Do I need a new Neuro?

[mrsturbo]

This is my first Neuro and I have been seeing her since early May.  When I asked if She read the MRI's herself, her nurse told me that no, that's what the radiologist is paid to do.  Since I am on an HMO I decided to stick with her instead of waiting for another referral.  Her "bedside manner" is fine.  She seems to listen, although during the first appointment she woudn't take my timeline, I had to read it to her and she just wrote down a few things.  She initially ran a lot of blood work, but I don't know what for.  I asked for a copy the next visit but the nurse forgot to give it to me.   When she performed the EMG she told me that we would only do one leg and if that was normal there would be no need to test the rest of my extremeties.  At the end she said there was a "slightly diminished" finding at one location, but that it was so slight she would just "write it off".  So she saw no need to do the test elsewhere.  Since then I finally had my spinal MRI last Thursday.  On Saturday I was in so much pain I wanted to go to the hospital, this would have been day number nine in htis "flare up".  The only reason I didn't go is because I am pregnant and short of admitting me just to watch me they would have done nothing.  First thing on Monday I called her office and explained that on Saturday I was in so much pain on my left side from the head down to my lower spine that I couldn't move.  The nurse said she would call and get my MRI results and get the nurse practitioner to call me back.  Well at 5:30 I finally got a call from on of her nurses and all she said is "we can see no reason for your muscle spasms on your MRI report."  That was all she said.  Well that is nice to know but I have NEVER had muscle spasms!  That is not one of my symptoms.  So I called back today and talked to a nurse and again expressed my concerns.  I was assured the nurse practitioner would call me back this time by the end of the day.  Now it is after 6pm and I have heard nothing.  Is this just the way neuros work or is there something better out there?

[brandisnif4]

my ms nuero nurse line states that they will call you back in 24-48 hours. Now so far, they have always called me ack the same day if I call in the morning,  If I call in the afternoon,then I get a next day call.
Could any of your symptoms be due to yur pregnancy?  I had some major back and leg pains with my son. Just a thought.

[santana8]

This has been my experience with the nurses and neuro too!  I leave a message on the nurses voice mail and then hopefully she will call back in that same day, but it says right on the  answering machine that they allow a 24-48 hour turn around on all calls for a call back.

Then when they do call back, I explain what the nature of my call is and they consult with the neuro.

Now, I wait for the next day to get a call back with his response!  They do have a neuro on call in emergent situations that will call back immediately if needed!  Does your neuro's office have this option on the  recorded greeting?

~Santana~

[mrsturbo]

I actually went to see my PCP yesterday and once he ruled out meningitis, because of the neck pain, he said there was nothing he could do, but to let him know what the neuro sais.

[jensequitur]

Every time I manage to talk to the neurologist about one of my symptoms, they tell me to go to my PCP for symptom management.  Since everything has been intermittent, I haven't bothered.

So you might try getting in to see your PCP - I know it's difficult to get an appointment within a week, unless it's an emergency, but it's worth a try.

[Wobbly]

from my experience...it's the way they work....sorry can't help much here... talking with the nurse isn't easy....you need to see the Neuro..

good luck .. keep us informed

andie