Just got appt in for neurologist for next Thursday, was wondering if anybody has any advice on best way to approach it. also if anyone has any idea of what they Will do/ask me at the appt.
Ann
I would also like to know how I should approach my neurologist appt… Not sure what to ask, and if they will just look at me like I have ten heads like most of the other doctors I’ve seen…
Hi Samantha,
Have you got an appt yet? If not I will let you know what happens when I see them on Thursday.
Hi Ann, first make your list of symptoms… Keep it simple, not to wordy and put your most troubled symptom first. Have a pen handy to check off & mark down there ans. they usually talk to you for a few min to get a general understanding of why you are there, then a neurologist exam includes reflexes, balance, strength and issues with depression. ( stay strong, our symptoms are overwhelming, but tears will tell them your deppressed even if your not) this has just been my experience.
I always ask if they are familiar with fibro, what is their belief on it’s causes, how they treat it and most important are they willing to work with you to develope a plan of care, with the understanding that its trail & error so waiting 6 months to return won’t work, unless symptoms are controlled well.
My neurologist is also a pain specialist and he seems to understand the pain associated with fibro, better than most, & he also treats my migraines
I hope it works out well
Hugs & blessings
dee
Mine treats my migraines, nonparkinson’s hand shaking, seizure disorder and gives some meds for fibro.
After waiting to see a neurologist for a year, I just had my first appointment this following week.
He spent about two and a half hours with me!
What I had ready for him was my list of symptoms, my medications, what I have tried, what did work and what didn’t work.
I would suggest just wearing a light layer of pants not jeans.
Reason is there going to test how much feeling you have basically from your waist down and then your extremities it’s hard to do that when you have a pair of jeans on because what they do is poke you very gently with a safety pin.
they change some of my meds around referred me to a neurologist and more physical therapy and then I actually have another month appointment in a month and a half. Oh and they did some blood work to.
The really cool thing that they did for me was a printout of our entire appointment.
That help me so much because it’s really hard to process all the information at one time that way I could refer back to it later. Good luck let me know how it goes and let me know if you have any other questions
Thanks Guys,
Just the info I was looking for especially about clothing to wear for appt. I have to go in morning straight after night shift so will take appropriate clothing with me to work.
Guess I am really fortunate as have only waited 10 days on appointment as I was admitted to hospital with severe headache.
They came up with interim diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia and started me Carbamazipine which controls the headache somewhat but has appeared to make fibro symptoms worse. So I will discuss this with neurologist too and see what they think.
Will let you know how I get on. Thanks again for the support.
I went to a neurologist because of my fibro fog. My short term memory and word recall can be very poor. Sometimes frighteningly poor. I also do scary stuff like forget to turn off the stove. He probably spent about 15 minutes with me. He tested reflexes, asked me question like "Who's the president?". Then he gave me scripts for an MRI and an EEG. The MRI & EEG were fine. He then set me up with a psychologist that deals with cognitive issues. I spent about five hours being tested there. I have an appointment in about a week to get the results.
Good luck with your appointment!
Sunny, I never even thought of seeing a neuro for fog. Great idea. I would love to see a psychologist that deals with cognitive issues because I get pretty careless sometimes. I have left the stove on too. Yesterday when I got home from a long drive I got out of the car and had left it running. LOL! Not really funny, but we have to keep a sense of humor. My husband was unloading the car and said with a smile "you going to shut it off?" Oh brother. I know where you are coming from.
LKitty
Ha! That's a good one! Sounds like you have a very supportive husband. Mine is too. It's a tremendous help to have someone that you can lean on for support and understanding. :-)
Hi Ladies, when I first went to my Neurologist one of my biggest mistakes was bombarding him with questions. He pretty much cut me off and was a little short with me. Now we have a Great relationship. He is going to ask a lot of questions so I would answer them as simply as you can. Some people go to the doctor and talk about personnel stuff that is unnecessary. Keep it simple and don’t mention disability on your first appointment or complain too much. Just tell him facts and let him get to know you first. Good Luck! Hugs, Leanne
Has anyone talked to their neuro about chronic fatigue syndrome?
Dear Annann,
I too work the graveyard shift and have found that getting off work and attending a doctor's appt. is not a good idea. I am usually so tired that I forget to ask the questions that I've wanted to ask, and I am easily overwhelmed by questions or instructions. Sometimes it is a good idea to take someone with you so you will have two sets of ears and don't forget to keep an ongoing list of questions that you can use to jot down questions between appts.
Praying you have a positive appt. Dawn
My rheumie very matter of factly told me, that with fibromyalgia, I experience fatigue, NOT chronic fatigue because that is an entirely different medical condition. I guess he told me! I don't much care for my rheumatologist because he has a very sober personality and doesn't really joke around. He is highly esteemed among his peers and my PCP referred me. It also took me months to get a first visit so I feel like I would rather keep him than have to start from square one. We probably get labeled as difficult if we switch doctors...huh?
so so true!!!
Great advice Dee !
Something else that might help is when writing up your medical history, you should include:
- Any conditions you have and when they were diagnosed
- Your current medications with the dosages
- Past medications and why you no longer take them
- Any allergies you have and what happens with them
- Any treatments you are currently on (C-PAP, physical therapy)
- Your surgical history with dates
- A list of your doctors with phone numbers and addresses
- A list of recent radiology tests and the dates, and where they were done
- The date of your last bloodwork
- A list of all your current complaints, no matter how small, with the approximate dates they started
Also have copies of your medical records sent to him in advance so they are there when you go. He'll want to see any test results and the doctor's notes. If possible, it's a good idea to have them give your records directly to you, so you can keep copies.
Good luck !
Renie♥
This is excellent advice! Giving your doctor all the info allows him/her to see the whole picture. When I do this, I get results and credibility. My situation is given a closer look because I have taken the time to equip the doctor. From there, I also list questions, and then proceed to listen.
Hugs,
Susan (Scribelle)