I do go through all the neurological testing each time, but that's probably because I ONLY go in once a year. For the 15 yrs prior to 2005, I did all my testing through my GP, and generally that was only required once a year too.

I have had one MRI in 18 yrs, because they already know I have MS. I am going to have another only because now that they realize NMO/Devics is a separate disease, they want to have a good look at my spinal lesions ...

Our neuro's are probably the best judge on whether we are in a relapse, the symptoms are due to prior damage (and "permanent") and/or if the symptoms are due to a psuedo-exacerbation. You will likely be able to figure this out yourself in time too . . . but until we have that knowledge, we pretty much trust our neuro's for that evaluation. (If you are not comfortable with your neuro's assessment techniques though, that probably means you don't feel you can trust him either ....).

The sharp pain in your hip/butt down your leg could very well be sciatica. I would suggest that you have your GP assess that . . . but if it is instead related to the MS, he will guide you.

Very often we attribute too many symptoms to the MS, and often the problems don't have anything to do with the disease. That's why I always visit my GP first, he does the testing to rule out other causes, then I visit my neuro only if necessary.

Cherie