later for $239 because insurance doesn’t cover the bill for the actual doctor who treated me. But in order to even receive those benefits we have to meet our deductable first which is an extra $300 every year. When we go to the dentist a cleaning cost us $50, a root canal will run us $300 and a filling $80. Medication is only covered up to 80%. And unless you’ve been shot or are having a heart attack plan on sitting in the ER for at least 5 hours, and extra 1hr waiting for the doctor to actually see you. Within the last 2 months my husband and I have added over $2,000 to our medical bills. And my husband has government health insurance which is great compared to an average health insurance.

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Hi guys! I think freddy may have a case of gout..(i think that’s how its spelled) my father gets that every once in a while and has the exact same symptoms as described!! check it out on google

Sorry Victoria…you don’t know what you’re talking about. Here in the United States, Freddy’s foot would have been taken care of the same day. All he would have had to have done is walk into an ER and he would have been seen. They cannot deny you healthcare here, which is what Obama and other people would like the world to believe or even people within the US who are too ignorant to understand otherwise. Obama wants to turn the US healthcare system into a model of Canada or GB, and that is an absolute MISTAKE! I am a citizen of the US and Canada…I know what I am talking about. We have amazing access to the best medical care in the world, but the key to that is that we have to pay a lot of money for it. All these Obama supporters want is something for nothing, and they really will have gotten NOTHING if this healthcare monstrocity isn’t stopped at the pass by new people in govt. How would you like to need a life or death heart surgery and have to wait 8 months for it? My uncle in BC had to wait that long….honestly I think they were hoping he’d die because he is now seen as a burden to the system. The majority of US citizen do not want what Obama wants…FYI

This is exactly why I’m really against Obama’s healthcare reform.

I hope you feel better, Fred!Get well soon :)

So you’re basically saying that this country who was founded by men and women willing to risk death and escape tyranny to have the right to hold destiny in their own hands, has now transformed itself into a nation of people who think they now need a government forklift to hold their destiny for them? Yeah, why don’t we all ignore the embarrassing failures across the world of universal government healthcare and blindly follow a man who admires Hugo Chavez and Karl Marx, and whose cabinet members think Che was a great guy and so was Mao. When the standard method of rationing comes our way and you have a condition that shows it could be treated by only a certain drug….and that drug or treatment is deemed by that rationing body as worth more than your life…I’ll think of you.

Noo Freddy, that is so sad to hear!
Hope you will get better soon!
bye bye from Victoria in Sweden.

Feel better,Freddy!
yeah Zuzana u r so right! this is not just Canada but also the U.S. and i think in the U.S. it is even worse. in Europe it is different and much better. i don’t understand why Canada or the U.S. for that matter continue and hold on to this medical system even though, they know pretty well that it doesn’t work.
oh i feel really bad for Freddy! get better! :)

Yea that’s kinda true… The “money situation” in America and in Czech Republic is “slightly” different… So… Be careful, we just don’t want to have you slapped in videos… :)

Hey freddy, Just wanted to give you a heads up on my situation after watching the video on your site 4 weeks ago about a Doctor talking about reducing or eliminating animal flesh in your diet. It sounded good.. So a friend and i did it.. just fruits, vegtables, beans,, and SOY PROTEIN.. in the form of Tofu, Soy type burgers, soy cheese, etc.. I was trying to find a replacement to meat protien but have a similar meal, like a hambuger made with a boca burger, or alternative. OMG, I felt great.. for about 2 weeks then I had a hard time sleeping more than 4 hrs.. vivid dreams,, and my left anckle was SWOLLEN.. This was off and on for another 2 weeks. I complained to my friend who started this veggy program the same time I did..she said” your anckle is swollen too?” I’m not a doctor.. but you dont need to be when a second person who started the same diet, eating the same foods, and ingesting approx the same amount of soy protien was having the same side affects. Come to find out processed SOY Protein is toxic, harms the tyroid and whatever else. How can this be?? many people will not believe me..but I had to let you know..If you are ingesting large amounts of soy protien..highly likly this is the reason for your swollen anckle without having injured it… its what happend to me within the last 4 weeks of this post. For the last 10 days with no Soy protein resulted in solid sleep at night.. no swollen anckle, healing faster.. Dont take my word for it.. do the research like I did…I cant believe I didnt know that a soy bean was harmful if prcessed in the wrong way. BTW.. i am still trying to follow a vegetarian diet… Just NO SOY PROTEIN..LOL.. I hope this posts helps you and others on this site because is awesome.. just GOOLGE soy protien dangers..

i agree with Buffy. The Canadian system is not pefect however,if you live in Canada you have a health card that covers visits to the doctor,medication,surgery etc. Most employers have group benefits and also travel medical insurance for when you travel out of country.

I also agree 100% about the U.S health care system.

Hope you foot heals soon

Hope you get better soon Freddy!

As for Canada’s healthcare system, I think that it has both it’s positives and negatives as do all systems, but I’d much rather be under this system than have to go through health insurance. I’m sorry that you guys had such a bad experience but I feel like I have to stand up for Canada here. I’ve never waited more than an hour in emergency, go to walk-in clinics free of charge that is open to ANYONE (even without a health card), have a family doctor that I can usually see the same day, have a specialist, and these are all covered by our health plan. As a student with little income, I don’t have to pay for the medical service plan in BC at all. I do agree that appts to see specialists are hard to come by around here but I have never had any problems with seeing doctors or going to the hospital etc. Overall, I’d say my experience with Canada’s health care has been a positive one.

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Sounds like vein blockage to me! It can be diagnosed by blood test.

GET WELL SOON!

oh, I just wanted to add that what you guys do here on the site is really important, because if you can inspire people to be active and eat well that takes the pressure off the medical system. Doctors would have more time and money to dedicate to finding cures for genetic deseases, rather then monitoring blood pressure meds and insulin shots.
keep up the great work!

I agree with Rebecca Kettman, do lots of your own research first. Healthcare is a business, and several times I’ve gone in with no insurance and their attitude was pretty much “please cross the curb before you die, thank you”. My cousin got sick while staying with us, and 2 months and 5 hospitals later they finally came up with a diagnosis, for a total over $200,000. This was the same diagnosis I came up with a month and a half earlier after talking with him in depth for 10 minutes and then spending 30 minutes researching at the library. You can buy medication online, its usually significantly less expensive in my experience. Good luck to you Freddy and Zuzana, I wish you both the best.

WOMAN THE BEST@@

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I’m with Rick on this one, I live in US and I don’t have insurance, but guess what I never have to wait a month for a doctor, plus there are many organizations that offer different programs for those who don’t have converage, as a matter of fact right now I am looking at one, it is called Aunt Martha’s healthcare network. So yea, no thank you mr Obama, I don’t want to go to Czech to buy my antibiotics.

On the news and by certain politicians you hear the figure of “46 million uninsured in the US” which is just a marquee argument for those who advocate more government control of our healthcare. When you know the facts you would then know that they are exaggerated. That number is just a way to get America to spend tens of billions of dollars on a new entitlement program for people who aren’t entitled to anything. About 10 million of those “uninsured” are illegal aliens or other noncitizens who wouldn’t even qualify for universal healthcare if we had it. That leaves 36 million people, and of that 36 , 18 million make somewhere between 50-75 grand a year. That is certainly enough money to make healthcare a top priority. The remainder actually qualify for the low income/disability programs that already exist within our government. I bet that very few of these 18 million people go without a cell phone, cable, satellite tv, high-speed internet, dinners out, etc… Where is the personal responsibility??? It is not the governments job to run your healthcare or to make sure you have it. Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is yours.

Did the doctors rule out thrombosis????? That would be CRUCIAL. Please, please look into that urgently!

Being prone to cramps, esp. in the feet and legs, is due to a magnesium deficiency. This condition is often associated with respiratory difficulties due to related lung spasms (asthma or reactive airway disease). Try taking a 500mg or more magnesium supplement twice a day and see if the cramps don’t go away after a short time. You have to take the magnesium every day (or change your diet to get more magnesium). I had the same problem and the magnesium cured it quite rapidly.

You’re right, this part explains the story
“It seems the “rich” get mad because it’s ‘slow’ but the ‘poor’ are happy to be able to get some care even if it takes a whole day to see a doc”

exactly!

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Hi Zuzana and Freddy, Freddy is too bad that so hopefully it’s nothing so complicated and the recovery is quick. Take into account that disposal is not elevated uric acid, I have understood that one of the symptoms is a severe inflammation in the foot.

Kisses!!!

GET WELL SOON FRED!!! ZUZZANA WILL TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOU :)

My bill for getting my wisdom teeth out was about 1200 dollars. You’re still getting off easy girl.

I am a medical professional in America with health insurance and it still sucks. The doctors are making great salary, but their hands are tied with the pharmaceuticals and the health insurance companies. Each company has their own policies which change daily, depending on the patients circumstance.

My family is from Europe which has a different system even from Canada. I’m not sure what Obama is trying to do, but something needs to change period. But lay people aren’t behind the scenes, both politically and medically. It is very hard. That saddest thing is the care our service members receive. They have worked and gave-some their all, and it is horrible how we treat them. Just go sit in your local VA hospital for two hours and see for yourself….Is that what we are all going to go to…because that is the current government healthcare in the USA.

With that being said…..I hope you had an x-ray Freddie…and that you will feel better and find the source of the issue. May Zuzana take much great care of you :)

~Denise

Ouch, I will never complain on swedish system again :S If I get sick I pay 10 euro, no matter what the problem is (this does not include dentists which are pretty expensive). We also pay for medications, but can’t remember how much they normally are since I didn’t have any kind the last 8 years in Sweden, only in France when I broke my foot. We also have insurance if we are sick a lot or need a lot of medications which make us pay a maximum fee (if I have understand it all right). About doctors, we think we have to wait too long after a couple of hours… If you just need to check something that bothers you you can normally meet a doctor within a hour. If you need to go to a big hospital it will take longer time if it’s not something that will be immediate risk for your life.

I hope you feel better soon!

Yep. People think our Canadian health care is so great because it’s free but from my experience, you get what you pay for.. nottin. I know soooo many people, including myself who had to go to the USA for treatment or healthcare because our country, Canada’s doctors/hospitals were too busy, not enough doctors, couple year long waiting lists to see specialists, etc. I know so many people who have died from cancer because they didn’t make the several month long waiting list to see a cancer doctor. Canada’s health care = FAIL

Hi There!!
I think Freddy needs to shop around for a doctor, one month for an appointment?? I’d be calling the College of Physicians and filing a complaint. Most doctors in Canada will see you within a day. I’ve worked as a medical secretary and that’s unheard of, I think perhaps there may be more to this story…sorry guys, I’m not buying it! My father is from Holland and has touted our Canadian system all these years. The difference between Europe and Canada is that Europe practises fair taxation and Canada doesn’t. The lower and middle classes are taxed like crazy but the rich and corporations are not taxed the same, often with many loopholes so the wealthy pay little if any tax at all. While our system could stand an overhaul, I’m still happy with it, the care I have received for myself and my family has been excellent, prompt and free. Sorry to hear you’re under the weather Freddy, hope you’ll feel better soon. Keep up the good work guys, I do love your workouts!:-)
Lady from Canada

If you ever get foot pain in the big toe, or it starts swelling or turns blue, get to a Dr immediately. My father had an aortic aneurism that caused a blood clot to dislodge and go to his toe. He needed heart surgery immediately as if a clot goes somewhere or the aneurism bursts, it can be quickly fatal!

Having said that, being around Zuzana would make any guy want to get well fast!!

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I’m a canadian and i think it depends on where you are.
I live in nothern alberta and its way harder to get into the doctor here. but i can still manage to get an appointment in about two weeks. most doctors have a walk in clinic on certain days or some cities have open clinics 7 days a week.

If it’s really urgent the hospital is always open.

That being said in my hometown in ontario i could easily go to a clinic and have an x-ray right on the spot same day labs.

I really like watching your videos and i’m still working on the motivation to do them lol.
I hope Canada treats you both well since i certainly love being from here.

This story sheds light on the deep rooted problems with Canadian health care. We need more doctors. Although the solution to this seems simple (attract foreign trained medical professionals, increase medical school enrollment), the Canadian government does not seem to be taking any action. Do you guys happen to live in a rural area? I know that the doctor shortage has really taken a toll in rural Canada.

did you go bare foot anywhere? maybe while traveling

U should have the doctors check for Gout!
Gout (also known as podagra when it involves the big toe is a medical condition usually characterized by recurrent attacks of acute inflammatory arthritis—a red, tender, hot, swollen joint.

Freddy maybe experiencing a Gout attack. Google that and see if the symptoms match. My husband has that and it took sometime for Dr.s to figure it out. He experiences stabbing pain, throbbing and unable to walk due to uric acid. Look up Gout.

Hi Zuzana & Freddy,
I just read this post and I think I have a great natural & simple remedy that could possibly help. My dad is a naturist freak and recommended this when I had my revision surgery for my breast augmentation. This is going to sound strange but its mud, yeah mud, but not the one you get in your back yard. It’s a purified mud, I buy it at a local naturist store here in Mexico where I live, it comes in a bag and it looks like dirt. You just mix it with cold water or if you don’t have it just through in some ice cubes until you get a muddy consistency. My dad also recommended that for infections I added a teaspoon of fenugreek (it’s called fenogreco in spanish, it’s a plant), it some kind of helps to pull it out. I buy it in a powder like form, they sell it by grams. You just make the mix apply it (in this case to his foot) wrap it around with newspaper or those kitchen towels and then with a towel or something like and leave it all night or preferably until it dries. My right breast was swollen 2cm more than the left, it was red and hot, on the first night I used this it got down 1cm and the following 2 days it went down until it was the same size as the other one, it wasn’t red nor hot anymore. I was so surprised, I really didn’t believe it worked that fast and thus being cold, it felt sooo good. Hope this helps and get well soon. :)

Did you read Zuzana’s post above? If so, then you would understand my comment about the money they’ve spent so far. I live in the USA with no insurance so I clearly understand how much it costs for healthcare here. I also understand how frustrating it can be to spend money and walk away feeling like you have no answers. So that was all I was saying. =)

Really? After watching “Sicko” I thought canadian’s health care system was the best. But I guess not, then.

Health notbeing a priority for the countries doesn’t make sense to me either, Zuzana. I’m from Portugal and even though I didn’t pay $1 to pull my wisdom teeth out (more like 40$ each), I don’t have to wait 1 month to see a doctor and I only pay a few dollars for the appointment and medication.

I hope it’s nothing serious and get well soon :)

the US is not like this. I can see a dr or dentist same day. I would never wait a month for an appointment, that is ridiculous. (from Texas, US)

With the quick onset of foot pain with pain and redness and swelling most common is gout or infection. Most people with gout have such pain that they are not able to put on a sock. Gout is usually self limiting and will respond to ibuprofen though there are other meds that will provide faster relief. Most common location for gout is the large toe but can affect ankle area and other joints less commonly. If infected would ecpect some sort of wound or puncture unless osteomyelitis. Less likely to be a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) since would likely involve the lower leg as the location of the pain ….the foot would likely be swollen but not likely painful to the degree you described. Freddie, I sure hope you get better soon.

Trust me, marynnas, there are those of us in the US that hate the health care system more than I could even explain. Unfortunately, most of the people here are willing to just take what the politician’s say as the truth and hold on to it instead of really working to make a difference. It sucks, but I love my country so I hope that someday those of us who really care will be able to make a difference.
Zuzana, the Czech health care system sounds amazing! Maybe our leading politicians should take their heads out of their butts and go check it out! :D

1st let me praise you (Zuzana & Freddy) for the great work you do on bodyrock.tv! i hope the foot situation turns out to be a minor one.
i live in toronto, canada & i’m confused as to why Freddy’d be unable to see a physician for up to 1 month. in my experience canadian “walk-in-clinics” provide same-day service, even sans health card.. granted, seeing a specialist here can mean waiting but the scenario you described sounds very out of the ordinary. i will be 1st to admit that prescription meds cost an arm & a leg in canada, but that’s the fault of our greedy gov’t being influenced by rich drug manufacturers. Tommy Douglas would be horrified to hear a story such as your canadian healthcare experience as am i.. i’d like to apologize on behalf of all self-respecting & critically-thinking canadians!
get well soon Freddy.

Sounds like you have GOUT! My husband gets it and it’s TERRIBLE. It appears out of nowhere! It’s irritated by dehydration and Soy products! It can also be cause by exercise…. too much uric and lactic acid. Check it out? It may be what you have!

Dave,

I have heard the same thing about soy! I wonder if that is what is making Feddy’s foot sore. That was great advice to give…just stop eating the soy and see what happens!

Freddy, Get better buddy! I wish the best in your recovery. I don’t have much to say about doctors other than I never have had good experiences with them . The way I see it, they do there thing, and I do mine. “I know “z” will take care of you!

Hey Zuzana! Have you found out what is wrong with Freddy’s foot!? My brother is going through the exact same thing! He’s had his for a few weeks now and he never injured it. It became very swollen and painful to the touch. He’s been to the doctor and a foot specialist but they have no idea what’s wrong. Such a mystery!

Get better Freddy!!! :)

Hello Zuzana and Freddy. I sympathize with your foot pain as I have suffered from gout in the past, and my initial reaction is that it could be what you are suffering. When I had my first attack, I did not know about gout. I thought I had broken my toe somehow – the pain was so intense and the joint at the base of my big toe was very swollen, inflammed, red and tender. It lasted about a month before finally subsiding. Gout is caused by the buildup of uric acid in your body. The kidneys cannot eliminate it properly and it settles in the joints, usually the big toe, but it can also appear in the ankles, knees, even elbows. Gout usually affects men much more than women and the first flare-ups usually occur around age 30-40, but it varies (I was 31). It can be controlled through medication (allopurinol and colcechine for example), but also through diet. Cut back drastically or eliminate meat, especially beef and shellfish. Certain foods have anti-inflammatory properties such as olive oil (plant-based oils), nuts, and fish in moderation. Also berries and especially cherries have been shown to help reduce uric acid levels. Now would be a great time to go on a Mediterranean or vegetarian diet. It will help tremendously as it as helped me. For the pain now, ice helps and anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen. Aspirin and joint medication with aspirin can aggravate it, so stay away from those. I wish you the best and hope you are better soon.

Hi Freddy, been reading the post and was wondering what this turned out to be since today is August 20 and I hope you would have had a resolution by now. As a side note regarding soy protein, I read once in Men’s Health an article about soy and it not being so good for men. Hope you are better.

Sorry to hear your experience with the Canadian medical system. Get well soon Freddy!

As for soy protein – only soy products that are good are the traditional oriental stuff. Tofu made the traditional way, no preservatives. Soy milk again made traditionally. Unfortunately unless you live near heavy chinese/japanes/korean population those will be hard to get hold of. You know you bought the good stuff because they go sour very fast 3 days at best. Traditional soy products are meant to be consumed same day (other than “dried” 豆乾 tofu products).

All the western soy products are terribly bad for you, esp. those made by a corporation with a name that you can recognize.

Ghanem from Israel, Freddy I wish you to recover from a disease which has befallen you, I hope you also see a smile on your face, we loves you so much you and zozana, peace \ Ghanem

Tucker :)

Hey you two,

I love your videos but I haven’t been writing actively on your youtube channel of this blog, yet. All the best for your foot, Freddy. I had a similar incident with my thumb. It got swollen and I could not use my whole hand for about 3 weeks. The doctors couldn’t find the cause for this. There was nothing broken or sprained. As quickly as the pain and the swelling had come, they went away after three weeks within only a couple of days. Really strange. Never had anything like this before. So, keep your head up. Hope your get well soon.

Zuzana, I can really understand how you must have felt with the Canadian Health System…or should I say: with the ‘non-existent’ Health System. =) I lived in Canada for a year and I was shocked, too. I am from Germany and the health system is pretty much the same as in Czech. My employer pays about 35 Euro / month to my insurance for my government health plan. Whenever I need to see a doctor I have to pay 10 Euro but all other costs (medication, examination, treatment) are covered by my insurance. I had a ‘private’ health plan (for self-employed-people) which is more expansive (around 140 Euro / month) but you can see specialists quicker and easier than with the government health plan. It sounds like a ‘two class system’. yeah, it is true. But the government health plan is already very, very good. And if you don’t have a job (meaning no employer that pays your insurance), the government does it for you.

Take care,

Alexandra

The Canadian Health care is very different from the european health care. We in Europe think it’s very bad in Canada, but the people there don’t know different. I pay around $137 in the month for health care, and i get the same as in Czech Republic.The government wants to make people aware of the cost, because we make a lot of health care costs in total in this land. So everyone is obliged to have an insurance. However, you can decide whether you just want a basic insurance or a basic insurance with additional coverage, which would increase costs per month. But if we need the care, than we get everything that is necessary, on the same day! And the costs are first send to your insurance, it depends on what you have covered, if you have to pay a little bit yourself or not. But if you have to pay, than it is mostly around $150.

OMG, that is very good health care in Germany!!! In the Netherlands the government thinks that there is too much government-money going the the health care system, so everyone have to pay there own insurance (and it is also obliged).

In the Netherlands you pay nothing because it’s in your basic health care insurance (where you pay for yourself, around $100 per month).

We never got an answer on what it was, but I recovered and it has not bothered me since :)