I hear you...however, i have learned you have to be your own medical advocate....sad, but true...

keep on top of them, don't back down and good luck

so are these lesions related to MS? trying getting on the least invasive crab drug and also research them before the doc says you have to take this one...unfortunately i can't find good statistical data on african americans and which drug they choose to use or are using to know what is working for each individual...i would put a fire under someones' *bleep* in order to get answers...that's my problem..i usually go ballistic until what I need done get's done...customer service these days suck a big one!

Yeah as far as I know they are but they are so tiny that they are not affecting me in any type of way physically. I read some of my chart talking with the nurse yesterday and it said they recommended ref?

Not sure if I'm following everything. It is for sure MS and the doc sent for referal because of treatment options?

What did the first MRI show? Did that one diagnose you or did the 2nd one? Is your diagnosis not yet certain or is it just whether to treat or not? Is thayt what the referal was about, whether to treat or not?

If it is whether to treat or not, do you have
a preference? You will find many who chose not to and equal enthusiasm for treating. Do you have your insurance worked out before diagnosis & treatment?

My 1st and only attach showed a thumb size lesion that is when I first began exhibiting symptoms. Yeah it is Ms. He thought ADEM or Ms that is why I was sent to Vandervilt in January. He wanted recommendations regarding treatment etc.

It sounds as if although he believes it is MS he is open to other pssobilities, else why would he have sent you for second opinion. Like those above said, you just need to bird dog it 'til answer comes back. MS is a RR disease so lesions do come & go and we are told to treat regardless...but there are those who are "waitfuly watching before decideding to treat" Boy I'm sorry, I don't have any suggestions, but what you are already doing. You don't have all of the pieces of the puzzle to make a decision. All I can think is what your doing to call and ask when it will be availble. And call and ask again.

I'm not much help, but thanks for explainig how the situation evolved.

And my wishes of much good luck follow with this post.

Hi I understand how you feel. It's got to be weighing on your mind big time. I have a hard time waiting sometimes and i've learned as well, that you do indeed need to be your own advocate. You need to be persistant and make phone calls. The trick is, not to lose your temper and tell them what you really want to tell them. LOL believe me.......if they sometimes knew what I wanted to say, it would'nt be too cool. But by being persistant in following up, making those phone calls yourself, really does help. I know too that it does'nt seem fair that we as patients, should have to do their work. It's the way it is though 9 times out of 10 I think.
I've had to "fire" two doctors before I found a decent one. I say "fire" because they really are working for us and if they cant' do the job then they don't deserve my business.
So good luck and I hope you get your answers soon.
Hugs to you