Have you gotten a 3rd opinion? If you have 2 doctors saying 2 different things, then definitely get another opinion so you aren't misdiagnosed.

I know, I just feel so frustrated. I drove 8 hours for this other doctor. And the nearest is another 8 hours there and back.

I believe... eventually I will. But he broke my spirit. I just need to get it back.

He actually told me quite adamantly that I was NOT to seek another opinion. He said that would be doctor shopping and he is sure I could find a neuro out there who would say I had MS. But they would be wrong. That he is one of the best, all he does is MS and he knows.

Yes, I know, never trust a doctor who says that. But, it still messes with your head. He did a number on mine.

I just need to get my fighting spirit back.

Well, whether or not you have MS, this IS your home. You have been on this group for quite a long time and for you not to be at home with the group is nonsense! You have added so much to this site that to be without you would be a punishment to all your MS DS friends! So, just get that out of your mind that you don't feel you belong here. YOU DO!

Yes, be weary of a doctor telling you not to seek another opinion. Jamd1 is right, seek another opinion since both doctors say different things. Bring your concern to the latest doctor, and advise him that you don't consider seeing another opinion as doctor shopping. Heck, I have seen 5 neuro's before I found one that I was happy with.
But, you must seek another opinion. I'm sorry the doctor's are so far away fom you. That makes it more difficult.

You must hang in there and be strong at this point of your dx. Remember you are your own best advocate! Don't let the doctor's beat you down! We are here for you.

I agree, you need to see another doctor. What makes this new doctor "more right" than your first doctor who dx you? He is clearly very arrogant to say that he is the best and any other doctor would be wrong. You need a doctor who cares about YOU and makes decisions based on YOUR situation - not his own arrogance.

Yes, you should NOT be doctor shopping. But if you have one doctor saying one thing, and another saying the opposite, then clearly you need another opinion. That's not doctor shopping - that's advocating for yourself and making sure you understand your situation.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! Go get another opinion ASAP. You NEED to know what is going on - and if it IS MS then you need to be able to take meds to fight it!

Either way - if you feel you belong here then you do. It's that simple. Plenty of people here don't have a DX. No one cares - we are here to love and support each other regardless of what your actual medical records say. That doesn't and won't change based on one doctors arrogant opinion!

Im so sorry you have had bad doctor advice and/or treatment. Ive had a few bad experiences with several doctors. It really makes you question yourself. You think that doctors, with all that "schooling" they would have better "bedside manner" You have been dx's since 2001? Please get another opinion. and another if need be. You need to know the truth. If it's not MS, thats great, but find out what the problem is. Best of luck to you.
Sandra

I agree. We are here for you regardless of what diagnosis you receive. I also agree that another opinion is important.

I went to 3 nueros myself. Also I had severe ankle pain, one neuro said it's from stress so an achilis heal, like in my head. My primary care Dr said it must be fibromyalgia. Finally my 3rd oppinion Dr got x-rays and MRI And found the largest hole she had ever seen in the anklle bone! I got surgury and now need a second surgury.
3rd oppinions are well worth it if you ask me.

Wow your new nuerologist sounds like a jerk! Unfortunately with this disease there are a lot of doctor's out there like that. If you other options maybe you should go else where. It's up to you. Well I you feel better =).
Marissa

Dear tarabunny,

I feel just like you. I have many symptoms that fit right here. I feel like I have found my dx myself while my doctors try, almost desperately, to ignore, or explain away many of my symptoms that are evidence of MS. I really don't know why this is so, but I am now referred to a Rhumatologist. My Nuro says: "Stop trying to find an answer to all your symptoms together. I believe there are several things going on." I have the white spots too. Anyway, I will see the Rhumatologist, and at the same time I will get a second Neuro opinion.

I can relate to how these doctors can make you feel lost and without hope. Everytime I get a test showing something and my doctor makes light of the findings, or I get a normal result, Then I ask what else can my symptoms be coming from, the doctor either says it could be the fibro, or looks like she simply doesn't believe me, it sinks me into a deep depression. My anxiety level goes off the charts. I have to pray for comfort and calm.

They, (the doctors) don't really tell you where to go from there do they.

Take the time you need to recover, then get another opinion. You have the right to find a doctor who knows how to listen, and can care about you personally enough to help you find a satisfying answer to what is going on with you. Let it be called "doctor shopping." So what - you are paying for a service. You are a customer. The doctor is the provider of a service you are paying for. You always retain the right to go to the a place of your choosing to receive service. If a waiter gives bad service, you have the right to either choose to endure it, thank him for his service, and then never return, or you can get up and leave to find another restaurant.

Anyways, don't let the insecurities of that ridiculous doctor get into your head. You need to think you.

Sorry you had that experience. Feel better soon,

Your friend,

Rebecca

Tarabunny,

I have missed hearing from you. I have been wondering about you and hoping that you are well.

Just for the record, I HATE MOST DOCTORS!!!! You wouldn't believe my experiences. I could write a book. But I am very, in fact extremely lucky with my neuro doc with my MS. I will hate it when he retires because no one even comes close.

There are a lot of bad MS doctors because I have heard horrid stories. I know of one locally who I heard was just awful and would bring some people to tears. And then he would tell people with obvious MS that they didn't have MS!!! And even I could tell that they had MS because they had THE MS WALK!! A big HUG to lchoppel for her avatar!! So doctors can be really dumb at times.

So, please keep asking the questions.

1. Call up your local MS Society and ask about all the neurologists who specialize in MS. I went to one neurologist who didn't know that much about MS and she wanted me to go through all the needless tests after I had already been dx. So I dropped her and I was really glad.

2. Go to a local support group (if there is one). The MS Society sponsors self help groups and they really can help you find a good doctor. They can share their experiences and tales.

3. Go to www.ratemds.com and look up a doctor there. It is a free website. I found that the bad ones are usually rated as really bad and that would give you a clue.

Lastly, don't feel lost. You are right at home here. No matter what, you stay here until you find a good doctor and please vent and talk. Your posts help everyone.

And Tarabunny, did I tell you I had a bunny rabbit in my yard the week before Easter!! And now he/she is gone now that Easter is over. Weird.

A big HUG to you.
Ez

I love the responses here on your post. I am not Dx yet and only have had symptoms since January of this year and already have been through one worthless neuro who I drove 6 hrs for and who was a complete disappointment - not returning my local neuro 's calls or mine & then Dx me with headaches & a sleep disorder. REALLY? and I've been to a rhumatologist who was nice but couldn't help & am now finally referred to Mayo. Abd all of that in a space of a few months. So please don't give up. Each dr is a different person and a fresh opportunity to help you.