Waiting for a diagnosis
Hello everyone. I'm new here, and actually haven't been officially diagnosed. I've had 2 MRIs which narrowed my issue down to 2 possibilities, either MS or a tumor. My question to everyone is this, have you ever tried to make an appointment with a neurologist as a new patient, only to get a call back that they were not going to see you? When I initially called, I was told they took people case by case and they would look at my chart and then decide if they would take me. I was called the next day, and told no, they wouldn't see me. I've never experienced this before and I don't know what to think. My first thought is maybe it's not that big of a deal. I'm hoping someone has some thoughts on this. I am scheduled with another neurologist at this point, but it was 3 months out.
Hi
. I wish that had not happened to you, but it was probably for the best. Do you really want a doctor who picks and chooses patients that way? That did happen to me once when I needed a cyst removed from behind my ear. My primary care doctor referred me for an ENT who balked at treating something so "harmless." (We didn't know at the time whether the cyst was harmless or not.) He only took "serious" patients, he said. Neurologists are in high demand. They can dictate their own patient rosters. Something about your case either didn't interest this doctor or, possibly, might be outside this particular neurologist's specialties. It is also possible that this doctor was only wiling to take you if it was an emergency, like a potentially fast growing or fatal tumor. The denial might actually be good news. You are far from alone. Many people have to wait a year or more to get an intake appointment with a neurologist. Have you asked to be put on the cancelation list for the second neurologist? That might get you in sooner. I am glad you found this community. You will find lots of support here from people who have been where you are now and lots of great resources. Keep us posted if you don't mind and try to enjoy the holidays. Wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member) Yeah go to someone else. Who wants to go to someone that doesn't want to see you anyway.
Have you posted up your symptoms here yet?
Ugh, sorry to hear that
! This sort of thing is happening more and more often, not just with neurologists but with every sort of doctor. There are just way more patients than qualified doctors, or so it seems. I would not take that as a reason to be extra concerned. I'm sure them not taking your case had anything to do with what they saw but that they simply couldn't accept more people. They may say case to case and that they looked at your chart, but I doubt they did a thorough go-through of it (they'd at least make one appointment for that to get paid). If anything, if they gave it a quick lookover and said they couldn't see you then that's a good thing because it means it wasn't too out of the ordinary. That said, keep looking for a doctor. I'm sad to say that three months out is one of the better time frames I've heard from folks trying to get appointments lately. So keep looking but keep that appointment and maybe reach out and ask if there is anything you can do to be ready for that appointment (like new MRIs or bloodwork). Best of luck, I hope you get the answer you need soon. 
, I can't add anything more to what has already been written, but I wanted to odder my support. I am so sorry that happened to you, but I think you will find much better care at another practice. Please keep us posted, if you feel comfortable doing so.
Gentle Hugs, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team member.
