What makes a neuro an MS specialist?

[IUMOM2]

We are all told to go to MS specialist because they know more about MS. But, I've seen it here, and on other forums, so called MS specialist who are so misinformed. Why is this?

Is there specialized training they have to have to become an MS specialist? Or, is it just a matter of them saying they want to treat MS patients (which is what I've read).

Thanks for any input.

[Weesy68]

I was tested for MS after a case of mono that would not go away and symptoms that were pretty indicative of MS as well.  I understand the frustration and even I am a "physician hater" at times having been put through the mill.  I had so many symptoms that doctors either ignored or gave me that look like, "what do you want me to do?"  Well, I will correct my earlier post in saying that there are some doctors who can do a bit more than their specialty and be very good at it. It just is not the majority.  I finally went to a doctor recommended by my mother.  He is a general MD.  After months of complaining about bone pain, paresthesias, carpal tunnel syndrome, foggy brain, etc., etc., to no avail from two general doctors who didn't even bother to say, "Hey, let's have a specialist look at you," I made an appointment myself with a neurologist.  He rightfully requested MRIs of the brain which showed no abnormalities as well as had my carpal tunnel tested which showed positive progression in both hands.  Ultimately, I did not expect him to look further as the carpal wasn't serious enough yet for surgery and he had done his job with the MS search.  I did finally go to a general practitioner who asked me why no one had tested my Iron levels or Vitamin levels.  He reviewed the lab results I brought as well medical charts from other doctors and ordered a series of blood tests.  Well, I found out I have Vitamin D levels that can cause rickets in children and fractures in the elderly, except I'm 40 years old.  Another test of my growth hormone levels showed that I have high levels of Growth Hormone.  Look those two up on the internet and bam you come up with Pituitary tumor.  He also did verify that I did indeed have mono to start out with but I had additional things happen either concurrently or that were exacerbated by the mono.  So I'm not sure of all the possibilities here, but I do know that when the mono hit I was unable to eat and lost 10 pounds in two weeks and from there got GERD suddenly that would not go away which further made it difficult for me to eat.  So either I had depleted my Vitamin D so badly from an inability to eat during this time which caused hyperparathyroidism, or I have a pituitary tumor that is causing problems and went undiagnosed on my brain MRI which I found isn't that uncommon.  Neither I or my husband can even see my pituitary on the MRI CD from the hospital which leads me to wonder if at the time they were looking for MS they didn't focus too much on the pituitary.  Either way, this doctor I'm currently seeing has referred me to several different specialists because he is covering all the bases.  After having seen him and reading what I could about Vitamin D deficiency and growth hormone, I wanted to scream at the previous doctors who gave me the "what do you want me to do look."  One even offered me pain medication (the doctor's fix-all when he has given up) when he should have taken the simple blood test for my Vitamin D levels.  I have mentioned other symptoms to them that go along with these issues but it was to no avail, so I do understand.

In regards to emschick's post, true medical specialists go to two or more years of additional schooling in that specialty at a university.  True specialists cannot go to a 6 week course.  There are physician's who will claim they specialize in something such as brain disorders.  You can tell if they are the university trained physician this way.  A neurologist can only call himself such if he actually has the degree in that field.  However, a general physician who did not get that extra training can say he's an MS specialist because he went to a specialty course on MS.  This does not make him a neurologist and he cannot legally refer to himself as a Neurologist.  It's a loophole some physicians have found to appear, in my opinion, as if they are more competent in a field when they have simply taken a short course.  Same thing goes for the dental industry.  A dentist can call himself a "root canal specialist" if he attended a course or even if he didn't simply because he may consider himself a specialist, but he cannot call himself an Endodontist, which is a true root canal specialist unless he went to a university and graduated with a degree. Maybe that will help some people who are, in my opinion, being fooled by certain physicians.  Look for those little details and if you don't know, ask the physician if he is a university trained specialist and if so for how long because I don't know of a specialty in medicine that takes less than two years to complete, and legally unless they have completed it they are not allowed to refer to themselves by the name of that specialty.  Watch for those little loopholes.  Good luck to all of you.  God bless you for being as tough as you are.  

[sllowe]

Hi Weesy,

You sure hit the nail on the head when you say MS care needs a team of specialists.  Some of us do have those specialists working on our behalf, others not so fortunate.  What you'll see here with us is that some have been very dismissed by just their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd and so on attempt to find out what is wrong with their bodies.

I'm Shelly, and I was diagnosed with MS last year.  My dx was quick, but I have to say that my MD said I had "classic" stress.  She was totally wrong.  Though to my advantage the 1st Neuro I went to knew what he was looking at and proceeded accordingly.  

It's been my experience that it is difficult to find specialists with MS backgrounds other than Neuro's (and though are hard to find too) who are able to complement MS care.  You are very right in your position and don't want you to think we doctor haters or anything like that.  Quite the opposite, many of us are seeking those with specialties regarding specific conditions.

I'm glad you've mentioned the ego w/some who work out of their field.  Many have experienced that here. It puts patients at a huge disadvantage of proper care.  

The MS centers seem very promising, and I've read reports on patients who find this sort of care at them.  I'm looking into a few in my state too for my future, and hoping to get that team.

Thanks for popping in.  Do you have an interest in MS in your career as a nurse? We've got a lot of good information our health pages.  No matter what brought you here, you are welcome here as we are one big family.

See you around,
-Shell

[emschick]

Personally I haven't seen a neuro specialized anything. I think they go to a class and put another feather in their hat then call it a specialty.

However, if you can't tell I am a bit bitter with neuro's at the moment. But I really think it is just like any other job, to get something else added on you must go through a class or seminar. I really think it has nothing to do with doctrine degrees just extra hours of class to become known as specialist. Or even worse a test like a CPR test except a MS test.

I don't think they really have to put an effort to get this. But that is just the opinion of a very bitter person.

[Weesy68]

MS requires a team of specialists.  This means a neurologist, a rheumatologist, physical therapist, your PCP, etc.  The rheumatologist knows far more about arthritis pain and how to treat it than the neurologist knows, but the neuro knows far more about the nerves and treatments for those than your rheumatologist.  I would avoid any doctor who does not expect you to be seeing other specialists as well during your treatment.  Any physician, no matter who he is, that believes he can treat you all by himself without the help of these other physicians is on an ego trip and is more concerned about your money than your health.  

My husband is a physician and he knows he has limitations because he specializes in one area.  This makes him great at his speciality but limits his knowledge of other specialties.  Too many of his patients become his patients due to doctors who did not refer when they should have and tried to handle it on their own.  By the time he sees them, their treatment has already gone beyond the point of repair, caused greater financial burden and put the patient through far more pain than they deserve.  

As patients we all have to be more aware that there are reasons we have specialists and though they tend to cost more to see, you will pay much more both financially and with your health by not seeking out the physicians who specialize with your particular health issue.  This may mean you need to see several types of specialists to get the best care possible.  In my experience as a patient and as a physician's wife, the doctors best qualified to treat you will stick to their specific specialty and are able to admit when it is beyond the scope of their specialty.  They know their limitations.  Those types of doctors are not incompetent.  They are doctors who honestly care about your well being.

[6-paq]

PS   You have to register before you can view the posts under www. msneuroratings. com.

[6-paq]

Is the the site you are thinking of?

www. msneuroratings. com

[Quixotic1]

Some time ago there was a post listing a site where specifically MS docs could be "rated" and evaluated.  I have found several "rate your MD" sites (and definitely rated mine) but I have not run across the one that is MS dedicated.

Does anyone know what site this is?

Quix

[doublevision1]

Here is a recent thread on this very topic:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/525561


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