Less than 10 minutes, is this a record?

[Nickiejs]

I saw the neuro for the first time today.  I don't count when I had to see one 8 years ago.

Well, I was in and out of his office in less than 10 minutes.  I got the distinct impression that he thought I was wasting his time.  He said he'd redo the MRI that I had done 8 years ago, but that "it won't show anything different to then".  How can he tell that?  My symptoms last time were nothing compared to what's happening to me now.

By the time I'd got back to the car to drive home, I was crying (and it takes a lot to make me cry), how can I be dismissed that easily?  I know my body better than anyone and I know how I feel - or don't when bits go numb.

I've come home and looked him up on the 'net and he seems to be quite an authority on MS, so he should know what he's talking about.

Sorry about the rant, I feel a bit calmer now.

Nickie

[antlin70]

Hi Nickie-

Boy can I really relate to your experience. I had one almost exactly like it.
I traveled to a Neurologist 2 hrs away from my home for a 2nd opinion on my neurological problems that I have been having back in Aug.

I go to the appt. to have him give me a short exam, refuse to do any tests, and to tell me in other words that everything I am going through is all in my head. Which I know is not true.

It was suppose to be an INDEPENDANT OPINION, but as I could tell by the way they were talking the 1st Neurologist I had saw had faxed his opinion to this one.

At least you got to the car before going into tears. I didn't even make it back to the waiting room to the person that had brought me there before busting out in tears.

So I definitely know how you feel.

Antlin70

[SickMomma_PDX]

In the US, I'd say to just call and ask for the official form to fill out to get a copy of the radiology report from your MRI. Do you have the same laws requiring them to give you access to your records that we have? In my experiences here in the US, it's true that the ordering doc would have to sign off on the MRI report, but your written request for a copy would hurry that neuro up on signing off. Unfortunately, it's NOT true that "no news is always good news" and it means there's no abnormalities. Things get lost in the shuffle, sometimes. You're doing your job as a patient by following up to get the results.

Good luck! And I'm sorry this doc was such a jerk in the first place!

[theasian]

i got my mri results on the same day that i had the scan. amazing how things can be so different depending on where you stay. i used to have a great neuro who would call me and keep me within the loop but as i became i more difficult patient (not me literally, but my case) she sent me to a more neuro who i can't stand. he's one of the best in our country which is all good and well but it seems like he thinks that it gives him the right to be a bit of an a**. i've learnt from my experience with him though that if you want answers you have to take the initiative which in this case means calling 3 times a day until i eventually get to speak to him. i think this one time where you can't say that no news is good news. so be pushy, so what if you annoy them, this is your health you're talking about here and you want to make sure that you know what's going on
take care

[Nickiejs]

Thanks, I keep thinking that if there was something wrong then I'd have heard by now.  I don't have a follow-up appointment which really narks me. When I had an MRI last time, about 8 years ago, I made numerous phone calls trying to find out the results, because I got the impression I'd only be called in if there was a problem, i.e. if you don't hear anything, you've got the all-clear.  It took about 6 months to be told, over the phone, that everything was fine.

It was only when I went to see the neuro this time, who more or less told me I was wasting his time "nothing will show up", that I got to speak to someone face to face who told me my results from 8 years ago.  I know that sometimes things can take a while with the NHS but I think that was a bit OTT!!

Thanks for your concern.

Nickie

[illinwithoutacause]

hi nickie,

i think the length of time it takes for results to come through depends on where you are located.  here in the US, doctors usually receive results by the next day and will call patients directly if there is an abnormality.  otherwise, they'll wait for a follow-up appointment a week to ten days out to go over the results.  i may be wrong here, but from what i have understood through my communications with UK members on this board, it can take much longer there, and your timing sounds similar to what i have heard from others in the UK.

i hope you hear something really, really soon, and please keep us posted.

best wishes,
binx

[Nickiejs]

An update.

I had an MRI on 6th September and was told that the results would take 10 days. (Is that 10 consecutive days or 10 working days???)  Last Friday (24th) I decided to ring to find out what was happening.  I was told by my neuro's secretary (have to admit she was very polite and helpful - not all are) that my results had been received the day before, but she couldn't tell me what was going to happen next until the neuro had seen them.

I'm still waiting for either a phone call or a letter.

All of my symptons disappeared over the summer but started again on Tuesday with the feeling of losing a few of my toes and my lips tingling.  If these feelings are caused by stress, my body must do things the wrong way around.  I feel more stressed during the summer as my four kids are out of school and less stressed now they are back - I love them really.

Anyway, do MRI results usually take this long to come through?

Nickie

[spoogie712]

I too sympathise I find my neuro very dismissive. When I initially visited him privately worried a out poss ms he took a brief history, performed a very cursory examination, told me he doubted very much it was ms, if it was it likely to sensory type so what was I worried about! The entire consultation lasted 20 mins.
My MRI showed a small lesion in my temporal lobe which has been reported as possibly a ganglion cell tumour. He refuses to consider this as a diagnosis and keeps saying I hVe either peripheral neuropathy (had norm EMG) or migraine (never have headaches)!!
Am still waiting for second opinion which I think will be 3 months on NHS. Have to learn to be v patient!!
Next appointment try to be assertive, have. List of any questions you have and don'teave the room til they have been answered.
Good luck Spoogie xx

[Nickiejs]

Hi

Thanks for your comments, it made me feel a lot better after I had my rant and also made me appreciate that others have bad experiences as well.

Had an MRI yesterday morning on my head and neck.  I've been told the results won't be back to the neuro for at least 10 days.

Will let you know either way.

Nickie

[jibjen]

Hi hear you...nothing to be happy abouting winning there..i also had EEG for seizures but it was normal...I hope you find a doc that will suit you and be attentive to your needs...Keep me posted about feedback....

JIbs

[faithhopegreatestlove]

Hey jibs,
He was the specialist my local neuro sent me to. I had to go back to him for the video EEG. He was still a jerk during that 4 days, but not as bad. I got a letter the other day saying I missed a follow-up appointment that I don't remember making. Hopefully, my local neuro will have a copy of whatever report they came up with. I'm hoping he'll say they'll send me to a different kind of neuro specialist through the university system, but I suspect that he's just going to say I didn't have an epileptic seizure so he can't help me. Don't know where that will leave me. If I win, all I can say is this is dubious honor. I'd gladly pass it up, if you know what I mean.
--faithHGL

[jibjen]

OMG...Unbeleivable...I have to say you win...My doc is local but I would be P.O.'d...Have you found another neuro? i hope...

Jibs

[faithhopegreatestlove]

I'm here steaming on your behalf. I don't know if this will make you feel better or not, but I drove 3.5 hours, had to get a hotel room to be on time to a 8:30 am appointment with a neuro, only to spend about 15 minutes with him. I cried off and on for over 200 miles on the trip home. He was so rude and dismissive. My husband was so taken aback by this guy's attitude that he called the hospital administrator in charge of outpatient services and made a complaint on my behalf.

Hang in there!
--faithHGL

[jibjen]

I know hu..that would teach him..i have been seeing my neuro for 3 years and sometimes he is a grouch..I have learned to make appt. in the am as he seems to be better ;o( He is gong to repeat my MRI in Fall...I already have abnormalities...we'll see he says..

UGGGHHH..sometimes I anna smack him...

Jibs

[Nickiejs]

Thanks for that.

My poor other half had to listen to me on the phone moaning about it as well when I came out of the hospital.

I thought it wouldn't go well when I first walked in and said "good morning" to him - the neuro, not my partner - and he didn't even look up at me let alone say good morning back.  My kids have got better manners!!!

As regards to the MRI I was surprised he is going to redo it as I know they're not cheap.  Even though I don't want to have anything wrong with me, (and something is making me lose feeling in all sorts of places), I'd laugh my socks off if the MRI came back showing something was wrong.  That would teach him to be arrogant!


Have you had your further tests yet, if so, what was the outcome?


Nickie

[jibjen]

I am so sorry you were blown off, so to say..I think i have you beat tough, I had an appt. that leasted less than 5 mins and he said, all in one breathe, "It's your migraines, wanna get off your migraine meds?"....Needless to say I had an appt. with PCP who made me call my neuro back and demand this was not migraine and requested further teting...At least he is gong to do the MRI again...and THAT will tell more.

Good Luck and feel free to rant when needed...There are alot more members here that can sympathize with you on this experience.

Jibs