Nonchalant neurologist...

[Roamerwithroots]

Just had to vent a little bit.

Last week I went to see my neuro for a one month follow up after starting Tec. I had a list of things I wanted to ask him. While he will take as much time as I need to answer my questions, his responses somewhat make me shake my head. If I didn't have this forum, I would still feel like I was in the dark (or crazy) about certain things. For instance:

I mentioned that I had been feeling somewhat out-of-sorts and was having trouble concentrating at work and remembering simple things on occasion. Could this be a result of the medication? I understand it's a drug that is "messing with my brain" so I assume it's possible to have some effect. (I never had these issues as much prior to starting Tec.) Are there any brain foods I can eat more of?

His response: If you're having trouble focusing, try exercising more and engaging socially. That also helps with memory issues. There is no real evidence of food helping with these issues. WHAT? I'm already exercising and have a social life.

I *know* there are foods that can help with brain power. He just said some people mention ginko, but it's not really proven. Why is there such a separation between western medicine and complementary treatments? I told him I went to acupuncture and he said "cool."

2) I told him I wondered if any of his other patients had mentioned feeling shaky upon waking in the morning, and having to eat immediately. (That's how I feel.) He said he hadn't heard of that and that I should check my blood sugar if I was ever around someone who had one of those "finger prickers."

Good grief. While he is really kind and willing to listen to me, I feel like he's kind of a robot and nonchalant about a lot of stuff.

He also told me that Tec could cause depression and anxiety - nice to know, since I'm already on Lexapro and have been for years. Would have helped to know that before I started (and got wild mood swings in week 1). He also said I could drink because Tec doesn't mess with the liver like other DMDs.

What a great visit (eye roll).
Thanks for listening.

[HobbitHead]

I really believe that once they become neurologists, that they don't keep or care about the other stuff.

It might help to go back to your primary care doctor and to ask questions like that.

It would be so helpful to have ONE doctor that could put you on the right track, but everyone is a specialist now. So they can charge more money?

Or maybe a MS specialist? I haven't been to one, but that might be an option too.

[REG53]

Hello Roamerwithroots,

I agree with HobbitHead about going to a ms specialist and
a pcp. I know I get shakey and very hungry when I am having low blood sugar.

I hope you feel better soon.

[nosrepmodnar]

You will be hard pressed getting any comments about nutrition from any doc because they don't teach nutrition just medication.
My GP said with the research I've done I probably know more than him.
They should be more versed in the meds though. I had a lot of talks about Tecfidera and the side effects and possible benefits.
Good luck in your quest.

[Roamerwithroots]

Thanks guys.

I went to my holistic chiropractor two days ago (he does applied kinesiology and knows a lot about herbs and nutrition). He laughed when I told him about my nutrition questions for my neurologist. He said they are brilliant doctors, but generally get no nutrition training. (My neuro is associated with a university hospital.) So there you have it. I just wish there was more of a cross-over in medical training and that it was a necessity for docs to know more about complementary care. You know?

Anyway, I'm on a quest to eat less inflammatory foods but enough to keep me from being shaky and hungry between meals. It's a journey for sure.

[Bob698]

It helps to understand what Neuros are and what they do.

Neuros specialize in a very narrow field. Mainly, treating your nervous system and how it interacts with your brain.

That doesn't make them social workers or GP docs, again their specialty is very narrow because it can get so complicated.

Be honest about it, how much are you expecting from a specialist? Its like taking your car to a transmission shop and asking them to paint it and pull out some dents.

[Temagami]

Salmon, sardines, broccoli, kale, spinach, walnuts, flaxseed oil, coconut oil- good fats for the brain. If you´ve been a tuna fan, swap it for sardines and you won´t know the difference- get boneless and skinless if that gives you the creeps. Frozen broccoli in a bag- always at the ready. Flaxseed oil- straight up is possible or put the seed in a smoothie.

[misslux]

It helps to understand what Neuros are and what they do.

Neuros specialize in a very narrow field. Mainly, treating your nervous system and how it interacts with your brain.

That doesn't make them social workers or GP docs, again their specialty is very narrow because it can get so complicated.

Be honest about it, how much are you expecting from a specialist? Its like taking your car to a transmission shop and asking them to paint it and pull out some dents.

Agreed!

Would you go to your PCP/GP to review your LPs, VEPs, MRIs and DMDs in depth? Nope.

[Roamerwithroots]

Haha, I love the auto analogy! You are all right - I guess I made a mistake of assuming that my brain doc would know about brain food! LOL. Thank you for the brain food suggestions too - fortunately I eat a lot of those leafy greens already but am going to ramp them up a bit now too.

I need to get a GP, since I moved to this area a few months ago and the only doc I have so far is my neuro. He's done a lot of bloodwork, but not the glucose testing. I'll have that tested. It's just weird that I've felt so shaky in the morning since starting Tec. It wasn't like this before. That's why I asked him about it.

Thanks for all of your support....I'd be going crazy without this website.