VA Neuro Apt, Any Suggestions?

[twasabug]

Well I guess primary did send referral to neurology. I got a letter in the mail and I have neuro apt on the 9th. I am gonna write down any symptoms I have and everything I can remember. I have a hard time getting stressed out when seeing a dr because of idiots I have seen in the past. I get almost a panic attack as I drive to drs office. I have to drive 150 miles to VA Nuero but at least I have apt.

DO you guys have any suggestions on how to deal with dr. Like writing things down? or how not to panic? Anything you've learned over the years dealing with VA? I usually get along with everyone. But I get very upset when called a liar. I really need someone to go for me LOL!!!!!

Thank you for any suggestions you have.

[RColeman]

Well I guess primary did send referral to neurology. I got a letter in the mail and I have neuro apt on the 9th. I am gonna write down any symptoms I have and everything I can remember. I have a hard time getting stressed out when seeing a dr because of idiots I have seen in the past. I get almost a panic attack as I drive to drs office. I have to drive 150 miles to VA Nuero but at least I have apt.

DO you guys have any suggestions on how to deal with dr. Like writing things down? or how not to panic? Anything you've learned over the years dealing with VA? I usually get along with everyone. But I get very upset when called a liar. I really need someone to go for me LOL!!!!!

Thank you for any suggestions you have.

If you can, take a friend or relative with you to the appointment and have them sit with you during the exam.

My friends were instrumental in my diagnosis, since they saw up close how I was really doing. This was especially helpful since there were some questions that were asked that I did answer as if it was normal (at least normal for me) but my friends saw as a problem. It also made it easier, since the specialist could not say it was merely "hearsay" from me regarding symptoms and functioning.

My MS Neurologist is excellent, considering that I have raged at him and the poor resident(s) during the diagnostic process. There were a few times when he told me he could not yet definitively diagnose me and I demanded that he discharge me from the clinic if he could not. He refused to do so and told me why. Turns out he was correct in his process.

[JamesO]

If you have your records from your private nero, bring them, if not they will need to diagnose you them selves.

Writing down all your symptoms helps a lot. Not only does it keep you from missing something, but it helps the Dr understand everything you are going through. The first exam will likely be the typical battery of getting to know everything, so this is where the list comes in. Then followed by the battery of questions and tests.

The nero's that work for the VA, in all my experiences around the country, are excellent and they will run you through the battery of MRI's blood work and spinal tap to diagnose you. If you have your records of MS diagnosis this will save you all the time and somewhat painful procedures needed to re diagnose you.

If you have you records, the entire process should be much easier, they will likely still do some testing, MRI and blood work, but then they will work on medications from there.