I am feeling that I need to change doctors. My current Neuro is a MS specialist, and the one I've seen since initial diagnosis 6 years ago. I feel that she doesn't really listen to me. During the appointment she practically talks non-stop; I can hardly get anything in. When she asks me a question, as soon as I get a phrase out she starts talking again. If she spends more than 5 minutes with me that's a rare appointment. I often think that since I am doing very well, I'm not very interesting to her.
I am interested in alternative therapies, alongside a DMD. I don't think she is knowledgeable about them. Which is okay, as I certainly can get that information myself. But it would be nice to have a Neuro who is supportive and interested in things other than medication.
The final piece: at my most recent appointment she changed my medication to an oral medication. [While I'm doing well on Beta, injection fatigue and side effects have become intolerable.] Well, the appointment was 1 month ago and I still do not have the medication. The office staff submitted the authorization but not the prescription. After several calls this week, I finally talked to a staff person on Friday. She said she would re-send the prescription .... who knows when I'll finally get the med.
I never can talk with my doctor when I call and she has never returned a call to me. I have to leave a message on the machine, and hopefully be available whenever they (a staff person) call me back. If I miss the call, I have to leave another message and the cycle begins again.
So, my questions to you:
1) is it typical in a MS practice to not to speak with someone when you call, and leave message for a return call?
2) how long do your routine appointments last? what does the doctor do during your follow-up exams?
My biggest question, though, is - how difficult is it to switch Neuros? Is the difficulty with insurance, medication, and going over everything with someone new worth it?
Thanks for reading this lengthy post. I would appreciate all advice!
phoebe
I am interested in alternative therapies, alongside a DMD. I don't think she is knowledgeable about them. Which is okay, as I certainly can get that information myself. But it would be nice to have a Neuro who is supportive and interested in things other than medication.
The final piece: at my most recent appointment she changed my medication to an oral medication. [While I'm doing well on Beta, injection fatigue and side effects have become intolerable.] Well, the appointment was 1 month ago and I still do not have the medication. The office staff submitted the authorization but not the prescription. After several calls this week, I finally talked to a staff person on Friday. She said she would re-send the prescription .... who knows when I'll finally get the med.
I never can talk with my doctor when I call and she has never returned a call to me. I have to leave a message on the machine, and hopefully be available whenever they (a staff person) call me back. If I miss the call, I have to leave another message and the cycle begins again.
So, my questions to you:
1) is it typical in a MS practice to not to speak with someone when you call, and leave message for a return call?
2) how long do your routine appointments last? what does the doctor do during your follow-up exams?
My biggest question, though, is - how difficult is it to switch Neuros? Is the difficulty with insurance, medication, and going over everything with someone new worth it?
Thanks for reading this lengthy post. I would appreciate all advice!
phoebe
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