Advice, my friends?

[Fluffysmom]

My MS Specialist paperwork for my appointment Monday has one page that asks me to list Previous Neurological Symptoms.  "Include things such as numbness, weakness or paralysis, impaired vision, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, seizures, etc.  Begin with the first known neurological symptom".

If anyone has the time and energy, could you take a look at my Timeline on my MedHelp journal and help me choose which of the events are the ones to put on the paper. The doctor already has a copy of my Timeline (it's been updated since then), but I suppose she wants this form filled out.

I would appreciate any help, thanks,

Kathy

[Fluffysmom]

I already faxed her a copy of the timeline, and will have another copy with my list of medications, surgical history, non-neuro health issues, etc.  I have written "see attached" plenty of times!  

I will also put it in their darn form, because some doctors really get used to their forms and don't follow other things well.  My last neuro wouldn't even touch my timeline; I stuck it under my file on her table.

I have been over my timeline so much, I'm pretty sure it's all in my head if she wants to "hear" it.  I'll also have my notebook to glance at to remind myself of important points.

I'm glad you found us here; it is a wonderful place to be.

Nice to meet you,

Kathy

[essdipity]

Quite true, unless the neuro is a stickler for such details. Some are, annoying as that can be.

Also, though, Kathy should have her own copies of everything she wrote with her. That way, even if she's asked to do it verbally, she'll have her notes to refer to. May as well eliminate every possible source of anxiety.

ess

[Lulu54]

Kathy,
even better, there is nothing wrong with printing your timeline an attaching it to their form with the notation  "see attached"  :-)

Laura

[Lulu54]

Kathy,
What kind comments - even though I am a newbie here, I can tell this is a great community.  I just saw the MS neuro this week for the first time and I included everything I had on my timeline(whih I had already worked on thanks to reading about it here).  But then he wanted to "hear" my timeline rather than read it.  That was really dificult to put dates and events togehter in a chronological order.  I don't know if that was just his first appt style or if that is normal neuro process. I just thought I would mention that in case it happens that way for you.  It really threw me and had me flustered.

My best,
Laura

[Fluffysmom]

Thanks, I know that you are right; I'm just so tired.  I have a few more days to 'massage' my timeline into the form.

Funny, one of the questions is "How does MS affect your life?"  I want to say, well, if I knew for sure that's what I have, I would have a whole list of ways that it affects my life (and I will make such a list).

Outside of an actual diagnosis, I would have to say that one of the most profound ways that MS has affected my life is that I joined the MedHelp MS forum and have met the most wonderful people from all over the world.  I have learned the strength and love that can be found on common, if difficult and debilitating ground.  I have gained a family and support system that will continue to care if I have MS or complex migraines or something obscure.  I may have been given a burden to carry, but I have also been given a great gift.

Love y'all,

Kathy

[essdipity]

Hi, Kathy. You know, I really think that only you can pick out the parts of your timeline that matter most. Probably few patients come prepared with a timeline in any event, so the doctor devised this form for everyone else. It sort of forces the issue, especially since she wants it chronological, which is how our timelines are done anyway. Having done yours in advance, you just need to 'massage' it into the form provided.

It does seem a bit annoying to have to do this, yet there's not much you can do about it. Let's just hope your neruo actually uses it, or your timeline, during your visit. At least she is asking the right questions!

ess