This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hi all, just a little bit about me first, I'm 41 and have suffered many ms symptoms at different times over the last 15 years. I am not dx with ms but myself and gp are concerned that it could be a very real option.Since the 23rd December i've had optical neuritis for tha third time, this time with facial weakness, tingling sensations, electrical sensations, numb fingers, dizzyness/vertigo very emotional, crying without reason, everything seems to worson as the day goes on.
My gp is fab and got me an urgent appointment with neuro this morning. Wish i'd never gone, he made me feel like i was wasting his time, that i was making these symptoms up in my head. He absolutely slated my gp for putting me on steroids and contradicted everything i said. I went there for a bit of re-assurance but have come home feeling totally stupid. Has this happened to anyone else? What would you do now?

Get your GP to refer you to another neuro, this one obviously does not want your money.

_________________
Bibo ergo sum

My treatment would be on the NHS.

Welcome Millysmum.

Number One.....see another neurologist.

Number Two....don't be afraid to fight about your health problems.

Some doctors seem to enjoy making people feel stupid, maybe it is not their intention but it happens. There are MANY excellent doctors too who will address your concerns with care so don't give up hope.

I have been on both ends where I felt like physically attacking the doc because of their insensitivity and where I had the most compassionate neuro ever, take me through every step.

Don't take an insensitive doctor personally, it's not your fault so let it roll off your shoulders the best you can and find a new one.

Don't stop advocating for yourself and don't allow them to make you feel stupid. A doctor who does not address your problems is the ignorant one.

Thanks so much for that miss Fiesty, my family have more or less said the same thing. I think i just felt so overwhelmed by the way I was being treated I couldn't think straight. I'm going to see if I can be referred to another neuro after my MRI.

millie's mum,

that neuro reaction happens alot...in the meantime...educate yourself by reading alot of different posts here...there are things you can do to mollify your symptoms...

jack

Hi there Millysmom!

Welcome to the best place you can be asking questions. Lots of very smart folks here.

I had many symptoms over several years and it all came to a head when I started having migraines and went to a local GP who treated me as if I were seeking pain pills. He insisted I have an MRI so I had to wait until the mobile MRI came to our town, then I had to wait for someone to read the MRI and get the results back to the GP. That took a couple of weeks and then I could not get the GP to call me back. I had to go to his office and wait until he was leaving to go home and said I'm not leaving until I know what's wrong. He told me I had a sinus infection and he was not giving me pain pills. I never asked for pain pills. I then made an appt with a ENT in a nearby town to address the "sinus infection" he looked at the MRI and then sent me for a CT Scan and when we had those results he suggested MS since I did not have any signs of a sinus infection and he saw the lesions on the MRI. When I realized I was going to have to see a Neuro, I researched Dr's in several larger cities until I found one that's specialty was MS.

That was almost 6 years ago and i did not get an official dx until April of 2008. Researching and picking the best possible Neuro made a hugh difference in my quality of care.

CF

Thank you for your replies, its made me feel a bit betterknowing that my experience isn't unique. I am going to request a different neuro and i'm sure my GP will assist me any way that he can, I'm so glad i have a great GP.
Just another question, I had an eye test today, My vision has deteriorated, My left pupil does not respond to light as it should, however the optician said my eyes look healthy and said this is a neuro problem. Is it normal for the eys to look healthy with ms?
I told him that the neuro told me to stop taking the steroids that i have been taking for 19 days, He was very concerned that I should not stop the steroids suddenly, I should be on a reducing dose, ( I will ring GP about this on Monday ) What are your opinions on this please?

Hi there,
I am new to this site. As yet not diagnosed but to me looks pretty obvious. Anyhow my experience so far is to book at least 2 Nuros they seem to be difficult to get into for starters and like you i was not impressed by the first one that i saw. She seemed to think i was a psych case and referred me to a shrink. She was not even interested in taking my side of the story just took a report from the hospital that says, investigations had all come back clear and so suspect it is a psych problem.
Rest assured you are not alone.

Scotty

Hey guys I know what that is like to.

Keep your chins up and don't stop until your're satisfied you have the answers you seek.

Keep smlilin.

Jules

I just don´t get that:
How can you make up an optical neuritis?!?

Ursula