I am so stressed over this but probably shouldn't be
I went to a neurlogist in my area at the request of my MS doctor. She is a 3 hour drive one way and wants me to have someone closer for things that may need immediate attention. I saw this new doctor today. I will still see my MS doctor.
This doctor started out by telling me that he did not know my MS doctor and that he was not an MS specialist. He asked me why I had seen a neurologist in the area last year but had not stuck with her. I told him I just didn’t like her.
Truth is I was not satisfied with her answers.
He noted I had 7 children and asked WHY I had 7 children. I said because we adopted. He left it at that.
He looked through my chart and said I see you had ON last year and an abnormal VER. I would expect and abnormal VER with ON.
He wondered why I had not had an LP. I said I guess it was because the MS doctor felt I had enough other evidence of MS to skip
the LP.
He wondered what blood tests I had had. He checked my chart and saw I’d had all the tests he could think of but the LP. Kept coming back to the LP.
He started to loosen up some and said ok; ON twice in one eye, evidence of two lesions on brain MRI, and trigeminal neuralgia……He then started talking about Clinically Isolated Syndrome because my lesion load is not great.
Then he does a neuro exam. When that was done he talked about what he thought. He went back to the LP but said an LP at this point would not change the treatment plan. He said there were no other tests he would do. I asked him what HIS opinion was and he said MS and for sure CIS.
He said he did not need to see me again for 6-7 months since I am seeing my MS doctor next week. But I should call him if something like another bout of ON comes up because steroid treatment should have been used the first time.
I was so stressed. I hated going back and being grilled like that. I was so hoping the records I provided him would give him all he needed. It did really and in the end I just got a second opinion from another neurologist that I am being treated properly and it is MS.
I do not meet the MS criteria solidly because I do not have enough lesions, but I do have enough symptoms.
One weird thing he asked was what my grades were like in school and if I had ever been put in the hospital for psychiatric reasons. HUH? Is that a normal question? I am just grateful he did not grill me any further on the kids!
Another thing that bothered me was his saying there is no way he knows for sure all of these sensory things I say I have are for real. He said some times we think things like dizziness are bad when they really AREN’T so bad. I wondered what he was saying. I didn’t bring up any symptoms. He asked me if I had this or that and I answered yes or no.
So that is the whole ugly story. I had to stop and see my granddaughter to recover!
__________________
LA
Optic Neuritis twice this year. Diagnosed with MS 2-13-2008
Started Avonex 2-2008
Re: I am so stressed over this but probably shouldn't be
Hey LATW....bummer of a day, huh? I feel for you..when we expect one thing and get another, in the form of medical care, it can leave us stressed. I can totally relate right now.
However, I wasnt there, but I have to address this based on what you wrote- it DOES sound like the doc was trying to do a really good history on you...why you have 7 children is not really his business- just like why I dont have any- however, there might have been a deeper reason for that question- Im just not sure what it could be....the history of you not having enough lesions is important..the blood work, could be that he wanted to be 100% sure that everything else was ruled out...we all know you cant dx MS with blood work, however certain infections, Lyme disease and a host of other problems MIGHT be detected in the blood work, including things as simple as deficiencies of iron, vitamin D or B....get it?
As far as you looking for another person to tell you that they are sure its MS..the only person you should be seeing is an MS specialist..they have seen it all, and can tell you yes or no, based on the previous symtoms, the test results which you do have, and most importantly let you know if any other tests (including the Spinal Tap) are necesary to definitively make a dx...is there one near you who you can see? Regular Neuros almost always recommend an MS specialist when they are on the fence about a dx....doesnt sound like your doc is on the fence- she sounds pretty sure- but if you are NOT convinced, that is the only direction to go..
Try not to let this upset you. You dont have to go back if you really didnt care for the doctor..in the meantime, try to rest, relax and think about whether or not you want to really see a third doc for a third opionion- and then start finding out who the MS Specialist is in your area with the best reputation..usually University Hospitals have one- or shout out here to see if there are any recommendations..
good luck and stay strong.
Nikki
__________________
RRMS- dx 05
Rebif 2005-2011
LDN Sept. 2011
"Every New Beginning Comes From Some Other Beginning's End"
Re: I am so stressed over this but probably shouldn't be
Quote:
Originally Posted by LATW
He noted I had 7 children and asked WHY I had 7 children. I said because we adopted. He left it at that.
Ok it's fine for a doctor to ask if you are married, single, have children (in my opinion), but to ask WHY you have certain # of children? This doesn't matter at all.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LATW
One weird thing he asked was what my grades were like in school and if I had ever been put in the hospital for psychiatric reasons. HUH? Is that a normal question?
Making small talk about level of education is fine. Grades are none of this guy's business, and asking you about being in the hospital for psychiatric reasons? Well if you ask me, this would peeve me off to be asked while looking for MS, but I'm sure other doctors ask about hospital visits or other health issues, but to outright ask this, that really baffles me.
Re: I am so stressed over this but probably shouldn't be
Hi Nikki,
OH, There was more important information I left out and I didn't get this corrected before you answered.. ACTUALLY, I went to a neurologist in my area at the request of my MS doctor.
She is a 3 hour drive one way and wants me to have someone closer for things that may need immediate attention.
I saw this new doctor today. I will still see my MS doctor. I really did not go for a second opinion but got it anyway. He just confirmed what the MS doctor had diagnosed me with.
I am early in the process of MS for which I am very grateful!
I am so sorry I did not correct my post before you answered. It would have made a lot more sense!
LA
Quote:
Originally Posted by MSNik
Hey LATW....bummer of a day, huh? I feel for you..when we expect one thing and get another, in the form of medical care, it can leave us stressed. I can totally relate right now.
However, I wasnt there, but I have to address this based on what you wrote- it DOES sound like the doc was trying to do a really good history on you...why you have 7 children is not really his business- just like why I dont have any- however, there might have been a deeper reason for that question- Im just not sure what it could be....the history of you not having enough lesions is important..the blood work, could be that he wanted to be 100% sure that everything else was ruled out...we all know you cant dx MS with blood work, however certain infections, Lyme disease and a host of other problems MIGHT be detected in the blood work, including things as simple as deficiencies of iron, vitamin D or B....get it?
As far as you looking for another person to tell you that they are sure its MS..the only person you should be seeing is an MS specialist..they have seen it all, and can tell you yes or no, based on the previous symtoms, the test results which you do have, and most importantly let you know if any other tests (including the Spinal Tap) are necesary to definitively make a dx...is there one near you who you can see? Regular Neuros almost always recommend an MS specialist when they are on the fence about a dx....doesnt sound like your doc is on the fence- she sounds pretty sure- but if you are NOT convinced, that is the only direction to go..
Try not to let this upset you. You dont have to go back if you really didnt care for the doctor..in the meantime, try to rest, relax and think about whether or not you want to really see a third doc for a third opionion- and then start finding out who the MS Specialist is in your area with the best reputation..usually University Hospitals have one- or shout out here to see if there are any recommendations..
good luck and stay strong.
Nikki
__________________
LA
Optic Neuritis twice this year. Diagnosed with MS 2-13-2008
Started Avonex 2-2008
Re: I am so stressed over this but probably shouldn't be
I was really struck by the grades question. I wondered if I looked extra stupid today!
I wonder if the grades question had anything to do with the amount of children we have. I have only given brith to two. We adopted five.
Why do doctors sterotype people? I am 45 years old and very respectable looking if I do say so myself! I don't get it except for maybe our family size.
From now on I am NOT going to say anything about our family size. I have had one year of college and my husband happens to have 2 college degrees.
LA
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nenu
Ok it's fine for a doctor to ask if you are married, single, have children (in my opinion), but to ask WHY you have certain # of children? This doesn't matter at all.
Making small talk about level of education is fine. Grades are none of this guy's business, and asking you about being in the hospital for psychiatric reasons? Well if you ask me, this would peeve me off to be asked while looking for MS, but I'm sure other doctors ask about hospital visits or other health issues, but to outright ask this, that really baffles me.
__________________
LA
Optic Neuritis twice this year. Diagnosed with MS 2-13-2008
Started Avonex 2-2008
Linear Mode
