How long to wait for appt?

[aprilmitt]

I have been reading through posts and am so surprised that some of you have had to wait over a month or MORE for an appt with a neuro! I do live in a large city. I literally had my first symptom end of Feb...made appt with neuro same week, had MRI's done 3x for different reasons and diagnosed all within 4 weeks. Began copaxone 6 weeks later. (that was the long wait for the ins to be approved) I feel for those of you that had to wait so long. Im going to an office that is 15 min from my house with over 10 neurologists and I believe 2 MS specialists. I guess I was lucky to have it all happen without such a delay that many of you are experiencing. How long did you have to wait for that neuro appt? (I called on Tues and had appt on Friday) I'm just curious.

[Don2480]

I live in a medium city (pop 350,000) and have to book 4-6 months in advance.

[JerryD]

I live in the Philadelphia suburbs. I got an appointment with my first neurologist in about 2 weeks. But to see a neurologist at the University of Pennsylvania, I had to wait for about 6 months.

[DuchessJ510]

It took me 3 months to get seen, and the day before my appointment they called and cancelled it. Thankfully the lady who does the scheduling felt bad for me, and called me two days later for same day appointment....

[rdmc]

I live in a large metropolitan area. Regular neuro...wait was about a month. MS specialist at University MS center...6 month wait. But to be fair to the neuros, the wait for my GP is 6 weeks. If it's anything urgent I see the NP.

[dyin_myelin]

Three months from hospital dx to neuro at U Penn. I understand a year out for Jefferson Neurology. I went to GP before apt. since bowels weren't moving and I had a bad UTI. I tried calling 3/21 and 4/21 email and phone call, to make appt. with neuro. It is *so frustrating* that I infuse Ty and can't literally go downstairs one floor to make apt. with front end staff for n. dept. Neuro has own secretary in some secret bunker. Begged JC and liver function test off GP.

[misslux]

I think it just depends and not necessarily based on size of city.

My experiences with first appointments:

- Richmond, VA - 1 week

- Philadelphia, PA - The big centres would not see me at all. 6 month wait for a regular neuro and I called everyone on the provider list

- Toronto, Canada - 1 month at a busy MS clinic but their wait time is usually 6-8 months though they prioritize cases that come in. My neuro there is booked 4 months out but for emergencies I have plenty of options if needed -- nurse at the clinic or my GP who is part of the family practice clinic at another hospital.

[misslux]

Three months from hospital dx to neuro at U Penn. I understand a year out for Jefferson Neurology.

I was already a patient at Magee Rehab which is part of Jefferson's system and Jefferson Neurology still wouldn't see me. :S

[Pipes123]

Six weeks to two months for a neuro appt.

However, I've been seen at the end of the day on 48 hours notice to evaluate a possible flare.

Dyin Myelin, if your neuro is not giving you jc tests on a regular basis I think you're not well served. PML risk is nothing to mess around with.

[pennstater]

Also in Philly suburbs. My PCP was able to get me in my neuro in 1 week when he suspected MS. I am now on the every 4 months. Initially was every 3 weeks, then 6 weeks, two months, three months, now 4. That is function of where I am with disease, Knowledge, acceptance, etc...

For non routine, usually within a week.

When diagnosed, he was able to get me appointment at University of Pa within a month for second opinion.

My neuro retires this year...I will miss him.