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    How often do most patients change doctors?

    I usually stick with my neuros for a long time. My present doctor is a good doc, but he's just not helping me with some issues. I guess I could see another doctor at the same time I am seeing him... like my primary. I do consult with a doctor/friend that I have who also has MS herself. I'd go to her exclusively except that her clinic does not accept insurance. She works for a research type clinic.

    Anyway, I was wondering if a lot of people find they have to switch around from time to time.
    Marti




    The only cure for insomnia is to get more sleep.

    #2
    I can't answer for what "a lot of people" do. But here's my story.

    I've had MS for 17 years. I switched doctors once. First doctor: almost 7 years. 2nd doctor: 10 years and counting.

    I started seeing Dr O, a general neurologist, in 2002. He was always very personable, right from the start.

    It took two years for an accurate dx. At that point, I went on betaseron. My MS, both before dx and while I betaseron, was fairly difficult to manage. I experienced frequent and severe MS flares, which usually resulted in hospitalizations.

    Due to the severity of my MS, I switched doctors. It meant driving to Kansas City (3 hours) instead of Wichita (40 minutes). Dr L is an MS specialist.

    She looked at 7 years of records (7 MRIs, 2 weeks of Mayo clinic daily visits, multiple hospitalizations, etc) thoroughly and re-did a couple of tests. She switched my med to copaxone immediately.

    She answers questions well. Dr. O used to often just say, "It's experimental" when I'd ask about a new treatment. Sometimes, it seemed to me that I knew more about new research than he did.

    He was very supportive when I made the switch, acknowledging that she knew much more about MS than he did.

    I strongly recommend an MS specialist. A general neurologist has to keep abreast of so many neurological illnesses. An MS specialist focuses on just MS, so is much more knowledgeable. My MS is much better managed now.
    ~ 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.

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      #3
      On my 3rd since 2006, but not my choice. First one retired, second one moved out of area. Will see nee neuro in August and decide what I will do.

      Since you aren't happy with current neuro, can your friend, the doc with MS provide a free recommendations for you? I would think she would know who the really knowledgeable MS neuros are. Maybe you could even find out who she sees.
      Kathy
      DX 01/06, currently on Tysabri

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        #4
        One doc since 2006. 2 before that. One wasn't a MS specialist. The other was attached to a large hospital (a pain for parking and traffic), and his staff was ridiculously inept.

        Comment


          #5
          I've had so many!

          #1 - left town a month after my official dx - good riddance, he was arrogant, with bad bed side manners.
          #2 - a great neuro, but had to drive 2+ hours to see her
          #3 - tired of the drive, so onto next one who wasn't a good fit - she left town anyway
          #4 - this was a decent one, but left town too
          #5 - loved her as she had MS also, but again left town
          #6 - this one is sweet, but doesn't specialize in MS - wonder how long she'll be here before she leaves town too
          1st sx '89 Dx '99 w/RRMS - SP since 2010
          Administrator Message Boards/Moderator

          Comment


            #6
            I have changed neuros twice in 20 years. The first one was tracking me but I slipped the coop. The second one, I was referred to for definitive diagnosis. In some regards it went smoothly and in other regards I wish I'd gone back to the first one before going on a DMT.

            Here's the thing I've learned with doctors. I have to be the one who cares the most. That is just how it is.
            All the best, ~G

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by gargantua View Post
              Here's the thing I've learned with doctors. I have to be the one who cares the most. That is just how it is.
              This is so true! Good advice for those newly dx, although some are excellent. You just have to find the right fit and one who sincerely listens and cares!
              1st sx '89 Dx '99 w/RRMS - SP since 2010
              Administrator Message Boards/Moderator

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                #8
                I have been with the same Neurology Practice for 35 years. I had the same Neurologist until he retired a couple of years ago then transferred over to another Neurologist in the same office. There are 2 ladies that have worked in the front office for at least 20 years. I really like the Neurology practice I go to.

                I tried a Neurologist that was closer but after the second appointment I knew he wasn't going to work for me, so went back to my original Neurologist.
                Diagnosed 1984
                “Lightworkers aren’t here to avoid the darkness…they are here to transform the darkness through the illuminating power of love.” Muses from a mystic

                Comment


                  #9
                  How fortunate for you, Snoopy, for having the same neuro for all those years. It must have felt like they were your MS "family"
                  1st sx '89 Dx '99 w/RRMS - SP since 2010
                  Administrator Message Boards/Moderator

                  Comment


                    #10
                    A General neurologist determined that I met all the criteria for MS and said he would diagnose MS, but believed I would be better served by a MS Specialist.


                    The search for a MS Specialist
                    - MS Specialist diagnosed MS, but did not want to start treatment citing the "pain and cost" of treatment (CRAB injections).
                    - I went to a second MS Specialist for a second opinion. He did not use the McDonald Criteria in his practice because he used his own scale. His scale diagnosed me as "possible MS." This neurologist was very knowledgeable, but had terrible bedside manner as did his staff.
                    - Three different people suggested we see a MS Specialist in San Antonio (about 90 minutes away). We went there and had a good visit and she became my first real MS specialist for a period of 5 years.

                    I left the San Antonio doctor because the travel became problematic and we were transferring my MS care to the VA. So the VA neurologist became my second neurologist to take care of my MS. The VA pays 100% of my MS care with no copays, deductibles, etc.


                    Throughout the years, I have been referred to half a dozen other MS specialists for second opinions on specific topics (mostly second opinions on medication options).

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by marti View Post
                      I usually stick with my neuros for a long time. My present doctor is a good doc, but he's just not helping me with some issues. I guess I could see another doctor at the same time I am seeing him... like my primary. I do consult with a doctor/friend that I have who also has MS herself. I'd go to her exclusively except that her clinic does not accept insurance. She works for a research type clinic.

                      Anyway, I was wondering if a lot of people find they have to switch around from time to time.
                      I had the same neuro for over 25 years. He was not an MS specialist but was a research person and on the faculty of a med school. He paid attention. He researched along with me. He connected me with other docs when we hit an impasse. I was the luckiest patient I knew.

                      Then, he retired. Shocked me. Boom. I realize I will never have a medical partner like this again. So I have a new doc that he recommended but I would not mind switching again...and I would not mind not switching. I am glad that I have someone who is sharp but these bonds get broken. I wish I were more prepared for this. I feel like I got a divorce that I did not want to get!
                      "Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says:"Oh Crap, She's up!"

                      Currently on rituxan

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