Does my new doctor have even a clue?

[Jrasted79]

Just a quick background, I'm 33 been sick for almost 3 years, symptoms include trouble balancing, pain in my face, teeth grinding, trouble holding things and opening jars, bladder dysfunction, plus many more. I might add sometimes one leg is worse than the other. Oh I have flares, ill be somewhat ok for a week or so and then flare up for almost a month. I saw a neurosurgeon last year who checked out a herniation, he said it was small it shouldn't bother me at all and his instinct told him it was MS.

I saw a new doctor the other day and only listened to leg symptoms, he said my other symptoms are probably something else. He said he knew for a fact it wasn't MS because I'm too young, it would affect both my legs the same and it wouldn't let up and come back, it's a progressive disease and just gets worse with no breaks.

Should I find another doctor? Is he right?

[KatieAgain]

No, he is not right...he is wrong on every count.

Please find a new doctor and make sure they order brain and spine MRIs.

[AnneLouise]

You are right. He doesn't have a clue.

Was he a neurologist? Please find another doctor. And make sure he/she is a neurologist.

You didn't say you had a dx, though it doesn't sound like you have. Get one. Don't suggest anything. Just describe your symptoms.

[sardi_g]

Too young? How frightening is that. Please tell him, (as your walking out the door hopefully!) that for the sake of other ms'ers - he needs to know that ms can present at all ages. As early as 5 years and well into the 70's. Granted the extremes are rare. But boy that irks me. My dad (neuro-radiologist, 'pioneer' in mri technology - oh gimme a break) told me I was too old at age 42 to have ms. !! Forget the fact that I probly had it since I was 30! So friggin irresponsible. Ok, I'm having a conniption again. I need to get over this. I just hate the arrogance that is so tempting for doctors and sooo harmful to the ones around them.

Please see another doctor and good luck! And good for you for questioning him and testing out his claims with others.

[Fed Up]

Just a quick background,, he said it was small it shouldn't bother me at all and his instinct told him it was MS.

Is there a reason WHY, the M.D. that suggested M.S., did not follow that up, with tests, etc?

I would Return to see that M.D., imho.Fed

[Toomnyhats]

Yes, you need a new doc!

My doc, a top MS Specialist, has a pt who is 3yo so I don't think you are too young!

Please find a new doc, a neuro, and have whatever dx he gives you confirmed by a specialist in that area.

[aitch10]

Your doc is a dumbass. I was DX'd at 29, confirmed with MRI and LP.

[Jrasted79]

Thanks everyone

I live in the middle of nowhere and after bèing mentally abused by my internal med doc I decided to try someone different for the meds I take to mask the symptoms until I get a diagnosis. I don't have many docs to choose from out here. I am on a waiting list for a neurologist in Loma Linda but it could take a year. I have medi-cal and they won't cover MRI'S unless ordered by a specialist and another facility who could see me sooner won't accept me without a MRI. It's ridiculous.

I applied for disability, I've been real bad off for a long time but with all these jerk doctors I don't have a chance of getting approved. I get 490 a month to live off of and rent is 460. I went to school which killed me but the financial aid paid the bills. I also found out I probably have cervical cancer and now that schools done I can't even get the gas to getting my doctors appointments. I'm super depressed, no friends, no family to help. Just me and my daughter (7)

I tried a place that takes you to your doctors appts but I don't qualify because I'm not docent end handicapped. I'm totally off subject sorry, I guess everything is coming down. Car jnsurance got cancelled today so I'm just stressed out and don't know what to do

[KatieAgain]

You are going through a lot right now... no doubt about that. And you don't live in the middle of nowhere...that would be North Dakota. My best friend lives in Loma Linda so I am familiar with the area.

Let's prioritize. You are a single Mom with a 7 year old. Your medical priority is the possible cervical cancer. This type of cancer is very treatable with early detection. That must be your number one priority, your baby is depending on you. I checked the Medi-cal website and this is covered.

Second priority is your depression, unless you feel suicidal, then call 911 now. You need someone to help you.

Third, and final is figuring out if you have MS or not. This will also be Medi-Cal.

How are you going to do all this? Well, I would recommend first thing on Monday, figure out a way to get to the Loma Linda Hospital. They should be able to hook you up with a social worker to get you set up with a good game plan. You can not do all of this on your own. You need assistance and the Loma Linda Hospital is where I would start.

I think if you get a little help...you depression will begin to lift.

[sardi_g]

Wow, that's definitely a full plate but you just got some great advice. We are here all the way to support you as much as we can. Please keep us posted with status reports. You can share every step of the way and we will be here to help as much as we can.

Every problem has a solution.

I wish you the best!

[JenAM]

KatieAgain, I'll take that North Dakota remark as a complement. We happen to be supplying the country with a whole lot of oil, along with being one of the biggest food producing states in the country.

[suziq38]

Too young? How frightening is that. Please tell him, (as your walking out the door hopefully!) that for the sake of other ms'ers - he needs to know that ms can present at all ages. As early as 5 years and well into the 70's. Granted the extremes are rare. But boy that irks me. My dad (neuro-radiologist, 'pioneer' in mri technology - oh gimme a break) told me I was too old at age 42 to have ms. !! Forget the fact that I probly had it since I was 30! So friggin irresponsible. Ok, I'm having a conniption again. I need to get over this. I just hate the arrogance that is so tempting for doctors and sooo harmful to the ones around them.

Please see another doctor and good luck! And good for you for questioning him and testing out his claims with others.

You are so right. So many doctors do not know much about this condition.
They think we are being dramatic, or faking it.
They are full of poop, LOL.

Please check out an MS neurologist or a neurologist that has experience or and interest in MS.

Good Luck!

[Andy75]

I am sorry to hear what you are going through. It is hard enough for us to deal with health issues, but then having to encounter flippant and/or ignorant people (especially doctors) is just further aggravation.

First, this doctor is not knowledgable about MS. I was diagnosed at 26 and I know several other young women who were diagnosed between 25-35. Yes, MS is a progressive disease, but definately not uniform and predictable. Symptoms can come and go randomly.

I hope you are able to find another doctor quickly.

[KatieAgain]

KatieAgain, I'll take that North Dakota remark as a complement. We happen to be supplying the country with a whole lot of oil, along with being one of the biggest food producing states in the country.

Yes, you could take it as a compliment. My point was the poster lives in a highly dense/populated part of the Country where North Dakota, as a State is not...which is good for you. I, like the poster live in a more populated State and believe me, if I did not have MS, I would be headed for the hills to live out the rest of my days as a hermit.

[Jrasted79]

Hi everyone, so I made this post originally in June of 2013. It's now January 2014 and finally have an appointment April 9th. Might have it sooner, the receptionists know me pretty well now because I call everyday to check for cancellations. Lol

Katie, I don't live anywhere near Loma Linda by the way. That's what's so frustrating sometimes is that the nearest good hospitals are all about 2 1/2 hours away and driving has become sooo hard. It takes me about 4 hours to make a normally 2 hour trip. The neuro I see in April is 2 hours away but not at a hospital. It's called Hope Neurological Center.

I've read reviews about this doctor and they are all great reviews. The receptionists are so nice and were so informative. The first time I called she asked a few questions that led to me sharing the horrible experiences I have had with quite a few doctors and told her I get very high anxiety with new doctors now. She had such great things to say about the doctor and their practices there. She totally alleviated my anxiety.

Cervical cancer should be taken care of, i go for another check up in 3 months. I had a bad flare last week that left me literally unable to walk for 4 days and the following3 days felt like I was learning how to walk again. I get a little bit of control back each day. Now my walking is the same as it was before which still isn't great and very painful. I was scared, I thought it was gonna be one of those times where it take a big step back. That happens about 4 times a year. I get new symptoms, some go, and some just hang on.

I just wanted to give a little update. Lately I've been concerned about my daughter. She takes extremely good care of me and is so tuned in to my needs but I'm afraid of what the long term effects of all this will be for her. She loves helping me now and does it without even being asked but it must affect her somehow and I hope I'm not damaging her. I'll probably make a post in the family area later.

Thanks all for the concern and support