So...my Neuro just takes a "Leave of Absence"??

[BlessMS]

Where in the world does that leave me. He diagnosed me two months ago, in the hospital 2x's for relapse, and am now told he's taken an extended leave? They are sending me to another Doctor half way across town, who I have no idea who he is (within the same practice, but has his office at another branch of the hospital). Have no clue about his reputation, etc.

This has been such an emotional roller coaster for me anyway, I didn't think i had this many tears. This same neuro diagnosed me with Adult Onset Epilepsy 8 years ago, (which we thought then there were some possible red flags of MS at that time), so he and I have been together for a while. Now, I'm on my treatment for this as well, and I feel like I just got dumped.

The office nor the Hospital will say NOTHING. Confused and sad.

[hunterd]

WELCOME BLESSMS!!! great to have you here! so sorry about your neuro. i don`t know what to say, other than to relate my story. after being with my initial neuro for 5 or 6 years, he moved from pa to az! a little far for appts. so, i got back out my list of options and just picked another neuro in town. turned out to be the best move i could have made!!! finally the ball bounced my way!!!!!!
right now you are on a roller coaster of emotions, it`s a normal process. just hang on, the ride will get smoother!!!!! good luck to you.

[empirerecs]

Hi BlessMS -

I just recently moved to a new state. I asked my neuro for a referral and also obtained a list of doctors in my new city from the MS Society. The new doc is a friend of my docs and was also on the MS list - he's one of the best in the area. I am really lucky! (I would have gone with my old docs' recommendation because he is wonderful!) But if you are concerned, check with the MS Society, they may know the new doc.

I'm sorry you had this happen - you sound a lot more calm than I would have been.

[jazzgirl]

Perhaps either the doctor, or a close family member, is ill. I'm sorry that this happened. It is frustrating, I'm sure.

I hope that you can forge a good relationship with your new doc!

[onlyairfare]

I had the same thought jazzgirl. Maybe the doctor or a family member is ill and he needs the leave of absence time to attend to this. Though it is unfortunately disruptive to your care BlessMS, I think it is a good sign that the office and the hospital respect the idea of confidentiality. They don't tell every caller who asks "Oh the doctor had a heart attack and will be out for three months recovering," or "His 7 year old son is dying of leukemia so he's not here for a while."

And hopefully your next doctor will work out fine - if he is part of the same practice, he should have access to all your records, and be familiar with how your regular doctor manages your care.

[Jules A]

I go to a MS center at a large teaching hospital so my MS specialists only last a few years. The good news is that I have liked them all.

The other "good" news is that there really isn't too much they can do to help us other than symptom management anyway so even the fancy MS specialists aren't really all that fancy after all, imo!

[BlessMS]

Thanks to all of you who responded to me. Yes, I had thought of family emergencies, etc. I was just feeling "selfish" if you will...feeling yuck this week, and had to have a nerve root block in my back today for one of my 3 back surgeries (have a neurostimulator for pain)...but am in severe pain this week....My emotions are just running extra high! Thanks to all of you!!

[Alicious]

If ever there is a time to feel selfish, it's after diagnosis. It's a totally normal reaction; of course you are worried about your care after getting diagnosed and suffering through your other pain! Sometimes it takes a moment or twenty to think through it, relax, and look to the future.

Anyhoo, I hope your next neuro is fabulous.