Finding the right Doctor

[JennT85]

I have recently been told I might have MS. I am working on getting insurance right now but I was curious if there is a big difference in seeing a neurologist or if I should try to find a neurologist that specializes in MS. Also how would I go about finding a doctor that specializes in MS. I live in the East Valley in AZ if anyone knows anyone or has any recommendations please share. Thanks

[rendean]

Hi Jenn,

Welcome to the forum. You know we cannot diagnose you over the internet but we can offer our opinions based on our our personal past experiences. That being said , it sounds like you have a lot of neurological symptoms in addition to the optic neuritis which would make one think of MS but there are a lot of MS mimics that could be the cause of some of your symptoms.

Our Health Pages located at the top of the page in the upper right hand corner, next to the yellow icon contain a wealth of information on a variety of subjects. One of those subjects is MS mimics.

Below is the link to the MS mimics page;

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple-Sclerosis/MS-Mimics---Part-I/show/375?cid=36

Your doc may be correct with the diagnosis of probable MS but he is wise not to write that diagnosis unless he is positive and until you have insurance.

We are here if you have any more questions. sorry we cannot give you a direct answer but we are patients, just like you, except with more experience with MS.

Take care and keep us updated,
Ren

[JennT85]

I saw an opthalomologist because I lost most of my vision in my right eye. I don't have insurance and can't afford to just go be seen but I thought this was pretty important. That doctor told me I had optic neuritis but he also said if I had insurance he would write down in my chart propable ms but he said if he put that as a diagnosis it would be difficult for me to find insurance.

In the past year I have experienced painful/stiff joints that pretty much imobilizes me, dizziness, vertigo, off balance, episodes of numbness in my hands and feet (not usually both sides at the same time), awful headaces and back pains, numbness in my face and tongue which makes it really hard to talk, double vision but only when I'm on my side, tingling in just about every spot on my body but all at different times, confusion. Not all of this happens at once but most of it has been happening to me in the last week. I've also been very fatigue and weak I can't do a lot of the stuff that I was normally able to do. It takes me a lot just to climb the stairs half the time.

I really just want to know what is going on with me.

Thank you for answering my post :)

[sllowe]

Hi Jenn,

Welcome to the forum!

What type of doc said might be MS? If this was your regular MD, then that doc should send you to a neuro. A good general can dx too - takes a lot to make that dx if you are facing MS. If the neuro you see is very good they will recommend the specialist themselves if there is some uncertainty, or if even for a 2nd opinion of their own.

What's got you to this point? Please share if you don't mind doing so. What are you experiencing?
-Shell