New Patients – Start Here

Get started in our clinic right now – no need to wait

  • Once we receive your referral you can participate in EVERYTHING our clinic offers

  • Wait-time for your initial consultation with Dr. Arseneau or Dr. McKay (one-on-one) is about 8-12 months

  • So, the only things you can't do until your one-one-one visit:

    • Get a prescription – but you can still participate in the Group Medication Visits for education

    • Get paperwork filled out by Dr. Arseneau or Dr. McKay

  • Note: with your limited energy, don't try to do everything at once – pace yourself – this page will help you organize your journey

See FAQ to find out about
The options are overwhelming – What should I do first ?
Next – Register for the Core Group: Living with ME/CFS, FM, and Long COVID

  • Click here to find out more about Core Group

  • You can participate in either Dr. Arseneau's or Dr. McKay's groups

  • You will receive a Medeo message announcing when the next groups start

  • Core Group is ~16 weeks long and repeats about every 3 months

  • Here is an infographic created by one of our patients:

  • While waiting for Core Group to start, you can participate in some shorter groups:

  • See a list of all our offerings

  • You will receive a Medeo message announcing when new groups are starting

Next – Book a Group Medical Visit

  • These are follow-up visits so you need to book (i.e., there will not be Medeo messages)

  • They occur several times a week

  • You can participate with Dr. Arseneau or Dr. McKay

  • Format

    • 1 hour Zoom virtual visit

    • ~10 patients per visit

    • You can ask questions and learn from other patient's questions

  • You can do a Group Medical Visit any time you have a question

Next – Start attending weekly special lectures

  • Medeo message invitations are sent every week

  • See the schedule for the next few months

  • About half the sessions are recorded for ME TV – our YouTube channel

  • Note:

    • OT/PT, Dietician, and Naturopath session are NOT recorded

    • These sessions repeat on a rotation

  • We've covered over 100 topics so far ! – with more added all the time

Next – Consider participating in a Group Medication Visit

  • Medeo message invitations are sent every week

  • Usually, we cover 2 topics a week (topics repeat every 5-6 weeks)

  • See a list of topics and find out more

  • There is a presentation called, "Help

  • Note:

    • You won't be able to get a prescription until you have your one-on-one visit with Dr. Arseneau and Dr. McKay

  • But...

    • You can participate for education

    • You can ask your Primary Care Provider to prescribe

    • You can download medication handouts to bring to your Primary Care Provider

What if I'm not interested in prescription medication

  • Many of our patients prefer a non-pharmacological approach

  • The options include:

    • Supplements:

      • Dr. Morello, naturopath, does Special Lecutures on a yearly basis:

        • Mitochondrial Health

        • Gut Health

        • Pain – a Naturopath Approach

        • Q&A Session

      • Consider micronized PEA

        • Over 200 studies showing benefit with pain, inflammation, brain fog, leaky gut, and MCAS

        • Download PEA handout

    • Medicinal Cannabinoids:

    • Trigger Point Injections (TPI)

      • TPI can be helpful with Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) and related conditions

      • To learn more about MPS and TPI, watch a presentation by Dr. Dhanoa on ME TV

      • We usually refer patients to:

      • You can ask your Primary Care Provider to refer you

      • Note:

        • Many doctors across BC are trained to do TPI – ask your Primary Care Provider if they know any

    • Consider what we call, "The Medication for People Who Don't Like Medication"

      • Low Dose Naltrexone and Low dose Aripiprazole are prescriptions medications but many patients who prefer a non-pharmacological approach still consider trying them because:

        • We use very low doses

        • Fewer sides effects at these doses

        • Patients like the way they work – they don't mask symptoms but instead improve brain health instead

    • If you are considering other non-traditional treatment options we suggest you watch:

I think I have POTS – What should I do ?

  • If you fell lightheaded or faint on standing, you may have POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)

  • POTS is commonly associated with ME/CFS, FM, and Long COVID

  • You can:

I think I have MCAS – What should I do ?

  • MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) is commonly associated with ME/CFS, FM, and Long COVID

    • The symptoms often overlap

    • Things that suggest you might have MCAS

      • Allergy/histamine type symptoms

      • Food, medication, and environmental sensitivities

      • Skin issues (e.g., hives)

      • Gut issues

      • Bone pain

  • You can:

    • Learn more about MCAS by watching a presentation on our ME TV

    • If you still think you have MCAS after watching the presentations:

      • You do NOT need to be referred to an Allergist/Immunologist

      • You can do the Therapeutic Trial for MCAS – “Triple Therapy”

      • Book a Group Medical Visit to review to:

        • Review the results of therapeutic trial

        • Determine what to do next

I think I'm hypermobile – What should I do ?
I still have questions about my journey – What should I do ?

  • Contact the clinic for any questions:

    • Contact Bruno for Dr. Arseneau

    • Contact Pamela for Dr. McKay

    • See below for phone / email

Address

1622 Woods Rd.
Bowen Island, BC
V0N 1G2

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

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For
Dr. Ric Arseneau

Contact Bruno
Ph 604.418.5194
Fax 778.800.2094

Bruno@DrRicArseneau.ca

For
Dr. R. Jane McKay

Contact Pamela
Ph ‭236.833.8842‬
Fax 778.800.2094

Pamela@DrRJaneMcKay.ca