A B.C. grandmother who has lost 30 lbs. while waiting for treatment for a painful jaw condition is wondering why the surgery that could fix the problem isn’t covered by provincial health care.
Sharie Barker, 55, has arthritis in her jaw joint and has been diagnosed with temporal mandibular joint syndrome, or TMJ. She takes pain medication and can no longer eat solid food.
“This little elastic band which holds in the joint has actually fallen in front of the muscle and is out of the socket now -- and it’s actually bone-to-bone,” she explained.
Barker’s doctor referred her to a Vancouver clinic specializing in this type of pain, but Vancouver Coastal Health says the average wait for the clinic is 18 months. Barker has found a surgeon at a private clinic to perform a procedure that should help, but it will cost $2,000.
She has raised just over half the money she needs for the surgery, and is holding a garage sale at her New Westminster home this weekend to make up some of the difference.
“I'm trying to raise the funds ‘cause I can’t wait. I physically and emotionally am drained and I have nothing left,” Barker said.
The health ministry says TMJ normally falls under the dental category unless the treatment is deemed urgent and medically necessary. If so, the patient would be covered and taken care of in a hospital.
But Barker’s physician Dr. Patricia Gabriel thinks the procedure should be covered by the Medical Services Plan.
“I think it’s become quite clear that Sharie is suffering physically and emotionally from this condition and it’s very clearly a medical condition,” she told CTV News.
“I think in Canada that treatment should be based on need not based on ability to pay.”
Barker’s surgery is scheduled for July 20. Her garage sale is being held at 1025 St. Andrews St. in New Westminster and a trust fund has been set up in her name at VanCity
With a report from CTV British Columbia’s Maria Weisgarber
