I'd just like to mention EMGS and nerve conduction studies are not as effective as skin biopsies for detecting SFN. My Ivy-educated, young first neurologist (age 39.....exactly half the age of yours) just poo-pooed my (15+ carefully recorded) symptoms of dysautonomia (autonomic neuropathy) and I had to get my PCP to call him to get the biopsies done. He was so surprised they were positive his voice shook when he called me with the results.....and then he wrote in his notes they were "artifacts." **

However, someone elderly might also be unaware of the biopsy route. I am still on an intense quest to find a smart and kind neurologist who has not only heard of dysautonomia

Not much more I can say that has not already been said. And I loved the comic relief from Dave and Echoes.

The age of a doc is and should (at times) be a consideration. But it also depends, not just on the doc's specialty but on the individual.

I know some whose minds are not as sharp in the 60's and others who are sharp as tacks into the 90's so we can only make some generalizations but there are always exceptions.

If it were a surgeon at age 78, I would have concern for the steadiness of his hands. If not a surgeon, I would have concerns about mental acuity.

The flip side is with age comes wisdom. The young ones do not have a lot of experience and feel they know it all.

The old timers are too easily dismissed.

Personally, the ideal age for a doc treating me would be late 50's. Old enough to have experience but young enough to have full mental and physical abilities.

But age is just ONE factor to be considered. I have seen docs of all ages and liked and disliked them AT all ages.

My fear of an older doc is that they will retire and leave me without their expertise available to me.

To "begin" with a doc for the first time as a new patient, I, too, would have some concerns about him being 78. What if he is GREAT, you adore him and have total confidence in him? You know he is going to retire and probably sooner than later and you will find yourself looking for another one to fill his shoes.

I think one of my docs is turning 70 this year and it scares me that he may retire in the next few years. I don't think anyone can replace him in my book.

You can give credit to young physician/specialists as well, they might think in a new way the old timers are set on. I watched an episode of mystery diagnosis, where a younger doctor was able to diagnose a rare disease where his other peers havnt.

Hi Neuroproblem,

I did not mean to disparage young doctors. For ME, personally, I do prefer someone that has been around a little longer but that is because I am OLD, or rather a senior citizen.

I have liked some docs that were VERY young. In fact, I have one that I see infrequently due to their specialty, that looks like they are not old enough to even be IN high school, much less the age of a doctor. I am FINE with their age.

But for some specialties, I do prefer an older doc. That comes from my own personal thoughts of how I was at a younger adult age. I thought I knew it all until I got older and realized how wrong I was. It is not JUST age. As I said, age is only ONE factor.

If I am picking someone from a group of 6 docs in the same practice, same specialty, without any knowledge of any of them, I do and will allow age to factor into my choice.

Thanks for your post. I agree, sometimes those FRESH eyes spot things that are overlooked by an older generation that may have settled into what is routinely seen.

Thank you all again. My only concern with his age would be the procedure itself. A wrong move inserting the needles could be a disaster. Although, this can happen at any age.

I'm in my early 50's and certainly don't consider myself old. Annoying? Yes. Old? No.

Kay

Hi Kay,

Are you having an NCS (nerve conduction study) or an NCS AND EMG ?

For the nerve conduction study, they just place the electrodes on you and zap you. If you are also having the EMG, then they will insert needles into muscle.

Depending on the neuro, some will not do an NCS without also doing an EMG, but that is not always the case. I have had different neuros do just one and not the other and others do both.

In either case, I don't think his age will be a factor. The factor will be your condition regardless of the age of the person performing the test.

I think a 78 year old neuro is very capable of inserting a needle into a muscle.

I do appreciate your concerns but I think if you have the 78 year old do the test, you may not find any difference than if he were 58. (I could be wrong, but that is just my opinion.)