What to expect at Neurologist

[100000765416831@facebook]

My appt. with the neurologist is Wed. they have bumped it up. This is my first appt with a specialist so I am wondering what they will do? I have tried to write down everything I can remember , even things I did not relate to this. First thing I remember is about 10 yrs ago, I used to work as a dental hygientist, one day my hand just got weak progressively lost dexterity. I was dropping instruments. Then noticed I would shake so bad while trying to give an injection i coulne't focus where I needed the needle to go.It really scared me .I started having some numbness /weakness in my fingers and hands so I saw a Dr. They tested me for Carpel tunnel and it was negative. But I stopped practicing b/c was afraid I would hurt someone. I was tested for RA and it was "weakly positive" . They had me on low dose steroids for months and symptoms just went away. Ruemotologist tested ANA and RA factors again always negative, only thing was I had high SED rates. Didn't know why this happened, never really got an answer but it is the first thing I can think of and I am not sure it is even related, but I am going to tell the Neurologist.
Something else, does anyone have issues of feeling like the bed is vibrating/shaking at night? Sounds silly, but it happens alot.

[rdmc]

What you can expect is for him/her to question you about your history...then do a really thorough neuro exam. It will take quite awhile to do the exam and they'll put you through a lot of seemingly silly "tasks" but it helps them to determine if there are any neurological deficits.

Good luck on your appt.

Time for a funny insert about bed shaking

Years ago I lived in a house with a family of animal lovers. There were so many dogs; cats; snakes; reptiles; horses around that it was like living in a Zoo.

My boyfreind had a huge waterbed that was heated. ONe night I woke up several times wondering why the bed seem to have been shaking but it stopped when I woke up. But after a while it was really shaking a lot again. I knew something weird was going on but even while I was lifting the huge heavy waterfilled plastic mattress I couldnt have guessed what: a huge Boah constrictor (or was it a python) was under the warm mattress. I mean a huge one!

[inmoni5]

Years ago I lived in a house with a family of animal lovers. There were so many dogs; cats; snakes; reptiles; horses around that it was like living in a Zoo.

My boyfreind had a huge waterbed that was heated. ONe night I woke up several times wondering why the bed seem to have been shaking but it stopped when I woke up. But after a while it was really shaking a lot again. I knew something weird was going on but even while I was lifting the huge heavy waterfilled plastic mattress I couldnt have guessed what: a huge Boah constrictor (or was it a python) was under the warm mattress. I mean a huge one!

Ummm Yeah, uh I'd be running soooo far away from that house that I don't think they'd ever see me again!! LOL! I am DEATHLY afraid of snakes. No way, no how!!

[mack]

My appt. with the neurologist is Wed. they have bumped it up. This is my first appt with a specialist so I am wondering what they will do? I have tried to write down everything I can remember , even things I did not relate to this. First thing I remember is about 10 yrs ago, I used to work as a dental hygientist, one day my hand just got weak progressively lost dexterity. I was dropping instruments. Then noticed I would shake so bad while trying to give an injection i coulne't focus where I needed the needle to go.It really scared me .I started having some numbness /weakness in my fingers and hands so I saw a Dr. They tested me for Carpel tunnel and it was negative. But I stopped practicing b/c was afraid I would hurt someone. I was tested for RA and it was "weakly positive" . They had me on low dose steroids for months and symptoms just went away. Ruemotologist tested ANA and RA factors again always negative, only thing was I had high SED rates. Didn't know why this happened, never really got an answer but it is the first thing I can think of and I am not sure it is even related, but I am going to tell the Neurologist.
Something else, does anyone have issues of feeling like the bed is vibrating/shaking at night? Sounds silly, but it happens alot.

Tell the doc every symptom you have ever had. He will start a history on you. He will check your reflexes in arms and legs, make you touch your nose with your fingers (like a sobriety check) and maybe walk a few steps. He will look at your optic nerves. If you have ever had bladder or bowl issues, tell him. Vision,gait,bladder,bowel and numbness in feet or hands are common with ms. Make sure you tell him abot using the steroids and feeling better. Steroids are a first defense drug used for MS flares.

Steve

[Lendi]

My neuro also scheduled several different and longer appt. for test.

9 big tubes of blood the dude that drew them said he had to look up some of the tests because he ahdn't heard of them all, MRI's, Evoked potentials, NCT and EMG's, sleep study's that sort of thing. The Dr. then worked on ruling other DD's out at the same time as he was looking for clues for MS and it's complications.

My first neuro then DX'd me with fibromyalsia and a sleep disorder. The 2nd one DX'd me with MS and the same sleep disorder. I went to the first for awhile then switched to the 2nd but both did about the same things. I switched neuros at the request of my PCP who felt the first neruo wasn't doing much for me and that the FM DX was wrong.

I ended up having carpal tunnel (I knew about it but hoped he wouldn't figure it out...LOL) and narcolepsy as well as MS but the neuro was able to figure out what was what for the most part. Most of my SX, at the time, were from sleep deprivation rather than MS but there were definite signs that MS was present, too. I was DX'd at about my 2nd appt., I think when all the tests were done.

To my first neuro's credit, he was scheduling me for another MRI at the time I switched so I imagine he would have ended up DX'ing MS as well.

[Just a small town girl]

Every neuro's different. So you'll hear a lot of different things. The main focus at my visit was reviewing my MRI with my husband and I, because my neuro already knew she'd be diagnosing me based on her earlier review.

Then she did some neurologic evaluation and then we were on to the drug discussion. I never got put through either evoked potentials or a lumbar puncture.

For me I brought a list of the episodes I'd had, symptoms I had (but she pretty well brought that out in questioning). For me more importantly, I brought a list of my questions (3 different sets - one if she was diagnosing, one if she wasn't sure and one if it was a negatory). I freeze like a deer in the headlights or forget stuff whenever it's my turn to do the asking.

Also now is the time to start a journal or log of your symptoms, experiences, what you're told by each doctor, etc. etc. if you haven't started one before. This is inherently useful for future visits and for answering questions (you'd be surprised how interwoven MS can become in the rest of your health treatment).

Hope all goes well at your appointment. Keep us posted.

[Kiwiinoz]

Something else, does anyone have issues of feeling like the bed is vibrating/shaking at night? Sounds silly, but it happens alot.

I have the same sensation often, however it tends to follow me - as I stumble out of bed and head to the loo. After a minute or two it subsides.

[SpringOwl]

Not much anymore. Now I have a dx, don't need a neuro. Only go or call for medication or assistive devices.