I've had my problems with doctors who are dismissive. This is the way I see it, based on bits of information I've gathered from my own experience, from things doctors have said, and from browsing around in medical literature.

Some doctors are vigilant about people who are seeing them, not because they're so very ill, but because of what they call "seeking secondary gains."

MS is such a difficult disorder to diagnose, and its symptoms are often something that can be faked. Neuros have to be gatekeepers, or think they have to be--keeping the scarce benefits reserved for the truly needy.

Yes, there are people who calculatingly go to doctors and fake their histories and their symptoms--and sometimes get away with it.

Also, there are doctors who see it as to your advantage if you can keep on functioning and being gainfully employed for as long as you can even though it certainly looks as if you have MS. They may even be very sure you have MS but they won't commit to it on paper.

They're afraid of being found to be wrong.

They also don't want to get saddled with all of the paperwork and red tape that is involved if a person is diagnosed with MS and applies for benefits.

Social Security disability, other disability insurance, SSI, special transportation, financial aid like welfare, mobility assistive equipment--the list goes on and on, and each one of those services involves a jillion forms to fill out, often on a recurring basis.

It's grossly unfair to the patient, of course. What we need is more conscientious, caring doctors....