I so know what you are going through. I'll never forget the experience of hearing my MRI was negative. The physician who ordered it was so convinced it was MS from the neuro tests, that he had prepared me for the likelyhood. So I'm sitting there waiting for the results, just about throwing up while he fiddles with the computer for waaayy too long trying to find them, and then, in slow motion, says "your MRI is normal". I felt gutted! - yes - really!!!. I had prepared myself for the worst as I was convinced that with symptoms so bad, it could never be normal, and yet it was. I said "but you said....." and he sat there staring at me in disbelief. I know it must have looked like I was some whacko who wanted to be ill, but what it was that I could not handle was the invalidation. Like because it wasn't MS, I was'nt ill. I had to fight to get a Neuro referal, it was like I didn't matter anymore. And then I go home and my mother says, "Well zzzzz, its not MS, so you can get on with it now" like I was suddenly better. Anxiety was ruled out for me pretty early on - I don't know how I managed to convince them of that. The neuro diagnosed possible complicated migraine and seemed satisfied with himself at that. Never mind why I have them and whether that might be treatable - just take the medication with the awful side effects and I can cross you off my list.
Well I had a beautiful experience yesterday - I've been seeing an osteopath and was complaining about the bad reactions I'd been having to his treatment and he said "zzzzz - you are in a bad way - this is not going to be easy to treat without there being alot of pain, but I do believe I can help you alot" Then he realed off this list of things that he has diagnosed wrong with me. And I felt great - because he validated me - because he is able to see things that MRIs don't. He doesn't use MRI, so he doesn't see it as the great divider of patients into catagories. I just wanted to have someone acknowlege what I go through to get out of bed every day and to say there is something wrong and its NOT NORMAL!!!!!!

Neuro's aren't my favorite people because of what you just posted. However, there are some gd-ones someowhere. Dr's ofc.
must comply if you sign a release for copies of labs/scans/etc.
Be nice & 'be happy to wait' till they have the time. He may
not have 'had' films, but far as I know, all labs where you had
scans in US will have you sign a release for Dr's copy and
you can ck-out films yourself 'up to 3 weeks'? Dr. isn't notified. You can also buy a set of films if you want a copy.
Cost varies. You have these options in case you want a 2nd
opinion. Also your reg. MD probably has copy faxed to him that
you can get copied. If you know someone well at your Dr's.,
call that person & they might mail copies to you. The best
results come from quietly reading the Dr's body language,
keeping cool/suck-it-up or play wilted lily. If nervous, try
the backdoor route I mentioned above. Wait a few days before
showing up if you go to ofc. For some reason, Thurs. always
seem to be a better day getting results. Ask any Dr. & they
cringe at the word 'NET' or 'I think I have'. They will zone
out fast. 'Some' Dr's like a short note w/ brief symptoms from
you & it saves time. You now have possibilities. Gd-luck.

I'm so sorry you had to go through this.  The way anxiety/depression/and other 'psychological' orders are treated in this country  makes me sick.  Even if it is _just_ anxiety, anxiety is _still_ a very really condition that requires care and tenderness -- not arrogance.  I hope you start to feel better soon, and I agree with the previous poster -- I'd get a second opinion just to make sure.  Hopefully you have good insurance; most of us don't.

I agree that you should if you can get another opinion. Its a shame that your neurologist is so blatently rude. Just because your MRI was clear doesn't mean you don,t have problems. If your illness is caused by anxiety that does not give him the right to suggest that anxiety is a lesser illness. He sounds like an ignorent jerk to me. Can you not change your Dr as well if hes got ths attitude it won't help . Take Care Hope you get some answers. Chris

OMG that's terrible how you were treated, I dont know the whole background to your story, but I wish you nothing but the best, and if possible seek out another opinion, maybe a dr across town so hopefully they wont be related. OR maybe give the pills a shot first and see were it takes you. Good luck to you!!

thanks for the responces , and demiguise especially ,good plan for me. i just quick called the place where i got the MRI done at (they were nice there haha) and they said yeah come on in and get some copys, i played it off like i just wanted them not like i wanted them for a second opinion, i think doctors are really put off by that, even the one you GO TO for the second opinion is going to think your out ta get um sorta thing. dont like people who complain or dont take there word for 100 per cent truth.i could care less about a doctors abilitys and wouldnt even bother to mention it if i got a second opinion and they found something there that the other one missed I JUST WANT TO FEEEEEELLLL BETTER thats all.
so anyway, ill take the route you suggested, get a second opinion and be the nicest guy they ever met lol as well as NOT mention what i am worried about being wrong  and definatly not mention anxiety,wanna keep that out of the guys head, if he still suggests that, THEN were on to something and i can accept that much easier, i think my biggest mistake was when i was filling out paper work and mentioned history of panic attacks and anxiety. may as well be ASKING for a diagnosis of "its just anxiety" so ..just the symptoms on paper, and ill tell the guy i always get a second opinion regardless, and thats why im there.
I need to stop writing such long winded posts on here sorry bout that but right now this bunch of strangers on here are my only support, after today i DEFINATLY do not have much of that coming from my family, its as if i am suddenly better now in there minds because that MRI was normal, i do wish i was but even if its anxiety its not goin away instantly.
there all very pleased that im "fine" now and i dont want to burst there bubble,or run there patience down by STIILL not feeling good,so were going out tonight come hell or high water even though i feel like im going to buckle at the knees, and im going to have a good time. im just glad theres a few of ya that know my dirty little secret lol, I DONT FEEL GOOD AT ALLL!!! shhhh. x-:
thanks again to all of you, the support im getting from you means alot to me.

Sorry to hear about your experience with your Neurologist. I had a similar experience with my ER doc. Total idiot. Terrible bedside manner. He got a little nicer when he found out I worked at the hospital, but it was the worst experience I'v ever had with a doctor. Fortunately, my GP is great.

A few comments:

1. One, your Neurologist probably is competent, and I think you should trust his judgment. Feel good that the MRI was negative. Every test that is negative is a good sign!

2. As a patient you absolutely have the right to your medical records, and I do think you should seek out a second opinion. I'm NOT a doctor, but based on your original post, an EEG and EMG would be good tests to rule out other possibilities. They are much cheaper than an MRI if you are paying for them out of pocket. You've had all the basic bloodwork done? Make sure your electrolytes have been looked at, thyroid, lyme, etc.

3. The unfortunate fact is that there are a ton of folks who run off to the ER and specialist who have nothing going on but anxiety issues, but they've convinced themselves that they're dying, etc. So, it's not totaly the Neurologists fault that he's skeptical, although his treatment of you is unacceptable. My Neuro. is a nice enough guy, but he was more than willing to prescribe Paxil and Xanax after I met with him for 10 minutes. Took Paxil for 3 days, decided that I wanted to make sure it was anxiety before I committed to taking it, and haven't taken it since. As of yet I'm "undiagnosed," and I'm leaving the door open for anxiety, although I think there's more to the picture.

4. I find solace in the fact that I've felt bad off and on for a month and a half, and I'm still alive and making it through each day. If it was life threatening or progressive I probably wouldn't have the ups and downs like I do.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

p.s. i will (since i have no other lead) follow through with treating anxiety, i think it COULD be that but im really not convinced,and im out of money to do anything more then fold my hands and hope they did there job right.