questions to ask a neurologist for newly diagnosed

Hello John. You are truly facing some of the hardest parts of having MS--finding the right doctor and the right medication. I am a retired nurse and I have always told anyone asking that if you do not feel your doctor is listening to you--no matter how nice they seem--they are not the doctor for you. You must also feel you can talk with your physician openly and honestly.
Since all MS patients have slightly different symptoms, go prepared to tell your doctor what changes you have noticed about yourself--weakness, fatigue, visions problems,etc..
1--If you do not already understand what MS is, be sure your doctor tells you and that you understand it and what you can expect in the future.
2--Ask what type of MS you have and what your treatment options are for your type of MS--and what your doctor recommends.
3--Ask how your treatment works and what you should expect from it. What side effects might you experience and how are you to deal with those.
4--Ask how your other symptoms (fatigue, weakness, bowel/bladder problems, etc.) might be addressed.
5--Ask what the difference between a relapse and an exacerbation of your MS is and when you need to call your doctor to report one of these.
6--Vitamin D levels are not uncommonly low in people with MS. Low D levels can affect your mood and healing abilities. You should ask if your doctor will check yours and find out if you need to take any additional Vitamin D.

If your neurologist agrees, it would be wonderful to have your significant other attend your first appointment with you. He or she also needs to understand your illness, your treatment and what to expect from both in the future. He or she is also very worried and may also have questions for your doctor, too. I remember how grateful my husband was that my neurologist invited him to join us so he could hear everything I was being told and could ask any questions he had. He had no idea what MS was and this really helped him. It was also nice for me to have my husband hear what I was told. You get a lot of new information at your first visit and it is hard to remember it all! My husband helped me our when I forgot things.

Good luck to you, John! With hope and encouragement, Lynda Housden.😀

Hi, I was diagnosed in 2006, went 6 years in denial, and after another exacerbation in 2012 decided it was time to face reality. I started on Avonex and now I am considering another therapy. My biggest problem with Avonex is depression, I can handle the injections but the depression is overwhelming at times. I have a neurology appt. in a few weeks, and plan on talking with her about this. Do you think it is worth changing therapies over because I know it is helping my ms?`
Thankyou for any feedback on this.

Gisele,
The week I found out I started "therapy" right away. I was "lucky" in that I have a great Dr who really listens to me and all my issues. I started on Copaxone despite the fact I HATE needles in every way. I was very good about doing the horrible injections, using the autojet, etc.
Then I was invited to participate in the study for Gilenya. A PILL! Music to my ears! The first phase I was in I had to keep taking Copaxone (so I really felt like it was no real study at all). The next phase I had to be willing to give up taking Copaxone. Ah, no shots- NO WORRIES! They monitored me like a hawk- eye exams, heart tests, MRI- etc. All came back great. After the study while it went through the final FDA approval (I'm in the US) they gave me the option to stay on. YES, it was simple for me. I have other meds I take for other issues so adding another "pill" is just not difficult. If I have found anything is that you need to write down anything and everything you think about asking before your appointment so you can have a good appointment and not a -"How are things?" - You- "Good" -"Okay, see you in XX months"... "Okay". Then it hits you on the way home... what just happened? Dr.'s can't treat what they don't know.
Best of luck!

I think it is really important to have a Dr. who listens to you. Mine used to but now he's really preoccupied with other businesses, like Botox treatments. I started with him when I was first diagnosed and felt really secure that he would be my "go to guy" whenever I needed input. Not the case. I asked what type of concerns there would be if I went ahead with full reverse shoulder replacement surgery and his comment was to avoid general anesthesia and try to get a block or a local anesthesia. I'm really shaken by those suggestions. I'm not sure either of those types of anesthesia would be adequate for a 2 hour surgical procedure like a joint replacement. Hard to get answers to these types of questions too. I'm feeling very alone and scared trying to figure this whole dilemma and what would be best for me.