So, let me get this straight. You have brain lesions and O Bands in your spinal fluid and this guy is straight out dismissing MS as a possible dx? If that is the case, find a new doc - one who listens and can speak English clearly. Bizarre!

Ouch!!!! Sounds like this guy just doesn't want to be bothered pursuing a diagnosis. I agree with Holly and the others............find a new neuro!

QUOTE: "Oh and I just remembered I don't have another appt with him until NOV oh and he told me to go back to my old neuro"

Hello Shadiyah,

It really does sound like he does not want you as a patient. It might be best to take his advice and go back to your old neuro or find another one. Your test results and symptoms should not be ignored but rather should be taken very seriously...and hopefully with some genuine concern and compassion.

Sometimes these super specialized neuros are into research and they are picking and choosing their patients so that they can put them into their research program (drugs). They really get ticked if you don't take the meds that they recommend. I had that experience once. He seemed like a really nice and caring person, and had all the time in the world during the first visit. On the second visit he had some results (similar to yours), and said that he wanted me on a particular medication protocol that included steroids. When I said that I couldn't take that due to enteritis and liver compromise, he said pretty much the same thing that yours did. "Well, then I suggest that you deal with your family physician to control symptoms as there is nothing that I can do for you."

Most importantly don't give up. There are still compassionate, genuine and knowledgeable neuros out there. Keep looking and never doubt yourself or that your symptoms are very real. It does seem that we sometimes need to prove to physicians and others that there are impairments. That is just the way that it is because many of our symptoms do no show. Hang in there and look after yourself as best you can. Cut back on that chocolate, OK?

With love, Erika

thank you all for all the love. I will keep you posted.

I saw 3 neuros before getting dxd. The first one said I had migraines (uh, no). The second one said it was my fibromyalgia. The 3rd one said, "Maybe...let's watch you." A year later, legs locked, and he said, "Ok, probable. Let's get you on meds."
My current neuro says my case is "benign". Uh huh-sure. Whatever. I'm on meds, even though he told me initially the lesions "aren't in the usual place" for MS.
But they are now...

just keep plugging on, keep a symptom journal, eat right (try some dark chocolate-it's an acquired taste but still kills the chocolate cravings-and the caffeine and sugar in chocolate could cause tremors...).
Like said above, you have to move your body if you have MS...try getting active in small ways. It's good for the parts of your brain that still work too!!

to me the two most telling things are that 1) he wouldn't let you explain/talk about what was going on with you & your symptoms and 2) told you to go back to your old MD

I would not see him again - ever. I have come to learn over the years (a few docs have even admitted it to me in a rare moment of honesty) that some doctors choose which patients are convenient/fit thier interests/study/research and some doctors are actually interested in the person and not just "the chart". I have also learned that if it doesn't feel right then it is up to me to make the decision, as we are in charge of our health care decisions - doctors are merely educated guessers. They go to school, learn a lot and use that knowledge base to make educated guesses. I know how I feel, what I am comfortable with and what I want.

Funny how somebody diagnoses as having terminal cancer is allowed to be "in charge" of their healthcare decisions with no pushback or pressure. Yet others with a medically 'challenging' disease/disorder are used as guinea pigs and are seen as difficult or non-compliant for not blindly agreeing with everything the MD says.

If this neuro doesn't feel right then you need to decide to if you want him in your corner. If not, go to the doctor that listens to you, the person, and who tries to hlp you feel better in the areas that matter most to you.

{stepping off my soap box now}

Erika is on to something when she says that a neuro might want to pick and choose his patients so that they fit his research parameters. This is true of some of the top specialists in another disease I have, porphyria. They need a homogenous body of patients for their research, but not everyone fits that homogenous body.
I am disgusted with the neuros I had for MS. perhaps 50% said I had MS. Other said I did not have MS. What did that tell you, anything? To me it says that some patients are not easily diagnosed. And some won't bother with those who are not.
I will say I consider Dr. Swank an exception (he's gone on to his reward, however, so can't go to him, Shadiyah). The neuros who thought I DID have MS were the ones who were excited about their work and excited in the diagnostic chase, and interested in people who presented a little differently, or who had a complex situation involving more than one disease. God bless them!

yes old lesions and 3 bands and he said no to ms and I asked him but what about the bands??? he said there are so many things that is wrong with you with my disc it could be the cause I don't know.

ok so I made an appt at the old office with the new neuro that came because all my records and test are there to see what he is going to say. I am doing this because we are thinking about moving back to atlanta ga and I will have to go through this all over again next yr so I will just stay there for now on. at least that office know who I am and really think something is wrong with me. plus they have seen most of the symptoms.