My neurologist is a good doctor. But he doesn't specialize in MS. Sometimes I wish he seemed more knowledgable about the disease.

If I wanted to look for a doctor who actually is an MS specialist, how would I go about doing this? I've try googling, but nothing comes up. Has anyone here found an ms specialist and if so, how did you go about doing this?

Thanks!

Try calling the local hospitals and asking if anyone in their neurology departments specializes in MS.

If you don't mind posting your state - perhaps we can help find you some specialists. Your local NMSS is also a good source.

What criteria determines whether or not a Neurologist specializes in MS?

In my experience, and my opinion, the questions you should be asking are:

How many patients does the Neurologist see have MS?

Does that Neurologist attend MS Seminars?

Does that Neurologist stay current with the lastest information/studies/professional journals/periodicals/publications about MS?

Does the Neurologist treat you like a person and not a $$ sign and treat you and not the disease in a box?

These are more important questions and not whether or not the doctor is a specialist. There are more neurologists than there are MS Specialists and I do believe if you took a running poll of members, long time dx'd members, on any MS Forum, you will most likely find that the majority of them do not see MS Specialists.

You may want to see one for a second opinion, but from what I have found in my research, a lot of MS Specialists tend not to see patients on a regualar basis. They do consulations, get called in for second opinions, conduct research, look/write for grants, but don't see patients on a regular basis like neurologists do. They also tend to take on the more difficult cases, and have long waiting lists which makes it hard to get in to see them when you need to see the doc ASAP.

Don't get me wrong...they have their place in the pecking order just like in any area of medicine. Find a neurologist that has a lot of MS patients...and you will more than likely find one that has a good knowledge base and will take the time to treat you properly. Not always, but I bet most of the time.

Interview them.

Greta's idea of contacting the NMSS office in your area is a good one. Most office's keep a list of referrals. I know our's does.

Just my two cents worth....

I posted something about this last week. I have never seen an MS Specialist Neuriologist since I was first diagnosed, by a neuro, 31 years ago.

In those 31 years, DH and I have moved around the country a lot, so you may well imagine just how many neurologists I've seen.

If a neurologist fits the criteria that Av8rgirl has outlined above, which by the way are the hallmarks that I go by, then may I ask why you want a neuro who specialises in MS only?

I respect your choice to seek one out Friend2U, I just wondered why you would do so?

Friend,

If you think you want to see another doctor, whether a specialist or not, I support your decision. You need to feel comfy that the doc you are seeing is the best for you!

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/liv...ons/index.aspx

They have a list of docs and centers/clinics in every state....just go to yours!

Good luck,

~Keri

Below are few links to "rate the doctor" sites.

Koala posted this one on The Stumbling Inn" forum yesterday:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread44472.html

Cricket told me about this good one one today:

http://ratemds.com/social/

(BTW, Cricket . . . all my docs are on that list, with rave reviews. I am so lucky!)

I'm not sure if this one is still active:

http://www.msneuroratings.com/

I have a MS Specialist, and the one I had before was as well (too far to drive though). Both worked out of the major reasearch centers and MS clinics that we have here, since unfortunately MS is very prevalent in Canada. Both of those facilities, and their specialists, are very up on the clinical trials, and in many cases are lead people in them.

I hardly ever go see my specialist, and have only started going for an annual due to LTD requirements. Prior to that, I saw them about once every 5 yrs or so, because my GP is very up on MS as well. He is who I trust 100%, when it comes right down to almost any concern I have.

To be honest, the best information I've ever gotten, is on the forums. There are some forums that are very open, like this one, and visiting a few of them can be very helpful.

Cherie

And further to Cheryl's suggestion about "interviewing" your potential doc, I saw these tips posted a few years back, and saved them:

Questions to ask your new doctor:

Because your doctor will be your health care partner, and a part of your life for many years to come, it is crucial that you find a physician with whom you are able to express your concerns, communicate your needs and ask questions.

1. Are you board-certified in the specialty of neurology? If not, why not?

Board certification is important, particularly in a specialty, because the certification requires that the physician stay current in his/her field of medicine.

2. How many MS patients do you see in a year?

Obviously, the more patients the physician sees, the more experienced they are with the disease.

3. How well do your patients respond to treatment?

Doctors who have been consistent in keeping current with their training tend to use more innovative techniques and newer approaches that achieve better results.

4. Do you participate in neurology research, particularly multiple sclerosis?
Research physicians are usually aware of the most current and upcoming medications available for treating this disease.

5. Where do you have hospital admitting privileges?

You want to be certain that your doctor can treat you in the hospital of your choice.

6. How do you gauge the necessity of diagnostic testing to avoid too frequent, overlapping or unnecessary testing?

You don't want to increase your health care bills because of a physician’s need to test too often and unnecessarily.

A good answer is that the tests ordered are necessary according to standard protocols for treating that condition, or there is no other procedure that will give the necessary information.

7. What is your plan for treating my condition?

Physicians who have treated a number of MS patients will have some type of protocol or systematic approach to treatment, with expected outcomes.

8. How do you determine what drug to use in treating my condition?

Although there are specific drugs to treat MS, there may be issues concerning your individual health situation that have to be taken into consideration, and other drugs may have to be used.

9. Do you give free samples of drugs and supplies?

Sometimes you can reduce your health care costs by asking this question.

10. Do you offer classes for your patients so that they can learn from each other?

Some physicians lead educational support groups for patients of like diseases. If not, ask if they can refer you to other groups.

11. Will you take the time to explain my condition and answer my questions?

It is best to write down your questions prior to an office visit, so that you are not wasting your doctor’s time by trying to think of questions to ask.
Once you decide on a physician, it is important to become an active partner in your own care. Even if your doctor is a gifted healer, he/she cannot make you well or keep you healthy without your cooperation.

A crucial step in being a partner with your doctor is to become an expert on your own health.

Reviewed August 16, 2005 by V. J. Smith, RN, BSN, MA.
MS Neighborhood is a service of Priority Healthcare
Copyright © 2005 Priority Healthcare, inc. All Rights Reserved

Cherie

Cheryls advice was the best. I have done this with many offices asking them a list of questions and all of them were extremely nice about it and even gave me names of other doctors they knew of who treated the most MS patients.

Friend, I feel like you do. While I love the neuro I am seeing, since this disease is new to me, I feel I have to seek out the best. While I always "interview" any potential doctor I see, and decide whether I will follow up with them for my care... when I have a specific problem, my preference is to see a doctor who knows the most about my specific problem. Just as if I had ovarian cancer, I wouldn't go to just an oncologist. For my bariatric surgery, I didn’t go to just a general surgeon. I want to go to one who specializes. This is MY preference... as I see it is yours, and I don't think an explanation is warranted.

I have to find the webpage I sought mine from. Actually, someone on another forum told me about the MS specialist I am going to see. The doc I am going to see runs an MS clinic 1-2 times a week. He goes all over the country speaking about MS. He is up to date on all the trials being run, and in which country. He used to be a professor at University of Penn. He is as on top of MS as anyone can be. This is a disease close to his heart, and now, close to mine. I want someone as passionate as I am about my disease.

With all that said, I will be seeking my second opinion with him, and following up with him 1-2 times a year if warranted. Otherwise, I am following up with the neuro I see locally (the specialist is 3 hours away).