Had my 3 month check up

[HVAC]

I had  my first visit with MS Specialist after diagnosis. He and his office staff ran me through that appointment. I got there early and I did not get to fill out the paper work. The nurse asked me questions and checked them off faster than I could think and took my vitals like we were in a race. She said "When I work with Dr. G we move them in and out as fast as possible"

He came in did my reflexes, had me walk etc. Dismissed any of my concerns with "you had those symptoms before". He only cares about what he can see.

I tried to bring up my depression  ( which is hard for me) because it is getting worse." He said you have a Psychiatrist".

My MS is in my brain so who says it is not progressing and the further depression is not evidence of that? A different kind of depression was the first symptom I had two years ago.



He asked if I get blood work yearly from my PCP? He said I should take 2000 Vitamin D. Make an appointment for six months on the way out.  I stopped where I usually make appointments, He impatiently pushed me through a door that locked behind me saying not here out there.

The receptionist said we don't have a calendar that far in advance for Dr. G.


He is considered the best MS Specialist in town. There are only three or four.

My Psychiatrist says all that matters is he says the MS is not progressing. He thinks I am too sensitive about it.



I guess I am. I just felt so assembly line and why am I even necessary to this experience.


Alex

[HVAC]

Thanks everyone for your kindness! You don't know what that means.

Alex

[meregoddess]

I'm sorry you had to have that experience, but I know what you're talking about.  

I've had the same experience with two different MS specialists.  I left the first one for failing to "SEE" me, in terms of looking at me or seeing me sitting there.  He wouldn't answer questions,  was brusque, and treated my questions as a waste of  his time.  
Bye-Bye Specialist, I didn't drive 11 hours round trip to be dismissed, ignored and just treated like I was nothing but a number.  (Did I mention his getting mad at me because my mris and referring paperwork wasn't there? I told them they had been faxed to the nurses station, but the MRIs were still faxing when I came in.   He actually raised his voice, telling me he didn't have time to go looking for my MRI and referral papers because he was busy and was suggesting I make another appointment when I raised MY voice and reminded him that the little flunky standing beside him was a fellow and HE could go to the nurses station and find my MRI for him, and that my referring papers were on the table, not in the folder if he would care to look. I told him I didn't drive 5 and 1/2 hours to be belittled and told to make ANOTHER appointment because he was BUSY.  I was BUSY too, and I made arrangements to come see him and didn't get pissy with him when I had to wait 20 minutes past my appointment time to see him.   (he sent the flunky, picked up the papers and finished the appointment)

I don't think he liked ME either..

After that, when I went, I never saw the MS specialist.  Just his neurologist who rubber stamped what my local neuro was doing.  

The same thing with the 2nd MS specialist.  This one wasn't so quick to get me in and out of there, but I never even MET the MS specialist.  I just saw her neurologist, who was a  fellow neurologist majoring in MS.  (fellow is the same as an intern, sorta)
She was very good, and very nice, but why should I drive 8 hours round trip just to see another neuro who always said my neuro was doing the right thing, let him make the prescriptions so there would be little confusion.  KA-CHING. ribber stamped, and I paid for it.  

I gave up my MS specialists and am just sticking with my local neuro who seems to be very up on MS, and I'm comfortable with.  He says if it gets to the point that he doesn't think what he can do will help me, he'll refer me to another specialist.   I'd rather stay with my local neuro, who talks to me and answers my questions and KNOWS me on sight.  He's been known to spend 30 to 45 minutes with just me.  

Maybe he has the hots for me?   (just kidding unfortunately, as he's rather handsome)

Have you tried one of the other specialists?  It can't hurt.  I would most certainly try.  You're lucky to have 3 or 4.  Where I live I have to drive out of state to find a specialist.  Any MS specialist who dismisses your depression and tells you talk to your psychiatrist isn't worth his weight in uh....um......the stuff my cat leaves in the litter box.  Depression is a major symptom for a large number of MS patients  and should be considered by any and all doctors treating your condition.  

The Psychiatrist is correct in the sense that the most important thing is that your MS is not progressing; however, that is little comfort when you're depressed and nobody seems to take the depression seriously.  

The only thing I can suggest is that you keep bringing it up to the Psychiatrist and discuss it with your local neuro.  The more you "bug" them about it, the more likely you are to receive attention/treatment for the problem.  

I hate that you had the "assembly line" treatment from the specialist, but it seems to be the norm today since there are so many more MS patients and so few specialists.  They've "seen it all, heard it all, know what to do and just want you to shush and follow their directions"  We're not used to that kind of treatment, being treated like a bum who needs to just sit quietly and do as told, and should NOT be given that type of treatment.    I'd like to hope that not ALL specialists are like that, and that we both just got the bum rush (no pun intended)  from a couple who are, and the the majority are not like that.  

Hang in there, keep talking with us here.  There are many people who sympathize, and have been through what you're going through, and I'm sure will listen, and give you some of their hearts, and prayers.  

Best of all, maybe the depression won't last.  It's often transient (even if it worsens).  We just have to hang in there and not allow it to take us down.  The MS can do that all by itself.

Good Luck,

mere

[Karen99]

As Bio said "Lovely."  Just lovely.  How much does this neurologist charge per visit?  I'm curious. The couple of neurologist I've seen charge through the years charge $250-$350 a visit. Running a practice in assembly line fashion, this toad is making more than he's worth.

This being your first visit after diagnosis, they should have spent more time with you.  Shame on them for being callous and plain rude.

Now that you have your diagnosis, maybe it's time to consider looking for a more humane neuro?  What I am concerned with is if you run into trouble he would take the same approach.  That would be even more awful.    

[Lulu54]

Wow Alex,
That type of appt can surely make you even more emotionally unsettled.  Is it possib le to transfer to the care of a different neurologist?  You don't need one who makes you feel like you are just a number.  

feel better,
Lulu

[Sarahsmom46]

The appointment with my MS neuro last week went somewhat the same.  The only reason it was assembly line this time was because they had a med student doing his neuro rotation and I saw him first before the doctor.  

But when the doc came it, it was all business and out the door just like what happened to you.  I guess some appointments will go like that and maybe others might be more "normal".  Was your appointment in AM or PM today?  I wonderr if the time of day makes a difference.  Maybe try to get the first appointment of the day next time and see if his bedside manner is a bit better.  If not, you can always see someone else, hopefully.

I hope you are doing well otherwise.  Hang in there with the depression.  Maybe it is a transient issue and will resolve over time, hopefully a short time.  

Julie

[rendean]

So sorry to hear of your assembly line visit.  It doesn't matter how busy he is or how many patients he has to see. You are entitled to "your 15 minutes" of his time and attention to address the issues that concern you. He was rude and uncaring. Seems like the seems to be rule rather than the exception these days.

Set him up for Friday's neuro weenie roast.

Hugs,
Ren

[biowham]

I sorry about that assembly line appointment. It's amazing that the nurse was so up front about how little they actually care about taking the time to pay attention to the patient. Lovely. I've learned that sometimes, the "best" is really either a rep they built through colleagues or a rep they built for themselves, not something the patients contribute to. Can you see one of the other three folks and see if the care they provide is really, truly care, rather than a moneymaking assembly line?

Bio

[Ufrustrated2]

Sorry to hear of your experience. Seems rather atypical these days for many patients, doesn't it.

My local neuro seems to be rather on the ball and up to speed regarding MS and the depression connections, and other such things that MS causes, or affects. He has talked to me about it and delayed stress and I maybe should see a neuro-shrink. At least he is treating your MS! ;-)

Not very encouraging when your neuro dismisses such things. How can one not be either too sensitive or not sensitive enough when their CNS is out of whack? That is what I don't get about this.

You have a lot of friends on this list, and I'm sure they'll chime in with comfort and wisdom.

Hang in there