Comments on: if symptoms point to a certain illness, can i go to a specialist for a diagnosis instead of my family doctor? http://managing-multiple-sclerosis.com/ms-symptoms/if-symptoms-point-to-a-certain-illness-can-i-go-to-a-specialist-for-a-diagnosis-instead-of-my-family-doctor Wed, 30 Mar 2011 06:10:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: laura http://managing-multiple-sclerosis.com/ms-symptoms/if-symptoms-point-to-a-certain-illness-can-i-go-to-a-specialist-for-a-diagnosis-instead-of-my-family-doctor#comment-2628 laura Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:21:21 +0000 http://managing-multiple-sclerosis.com/ms-symptoms/if-symptoms-point-to-a-certain-illness-can-i-go-to-a-specialist-for-a-diagnosis-instead-of-my-family-doctor#comment-2628 I was having a problem finding good health care in our town and had been given 4 different diagnosis' for the same symptoms. Finally, I had enough and went to the local urgent care. The dr's there see everything in town and they have a lot of experience. They uncovered my problem and gave me a reference to a more knowledgeable dr that I am happy to say has helped my problem alot. Give it a try and see what they say. It can't be worse than continuing on the path U are on and they may be able to relieve the pain for U at least on a short term basis until U can get into see the specialist. Best wishes and good luck! I was having a problem finding good health care in our town and had been given 4 different diagnosis’ for the same symptoms. Finally, I had enough and went to the local urgent care. The dr’s there see everything in town and they have a lot of experience. They uncovered my problem and gave me a reference to a more knowledgeable dr that I am happy to say has helped my problem alot. Give it a try and see what they say. It can’t be worse than continuing on the path U are on and they may be able to relieve the pain for U at least on a short term basis until U can get into see the specialist. Best wishes and good luck!

]]> By: Kat G http://managing-multiple-sclerosis.com/ms-symptoms/if-symptoms-point-to-a-certain-illness-can-i-go-to-a-specialist-for-a-diagnosis-instead-of-my-family-doctor#comment-2629 Kat G Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:21:21 +0000 http://managing-multiple-sclerosis.com/ms-symptoms/if-symptoms-point-to-a-certain-illness-can-i-go-to-a-specialist-for-a-diagnosis-instead-of-my-family-doctor#comment-2629 MS is tough, and it is difficult to diagnose since there are no certain tests that are clear indicators for MS. A physician would look for other diseases first as many of the symptoms of MS point to other diseases. If a doctor has problems, you are guessing - and it may be informed guessing, but there are other things at play that you may not be aware of. You say you've been to many doctors who've blown you off. The first thing you should do when you hear that is find another doctor. Now, you could be right, and you could be wrong. As it is a neurological disorder, you would need significant testing along with history of specific symptoms to verify a diagnosis of MS. That being said, if your insurance will allow you to do it and will cover you without a referral, then I'd say see a neurologist. But I'd see an internist first, or an osteopath AND a doctor who has experience diagnosing MS. If you have not seen either, I'd call first and tell them what you think, what you've been going through and if they would be willing to help you find a solution to your health problem. Be proactive with your physician, and don't just make a blind appointment and expect them to know what is happening with you- like I said MS is hard to diagnose, you are going to have to make them understand all you've been going through, and how you've been from doctor to doctor with no help. Some doctors too readily dismiss symptoms and it is up to you to make them listen - you have to make sure you are telling them everything, so they can get a full picture. Consider this, with all the confusion in symptoms, doctors really would first look at the simplest thing that could be the problem - they normally don't look to the most complicated, serious illness it could be - we all do that. You could be right, but being wrong is a possibility too. One thing, educate yourself, and write everything down so you can be more actively involved with your doctors. Get information: http://www.multiplesclerosishealth.com/ms-tests.shtml http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FDL/is_3_8/ai_n18612559/pg_ http://www.aafp.org/afp/20041115/1935.html MS is tough, and it is difficult to diagnose since there are no certain tests that are clear indicators for MS. A physician would look for other diseases first as many of the symptoms of MS point to other diseases. If a doctor has problems, you are guessing – and it may be informed guessing, but there are other things at play that you may not be aware of. You say you’ve been to many doctors who’ve blown you off. The first thing you should do when you hear that is find another doctor. Now, you could be right, and you could be wrong. As it is a neurological disorder, you would need significant testing along with history of specific symptoms to verify a diagnosis of MS. That being said, if your insurance will allow you to do it and will cover you without a referral, then I’d say see a neurologist. But I’d see an internist first, or an osteopath AND a doctor who has experience diagnosing MS. If you have not seen either, I’d call first and tell them what you think, what you’ve been going through and if they would be willing to help you find a solution to your health problem. Be proactive with your physician, and don’t just make a blind appointment and expect them to know what is happening with you- like I said MS is hard to diagnose, you are going to have to make them understand all you’ve been going through, and how you’ve been from doctor to doctor with no help. Some doctors too readily dismiss symptoms and it is up to you to make them listen – you have to make sure you are telling them everything, so they can get a full picture. Consider this, with all the confusion in symptoms, doctors really would first look at the simplest thing that could be the problem – they normally don’t look to the most complicated, serious illness it could be – we all do that. You could be right, but being wrong is a possibility too. One thing, educate yourself, and write everything down so you can be more actively involved with your doctors.

Get information:

http://www.multiplesclerosishealth.com/ms-tests.shtml
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FDL/is_3_8/ai_n18612559/pg_
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20041115/1935.html

]]> By: Maggie F http://managing-multiple-sclerosis.com/ms-symptoms/if-symptoms-point-to-a-certain-illness-can-i-go-to-a-specialist-for-a-diagnosis-instead-of-my-family-doctor#comment-2630 Maggie F Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:21:21 +0000 http://managing-multiple-sclerosis.com/ms-symptoms/if-symptoms-point-to-a-certain-illness-can-i-go-to-a-specialist-for-a-diagnosis-instead-of-my-family-doctor#comment-2630 It took an MS specialist, at UCLA, to diagnose me after a frustrating period. I knew I had it because my Mom did and I had read about it. Have you had the battery of tests; MRIs, Spinal tap ....? Other tests to eliminate a differential diagnosis? If you do have MS, it is imperative to get on the disease modifying drugs ASAP. My MS support group ; http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MSResources/ It took an MS specialist, at UCLA, to diagnose me after a frustrating period. I knew I had it because my Mom did and I had read about it.

Have you had the battery of tests; MRIs, Spinal tap ….? Other tests to eliminate a differential diagnosis? If you do have MS, it is imperative to get on the disease modifying drugs ASAP.

My MS support group
;
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MSResources/

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