How often do you see your neuro?

[meg321]

This just bugging me...I am trying to get off my norco so I called my MS specialist's office and I got a call back, which is highly unusual, but I asked if they could be a bit more helpful with my prescriptions.  Since they were a part of my pain pill addiction...and she was "shocked" that I wanted more than 2-3 pills a day and has to talk to the Dr.  

Just an update, I have gone from numerous pills a day down to 7 norco a day now.  I know it seems like a lot to some but my body doesn't think so at all.   I found some help and I am finally tapering 1/2 pill every 5 days and it seems to be working..before I was bouncing all over the place and it just wasn't working.   I also have someone online to share this with and she is helping me do this.

This is all leading to my question....I almost never see or talk to my MS Dr.....its been way over a year, maybe more.
I just can't figure out how she even knows who I am by now and if I was good at keeping track of things, it would take me a good few hours just to talk to her and catch her up.  I finally have an appt in Feb and I will not even know where to start.

I have started taking notes til I find a better way to do it, thanks to Pastor Dan.  I am still not really looking forward to seeing her now.  I have more to add to this but I know how it is to have to read long posts so I will give it a rest...

But I was just curious if everyone has to wait this long to see their MS Dr....I feel sorta stupid now, waiting so long.

thanks, meg

[meg321]

It must depend lot on location, location, location !  And the Dr., I go to UCSF in SF and they are always so busy and its a teaching hospital.  I just don't think they can keep up on their regular patients...they don't even have my last appt with her, but I saw the NP on Sept 20, 2011.

That was about a year and a half and It was a long time before that appt that I saw my DR. ,,,what Dr. ?

I feel neglected...lol

meg

[Doll555]

The longest I have gone without seeing my neuro is about 4 months.

[Maks322]

Hi
I have an appt with my neuro Feb 4th.  That will make it 2 months since I last saw him. This will be the longest time span.  Usually I see him every 4 Weeks.  I have talked to him 3 times by phone, since my last appt.  He always handles calls to me himself.  I have an appt with a MS specialist on Thursday, if something big happens (like she says its true I have MS), then I'm sure he will call me.  

[Ojibajo]

When I was first diagnosed, I saw my neuro twice/year, now I am down to once/year. It's usually a follow-up after my annual MRI.

[PastorDan]

Sounds like I should want some of your neuros!

[Jacksmom516]

I see my Neuro twice a year his nurse practitioner is available at any time and I can call her with issues if need be.  Sounds funny my neuro is at Johns Hopkins but lives less than a mile from my house as does his NP!  I see her at petsmart and have run into him at Target and Wegmans!

[byyygrace]

I have went every month since August (a 2 1/2 hour drive one way) and now I get to wait for two months! I'm hoping this means I' m stabilizing and maybe after the March appt we'll be able to change to six months!

I have never spent less than an hour with the doctor himself and I can read on here that this is very unusual! He never hurries anyone, is very, very thorough every appointment. The trade off is if your appointment is set for one, you probably won't get in until 3 or 3:30! At this point though, I'm okay with that-this is scary stuff in the beginning!

[maxthecat43]

I'm not sure why, but I see my neurologist every six weeks or so. This time it will only be 5 weeks.  I haven't had a true relapse in a while (I thought I was having one last month, but it was an infection), so maybe after I see him next week, it can be put off for longer.  

[kwarendorf]

" the MS nurse"

The Nurse Practitioner at my MS practice is an invaluable part of my MS management process! I don't need to see or speak with my MS neurologist to tweak a med dosage, try another med when the first one isn't working etc...She is available and responsive. When necessary she has instant access to the neurologist. More often than not, it's not :-)

Kyle

[Mike_Shuswap]

I see my Neuro once per year at which time he gets an update from me, follows up on any new problems I'm having, renews my Rebif rx, and renews my lab work standing orders. I always book next years appointment at this time.

During the year I can phone in to the MS clinic where my Neuro works and report relapses or any other concerns to the MS nurse, and she decides what action to take. This all gets recorded on my chart.

I see my GP every 3 months. He renews all my other meds, MS related and not MS related.

It's good you're keeping notes to prepare for your Neuro appt.. I keep a journal all year long but I still manage to forget to bring up some issues during my Neuro appointments.)

Take care,

Mike

[debgen]

Hi Meg,

I used to see my neuro every 3 monthsbut now it is more like every 6 months. I don't feel Ike my neuro is very good at keeping up with me. I am trying to schedule my next appt. in another month because that will be my 3 month mark for being on Gileya.
Over the years I have learned the importance of being proactive in managing myself and keeping the doc informed rather than the other way around!

Hugs,
Deb

[kwarendorf]

I am supposed to see my MS Doc twice a year. His schedule is booked over a year ahead. Last month I was suppposed to see him on December 4. This was the same day as a long delayed, often rescheduled real estate closing.

I had to miss my appointment and was not able to reschedule. I will see him in June, the next 6 month appointment. I'm doing really well so there was not a pressing need to see him. His office monitors and manages all aspects of my MS care. For example, next week I will have my annual PML screening wich includes an MRI and a spinal tap. (Last week I had the JCV blood test.)

All of the above was proactively scheduled by his staff. The MRI and LP will both take place at his office. He will most certainly review the results. I guess my point is that even though I won't sit down in his office this time, my MS treatment proceeds full steam ahead :-)

Kyle

[SarahL2491]

I see mine twice a yr but it may depend on what you have going on
Since I live so far away, ER agreed on this schedule
I know he stays booked up months in advance