Doctors: My Consultation Journey

[hCapitalize]

Yes I know all this stuff about multiple consultations, but putting it all into context the first neurologist was back in the 1980's and he failed to diagnose anything, I have no idea what happened to him, because he is not practising now.Well in my panic period I was seen by three neurologists in succession, the last has retired since, I thought he was perhaps the most ignorant.So next week I am to be seen by another and the difference is that this time it is not at my insistance or badgering, my GP actually suggested it given my most recent scan, which I predicted would show a deterioration since my last one I am pretty much aware that I am more aware about my condition than the specialists. Well that is allright so long as I don't go off on one into worrying about non existant diseases.To be honest I am not sure whether a neurologist is the most appropriate, maybe a rheumatologist might be better, but then what do they know? The irony is that I started with a rheumatolagist who for want of better words f***ed up because there was a communication problem between us in that I don't openly express pain and I assumed he had the training to recognise it, but it turns out that it is all a social contract, those who make the loudest noise get the most attention.What kind of a pyrrhic victory it is that my GP can see a real problem now I don't know, but this is the way of the world, my GP has the same problem with her neck too.

 

[Krackersones]

PlayfulPants,I hope this next visit leads to some real answers and maybe some help for you. I have seen six neurologists in 14 months as well as a rheumatologist (sp?) and ortho, so I know what the doctor merry-go-round is like as well as the communication problems. Let us know how it goes. I am still a mystery to some extent but living a good life nonetheless.Krackersones

 

[hCapitalize]

Well I am a real cynic now, if I wasn't to begin with, that was about the most pointless consultation ever, talk about the obvious.I did not get a proper exam at all this time, the guy just referred to my scan and asked a few questions. Basically as far as the neck goes, the channel where the nerve roots for the right arm goes is very narrowed, and on the left hand side narrowed but not so bad. An operation carries a 5% risk of causing permanent damage, and doing nothing carries a 10% risk of it getting worse, recommandation, leave it and see what happens. And yes this is enough to cause my right hand to go numb, so no worries there, a perfect excuse for suffering from everything I did before I had the ulnar nerve operationThe only advice is not to go lifting heavy weights, oh well bang goes my chance to be mr Universe then I found the physio this morning a lot more useful, curiosly I have more pain in my left side where the nerve is less compressed. He told me the pain is caused by the muscle going into spasm as a protective measure. I guess that actually explains a lot. He also said that given the pattern of my pain I had a problem in the thoracic region of the spine, which no-one has bothered to investigate yet, yes I have had the top scanned, and the bottom, but never the bit inbetween. I don't think I will see a neuro again until I start developing Alzheimers. I am sure this guy thinks I already have it, especially when he asked what I do and I told him I am a doctoral researcher in Autism.Anyway the really annoying thing is that you are only ever looked at a bit at a time, this consultation was strictly for my neck and nothing else, any bother in my knees or my back and I guess I have to start out with somebody else again.