WAAAHHHH!!!! Back from neuro (Dr. DWI)

Ok, so the good and the bad. As I thought, the MRI was clear, according to the radiologist. I'm not sure where that belongs, good or bad. So, I'll just say that first. (Quix, I read your post to mom before our visit, she just sorta hummed along.... I totally agreed with you though)

I basically feel like falling apart, and I'm not sure why. Let me describe my visit. (This is the neuro Dr. Deal With It and "all that matters" guy.)

Now, the good. Not much. Um, ok, so I'm not dying or anything like that. He did scan all my copies from previous Rheumatologist. He also put me on Cymbalta- according to him because people can have hidden depression, and becuase he wants to use it to deal with the pain I'm having in my feet and legs and to improve my cognition. (it's bad, I went from an A student a few months ago to a C student and struggling to say my ABC's).

The bad. He said I was depressed. He also mentioned that people "can fake this (symptoms), although it would be difficult"  and " these "symptoms aren't really pointing to any diagnosis".

The neuro also said that he will scan my brain and cervical spine ONE more time and then that's it. NO more scans, no nothing. NOW, I've only had 1 in May of my brain and nothing of my lumbar and thoracic. ALSO, he still hasn't run any other tests. Isn't there mimics or something? I mean... he even had to admit that my VEP was slightly positive, and I failed all balance tests.

The neuro also said that my legs were strong, but with the trouble I was showing walking, perhaps there was some type of spinal cord issue. Ok, so why not look at the entire thing?

* note- just got x-ray of lower spine results from doctor in Dec and it showed "scoliatic (sp?) changes and possible spina bifida occulta" I do have scoliosis, but what's the spina bifida thing?

So NOW, I DO feel rather depressed. TRUST ME... I DON'T think I was before that appointment, and neither did any of my friends.

HOWEVER, when I said to my mom, "now, what, just go home and deal with it?" she said, "he's doing the best he can."

I feel there's so much more he can do? But what?!!!

PART ONE OF TWO ( I will type of symptoms and timeline for ANYONE to help me try to understand what's happening)

~Sunnytoday~

PS I'm going to go and eat something sweet and curl up with a book and try not to cry over that visit.

[Quixotic1]

Okay, Dr. DWI may be doing the best HE can, but he is floundering and won't admit it.  On one hand he mouths the words "fake" and "hidden depression" but, then turns around and talks about spinal cord disease.

Faking and depression are not really related.  Fakers are malingers.  They either want attention (Munchausen's Syndrome) or some sort of secondary gain (disability income.)  Depression causes real perception of pain.  Conceivably, it is also the cause (with anxiety) of conversion where a deep psychological trauma results in physical problems.  So he is mixing oranges and orangutans.  He's throwing out every possible way of blaming this on you.

Then he says that these problems would be hard to fake.  The why in heaven's name discuss faking them and insulting you????  He says they are typical of spinal cord disease.  Okay, no one gets spinal cord disease by faking it, by being depressed as as part of a conversion disorder.  But, he has no intention of imaging your entire spine.  He doesn't know what to make of a positive (how positive?) VEP.  What was the P Latency in msec?

What is the most common spinal cord disease in young women?  Far and away it is multiple sclerosis.  If you have symptoms suggestive of spinal cord disease, then you rule it out!!!!  I can't say you do or don't have it.

Final analysis, this guy is an idiot and he probably IS doing the best he can.  He is a loser and he can't even decide whether to blame you or do the complete work up for the spinal disease that seems to be there.  So he decides to do a half-a$$ed workup. That really makes a lot of sense.  I picture him standing in the room wringing his hands in indecision.  So, there is very little more he can do.  He doesn't think well enough.

I'm so sorry your mom doesn't feel that things are being missed here.  That makes it very hard on you.  I feel you need to request from your mom that you get a second opinion from a different neurologist, completely unrelated to this guy.  Not his partner, not in the same building.  Try to persuade your mom to let you see someone else.

I look forward to your timeline to see what else I can add.

Quix

[mercyone]

I agree with Quix - he doesn't have any answers so he is grasping at straws. Is there anyway you can see another specialist - for a second opinon? The spine issues are worrisome....

Mercy

[floridamom2]

I am sorry for your visit and the dismissiveness of this incompetent neuro!!  It is not in your head and Quix is sooooo right for encouraging you to do what is in your best interest and not take his attitude as truth.

I wish this was easier for all of us but unfortunately it is not.  I will be praying for you to get the strength and courage to keep searching for answers!

Hugs!
Kristin

[biowham]

What Quix said.

Bio

[wingnut19]

I am definitely gonna have to say DITTO again, because it's either that or this post will be FILLED with:

&&%%(&@(&&%!##@@$%@(***&^%$$!!~!


Tammy :)

[angie99]

I am really sorry you had to go thru that today, I know where you are coming from.

Get the 2nd opinon and forget about this guy. Dont let him do any more test on you, that would mean you will have to go back for more punishment.

I just did the same thing. Went to appt with neuro #2 did not like her at all, had to beg for new mri since I had developed TN since last mri in 7/07,she said everything was pointing to MS. So I get the mri she looks at it says its normal and now she thinks I am stressed and depressed, I also took one of my parents (father) with me. And he didnt help the situation, he agreed that I work to hard and my son is leaving home and I just must be depressed......UGH....

I felt the same way as you are, depressed NOW.....
I am just going to wait and get the radiol report, take my mri to my pcp and go from there.
DONT go back.....

Feel better
angie

[jensequitur]

How unpleasant... do these neuros all come from the same planet?  The planet of shallow sadistic neuros?  Bleah.

SunnyToday, have you had a spinal tap?

[Sunnytoday]

Part two is now posted. I know it's long. I'm sorry... but I wanted to cover everything possible.

No spinal tap... the doctor said it wasn't necessary and he wouldn't do it becuase I was the "poster child for a complication."

Thanks for ALL of your input... I absorbed it, and I needed it. I don't feel as bad now. That kind of a visit can REALLY leave you down...
~Sunnytoday~

[mrsturbo]

What kind of complications are you a poster child for?  I thought you were just "depressed".  Complications would be SPINAL related.  Pleeeeease see someone else, and don't let your mom make you feel bad.  After years of symptoms and now docs thinking it's MS, my mom still thinks I am a hypochondriac.

[Quixotic1]

Tomorrow I will look at your timeline and give you a personal reading.  Tea leaves might be more accurate, but not as entertaining.

Mrsturbo - I think the disbelief that cuts the deepest is when your parents don't believe you.  I went through that and it switched from annoyance to pity now that the diagnosis is in.  Oh, well...

Quix

[Fluffysmom]

Sorry I suggested you see that Dr. DWI while you look for another neuro.  Sounds like the visit was just a painful waste of time.  Mr. Doctoring While Incompetent seems unable to do anything good for you.

I'm sure you will be able to find a better neuro.  Remember, I'm looking for #3, and still hoping for the best.  Well, thanks to all the wonderful support I get here, I'm still hopeful.

I hope you find a good neurologist soon.

Kathy