Well, later this afternoon I have an appointment with the neuro. Notice I said THE neuro and not MY neuro. A couple weeks ago I called for an appointment since I hadn't seen him since November. At the time, they didn't have the new appointment book for 2010 ready, so one wasn't made then. Plus having to count on someone to drive me makes it more complicated getting everyone's schedules adjusted.

Anyway, when I called, I found out my neuro that I'd been seeing for at least 15 years, had retired the end of 2009!! HELLO......a little note would have been appreciated!!! I've mentioned before how there are no actual MS Specialists around here, so now there's another neurologist in the same office that I'd tried but we just didn't seem to "connect"......and two Physician Assistant's. WHAT????? Are these people even doctors yet? I sure don't have much confidence going to her, but figure I should check in just in case an emergency comes up and I land in the hospital with Atrial Fibrillation or something.

What the heck are we MSers around here supposed to do? Sometimes I even wonder if I'd been seen by an MS Specialist at some point, maybe I'd still be walking today. This is really upsetting and I'm officially PO'd!!!!

Thanks for listening and I'll report back on the outcome......

I can't do much more than commiserate with you. I'm 100 miles from a specialist. My neuro (20 miles away) is not a specialist, nor do I have much confidence in his grasp of MS. I do, however, like to have a neuro locally in case, as you said, I end up in the hospital with a flare or some other neurological thing.

For me, seeing my Neuro's Nurse/practitioner was great. She was female, listened better to me, answered my questions, gave better more realistic advice about issues I brought up than Neuro ever did. I'm on 5th neuro, 3 moved, one I found not adequate, so I've experience change often,.

A letter would have been nice letting you know he was leaving. But it sounds like there is such a few neuros in your area (or is it just that one that you will now see?) that they felt they didn't need to notify the patients. It's a shame that there aren't enough neuros for people who need them.

I'm lucky to live where I do with my neuro's office (one of many in this area) having many great neuros and MS Specialists. The nurse practitioner however will always be my favorite person to see. Many patients there agree. Too bad we can't clone our doctors and NP and sent them where they are needed!!

I don't need a Neuro on the payroll, anymore. My best one retired and The DMDs no longer work for me.

SPMS is a Neuro's nightmare and I don't want to add to their sleepless nights.

My PCP takes care of me and if I were to need a Neuro again, he would see that I get a good one.

((((Judy))))

Like Kicker, I prefer to talk to my MS Specialist's Nurse/practitioner.

There is not much that can be done for me other than adjust/add/eliminate medication. I like my neuro doctor too but he is only necessary if something goes very terribly wrong. He is a good doctor.

I agree that a letter would have been nice. I can understand your frustration and it is a drag to not have faith in those who are treating you.

When my favorite doctor (regular doc, not a neuro) left to move to California about a year or two ago, they didnt send me any letters informing me. I found out he was leaving when I went to the after hours walk-in clinic (used to be run at the same office as my doctor's, but they moved. they werent actually affiliated with my doctor's office. Just coincidence they were there.)

There's a PA in the after hours clinic that works at my regular doctor's office. She's the one who told me that my favorite doctor was moving. I really miss that doctor. He took me seriously.

I have a new favorite doctor, but the last time I went to see him, I got the feeling he was tired of dealing with me. (I hadnt seen him for six months, then had to go see him about 3 times in a month) I still like my current doctor. His dad has MS, and I feel that that doctor might have a little more understanding about the crap that the MS does because he's seen it in his dad.

I'm about to call him if my neuro's office doesnt call me back soon. (my neuro is ancient and takes half days a lot...it wasnt even 10am and he'd already left for today, and I need help today)

When the ancient neuro retires, I'm not expecting them to send me a letter informing me...I'll bet they'll just toss me to one of the other neuros in the office. (who all seem to charge a heck of a lot more than current neuro)

Thanks as always for the encouraging comments you guys. After all that, they called early and said my appointment had to be rescheduled. Can't win!!! So now it's May 20 -- it doesn't really matter being there's nothing new to offer at this point, just checking in. My daughter-in-law came for a visit anyway, went grocery shopping for me and got some take-out for supper. So the day turned out better than expected!