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First neuro appointment. I can't believe someone can be so half-assed and I still have to write a check.
Mar 24, 2009 - 2 comments
The doctor was a complete jackass. He basically ignored all the symptoms I've had that don't fit anything other than MS. He gave a cursory 10-minute exam (if that!) and didn't do half the things I keep reading are part of a thorough neurological exam. When he tested my reflexes, one leg jumped and the other didn't. Which apparently didn't concern him in the slightest.
He didn't ask me to do anything with my eyes closed, he didn't ask me to walk backward, he didn't test to see if I could distinguish hot and cold or sharp and dull. He asked me to remember three words, but he never asked me later what they were.
He said something would have shown up on the brain MRI after all this time. The only way it might not is if I had symptoms indicative of a spinal lesion, like vertigo. I said, "Do I have to have vertigo right at this moment in your office? Because it is on the timeline I brought in. I've had vertigo and dizzyness."
He said the percentage of people with negative MRIs and MS was tiny. I said, "But the MS Society says 20% of people with MS have negative brain MRIs. That's one out of five people - that's not a small percentage." To which he replied, "The MS Society lies."
I spent longer paying the bill than he spent examining me or listening to me put together.
So I have an appointment with a rheumatologist on Friday. I've already seen a rheumatologist, and while I thought he was a quack who was only interested in getting me to come back and give him another copay, he did order tests. Lots of them. X-rays of every bone in my body and vials upon vials upon more vials of blood.
I'm so frustrated right now.
He didn't ask me to do anything with my eyes closed, he didn't ask me to walk backward, he didn't test to see if I could distinguish hot and cold or sharp and dull. He asked me to remember three words, but he never asked me later what they were.
He said something would have shown up on the brain MRI after all this time. The only way it might not is if I had symptoms indicative of a spinal lesion, like vertigo. I said, "Do I have to have vertigo right at this moment in your office? Because it is on the timeline I brought in. I've had vertigo and dizzyness."
He said the percentage of people with negative MRIs and MS was tiny. I said, "But the MS Society says 20% of people with MS have negative brain MRIs. That's one out of five people - that's not a small percentage." To which he replied, "The MS Society lies."
I spent longer paying the bill than he spent examining me or listening to me put together.
So I have an appointment with a rheumatologist on Friday. I've already seen a rheumatologist, and while I thought he was a quack who was only interested in getting me to come back and give him another copay, he did order tests. Lots of them. X-rays of every bone in my body and vials upon vials upon more vials of blood.
I'm so frustrated right now.
Hmmm. All this time they've been looking in my vestibular-cochlear-brainstem-whatever area for explanations of my loss of balance, vertigo, dizziness, or whatever they want to call it. I want a spinal MRI. I want a stronger brain MRI, and I want a VISUAL evoked potential, (I've been having visual symptoms, duh!) rather than the brainstem auditory thing the neuromaniac had me take. If I'm still negative for all of that, I think I'll take the tranquilizers or antidepressants or whatever kind of psych drugs they'll give me, and just keep my complaints to myself in the future.
Trace, I'm seriously disappointed that your neuro seems to have turned out like my first one, and like so many we've heard about through our friends here. I completely understand the feeling of frustration.
In all seriousness, though, I'm going to keep plugging away until somebody, somewhere, tells me in a credible and convincing manner just what in the world is wrong with me. I am increasingly sick and tired of being sick and tired, but quitting is not an option.
Trace, I'm seriously disappointed that your neuro seems to have turned out like my first one, and like so many we've heard about through our friends here. I completely understand the feeling of frustration.
In all seriousness, though, I'm going to keep plugging away until somebody, somewhere, tells me in a credible and convincing manner just what in the world is wrong with me. I am increasingly sick and tired of being sick and tired, but quitting is not an option.
Thank you, PastorDan. I hope you don't mind if I draw my strength from yours right now - I seem to have lost my own, at least for the day!
Seriously, the gang here on MedHelp is the best ever!
Seriously, the gang here on MedHelp is the best ever!
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