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@Zak783 

Last reply

Zak783

Appointment to see Neurologist.

Hi, been to the doctors this morning and I have been referred to see a Neurologist. I have had a nerve test done and it came back fine. I've been told there is no appointment for over three months. Is this normal?, also can anyone give me some advice on what the Neurologist will discuss with me when I finally get my appointment. To be honest I feel really stupid. The doctor spoke to me as if I was a two year old.... she kept asking me what I thought it could be....Really? she's a doctor and she's asking me. I just feel like giving up... Blurred vision, 18 months of continuous numbness in my toes, feeling so achy and tired.... Zak
3
@Stumbler
@Stumbler
 

@zak783 , unfortunately, our NHS Neuros are much in demand. If your finances permit, you could have a private consultation, then revert back to the NHS. The consultation will involve some physical testing of reflexes. You know the tap, scratch and prick routines. And you may be asked to do some walking tests. You should also provide a list of the symptoms that you have been experiencing. If you can provide dates and duration, then that is even better. The Consultant will probably ask you to have an MRI scan, an Evoked Potentials test and possibly a Lumber Puncture before they can consider any diagnosis.

@cameron
@cameron
 

Well, it's a nuisance to have to wait so long but it does give you the time to keep a symptom diary to present at your appointment. This will set the scene for your conversation with the neurologist. If you're anything like me, it will help you psychologically too. I don't understand how, but the act of writing down daily what's going on was therapeutic for me. For a few moments each day, concentrate on what you're experiencing - where and what the symptoms are, plus how severe they are. It may help to divide them into 'sensory' and 'motor' and to use a number score to indicate severity. Then when that's done, put the MS out of your head - in fact, refuse to think about it. After a week or two, you may find (as I did), that there's a bit of a pattern going on. Certain symptoms may be worse if you get over-tired, others may come and go, perhaps some days of the week everything is a little worse - or better. It's the beginning of understanding how your body is reacting and all this information will help the neurologist and also help you to communicate what's going on. One thing I'm confident of is that you'll begin to feel better when your stress levels drop, so think about that too. Anything you can do to help you relax in this oh-so-difficult period will be very worthwhile - socialising, reading, TV, chocolate.......xx