Trying to find a good neurologist in Boston

[Wriggles]

Hi, not sure if it's even a neurologist I need. Symptoms since last Oct are headache, optic nerve inflammation, iritis both eyes, tingling in various areas off an on, salivary gland infection and extreme fatigue. I have had ct scan,mri of head and neck, 1 abnormal emg and 1 normal emg, tons of labs. Ms specialist thinks I am too old for ms (56) and I have no lesions. I would like to find 1 dr that could figure it out rather than keep being sent to different specialists. I have been encouraged to go to brighams and womens in boston but not even sure which department i should go to.

Thanks so much in advance.

[Fancy1959]

Good morning and welcome Wriggles to our extended family, from Fancy1959. We are glad you have found us! We promise to provide a safe place for you to come and ask questions, voice concerns, or simply speak to others who truly understand what you're going through!

I was in search of a new neurologist in the city that I live in about 2 years ago. The neurologist that I originally started my MS Discovery with when I was 54, so no I don't think you're too old to have MS rear its ugly head, basically just gave up on me and I couldn't go to him anymore. What I did for help is that I called the National MS Society at 1 800 fight MS. I had work with them on several fundraisers including the MS Walk. I knew they offered assistance in finding neurologist wherever you lived. So give the society a call and they will assign a caseworker to you and they will recommend a neurologist office to you that they call their Partners In Hope. The doctors in the office they recommend you will never give up on you. They will fight to find out what's going on and what the best treatment options are for you. They have offices that serve all areas of the country.

In the meantime start a log of your symptoms and write down each and every symptom you experience everyday, the strength or painfulness of that symptom, in any other details you can give them about the symptom. Then start collecting your records and make sure you take all the records from all the tests you have had done with you on the day you go to meet your new neurologist. This information along with your log of symptoms will provide indispensable information to the new neurologist and might even save you money from having to repeat some of the testing and blood work you have done. Especially if it's been done in the near past.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know what you find out and who you wind up seeing. I look forward to getting to know you better because I am certain there is much we can learn from each other. Until we speak again please take care and remember that together we are stronger! Fancy.

[Wriggles in reply to Fancy1959]

Thanks a million. I will make that call tomorrow if my neurologist is out of ideas.

[greaterexp]

I was 56 when diagnosed, and many others here were diagnosed later in life, too. I’m not saying that you could have MS, but you certainly need a good neurologist, or at least someone who is willing to consider all options.

Keep us posted on your search for a good doctor and about how you’re getting along.

[Wriggles in reply to greaterexp]

Thanks so much! I will call them tomorrow after my neuro appt tomorrow if he still has no ideas.

[Claudmich]

I was 60 when I was diagnosed because I had not gone to a medical doctor in 37 yrs. my eye doctor was the one to send me for my mri. Then I started to have to see too many drs but I am finally with a great neurologist.

[Wriggles]

My eye dr seems to be the one most concerned also. He is the one that ordered most of my bloodwork. I looked up the ms specialist I went to that said I am too old for ms and unfortunately he is listed as one of the ms partners. I thought i had been sent to him because he was a neuroimmunologist, not just for ms but he was only interested in ms and did not offer any other possible diagnoses.

[lbenmaor]

I believe MS can strike at any age. I suggest you contact the MS Society and ask for a good neurologist in your area.

Let us know how you make out. My thyroid Dr. is Dr. Garber in Boston. He's knowledgeable and can probably help you.

His phone number is 617-421-1380. If he can't help, he knows a lot of good doctors.

Leslie

[Wriggles in reply to lbenmaor]

Thank you!

[bavery207]

Wriggles I was dx with primary progressive MS at age 65. Also, I am in Maine and do not travel to Boston a regular basis but I have heard Dr. Joshua Katz speak twice re: MS and he was excellent. He and a partner run an MS center somewhere near Boston and he teaches at Tufts Medical. I would think he would be good. Good luck to you!

[Wriggles]

Thank you!

[lbenmaor]

You're quite welcome!