ubc ms clinic

[marymoto]

well just to let you know that i had my appt. at ubc. i am going to describe how it went first dr. Oger asked about my symptoms i am not so sure if i described them clearly due to my appt. being in the afternoon i was feeling fatigued by this time.he did not want to look at my timeline saying he would not be able to read it clearly.when finished his quick neuro exam he looked into my eyes he then said i do not think you have ms.pleas get dressed and come back to my office when i wentt into his office he said he did not think i had ms because my lumbar spine mri i had done is not showing lesions. i replied that it was the brain mri he was swupposed to look at not the lumbar mri. so he asked when i had this done i replied february of 2009 before this flareup in june came on so he said that he would requisition this. so i waited the afternoon for this mri to come in.went to see the ms opthamoligist while waiting for this mri. the eye dr. said i have a disorder of eye movement as my right eye flickers side to side he asked about my balance i told him i am having a lot of balance issues he mumbled that there is some kind of cerebellar mucle issue???? then i went back to seedr. oger who aftewr more waiting had my mri we looked at it together and he said from this mri you do not have ms....he said your dr. can send you back if he wants to in afew months.but you wont be seeing me. well why would my dr. want to send me back if i do not have ms?and the part about the lumbar mri lumbar mri does not show ms lesions do they ecspecially if no enhancement is used? and i thought at ubc they would do testing to see if you ahve ms now not base it on an old mri.on my way home i called my husband who could not attend the appt. with me and told him the neuro said i do not have ms.he began to cry and said i do not beleive this. i am in shock as well thought it was pretty cut and dried typical ms. feedback anyone or all please cried myself to sleep last night in disbeleleif

[Quixotic1]

None of this makes any sense.  this neurologist was saying some pretty weird stuff.  I can only echo what the others have said.  You don't make a diagnosis of MS based on the MRI alone and CERTAINLY NOT ON AN MRI OF THE LUMBAR SPINE.  the vast majority of lesions are seen in the brain and the cervical spine followed by the thoracic spine.  The spinal cord ends right at the beginning of the lumbar spinal cord.  Below that is the cauda equina - the cascade of nerves that have exited the spinal cord but are still traveling down in the canal to their point of exit to the body.

These nerves of the cauda equina are still part of the central nervous system, but being small nerve clumps, do not show the lesions of MS.  So, Mary, the doctor was being a total dufus for involving the lumbar spine MRI as even a part of his decision.  There is no reason to image the lumbar spine at all unless you suspect some kind of bony or vertebral disc problem and pinched nerves or something.

I'm so sorry that you wasted your time with this guy.  He is a loser and should not be holding the position he does.  When you go back to your regular doctor you can tell him that this was a ridiculous comment.   Zero percent of MS lesions are in the lumbar spine!

You clearly have eye issues which sound like a form of nystagmus or of gaze pursuit problems.  Fire this neuro and look further.

I want to spit nails as my hair falls out!

Quix

[Fluffysmom]

Is Dr. Oger a neurologist?  I'm sorry, but he's definitely a bad one, if he is.  A GP would most likely know that a Lumbar MRI would have nothing to do with MS; and my GP gives a more thorough neuro exam than you described.

It's all been said already, but I had to add my two cents.

Please find a new doctor, and follow up with the ophthalmologist.  Get copies of your records, such as the chart notes from the eye doctor, copies of any MRIs and reports, etc.

I know how sad it is to run into this kind of idiotic stone-walling; and I've also learned how important it is to now use your energy to find the right doctor(s).  I've finally found the right MS specialist, and started treatment this week.

My previous specialist was at a OHSU's Center for Health and Healing MS Clinic; I thought I was so lucky to have gotten accepted.  I wasted 9 months with a bad doctor, trying to get testing done, to find answers

My first appt. with my new MS specialist, and I had my answers; I have MS.

I hope that you're able to find the right doctor so that you can find answers, too.

Kathy

[shoshin]

Yet another idiot neuro. As Bio said, MS doesn't even affect the lumbar spine--only the cervical and thoracic spine. Time for a new doctor!

sho

[biowham]

No doctor should *ever* say to you, "Based on your MRI, you don't have MS." That's not how MS is diagnosed. An MRI is not even required for it. He should have done a completely thorough neurological exam on you, one lasting at least a half hour. THAT's how a REAL doctor diagnoses MS or really anything else. A brief neurological exam tells doctors absolutely nothing at all unless you've got really significant deterioration (like you can't lift an arm or something) or you've got horrible clonus in an ankle.

Lumbar spine doesn't enter into consideration of MS AT ALL.

Obviously, you need to go to a different doctor, if you can. And follow-up with that neuroophth and what he said about your eyes. That's highly relevant here. Stay on it. Leave losers like this guy on the side of the road and move on.

Bio

[Wobbly]

that not a very good MS Neuro appt... he only did a short Neuro exam..what's with that?  Sorry to hear it was so bad... and to have to wait so long.. did you get to tell him what the eye dr said...I would ask to see another Neuro asap... that's ridiculous to wait so long, what did you old MRI brain show?  sorry, cant remember...

he didn't mention an LP?  or another MRI?  strange to me.. I would contact your GP and let them know how you feel... next appt ask for another Neuro and hopefully you will get someone that will listen and search for answers..

it's not right for them to just brush it off... keep searching.. and ask your Gp for another brain and C spine MRI... OK.. GP can request them too..

so you can have this done while you wait for your next appt.. I know it can take along time to find answers and go through a few Neuro for this too.

hang in there...next appt maybe your hubby can go with you or a friend, family member..it does help to have them with you..

also, when you get another MRI or testing done ... Always ask for a copy of the CD and report... they should give you one..or mail it to you...or call you to pick it up..

you will have to sign a form..but do this at all tests...blood tests as well.
take care... and keep searching .. you know your body.. and if something is wrong.. something is wrong.

wobbly
dx