Neurologist vs Nurse Practitioner

[tallenms]

I have a 13 y/o son who was diagnosed with schizencephaly after his second seizure in October 07.  After the second seizure we had to wait until January to get an appointment with the pediatric neurology department and then it was with the nurse practitioner and not the neurologist.  She prescribed Keppra and it seemed to be working until last week when he had his third seizure.  This time the seizure occurred during his sleep.  The nurse practitioner has increased his dose of Keppra and ordered a sleep deprived EEG.  I guess my concern is that even after three seizures we have not seen an actual pediatric neurologist, we are still dealing with the nurse practitioner.  Is this common?  Should I be more demanding and insist on a neurologist.  Also she wants to schedule a sleep deprived EEG.  My question is if the seizures are caused by the schizencephaly what information can they find out from a sleep deprived EEG?

[persephone5394]

My daughter currently is seen at Childrens Hospital for a seizure disorder because she started having grand mal seizures when she was nine.  I was terrified because no one seemed to be concerned and everywhere we went, they just kept trying to give her antacids and send her home.  We finally went to Childrens and we saw a a couple of different neurologists.  They at least got her on meds.  It wasn't until I was making an appointment one day and the neurologist was booked for months.  They asked if I would mind seeing a nurse practitioner.  I agreed and I have only regreted not seeing one to begin with.  Finally, we had someone who took the time to listen and actually seemed to care about helping my child.  I cannot express to you how much this changed my life. I realized this is just my own personal experience and I couldn't tell you if it is the majority.
They finally made us make an appointment with actual neurologist and once again I just feel like I'm being hurried through and we are just another number. Personally, I would see the nurse practitioner every time, given the choice.