[lawbird]

While I believe I am on the downside of the most recent "episode" of whatever it is that I've got going on, my doctor referred me to a neuro WELL OVER A MONTH AGO. That neuro is an MS Specialist, bc I guess that's what she suspects. He can't see me til the 29th, but there is someone else within his practice that can see me on the 16th (its a small practice- 3 doctors- yes I live in the middle of nowhere). My PCP has told me I can see any of the doctors in that practice in an effort to get me in sooner, if I want, but her referral states only this MS specialist. The other guy is not an MS specialist, and I don't know what to do. How important is it to go to an MS specialist on the front end? My MRI was normal too, which maybe means my PCP is wrong for barking up the MS tree anyway and I'm waiting for no reason? My symptoms are waning, which is a good thing for me, but I feel like maybe it would be better if the doc actually saw them for himself, and they are more likely to be gone by the 29th.

Also, I am scheduled to have a colonoscopy the 17th with a general. I'm not too excited about getting a general with all this neuro craziness already going on without someone who knows what they're talking about giving me the ok. I do NOT want to go back into foggy brain land. That really, really scared me. Maybe that's a dumb thing to be worried about, but yet I am worried.

So all that is to ask, do I wait for the MS guy or go to the regular neuro in the same practice next week? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[yeti]

I went with the regular neuro because I could get in quicker and get the tests rolling. I still may (or may not) see an MS specialist for a second opinion once I've gotten through this round though.

[Dejibo]

I saw both. I used the local guy to get things rolling and waited out my turn at the MS center. When I got there, they went over everyone's results including the local neuro stuff. it helped short cut some of the stuff they were going to put me thru anyway.

[Debbie D]

I started out with a regular neuro...got waylaid into taking meds that were for migraines...
after 2 more neuros, I finally went to an MS specialist and he is great...

why wouldn't you take versaid for a colonoscopy instead of general anesthesia? It isn't nearly as sedating, but it doesn't have the side effects either...

[ANNagain]

Lawbird, the most important person that's going to touch you in these next few weeks is the anesthesiologist! I can not believe you are having general anesthesia for a colonoscopy- can't believe an anesthesiologist would do it. It is your biggest risk and the one piece of what you have presented here that you have control over.

There is very good cognitive sedation (Versed and Morphine or Demerol). It is short acting and wears off quickly.

Best to you,
ANN

[lawbird]

Originally Posted by Debbie D

I started out with a regular neuro...got waylaid into taking meds that were for migraines...
after 2 more neuros, I finally went to an MS specialist and he is great...

why wouldn't you take versaid for a colonoscopy instead of general anesthesia? It isn't nearly as sedating, but it doesn't have the side effects either...

Thanks for the suggestion. I will call my GI doc and ask why I have to have a general, see if I can do the versaid instead. Thanks!

[lawbird]

Originally Posted by lawbird

Thanks for the suggestion. I will call my GI doc and ask why I have to have a general, see if I can do the versaid instead. Thanks!

Thanks for the additional conscious sedation suggestions. I will ask about all! Thanks!

[lawbird]

I want to thank everyone for their responses. You guys are awesome. Make me feel so much better. Lucky for me, I had the office call miraculously and say they had a cancellation for the MS guy tomorrow morning. Yay! Problem solved, I'll go ahead and start with him since that's what my doc told me to do in the first place and it worked out.

I'm glad ya'll validated my worry about a general. I have not talked to the anesthesiologist, but I am ok cancelling the procedure if they won't budge on that issue.

Thanks!

[SallyC]

Be careful with Versad....my Hubby and I were both alergic to it and our BPs shot up. I was ok at the Dentists... but he had a heart attack while having a colonoscopy..

[Kitt]

Versed does have a black box warning.