Finding the Right Doctor
When it comes to your MS care, what qualities do you value most in your doctors, nurses, and their team?
They might be things like their communication, compassion, and reliability or maybe it's something else.
Share below!
I have never found very good communication, compassion in a doctor. I begged my GP for years for a referral to a neuro. He wouldn't do it he kept telling me I didn't have MS. He finally sent me when my right arm felt like electricity running though it. The neuro looked at my records and family history and said I think you have MS. I'll go ahead and test your elbow for a pinched nerve as your doctor ordered but you don't have a pinch nerve. Once I was diagnosed I was relieved, I wasn't crazy and doctors would listen to me. Boy was I wrong, I would make a appt with my new GP she would send me to my neuro. If I went to my neuro first he would send me to my GP. That is when I decided to do all of the research I could and take care of myself. I haven't seen my neuro in 5 years, first they told me their schedule was too full so see me once a year. The neuro told me I was in remission and I could contact them if I had a problem. I had always heard that there was no remission with MS. I know there is a shortage of physicians in our area, I feel a little short changed when it comes to care. Potter
This really infuriates me. No one should be pushed back and forth like that with no real support. It’s tough when you have to become your own advocate and do the research yourself, but it also shows how strong and proactive you are. I’m sorry you’ve had to go through all that, you definitely deserve doctors who actually listen and care. Do you feel like you’ve been able to manage your symptoms well on your own? -Latoya (Team Member)
I have always liked researching, I just have to watch myself and not get too deep and fall into the rabbit hole. I read about studies and university groups testing something like Alpha Lipoic on a group of MS volunteers. If it is a drug with few side effects, easy to buy and inexpensive I start taking them. A few years ago I read about a study on certain sunblocks that had ingredients in them that slowed MS. Finding the specific sunblock was hard, maybe it worked and that is why I am in remission. I am 73 still walking, cleaning, cooking and working in my studio. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 55 and was on DMT's for ten years. Lately there has been several new medicines that were developed for Alzheimer and Parkinson. After the drugs have been on the market for awhile they are going to test them for treating Multiple Sclerosis and other immune diseases. A huge research center in Wichita Kansas is being built. It will be working with state colleges researchers that developed the new drugs. A new drug is about to be introduced that repairs damaged nerves. Exciting times we are living in. Potter
