What should you expect from an appointment with a neurologist who specializes in MS?
My meetings with neurologists have seemed almost formulaic and minimally helpful. It starts with how are you and proceeds with we don't knows, review of alternative medications with uncertainty of benefit, and suggestions of physical therapy and to pace yourself. An MRI is done every 2 years with no observed change. I have not seen a neurologist in 3 years, but my PCP has suggested that I should. My PCP has provided far more practical help in addressing my MS symptoms, especially regarding assisting devices. I am 74, was diagnosed 22 years ago, and 3 years ago stopped use of Rebiff after 20 years. Does this sound like your experience with neurologists? Can or should I expect more in light of what is known about MS. I hope for more, but wonder if I can or should expect it. Thanks for comments from your experience.
Thanks for sharing
! It sounds really frustrating to feel like appointments have become more routine than actually helpful. While you wait for others to share their experience, I want to share with you an article that is focused on helping people with MS get more out of their visits with a neurologist. You can access the link here- https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/how-prepare-neurologist. Hope this helps! -Latoya (Team Member) I meet with my ms neurologist about once a year. I usually have an brain MRI which has not changed or shown any progression in 20 years. This year My neurologist wants to skip the brain MRI and have a a different body part scanned. I think I am scheduled for a cervical scan and maybe a spinal one. Can’t remember at the moment without looking it up. I like my neurologist but I kind of agree I don’t know how helpful these visits are. On the other hand it is her profession and perhaps she sees things differently than another doctor would. I have no progression so far in 20+ yrs since my diagnosis when I was 56. There have been no changes in the brain lesions since I was diagnosed. I consider myself lucky. I am 78 now. Last year she had me meet with a nurse practitioner instead. That visit went better than I anticipated, but I am kind of old fashioned and would prefer to see the doctor with the experience in the MS neurology field, but times seem to be changing. I have an MRI in Sept then I have a visit scheduled with my MS neurologist. Hopefully that will be whom I see.
