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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Neuro choice
        
(Message started by: fat___pam on Jun 29^th, 2005, 8:03pm)

Title: Neuro choice
Post by fat___pam on Jun 29^th, 2005, 8:03pm

Hi, Im a supporter to my bf David. He doens't have much time on his hands with about 2-3 pf hours a night at home that he isn't trying to sleep so I write on his behalf. We are in the fortunate position of having two Neuro appointments at the end of July begining of Aug. Now we need to decided what to do and I know you all have a lot of good suggestions, so here goes.

Neuro 1: Younger, has a specialty in headaches, runs a "headache clinic" is at the same hospital where David works, appointment is in Aug. Closer to our house but... tried to put us on a 6 month waiting list and had to beg for an appointment and pull strings, were also told he would "review" Dave's records and let us know if he wanted to treat us (that came from a receptionist) I also read somewhere that "headache clinics" weren't all that hot. Also possibility of a much sooner appointment if someone cancels.

Neuro 2: Older, lots of credentials, specialties are not related to HA but has a list of accomplishments a mile long. Hour and a half away from our house but gave us an appointment at the end of July without getting a refferal from our reg doc, although they did ask for one, they scheduled us first.

Of course.. there is Dave's idea to go to both of them and let the insurance people wonder...

Any ideas would be greatly appriciated, I have looked them both up on line, still not so sure.. looked on this site to see if anyone else has seen them, negative on that, I will note our results after our app.
Thanks
C

Title: Re: Neuro choice
Post by E-Double on Jun 29^th, 2005, 8:14pm

Go to both!!!

I had to go through 3 docs prior to seeing my previous doctor...all within 1 month span last yr.

For some, bedside manner is important for others just knowledge. At the time I needed both!

Is tayed with the doc for almost 1 yr until he said that we were out of options....broke my heart when I cleary knew that we were not.

I am lucky to be a patient now of Dr. Sheftell @ NECH....not only world reknowned but a damn beautiful person!!! Great dude!

Actually have an appt. tomorrow :)

Anyway, if you go to both and they are equally qualified in your opinion...go by your gut and their willing ness to not only treat but also be educated since you will most likely know as much if not more than them......you found us didn't ya ;)

Good luck!

Title: Re: Neuro choice
Post by Jonny on Jun 29^th, 2005, 8:29pm

Phat advice, E2!

Pam, think about changing your name....trust me!

Just let us know if you do.

Good luck to you and your man!

..................................jonny

Title: Re: Neuro choice
Post by Gator on Jun 30^th, 2005, 10:20am

I concur with my brothers, here. My GP didn't know. My first neuro was a loser. 2nd neuro kind of had a clue. 3rd neuro seems to have all his duck in a row, but I have only seen him twice so the jury's still out.

You need to make sure whoever you choose will work WITH you, not just look him over and hand him a script. You need a doc who will listen to what you have learned and take time to answer questions. If he doesn't have time for you, you don't have time for him.

See 'em both and keep your options open. Come back and tell us how things went.

Title: Re: Neuro choice
Post by fat___pam on Jun 30^th, 2005, 5:35pm

Thanks everyone. Thats exactly what we will do. Go to both. I hope our insurance pays but if it doesn't I don't really care at this point! Its been a rough past 24 but I am sure it will get better.
C

Title: Re: Neuro choice
Post by Leggs on Jun 30^th, 2005, 5:44pm

Do you know if your insurance covers second opinions? That out to cover it, if you stay with the first guy, you can say he agreed, and if you go to the other guy, you can say he had a different opinion.

Another thing I had happen with second opinions, I was in a small town, and there were no other specialists, so they paid for me to go out of town for second opinion. I don't think that have as big a problem with doctor's offices as they do with you getting multiple physicals in a year, multiple MRIs of same thing in a year. If either doctor gets goofy about sending records/diagnostics, you don't want to be with them anyway.

good luck! I am going to see a pain specialist in a couple weeks, and a DIFFERENT neuro eventually. Find someone to help him, and worry about the BS later. ;;D

Title: Re: Neuro choice
Post by Cynde on Jun 30^th, 2005, 6:14pm

I agree with seeing both neuros. I have had docs who recognized clusters immediately (I revere those docs) and treated them aggressively, and others who insisted that I couldn't be having clusters because I'm female (I detest those docs) and who tried to console me with percocet, demerol, etc. I'm also a geologist -- and not too long ago, we couldn't be female, either! I think the "second opinion" way to go is the best with your insurance company, because this is a poorly understood problem, from my experience over the past 25+ years of CHs. I'm willing to bet that it's the older guy who figures it out -- that was my experience, and he wasn't afraid to poison me with the nasty chemicals (back then it was bellergal, etc.) that helped to get my CHs under control. BEST OF LUCK! Let us know what happens.

Title: Re: Neuro choice
Post by sandie99 on Jul 4^th, 2005, 3:58am

I agree: see both. It can only be your advantage. :)

I have met 6 neuros so far, 3 men and 3 women.
5/6 were very nice.
One thought he knew my headache better that I did so he didn't bother to listen what I had to say.
2/6 were sure I couldn't have ch.
1 sent me to MRI.
one tried to treat ch with meds to some other HA... ::)
One wanted to know about all my HAs since childhood - and then treat me according to the HAs I had when I was 12! >:(
And ch started when I was 20... ::)

I had lots of fun when I got my records are read them!
Thank goodness I'm PF now (fingers crossed) so I don't have to deal with any neuros... :)

So there are all sort of docs out there. I hope you'll find the good ones! :)

Good luck & let us know how things turn out for your BF!

Sanna/sandie99