Looking for a new neurologist

[freedom1]

Does anyone know of a good neurologist in eastern PA? My doctor is no longer in the area and I really dislike her replacement.

I was diagnosed with MS in 2006, I have a few brain lesions but many spinal. To make a long story short at my first appointment with this guy he tells me he is not sure I have MS because there are not many brain lesions. You could imagine my face. When I asked him if the ones on my spinal cord meant anything he looked at the reports and said now I can be convinced you have MS.
He didn't even look at all of my previous mri's before my appointment. Only the most recent one of my brain. I know that I don't have many brain lesions, but I also know that my spinal cord has many lesions.

Since then I have gotten copies of my records, my appointment was much more indepth than I remember. I know I am forgetful but not this bad. In the report he talked about my gait, babinski's, hoffman's, romberg, and a whole bunch of stuff that I wasn't there for. He checked my reflexes and that is all I remember him doing.
I was angry after the appointment, however now I am livid after reading all of these things that he supposedly did and found problems confirming MS when he questioned my having MS in the first 5 minutes!

[spring]

Referral for you.......

So sorry to hear you got a lemon for a neuro. Just a few wks ago, I started with a new doc ( not an MS specialist; just "regular " neuro). He was extremely respectful and didn't try to deny my long-standing dx. ( this denial has happened to me before- just like you !!!) He listened and volunteered a prescription for MS fatigue. He was knowledgeable about the MS meds and respected my explanation of why I no longer take them.

Since I've had MS since the 1970's and was dx in 1992; I had typed up a one-page summary for him. He said, " Oh, good - a history- and he was glad; not offended, that I had brought it. He had a very nice "bedside manner."

I go to him again on Aug 8th & hope my experience is the same. He's David Bayard, Sellersville, PA; he's associated with Grandview Hospital. I hope this helps you in your search.

Take care of yourself.

spring

[lightkeeper]

I understand where you're coming from . My new neuro is doing the same thing with me. I'm having to do a repeat mri of brain,c and t spine and emg. It's frustrating to say the least, but I hear from others that this is very common for a new neuro to want their own tests done.

My neuro is just wanting to be a sure as one can be about the diagnosis. I wouldn't worry too much.
At first when my neuro said that she was questioning I freaked out because it took years just to get a diagnosis,told family,friends,church and now to think that it may be something else . gezzz. (I've also got lupus and spinal problems,ON's,TN,PN) So with myself there is a possibility that just maybe it CIDP ,or myositis.
Its however hard to even comprehend that it is something other the MS as I've gotten used to dealing with the disease.
Ultimately, they are just trying to get the close guess to what ever is going on with us . No test is absolute in diagnosing MS from what I understand.
But until they know for sure it no treatments for me.
All we can do is wait . It's just weird that we aren't really in limbo again because we still have the MS dx's but it is nerve racking to have to deal with this .

You're not alone . Hugs D.

[donnainct]

freedom

freedom,

I dont have any brain lesions at all which is weird. I was dx in 06 with ms. i was told 2 years ago i might have one on my cord but they werent sure, i had a spinal tap done twice that was postive for oligloclonal bands. When they did the reflex thing to your legs did you have a really brisk reflex? I did and soemone said thats because of spinal lesion? What does that mean?

[apple19]

Freedom, I am so sorry you have to go through that treatment. I know exactly how you feel. I had similiar problems with my first neuro who was very unfriendly and impersonal. He kept insisting I had Fybromyalgia symptoms. When he was about to read my third MRI report he was questioning my symptoms and again insisting that they were part of Fybromyalgia. After reading the report he diagnosed MS. I quickly made an appointment with an MS specialist (which he also suggested) at University of PA. Amy Pruitt is a very good listener, patient with me and my questions and knowledgable. She immediately confirmed the MS diagnosis after looking at a new MRI and I have been treating with her since. It's been over a year now. I don't know if you're close to the city but I have had great visits there.

[freedom1]

Thanks for your responses I live in Northeastern PA and am not opposed to driving to Philadelphia for my appointments. The neurologists here pretty much suck and I am driving to Danville for this idiot so whether I drive west or south doesn't really matter.

Are both of these doctors taking new patients? I also heard alot of good things about Dr. Leist at Thomas Jefferson but he is very hard to get an appointment with. I am at a point where I am considering asking my primary care to take over, which I know she will do but won't want to.

[spring]

for what it's worth: Dr Leist

I had a very bad experience with Dr. Leist; he ignored what I was saying about my vision and told me I had transverse myelitis instead of MS. He was abrupt and would not listen to me. Did not examine me; just looked at one MRI and was "done" listening. Very pompous and rude.

He was the reason I found a different MS specialist. The only reason I recently switched to Dr. Bayard was because Dr. Knobler, the MS specialist, kept cancelling appts due to illness and couldn't accommodate my work schedule.

I know others love Dr Leist; just my two cents.

spring

[apple19]

I believe Dr. Pruitt is taking new patients. However this is an MS Center @ Univ. Of PA and for what I understand the doctors there are all good. I really like Dr. Pruitt.

I only know Dr. Leist from the patient educational programs where he's a presenter.

Hope you find a good doc soon.

Take good care.