dont know what to do

[chris_toner]

i have been getting gradually worse with pins and needles then progressive numbness in my upper and lower limbd and left side of my face.
I have had a positive result for o bands in my csf but mri,s of my brain and spine were clear .
neurologist says i dont fit the macdonald criteria and my account of what has been happening to me has unusual parts that dont fit in with the pattern of ms.
does anybody have any idea what this could possibly be as i feel that  the neurologist just brushed me off.
p.s he didn,t even have my medical history notes , and said that if they couldn't find out what was wrong with me i would probably "just get better".

[chris_toner]

i saw my incontenance nurse yesterday and she told me that the neuro i saw was not even a consultant but a gp with an interest in ms.
She gave me the name of a specialist neuro who she says is quite forward thinking with a wealth of experience.
BUT do i have the right to request a second opinion as i am on the N.H.S. in Scotland ,United Kingdom.
PLEASE can somebody help as i am at my wits end with all of this happening :(

[chris_toner]

thanks very much to everyone .
i was under the impression that neuro,s specialised in ms .
i am now going to insist that i see an ms specialist neuro.

[MissLauraI]

Seriously I would ask him if this is what he would tell his wife or any other person he loved that they shouldn't worry that it will "just get better". I am with everyone else- a second opinion is a good idea. Sorry they are making you feel dismissed. :(

[figuerpa]

This screams second opinion. Some neuros are ridiculous in their ways of thinking. I don't know what gets in to them. They think they know everything and that they have already learned all they need to know.

I really hope you get a second opinion. My neuro is waiting for more proof, and if I would have had more than the 1 o-band then I would already be on meds, but I only had one with and elevated IgG index.

I am hoping for a repeat LP so that I can see if it has changed.

Good luck and please seek a second, third or forth opinion if need be.


Paula

[Sumanadevii]

I agree with Kerri.  

I also know the neuro you saw doesn't understand the McDonald criteria....Sounds like a useless bum.  You can have MS without proof of an MRI or bands...Geeez, maybe we need to open a school for these idiots.

[kerrtelli]

Hello,
From what I have learned n this forum, you should find another neurologist.  Many people on the forum suggested an MS Specialist.  They can rule out as well as diagnose.

My symptoms started in March.  I have Medicaid so I had to wait to see a neuro.  I found an MS Specailist who took my insurance and waited the six weeks to see him.  It was well worth the wait.  He talked to me and I could tell that he just knew what I was explaining.  Incidentally, he said I probably have MS and then ordered two more MRI's.  I am currently awaiting these results and will see him again in July.

I was very nervous about thew initial appt because of all the horror stories with doctors.
If you think there is something wrong you should seek out a specialist who will help you.
Like I said, vie learned here on the forum that the MS Specialist knows more about ms than other doctors.

You can find information about specialists on the national multiple sclerosis website.
If you email or call your local chapter, they will help you find someone.

Hope this helped.
Kerri