Regular Neuro or wait for MS Specialist
 

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.

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.

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.

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...

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

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!

Appointment Tomorrow!
 

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!:)

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..:eek:

Versed does have a black box warning.

It should!!!!:eek:

I don't know if allergies call for a black box warning??

How do docs know if the black box applies to the patient or not?
just like penicillin allergy, does one not know until one tries the med?

You have to have something (or a component of it) once, to make antibodies to it.

ANN

I have a messed up tummy and keep waking up in the middle of my colonoscopy and SCREAMING in pain. its awful! now they use propophol and KNOCK ME OUT! I go to sleep quick, I wake up quick. I have tried almost every anesthetic known to man and I still wake up screaming in pain. they dont want to play with me anymore.

Wish you the best of luck. :hug:

Going for my next treatment today. I will admit with the bad weather we have been having, and the stress of Jack not feeling his best, and my grouchy husband, I have not felt my best for the last two days.

Saw the neuro yesterday who said I look better to him. MUCH better. He was very pleased. He said I am still "hyper reactive" which means the MS is still not behaving its best, but he said its calmer than it was. he left me defer seeing him till november. We can then tell after being thru the treatments, out the other end and time to recover how well I am doing. He said he likes what he sees so far, keep it up.

She is just going to poke a metal pen into my finger tips for a few minutes, then tip a buzzy box on my tummy for about 30 minutes. I will spend the rest of the day wiped out, and want to sleep. Last time I got this burst of energy and starting feeling much better. lets see what this time brings.

Update on neuro/ colonoscopy stuff
 

Went to the MS guy when he had a last-minute cancellation. He did an exam, but didn't have my MRI to look at or any of my blood work to discuss with me. He said I have noticeable numbness in my hands and feet, more so on the right side than the left. Of course, he can't tell why. He said he has to see the MRI and blood work before he can give me any theories on what is causing that or my other symptoms, could be anything at this point. He ordered an EEG to add to the mix, then told me to come back in a few weeks to review what we had so far.

The good news is my other symptoms have all but disappeared! I did almost fall off the scale in the doctors office (I mean, really, a neuro office with a tiny scale with no hand rails?!), but other than occasional balance issues that sneak up on me and occasional buzzing in a hand or foot, everything seems to have pretty much returned to normal! Woo hoo!

As for the colonoscopy, the doctor said it is fine with her if I want to be awake. They will give me three different drugs. One of them is versaid. I feel better about that than a general. I'm glad ya'll expressed concern and I was able to call her and discuss it. That is tomorrow at 8. Yay. Today is the fun day of prep. EEEWWW!

Oh my goodness! Sounds so horrible! Bless your sweet heart! I think they are using propophol on me too. They mentioned three drugs. Versaid, propophol and one more that I can't remember. Supposedly a memory drug, a muscle relaxer and a pain reliever? Anyway, I'm hoping for something not too painful. I'm not good with pain, and I usually have trouble not getting enough pain killers when having day surgeries to get out in front of the pain and then can't catch up thereafter. I've got my fingers crossed for me, and now for you too! Good luck to you too! :hug:

What is "black box"?

A box on a medicine bottle wth a warning incerted of possible death, while taking this med!!!

Update
 

Colonoscopy went fine. They found a bleeding ulcer in my colon and injected it, so its not bleeding anymore. Had to give me a little morphine though bc that injection site hurt when I woke up!

Had an EEG today at the neuro, that was interesting. No results til Sept 11. Will keep ya'll posted. Hope everyone is feeling ok today!