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Warning *RANT* new idiot Neuro...
Hi All,
If you don't want to hear a rant, don't look here :) just a warning...
So all symptoms from my most recent attack (double vision, INO, TN) have all but vanished. I still have some facial pain, but it feels sore now, not the nerve pain that I used to get. At any rate, I am still having extreme difficulty walking. As such, I went to see my regular physician about getting an assisted mobility device. After watching me walk, he recommended that I be evaluated by a Physical Therapist. The Physical Therapist that I saw immediately recommended that I get in a power chair, fast. He said that according to the Doctor's notes and his own observations, that my walking was 'typical' of his M.S. patients.He observed the beginnings of foot drop which no other doctor had seen yet. He also observed the fatigue component in only 50 feet of walking.
A few days earlier, I had applied for a handicapped parking placard. I thought there was no way that I could be declined since I was getting a power chair. Boy was I wrong. My *new* idiot Neurologist made the comment on my application that I could walk, and that I need to walk. While both statements are true, he didn't mention that my unassisted mobility had reached the point where I could only take maybe 15 steps before it became difficult to lift my legs. I even showed him a video where after just 14 minutes of slow walking, I was dragging my right foot up the stairs to my apartment (I have since moved to a ground level dwelling because of this).
How can any physician specializing in the realm of neurological disorders possibly justify declining a handicapped parking placard in such a situation? Also, if he was truly concerned that I need to walk and I'm asking for a placard, maybe this would raise a red flag in his tiny brain and he would CALL his patient to see if his condition had worsened? No, he works for Kaiser so this would never happen.
End rant.
Kenny
If you don't want to hear a rant, don't look here :) just a warning...
So all symptoms from my most recent attack (double vision, INO, TN) have all but vanished. I still have some facial pain, but it feels sore now, not the nerve pain that I used to get. At any rate, I am still having extreme difficulty walking. As such, I went to see my regular physician about getting an assisted mobility device. After watching me walk, he recommended that I be evaluated by a Physical Therapist. The Physical Therapist that I saw immediately recommended that I get in a power chair, fast. He said that according to the Doctor's notes and his own observations, that my walking was 'typical' of his M.S. patients.He observed the beginnings of foot drop which no other doctor had seen yet. He also observed the fatigue component in only 50 feet of walking.
A few days earlier, I had applied for a handicapped parking placard. I thought there was no way that I could be declined since I was getting a power chair. Boy was I wrong. My *new* idiot Neurologist made the comment on my application that I could walk, and that I need to walk. While both statements are true, he didn't mention that my unassisted mobility had reached the point where I could only take maybe 15 steps before it became difficult to lift my legs. I even showed him a video where after just 14 minutes of slow walking, I was dragging my right foot up the stairs to my apartment (I have since moved to a ground level dwelling because of this).
How can any physician specializing in the realm of neurological disorders possibly justify declining a handicapped parking placard in such a situation? Also, if he was truly concerned that I need to walk and I'm asking for a placard, maybe this would raise a red flag in his tiny brain and he would CALL his patient to see if his condition had worsened? No, he works for Kaiser so this would never happen.
End rant.
Kenny
Thank you so much for your comments. Sorry it took so long to get back to you all, I was out (trying) to walk around for the weekend lol.
I spoke with an MS Specialist on the PHONE that I haven't seen in probably a year (before my official dx). He wants me to mail him a new application, and he will sign it and return it to me WITHOUT seeing me lol.
Kaiser Doctors are so disconnected from their patients that they forget the simple things. Like researching things on their own. From what I understand, this neuro was mentored by my ex-neuro. You can read my rants on his services if you want, lol.
Kaiser's process for filling out applications for things like disability and parking placards is to have the victim (oops, I mean patient) go to a window with an uncaring face behind it who doesn't really help you fill out forms but instead mocks you when you ask questions. They then forward the form to your doc who tears it to shreds no matter what it is. OK, the shredding it, victim and mocking are a jest (mostly), but you get the picture. There are some doctors (like my new PCP) who are kind enough to electronically fill out the forms and print them. Yep, it's that simple if they really want to take a minute...
Maybe I should cordially invite my former neuro to view this post. Think he will respond?
I spoke with an MS Specialist on the PHONE that I haven't seen in probably a year (before my official dx). He wants me to mail him a new application, and he will sign it and return it to me WITHOUT seeing me lol.
Kaiser Doctors are so disconnected from their patients that they forget the simple things. Like researching things on their own. From what I understand, this neuro was mentored by my ex-neuro. You can read my rants on his services if you want, lol.
Kaiser's process for filling out applications for things like disability and parking placards is to have the victim (oops, I mean patient) go to a window with an uncaring face behind it who doesn't really help you fill out forms but instead mocks you when you ask questions. They then forward the form to your doc who tears it to shreds no matter what it is. OK, the shredding it, victim and mocking are a jest (mostly), but you get the picture. There are some doctors (like my new PCP) who are kind enough to electronically fill out the forms and print them. Yep, it's that simple if they really want to take a minute...
Maybe I should cordially invite my former neuro to view this post. Think he will respond?
Kenny,
I am so sorry you have run into the Neuro who is in contention for the Idiot of the Year Award.
What an idiot. My neuro filled out my handicapped parking permit in less than a minute an my hubby took it to the DMV to receive the placard.
Yes, you need to walk but as others have mentioned , if you walk into the store form a parking space at the end of the lot, you have already done achieved your limitation in walking. EVERYONE (except your neuro) knows that over-exertion is the worst enemy of an MS patient.
I wish you luck as you try to get this sorted out!!!!
Please keep us informed, preferably before Friday when we do our round-up of idiot neuros for the weenie roast ;-)
Ren
I am so sorry you have run into the Neuro who is in contention for the Idiot of the Year Award.
What an idiot. My neuro filled out my handicapped parking permit in less than a minute an my hubby took it to the DMV to receive the placard.
Yes, you need to walk but as others have mentioned , if you walk into the store form a parking space at the end of the lot, you have already done achieved your limitation in walking. EVERYONE (except your neuro) knows that over-exertion is the worst enemy of an MS patient.
I wish you luck as you try to get this sorted out!!!!
Please keep us informed, preferably before Friday when we do our round-up of idiot neuros for the weenie roast ;-)
Ren
Lois is on the right track here. I would also suggest that you redo the DMV application and resubmit it without your nimkumpoop neuros remarks. What an idiot. I think he did that on purpose as these neuros know what is involved with getting the permit unless they are newbie docs and professionally inexperienced - many at Kaiser are I hate to say.
Were you able to read the document he filled out before he handed it over to you or did it come in the mail? My neuro filled it out right in front of me and even helped me do my part of it. This guy is a keeper. He made sure there were not going to be any glitches with DMV and there weren't.
Oh and I would tell that numscull neuro, if you go back to him again, that although walking is good for us with MS, overdoing the walking will make our problems worse not better. Maybe you should take him a brochure from the National MS Society explaining the improtance of not overtaxing our muscles.
Hmmm....This rant really got my blood boiling. Be mad, but go and do something to get it corrected. You need that permit for sure.
Take care and remember that you can rant away any time you need to around here.
Julie
Were you able to read the document he filled out before he handed it over to you or did it come in the mail? My neuro filled it out right in front of me and even helped me do my part of it. This guy is a keeper. He made sure there were not going to be any glitches with DMV and there weren't.
Oh and I would tell that numscull neuro, if you go back to him again, that although walking is good for us with MS, overdoing the walking will make our problems worse not better. Maybe you should take him a brochure from the National MS Society explaining the improtance of not overtaxing our muscles.
Hmmm....This rant really got my blood boiling. Be mad, but go and do something to get it corrected. You need that permit for sure.
Take care and remember that you can rant away any time you need to around here.
Julie
Jeez, that is horrible!!! I didn't see the Kaiser part-----what can I say except I'm sorry you have to deal with them. They are the absolute worse 'managed profit' insurance in the world.
I'm not sure what I would do---I would probably start at my PCP. Maybe making an appt. with them to explain the fact that having a scooter w/o the tag will not help you.
I wonder if you can get the PCP to sign and then hand deliver take it directly to the DMV. Kaiser has to have their hands in everything.
Please let us know what happens
I'm not sure what I would do---I would probably start at my PCP. Maybe making an appt. with them to explain the fact that having a scooter w/o the tag will not help you.
I wonder if you can get the PCP to sign and then hand deliver take it directly to the DMV. Kaiser has to have their hands in everything.
Please let us know what happens
Hi Kenny
Yup, I'd say your Neuro blew it for you.
I really wish I could offer advice, but I don't know anything about for a handicap parking placcard.
Can you get the idiot neuro to redo your application with wording that will help you?
Is there some reason he doesn't want you to have the parking placcard?
Can you bypass the neuro and get the PT and your family doctor to redo the application?
Just a couple ideas.
Oh, and, you don't have to appoligize for ranting, we all have to do it now and then.
Take care Kenny, and I hope you get this resolved soon.
Mike
Yup, I'd say your Neuro blew it for you.
I really wish I could offer advice, but I don't know anything about for a handicap parking placcard.
Can you get the idiot neuro to redo your application with wording that will help you?
Is there some reason he doesn't want you to have the parking placcard?
Can you bypass the neuro and get the PT and your family doctor to redo the application?
Just a couple ideas.
Oh, and, you don't have to appoligize for ranting, we all have to do it now and then.
Take care Kenny, and I hope you get this resolved soon.
Mike
Hi Karen, I hadn't even though of getting my PCP to sign it, thanks for that suggestion :)
Hi Lois, Yes, the first doc to sign off on the scooter was my PCP. The doc who denied the app was my neuro. Apparently it is Kaiser's protocol to automatically forward all handicapped placard cards to any "specialty doctor" that a patient is seeing. Unfortunately it could not be a mistake, since he left a sticky note on it with his signature stating "patient can walk, patient needs to walk". He then took the liberty of crossing everything out on the application. I would call his office to clarify, but it would literally take 3 months for me to hear back, lol. By then I will have my chair. I really need new insurance!
Hi Lois, Yes, the first doc to sign off on the scooter was my PCP. The doc who denied the app was my neuro. Apparently it is Kaiser's protocol to automatically forward all handicapped placard cards to any "specialty doctor" that a patient is seeing. Unfortunately it could not be a mistake, since he left a sticky note on it with his signature stating "patient can walk, patient needs to walk". He then took the liberty of crossing everything out on the application. I would call his office to clarify, but it would literally take 3 months for me to hear back, lol. By then I will have my chair. I really need new insurance!
What a frustrating place to be in!!
If I read it right the first doc to sign off on the scooter was your PCP and the one who 'denied' the sticker are different doctors?
Did you discuss the sticker application with your new neurologist? I'm wondering if he didn't fill it out correctly, sometimes docs are too busy to read things thoroughly. His nurse may have filled it out and left it for his signature.
My intuition is that this is a mistake. First of all, a hadicapped sticker is not just so you don't have to walk further, it's so you have more space to get your assisted device of any kind out of the car and ready to go.
My suggestion would first be to call the doc that refused the sticker and leave a msg. asking why he refused AND reminding him of your history of falling or need of any device to help you balance. Physicians want us to walk and be active but not be placed in a compromisig situation.
I really think it is a mistake. Please call the docs to get things clarified
take care, lois
If I read it right the first doc to sign off on the scooter was your PCP and the one who 'denied' the sticker are different doctors?
Did you discuss the sticker application with your new neurologist? I'm wondering if he didn't fill it out correctly, sometimes docs are too busy to read things thoroughly. His nurse may have filled it out and left it for his signature.
My intuition is that this is a mistake. First of all, a hadicapped sticker is not just so you don't have to walk further, it's so you have more space to get your assisted device of any kind out of the car and ready to go.
My suggestion would first be to call the doc that refused the sticker and leave a msg. asking why he refused AND reminding him of your history of falling or need of any device to help you balance. Physicians want us to walk and be active but not be placed in a compromisig situation.
I really think it is a mistake. Please call the docs to get things clarified
take care, lois
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There are many folks with various medical conditions who have the ability to walk but use wheelchairs to conserve energy. Perhaps your physical therapist has information on this subject that you can give to your neurologist. This useful tool of energy conservation is BASIC info and is written about extensively. He has his head up a dark place where if doesn't belong.
Don't let this fly. Get a PCP to fill in the application.