Questions to ask my doctor | What to request?

[greenandchic]

Here are the symptoms I’ve been experiencing since the spring. First, I started having pens and needles in my feet that started to get worse whenever I ran or rode my bike and took showers.  My doctor at the time (she since left the area) gave me a shot of B12 and wanted to follow up and it went away for about two months. She ordered an x-ray to start since my insurance wouldn’t pay for an MRI right off the bat.  I didn’t get the x-ray because I was having unrelated issues with my insurance company – all is well now.

Late summer, the sensations returned, I was hoping it would go away again, but it has since gotten worse.  I also now have blurred vision in my left eye that gets worse whenever I work out or even bathe in hot water.  I also started having pens and needles in/on my nose only!  My new doctor sent me to a Neurologist and he pretty much looked over me, told me to get my eyes checked and to come pack in three months.  

This passed Sunday, I got my eyes checked at UC Berkeley School of Optometry and the eye doctor told me that I still have 20/20 vision; there is nothing in the back of the eye they can see and is urging me to get an MRI.  She was supposed to fax my Neurologist her findings and recommendation.  

So my question is, should I try to get a new Neurologist since this one sent me away to come back months later?   Is this standard procedure? What questions should I ask him/her (a new one or the current one)?  What tests should I request?

[greenandchic]

Hey ess - I just double checked and it was an ophthalmologist I saw. I usually get the two mixed up. :)

doni - those pages are great! I can spend hours reading.  Thanks for pointing that out. :)

[essdipity]

Hey there, greenandchic. Just one comment/observation: An optometrist is not the kind of eye doctor you need. These are not MDs, and are not trained to evaluate possible optic neuritis. Please see an ophthalmologist, or even better, a neuro-ophthalmologist. Try to have this all done and a report ready for your next neuro visit.

ess

[doni54]

Hi greenandchic,

Glad you're here, welcome.  We have some great health pages and one of them covers how to prepare for your drs visit.  It's titled:  "Doctor Visit PREP - Be Prepared!"

Just click on the health pages icon in the upper right hand corner.

Keep us informed on what's going on with you and if you need any help doing a timeline of your symptoms just let us know.

take care,
doni

[greenandchic]

Thanks everyone!  I will keep all of this on paper and try to get in to my Neuro  a little sooner...

[Lulu54]

Hi greenandchic,
Welcome to our MS forum - I think you will find it helpful here - lots of good information that is easily understood and great people willing to share.  I'm thinking that the neuro wants to see you back in 3 months is a good thing - many here are told to come back in 6 months or a year.  Those three months give you lots of time to construct a time line of your symptoms and to learn more about possible causes of your pins and needles.

This diagnosis process is not for the weak - its takes a lot of strength to hurry up and wait.  Incidentally, my vision is also 20/20 and I am dx'd with MS.

I hope you will come back often and share with us.....

My best, Lulu

[Wobbly]

I would write all these symptoms down...results etc... and if you can get copies of your results that would help in the future if you need them..

see this Neuro and if you don't like the result of the visit..see another one....
the Neuro should give you a full Neuro exam which can take up to 1/2 or more..
may tell you to have a MRI..or you could ask for one, since you have had symptoms come and go.. and the eye Dr is suggesting this..

let us know how things go...
take care
wobbly
undx