Hi guys. I wonder if anyone could advise me on how to ask for a second opinion- without looking like a hypochondriac (and doctors seem to hate it when patients get information from the internet!). How to go about it? And you did ask- were you successful?
These are the facts-
I had a positive Lumbar Puncture in December 2018 and another positive one in August 2020. Before 2018 I’d had episodes of double vision (I now wear prism glasses), balance, vertigo, abnormal movements etc.
My brain MRI in December 2018 had ‘a few non-specific white spots’.
I’ve had symptoms like double vision, burning pins and needles, ‘the hug’ sensation etc since the 2018 brain MRI. I’ve not been able to discuss this with anyone.
I’ve not had an MRI since 2018, and I’ve not had a spinal MRI.
I’ve basically been told that despite the positive LPs, no further tests will be done.
Basically I’m not happy with how this has been left. I am very close to being lumped with a ‘anxiety’ diagnosis and I am terrified of that (I was misdiagnosed in the past with a ‘anxiety/ psychogenic’ disorder by neurologists, as I was having blackouts and convulsions- when I actually had a physical condition that was affecting my blood pressure which was diagnosed years later).
How do I go about getting a second/ another opinion without annoying doctors? I feel that the more I push, the worse I make it for myself- it just confirms doctors believe I am ‘anxious’.
The past ‘psychogenic’ diagnosis, IMO, is prejudicing doctors against me (believing I’m some kind of hypochondriac), even though I’ve asked for this ‘psychogenic’ diagnosis to be revised because I now have a diagnosis for these symptoms.
I spoke with a nurse from the MS society, and she said that it was wrong that they are going off a ‘mostly OK’ MRI from 2018, especially as I’ve had symptoms since then.
That not everyone with MS has a positive MRI- but since I’ve had 2 positive Lumbar Punctures, years apart, that shows disease activity- ‘dissemination in time’.
I’ve not had a spinal MRI either.
If you have had to push for a second opinion- how did you go about it? Has anyone ever gone private for an MRI?
I’m considering going private- but the doctor (MS specialist) who I want to see, seems to be the doctor who is aware of my positive LP and just wants to leave it and not do further tests. (Although the recent letter from the hospital I got was very unclear!)
This whole thing has been so stressful!
Many thanks.