Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Any tips on how to tell my neuro this nicely?

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 2
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous 1 2 template Next
    #1

    Any tips on how to tell my neuro this nicely?

    So, the neuro that dx'd me after one MRI and evoked potential said I had very advanced MS for my age... I'm guessing he meant for someone my age it looked like I had MS for a long time.

    So, he referred me to a neurologist at what some might consider THE MS hospital for a better assessment. This neuro is known as one of the best in the country. She got me Tysabri under compassion rather quickly. She's a pro and is director of this, senior of that.

    So I see the neuro that dx'd me Monday and I want to ask him for a permanent neuro at this hospital. They have a whole wing just for MS with OT's and of course MRI and blood work on site.

    This neuro I've only seen twice: once to get tests and then again for dx. He pretty much treats patients like a number. We're just $$$ to him.

    I guess I kind of answered my own question in this blab but any further advice would be appreciated. I don't want to damage his ego.
    Sx start May '13 | Dx'd Dec '13 | Tysabri Feb '14 [Neuro's call&saved my life]
    Just because we don't feel flesh, doesn't mean we don't fear death
    Tags: None
    #2
    Don't worry about his ego. Do what is best for you. If you identify an MS specialist that is accepting new patients, and has an office near you, I would get in to consult with the MS specialist. Good luck

    Comment

      #3
      A couple of options for you to consider:

      1. Is it possible to stay under the care of MS neuro who is the 'pro and is director of this, senior of that'? Or maybe a referral to another MS doc in the same MS center/practice?

      Or

      2. Consider giving the dx'ing doc more time to develope rapport. It's possible this doc is accustomed to seeing patients once or twice and doesn't invest in patients until they become long term patients. He did dx you pretty quickly, recognized your MS has been around for some time, that takes great skill and professional confidence. Finding a highly skilled MS doc can be a rariety, and it maybe worth considering giving it some time.

      A few things that 'put me off' in a MS doc is the type that minimizes patients sx's, disrespectful, willing to routinly keep patients in limbo for years even with MRI evidence of MS and rule out of anything else, to name just a few off putting behaviors.

      Also, don't worry too much about being 'nice'. He obviously isn't. He's just a professional doing his job, and you are a patient looking for good MS care, nothing personal.

      I do have a preference for female docs, particularly female MS docs. I've had a few female doc's confide about things in med school they've heard 'never' or 'always' occur in female patients, but as women they knew were completely false.

      Not to minimize how you feel about your doc, just a few things to consider.

      Good luck.

      Comment

        #4
        Here is what you should do:

        Get a cane, shuffle to the door. Fling the cane into the wall, and open his door with your shoe. Have a piece of paper, like insurance statement or bank account printout, and tear it in half, screaming "this gravy train is OVER." Fling the bits of paper all over the office. As you turn to go, look over your shoulder and say, "the only thing worse than having MS was being subjected to your ATTITUDE PROBLEM." Give him one star on rate my doc.

        Comment

          #5
          There's no reason to burn a bridge or make up some grand scheme to spare his feelings.

          "Thank you for the great referral. I am excited to be continuing my MS care there."

          Comment

            #6
            dyin_myelin, I admire your attitude!

            But I'm not sure 2 MS doc OVs equal a gravy train, in addition to a straight forward and quick MS dx. That's not to say it won't evolve into that, but it's still a bit early to lable the doc too harshly so early in the doc/patient relationship.

            However, I do have a list of doc's over the 15yrs of being dx'ed female hysteria, somotization, etc., that I wish I had used your technique on.

            Other's out there, beware of the 'gravy train' doc's stringing you along for more $$$, light on the good medical care.

            Sorry, I'm on a rant today. I'm putting the keyboard down and stepping away from the internets.

            Comment

              #7
              Marco, I like your approach.

              And yes, one visit and one MRI & evoked potential and dx. Yeah, fast, I know. He referred me to a pro neuro for further assessment. She showed me a few MRI pics and ya, you don't need to be a doctor to know something is seriously wrong. I had AAALLLLLLL the white matter lesions.

              Tysabri is my first med and it's out of compassion. I have no insurance. I didn't choose it, doc did. My mind barely functioned at this time.

              The words aggressive, advanced and severe were used, I read the assessment. I had it when I applied for disability and was approved in 2 weeks, which is freaking fast.

              We all have MS different, of course, but I was told by pro doc I had it very different and unique.

              I'm not trying to be snobby, but I had (still have, but less) every single symptom at once and too many lesions to count, brain and spine.

              She said I had basically all the symptoms at once and could not have a remission without a med. Ty and I'm in my first remission I think 👉👈fingers crossed emoji

              Fun times!🎈🎈🎈
              Sx start May '13 | Dx'd Dec '13 | Tysabri Feb '14 [Neuro's call&saved my life]
              Just because we don't feel flesh, doesn't mean we don't fear death

              Comment

                #8
                Just wanna add I'm in Canada, near Toronto. I have never heard of any doc doing that here, sometimes unnecessary follow ups when your condition is effectivley cured, but that's just stuff by the book.

                I'm wondering if our healthcare procedural code differs there. I've read some posts on here that I wouldn't expect from any physician. I'm all
                Sx start May '13 | Dx'd Dec '13 | Tysabri Feb '14 [Neuro's call&saved my life]
                Just because we don't feel flesh, doesn't mean we don't fear death

                Comment

                  #9
                  Chowda, there will be plenty of people here green with envy - fast diagnosis and fast access to treatment.
                  I had the same. I wrote somewhere here about my dislike of the neurologist who diagnosed me.

                  I worked out it was irrational, and basically no one likes the bearer of bad news.
                  I really couldn't stand being in a room with her after that. She said something about "going on a healing journey together" and that was it for me.

                  Got a new MS specialist, don't much like her either.

                  Possibly it's just having to go to appointments and being scanned and being told you're MS is and has always been much worse than I was originally told.

                  Mainly it's just feeling powerless.

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Originally posted by dyin_myelin View Post
                    Here is what you should do:

                    Get a cane, shuffle to the door. Fling the cane into the wall, and open his door with your shoe. Have a piece of paper, like insurance statement or bank account printout, and tear it in half, screaming "this gravy train is OVER." Fling the bits of paper all over the office. As you turn to go, look over your shoulder and say, "the only thing worse than having MS was being subjected to your ATTITUDE PROBLEM." Give him one star on rate my doc.
                    Personally...I like what Dyin says...would not do it myself...O.K., yes I would.

                    Dyin...it's nice to see the old Dyin back.
                    Katie
                    "Yep, I have MS, and it does have Me!"
                    "My MS is a Journey for One."
                    Dx: 1999 DMDS: Avonex, Copaxone, Rebif, currently on Tysabri

                    Comment

                      #11
                      You can have your neuro write a referral for you to be under ms specialist's care for all things ms. If your PCP is involved in your MS care, perhaps they can write the referral.

                      Either way, a referral is needed (in Ontario Canada we can't just call up a doc and switch, thus the referral).

                      Please let us know how you make out!

                      Jen
                      RRMS 2005, Copaxone since 2007
                      "I hope to be the person my dog thinks I am."

                      Comment

                        #12
                        FWIW, I stayed with a doctor I knew was wrong for me because I was worried about hurting his feelings. In retrospect, that's ludicrous; we deserve the best care we can get, right?

                        Anyhow, I wish you the best in your choice. It's totally OK to move on if you need to. And I get the whirlwind diagnosis too--this was 2010, but on a Thursday I saw my PCP, Monday the neuro who brought up MS, Tuesday c-spine scan, Thursday brain scan, and voila! Diagnosis, pending bloodwork, in one freaking week. It's a lot to take in, and I really think that rush can create an emotional bond of sorts that makes it harder to leave, even if it is the right choice.

                        (Now there is concern I may actually have NMO instead, oh joy.)

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Originally posted by Marco View Post
                          ...

                          "Thank you for the great referral. I am excited to be continuing my MS care there."
                          What Marco said.

                          Exactly.

                          ~ Faith
                          ~ Faith
                          MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
                          (now a Mimibug)

                          Symptoms began in JAN02
                          - Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
                          - In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08                          .
                          - Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
                          - Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.

                          Comment

                            #14
                            MS neurologist

                            You should work with a neuro that you feel comfortable with. Look around and visit others. Get references from others.
                            I have dropped a neuro I did not like and searched: for others until I felt that I had met the right one.

                            Comment

                              #15
                              No worry...

                              Go to the one that helps the best! The doctor probably won't even remember you! I wasn't DX'd for over 30 years even after MRI showed lesions.
                              IT'S what you need!! Remember it's your LIFE!

                              Comment

                              Previous 1 2 template Next
                              Working...
                              X