Neurologist vs MS specialist

My regular dr just said I have low b12 but won't call it a deficiency. He is treating it with b12 shots but wants me to see a neurologist to check out my symptoms...he really won't say what he is looking for.  I did have a brain mri done and saw 1 neuro already that just said "not ms" after only looking at a neg brain mri.  He barely did tests or asked questions in the office.  Since my symptoms are getting worse my reg dr has me going to see another neuro...anyway if not having a dx for ms just yet but shows alot of sypmtoms of it, should I seek a MS specialist or wait to see what this 2nd neuro says?  

Any suggestions for a specialist in the St. Louis area?  

Thank you!

[Lulu54]

Hi and welcome to the MS forum - this is a great group of people with lots of experience and information to share.

This is a tough call.  We know the MS neurologist is up to date and best equipped to deal with difficult to dx cases.  But I also know that can take a long wait before you get in and a general neuro cando a lot of the preliminry testing.

If the 1st neuro said "not MS" did he say what it might have been?  

Hope to see you around,
Lulu

[momma2494]

Hi and thank you!  
no the first neuro just said not ms, you are fine.  thanks for coming here is my card and I hope you don't have to come back!  Yeah don't worry brother, I won't be!!!  He was sooo old, I am not even sure how he was able to walk into the room. HEHE  

[Lulu54]

Wow, that is sure an impressive office visit. Not!  It irks me when we read this type of appt. where they are happy to take your money and offer nothing in return.  

It would be different if they would say "I don't know, but lets see if we can find out what's wrong" rather than "here's the door."

You can find MS specialists through your local NMSS chapter, so you might call them.  There are so many mimics to MS, it can take a very patient person to work through all the possibilities.  Is there are particular reason why you are thinking of MS?

[Sidesteps]

I still saw my Neuro and scheduled a separate appointment (several months later) for the MS specialist. I always like to cover my bases; so I'd schedule both appointments. :)

Lulu, I am not sure I understand the mentality either. Most of us just want help. I KNOW my issues are neurological --- what the cause is I don't know --- since I've been through all the obvious tests (and then some) I'm concerned it's MS more now than I was a year ago.

A year ago, I would have given it could be an isolated event/virus, not so much now...which is why I would schedule both appointments; one where you can get medical care and follow-up as needed and another just in case the other is another Neuro that doesn't listen.

Welcome to the forum as well. I'm glad you have a good PCP. :)

[momma2494]

I am concerned it is MS because that is what my PcP said it twice in conversation.  He wants to rule out other issues too like it being Demylination from the B12 being low but since I am in the low 200's and not below he doesn't know for sure if these neuro issues are from the b12 or something else.  He was also a little shocked that since my brain MRI came back neg. that my symptoms are getting worse.  

I really like my PCP since he really does seem concerned that there is something going on and he just didn't blow me off after the first neuro did.  His office even helped get my appt rescheduled to this thurs! from my appt in 3 weeks!!!  :)  I am relieved for that.  I just hope we can get this figured out but I am learning that I need to be a little more patient because this is taking a lot longer than I want it to and thought it would.  

Thank you all for your support!  I don't have alot of friends close to talk to about this so I feel so alone.  I am reading alot of posts and learing alot from everyone.  I am just trying to learn what this could be and what questions to be asking.