What can I expect?

[wendya432]

I just want to be a little prepared, mentally, for my appointment coming up in 2 weeks. I'm wondering what I can expect.

I am going to the general neurology clinic at University of Michigan. This will e my first appointment there. Papers say "new patient visit" with one of the neurologist there.

What kind of things will happen? I'm sure a general neuro exam, history, etc. But what else? My first neuro blew me off and I never had any testing done other than an MRI. Will they send me off for evoked potentials and EMGs and all other kinds of tests right then? Or will it be just a "meet and greet" type appointment and they will schedule other things later? I know you can't say exactly, but if you could give me a general idea of what your first appointment was like at a teaching hospital?

I know my primary care doctor has sent my records that include things from my ophalmologist about my eye movements, and I"m sure info from my appointments with the first neuro. Along with things my DR has seen (hyper-reflexes, lack of reflexes, nystagmus, etc). And I am going to bring my symptom list and medication list, etc, etc.

Getting a little nervous as my appt comes up. It's in 2 weeks and I have a lot going on in the next 2 weeks so I know it will end up getting here before I know it!

Thanks in advance. Hopefully we can finally start to get to the bottom of this! Whether they rule in or out MS, I just want some answers.

[HETA78]

My dx started with an ER visit and emergency MRI with a followup visit to a neurologist a few days later. I'm not exactly sure what the order is for others because from my frist major episode to diagnosis was only about 6 weeks (I'm "lucky"). For me, my neurologist did a visual test (my biggest symptom was complete double vision with the left eye pointing the wrong direction....), tested reflexes, had me walk a little, etc. He then ordered a VEP exam for the next day, which had to be done at a different facility. Once those tests came back "inconclusive", he ordered a spinal tap, a whole slew of additional blood work, and eventually a second MRI. Be prepared for things to be stretched out over a span of time. I hope you have a neurologist, or MS Specialist as in my case, who is aggressive in testing and wants to get you answers asap!

[MarkLavelle]

Will they send me off for evoked potentials and EMGs and all other kinds of tests right then? Or will it be just a "meet and greet" type appointment and they will schedule other things later? I know you can't say exactly, but if you could give me a general idea of what your first appointment was like at a teaching hospital?

I first went to the Stanford MS clinic looking for a second opinion (after my 1st neuro wanted to dx MS).

I don't know if they're typical, but an intern did a bunch of basic tests (no electrodes; just reflexes, sensory, proprioception, etc.), went off to summarize for the neuro and then he came in to discuss sx with me (and the intern). Then he went over the previous test results and told me that it did not add up to MS, but suggested that I keep seeing my 'outside' neuro. So no, definitely not just a meet & greet!

A little over a year later I had new lesions, and both neuros agreed it was MS...

[KateA2]

UM general neurology has some great MDs, but UM also has a specialty MS clinic located outside the main hospital complex.

You'll most-likely get a full exam with both a resident neuro and the attending neurologist. They'll talk to you about your medical history, past test-results, etc. They may or may-not refer you to the specialty MS clinic or schedule other tests. Do not hold anything back symptom-wise, and be as descriptive as possible. Generally the docs there are very, very good.

Caveat: UM neurology is usually extremely overbooked/busy - bring something to occupy yourself in case of long wait time.

[MarkLavelle]

Caveat: UM neurology is usually extremely overbooked/busy - bring something to occupy yourself in case of long wait time.

Stanford is the same...