Neurologists? Recommendations? Warnings?

Hi all,

Today I’ve got through my neurology referral through NHS choose and book, as the waiting time in my area is very long and obviously (like most of us) I’d like to be seen as soon as possible. The least waiting time is Eastbourne Hospital however after researching the consultant there, there are some odd news articles about him going off sick and leaving people in the lurch. The second soonest appointment is East Surrey Hospital Redhill, with little information on the consultants.

I don’t know if there is already a thread for this, and I obviously don’t want to start anything mean or slanderous but I just wanted to know if anyone had seen anyone at those hospitals and their thoughts?

Thank you : )

Emma x

Sorry, no idea. Did you check the names on the “Near me” thing on here? If one is an MS specialist, it might best to plump for him/her?

Karen x

Thanks Karen, After a not so fun trip to A&E last night when my right side went numb and heavy I’ve managed to get an appointment right round the corner on Wednesday AND he’s listed on ‘near me’ so that’s lucky. It’s been my left side I’ve been having trouble with thus far which makes it a bit strange. Is that typical of MS symptoms or does that point to it being more likely something else? Thank you Emma x

Hi Emma,

Mine in the right side for 4 years, the left is always fine strange. Nueros cant give me diagnosis of MS yet because of the following:

Only One sided, clear brain scan, clear Lumbar puncture and only one lesion in cervical spine. For 4 years we are waiting for something else to happen!

Regards

Moyna x

Hi Monya,

A blessing and a curse I suppose. Does that mean MS is often on both sides?

Do they think you have MS but can’t give you an official ‘label’ or that it’s something else?

Emma x

Hi Emma & Moyna

My symptoms started 1 1/2years ago and have all predominantly been one sided too (my L side). I’ve had what the neurologist considers 2 episodes but with non-sepcific MRI lesions (2 MRI’s). I haven’t had LP or VEP. I transferrred neurologists in the middle as my first one was terrible and by the time I saw the second neuro I felt better and whatever the test results showed they weren’t going to put me on medication so it didn’t seem like I had much to gain. So I’m also playing the waiting game for new symtpoms if they happen.

It does seem like a lot of people present with one sided symptoms.

Reemz

X

Hi Emma
You need to think of it a bit differently - It is not your MS that is one sided but it is the effects that are one sided. Nothing about MS is normal, but one-sidedness is fairly common (more so if the problem is mainly in the spine and less in the brain).

One quick (but not conclusive) check is to look for “Babinski’s sign”: You lie on your back, barefoot, toes up, and it one or both of your big toes are trying to point backward (that’s the sign) then it is a clue of spinal problems. Even if the sign is there, it does not mean that there are no lesions in the brain as well. But, if you do have the sign, you should mention it at your appointment.

Geoff