Is it OK to have 2 neuros at once? I feel like I'm cheating!
 

Long story short, I'm still in limbo trying to figure out what's going on. I had a neuro 7 years ago that I really liked but back in November when symptoms returned, it was going to be February until I could see her. I took the appointment and in the meantime saw another neuro who could get me in on a cancellation much sooner. He has done my emg (neg) and ordered some bloodwork for me. He doesn't really know what it going on. He has now ordered a brain mri for me and I'm waiting for the center to call and schedule it. In the meantime, my appointment with my old neuro is coming up Monday and I'm trying to decide if it's ok to keep! I would really like to get her opinion but I feel like I'm cheating on this other doctor ;)
Should I take copies of my labs and just have her order an MRI and start seeing her? Since I have the majority of my symptoms in my arms and legs I questioned the current neuro about adding in the spine mri but his nurses answer was we would just do the brain for now. I don't really want 2 rounds of contrast dye if i can help it if he's going to just order the spine if the brain is negative. Anyhow, if you've made it this far, thank you and any advice is appreciated!

My take on this is that it is probably OK.

I would be inclined to let them both know and give them both formal permission to talk about you together (have a "case conference") - it could be important for each of them to know what the other is doing.

If they are in the same practice and that is how you came to get the appointment with the second neuro they should be consulting each other already.

If you went to another practice before your appointment I would let your original neuro know that you felt you needed to be seen sooner than she could accommodate so you scheduled with the new guy. Your insurance might not even pay for another office visit since you just had one. You will probably need to pick one doctor to work with because although they will pass along information to each other it is unlikely for two doctors of the same specialty to work as a team on a patient who isn't in the same practice.

The only other thing I'd say since you are posting on a MS board is that hopefully at least one of them is a MS specialist. To me that is the most valuable second opinion for all of us here. Good luck.

Hi,

Lurking here...I'm newly disabled with autonomic neropathy and like to read around the site for insight.
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My thought is we just have to play the field...for timely appointments...as you mentioned, or just to find a better fit when unhappy with a physician for any reason.

I just made an appointment with the 3rd neurologist I've seen since September. First was arrogant and had to be convinced by my PCP to do appropriate testing. Second (whom I'm seeing again next week) is smart and eminent, he verified my diagnoses, but won't speak to me for more than five minutes at a time. I could only get an appointment with the 3rd for the end of April!

Of course I would have loved a perfect match on the first go-round, but our first alliance is to ourselves. Because my mobility is compromised, I am only keeping docs who are accessible by phone and or email.

I feel the aforementioned advice about honesty is imperative....all records must be shared. Yet we are not cheating...only ensuring the best possible care!

Sylvie

My only thought is why pay two Neuros for the same disease?
They will most likely be telling you the same ole thing.
They don't know much more than we do. Well speaking for me,
Who has had MS for over 50 yrs. ,:eek:

Not necessarily. Different neuros can have different opinions. I know I've had some who did.

True, Vicky.:hug:

It's not cheating. You have to concern yourself with you. After I was first diagnosed, I went on to "cheat" on my neurologist 7 times. I was just sure he was wrong and someone else would give me a "curable" answer. 7 other neurologists including the top MS doc in my state and everyone gave me the same answer. Now the denial is gone and it's time to focus on my and my health. I do see the first neuro on a regular basis, but do visit others. I like to know my options :)

Talk about "cheating!!! When you arrive, someone leaves, when you leave someone else arrives!!. My old neuro left me (well me and the hospital) gave me to another, they left and he came back. Jeez.

I've been through 7 neuros, current is number 5 and 7. Some left, some I left. It has been 14 years of MS. My 1st was horrible for a new-bie but would go back to him as an old-bie. Insensitive but good. Needs change.