how often do you go to your doc?

[sunshine008]

hi

so I was sitting here tonight and wondering how often does everyone here go to their neuro? also how often do you get an mri?



hope everyones' feeling well

[jessiesmom]

Neuro visit frequency

I visit my neurologist 2x/year and have an MRI once a year. Of course, if I were having new symptoms I would not wait for my regularly scheduled appt. and would go in sooner.

[Thinkimjob]

Glad you asked, because a lot of people seem to be at their neurologist every second week. That's probably because many have only just got the MS diagnosis, and there's a lot they want to know.
I haven't been for two years.
MRI booked for next year (aneurysm, not MS).
I have been to my doctor for steroids to treat three flares in the last two years.
Honestly, for me, 13 years in, what difference would a trip to the neuro make?
I'm no neurologist, but I know what's going on, I know I'm getting worse, and I know there's bugger-all anything anyone can do about it.
Lovely man though he is, he can't tell me anything I don't know, and he can't offer me any new treatments.
(Tysabri not on offer yet in this town. Gilenya I can have if I want it.)
Mind you, if he was here in town, instead of 5 hours away, I might go more often.

[CasinoKathy]

Hi sunshine, I have been seeing my neuro every 6 months and have a MRI once a year. Now, next month I am starting with another neuro, who is an MS specialist. Will see if he also does the 6 month check up and the yearly MRI. But I think when on Tysabri you have to get a MRI once a year.

[BigA]

Me too. MRI 1x yearly and a visit to the Neuro every 6 months. When you're first diagnosed, you want to go more often and indeed may have symptoms that can be treated.

[buckfield]

Hello All. I go to my neuro once every two months, have MRI's twice a year and I see the MS specialist twice a year. To be honest it is quite a pain because I seem to be getting the same answer your brain looks like swiss cheese and there really isn't anything we can do for your nerve pain. Hope this helps

[Spydre]

Normally, I go every 6 months unless there is a problem, with an MRI every six months thereabouts. Since I started Tysabri, I'm going every three months, which is protocol for right after you get on Tysabri.

[MS TOO]

I see my Neuro once a year but am fortunate that the HMO I have (Kaiser Permanente) has an E-mail system so I can E-mail all of my doctors as needed.

I had an MRI each year for the first two years after diagnosis and starting on Copaxone then went two years between MRIs with no change. The Neuro has said I don't need an MRI now until my symptoms change.

Having the option to E-mail my docs as needed is a big help.

[Scooter24]

Every 6 months to nuero and brain MRI, wouldn't bother with either but am on TY and VA requires 6 month MRI if positive for JCV antibody.

[rdmc]

I've always seen my neuro every six months. I probably would have skipped during some years but that's when I get my spasticity and spasm meds renewed. (I take a low dose of klonopin for spasms and I think they can only write a script for that for a six month period.). I find it's a good time to check in and talk about what's going on.

But I haven't had an MRI in years. Both the neuros I've had have been of the opinion that once diagnosed, regular MRIs are not that valuable...they say they treat the symptoms not the MRI...Also since I don't do steroids, they're not needed to see if I'm actually in a flare.

[empirerecs]

I usually go every 6 months unless there is a problem. In Tampa I could fax my doc with questions if there was a problem and he would call me back.

I start with a new doc in North Carolina next month and am not sure what he will want to do but since I'm doing ok it may be back to 6 months. Although, I don't have insurance so we may push it back unless I have problems. I just started G a few months ago, so far so good, but with a new doc I just don't know what he will do. My old doc knows him and recommended him so they may be on the same page and I was lucky that they spoke directly when I was tranferring. I have the whole circuit of MRIs each year. That will be hard $$$ this coming year with no insurance so we'll see.

I guess it's different for everyone based on the extent of their sx.

[erica1000]

I see my MS specialist every 6 month and in between I see the NP. So I am being seen every 3 months. I have an MRI once a year.

[Tomjadg]

I see him every six months, and get an MRI about the same time.
I guess the MRI's show if there are any new lesions. I've been on Ty for 8 months, and the MRI two months ago showed nothing new. I guess the Ty helps with that, but I continue to worsen with the problems I've had.

[Sequoia]

How often to I go to my neuro? Never.

How often do I get an MRI? Never.

I'm well into Secondary Progressive, I'm not on a DMD nor do I want to be, not on any symptom management meds nor do I want to be, and so there's not much point (if any) in repeat visits &/or scans.

If something should change (other than the expected slow progression), I can get an appointment within a month ...sooner if it's really urgent.

[Tomjadg]

Yes, I would like to stop everything, but I can't take the chance that Ty is helping with no new lesions.
I stopped Ampyra after 3 months, because it didn't help.
In fact, I seem to have less "fog" since stopping.