As the title says. I have my first neuo appointment tomorrow. Will he do a full clinical exam, or do you just give a history at the first appointment?
My symptoms have become worse over the last week, my feet & toes are really prickling & its so intense it feels like someone is tapping carpet tacks in to them. My ankles are really sore & hurt when I walk & the shooting pains in my feet & legs are horrendous. Nothing works for the pain
I had really intense pins and needles so they uped my amitripaline then it soon stoped have a goose bump feeling every now and then but thank god no pins and needles like before they used to make me feel nauseous.
**He would need a list of your symptoms when u had them and how long they went on for and family mine asked, have you had a mri if not he will send you for one probley wont get much from your first appointment, i was expecting to get answers when i went to mine as i already had a mri but got nothing but hopefully you will get something for the pain.**I have been going through this since feb and others have been waiting years its a long old stressful jorney.
He should ask about your symptoms and history, do a clinical exam and then refer you for appropriate tests. Here’s a copy of what I think can help at a first appointment:
No.1: Be prepared! (It’s always best to have something and not need it than need it and not have it!)
Be able to tell the neuro your medical history, any neurological illnesses in your family (if asked) and your symptoms in a succinct, objective manner. Prepare a list / aide memoire to help you. Do not prepare lists with loads of details over loads of pages: the neuro will most likely only want a topline summary / headlines. If they want more info, they’ll ask. A good list will be chronological and focus on the main symptoms. For example, April-May 2009: optic neuritis (recovered); September-December 2010 (some recovery): incontinence, spasms in legs, shooting pains in legs; June 2012 (ongoing): terrible fatigue, deterioration in walking, some cognitive difficulties. If this is the first time this kind of thing has happened to you, then stick to a simple explanation – when it started, what the main symptoms have been and how they progressed, if anything has gotten better since. For example, March 2012: woke with tingling in legs. Developed to legs, torso and back over 2 week period. April: extreme fatigue; tingling areas now buzzing, itching and hypersensitive too. Now: all of the above plus blurry eyesight.
Take a (short) list of questions if you have any.
Take a list of symptoms that you are struggling with so the neuro can advise re meds or therapy.
No.2: Do not hand over lists unless you really can’t talk through things yourself. If you do hand something over, do not speak until the neuro has finished reading it (or asks you a question - once you’ve answered it, be quiet again if there’s more to read). If you are planning on handing anything over, keep a copy for yourself.
No.3: Be honest. Do not exaggerate and do not play things down.
No.4: Take someone with you if you can. It is really helpful to have another pair of eyes and ears there so there’s a better chance of remembering what happened and what was said. The other person can also help to jog your memory if needed.
No.5: If the neuro’s taking notes of what you’re saying, give him enough time to keep up and get things written down properly.
There really is nothing to be concerned about. The goal of an initial consultation is for the neuro to work out what the most feasible explanations are for your symptoms and to order suitable tests. To do that, he/she needs to know your history and the results of a clinical exam. The only bit that you can help with is the history. So that’s your contribution: to provide the information that the neuro needs. This isn’t too hard - after all, it’s all about you! A list / aide memoire can help to keep you from waffling or missing out something important though.
Hi Cath - the only thing I have to add is to ask for a copy of the letter the neuro will send GP Also you will probably have to wait anything up to an hour for your appointment from your appointment time. So take something to read to pass the time. Even so do not be rushed it is your appointment. I always take a notebook with me to write my questions down. I always write the answers down during the appointment as if I don’t as soon as I walk out the door I will forget. Try your best to forge a good relationship with your neuro - he or she will be the gatekeeper for any treatment. Don’t be scared I have a fabulous friendly neuro Good luck let us know how you get on Hugs Min xx
Hello Cath, Wishing you luck for tomorrow. I had my first appointment last month and the reality was far nicer than my fears!! I thought to myself, ‘at last, someone who knows what they are talking about’ ( long story with GP). Sam
