Great Appointment with VA Nuero

[twasabug]

Well had to drive 150 miles each way but what a good neurologists appointment. I went to the Lake City Va center in Forida.
He listened to me and answered all my questions. I told him all the symptoms I have been having, I had written them down so I wouldn't forget. He was thinking it is either lyme or MS but as I told him about the cramps in my ribs and the MS hug (didn't use that word I explained the feeling) He kinda thinks its MS. But of course he is sending me for new MRI of the brain and c-spine and T-spine before any Diagnosis. They cant do a spinal tap as I have too much scars and metal in my lumber spine.

He did a full physical and found that I am very weak especially in my left side. I Didn't notice till he had me do some tests with each hand and such. Also my Reflexes are Brisk, Don't know what that means but he said its not a good thing. Im gonna look it up. He wants me to use a cane which I have been told before but it makes my shoulder hurt too much.

Over all he was great. I really wish all drs were like him. Any questions I had he answered and explained things very nicely. If it is MS for sure then he wants me to start Meds right away because of the problems im having, If it doesn't look like MS after the MRIs then he will probably send me to an infectious disease doctor for Lyme. I have had Lyme before but always turns up with positive antibodies but negative for Lyme disease itself.

He said the MRI will probably take at least a month to schedule so its waiting which I hate but at least the process is started.

Thank you all for all your help. I really debated on whether it was worth it after the problems with the primary. Also called the Admin today and they are sending me papers to sign for new primary dr. I really appreciated all your suggestions and it helped calm ne down before my appointment. I will let ya know what happens. Bug

[JamesO]

well brisk can be a relative term and can vary from dr. to dr. and from patient to patient

They are actual rating numbers they assign to your reflexes. The VA i think uses 0 to 4. the bigger the number the higher the reflexes

3 is normally considered brisk, however if its the same on both sides it can be considered normal for you.


For instance, a month or so ago one nero gave me 3+ all around. This week my new nero gave me 2+ and 3+ in a couple of places.

It will take some time for them to establish a baseline and its the change they will look for unless its something obvious like your reflexes keep bouncing after the initial tap, or don't bounce at all.


If you have not yet, sign up on myhealth.va.gov this will give you access to your records and ability to read what your Dr writes down about your condition as well as lab reports and mri readings.

[twasabug]

Thank you and comment

well brisk can be a relative term and can vary from dr. to dr. and from patient to patient

They are actual rating numbers they assign to your reflexes. The VA i think uses 0 to 4. the bigger the number the higher the reflexes

3 is normally considered brisk, however if its the same on both sides it can be considered normal for you.


For instance, a month or so ago one nero gave me 3+ all around. This week my new nero gave me 2+ and 3+ in a couple of places.

It will take some time for them to establish a baseline and its the change they will look for unless its something obvious like your reflexes keep bouncing after the initial tap, or don't bounce at all.


If you have not yet, sign up on myhealth.va.gov this will give you access to your records and ability to read what your Dr writes down about your condition as well as lab reports and mri readings.

Thank you for the explanation. The nuero didn't tell me a number and I didn't know to ask.

I am already signed up on myhealthyvet. I just looked and the neurologist report isn't there yet but the primarys report is there and its all lies. Im so angry.
It will be interesting to read the report once the neuro posts it. Then I will know more. And once I have the MRI,s I will really know more since the last one was in 2013. Bug

[KatieAgain]

I am also assigned to the North Florida/Southern Georgia VA System. Honestly they are not bad. Sounds like you are assigned to the actual MS Specialist at Lake City.

I hear he is outstanding...so keep him! I have never meet him, but he was exceptionally involved in my initial care when I was so sick when I arrived back in Florida. He assisted the doctors at the Gainesville VA and Shands.

I live about 120 miles from Lake City and was offered a spot in his practice, but finally got accepted in a Civilian MS Specialists Practice.

I think you are in really good care. Don't forget get to file your mileage claim.

If MS is the final diagnosis...ask for a Social Worker immediately. They cut right through the red tape for you here. My first visit with my Social Worker resulted in a REALLY nice brand new Rollater with shopping cart and seat and a free Home Medic Alert System. Additionally, they arranged with a local vet group to make me a Walking Stick vs. a cane. I too was refusing a cane and had a really nasty fall. No pain on shoulder or hand now.

Good Luck.

[twasabug]

Thanks, Never thought about a walking stick

I am also assigned to the North Florida/Southern Georgia VA System. Honestly they are not bad. Sounds like you are assigned to the actual MS Specialist at Lake City.

I hear he is outstanding...so keep him! I have never meet him, but he was exceptionally involved in my initial care when I was so sick when I arrived back in Florida. He assisted the doctors at the Gainesville VA and Shands.

I live about 120 miles from Lake City and was offered a spot in his practice, but finally got accepted in a Civilian MS Specialists Practice.

I think you are in really good care. Don't forget get to file your mileage claim.

If MS is the final diagnosis...ask for a Social Worker immediately. They cut right through the red tape for you here. My first visit with my Social Worker resulted in a REALLY nice brand new Rollater with shopping cart and seat and a free Home Medic Alert System. Additionally, they arranged with a local vet group to make me a Walking Stick vs. a cane. I too was refusing a cane and had a really nasty fall. No pain on shoulder or hand now.

Good Luck.

Thank you.
Even though it is a long drive the other MS specialist is even farther, even if there was one closer I prefer to stay with what I know is a great dr instead of taking a chance on a worse one.

I really like this Doctor. He does seem to be really outstanding and I believe he is the MS specialist so I will definitely stay with him. I did put in for mileage but don't know if I get it, will wait and see.

Thanks for suggesting the social worker, I would not have known to ask. I will ask for the social worker because I have trouble with a lot of stuff such as paperwork and I don't know what is available to me if it definitely is MS. Im pretty sure its MS from the symptoms compared to Lyme.

The Walking stick is an excellent idea, I never even thought about that, I will look into that now, it would help when I trip. Maybe a cheap one for now till I find one I really like or till I can get into contact with a local vet group like you did. Like you said it would not hurt my shoulder like a cane does.. Thank you so much for that Excellent idea. Bug