hopful2

[6236]

I saw Dr Scott Cooper this morning and I am hopeful that he will help me. He was familiar with augmentation and was very thorough is his examination. He has ordered a full iron panel and checking B12 and magnesium levels. In all he is doing 3 panels. He is also doing nerve conductivity test. He said that once we received the results we would talk about coming off the Ropinirole. So keep your fingers crossed and thank all of you for your support!

[SueJohnson]

That sounds very good.

Was he familiar with the Mayo algorithm?

Did you ask if he would prescribe opioids if needed? And if so, what did he say?

[6236 in reply to SueJohnson]

Sue honestly I did not ask those questions and I should have. I went in there expecting to get the same old song and dance but I have an appointment on the 22nd to go over the results of the labs and the test and I will ask then. I feel comfortable that he will prescribe opioids due to his knowledge about how Ropinirole works and that it would take some time and may not be very pleasant but that he would do everything possible to help me get through it.

[LotteM in reply to 6236]

It may help to prepare a list of issues to discuss / questions to ask. Print them and put them before you when you start the meeting. I always do. It helps. Sometimes the doctor even asks whether I have covered all the things on my list.

[Boldgirl45]

Thanks for that - where is he based? Is he in the States?

[6236 in reply to Boldgirl45]

He is actually in my home town. He is part of Northside neurology and is located in Cumming Georgia. I went in not expecting a lot but he surprised me. That being said I failed to ask some important questions that Sue reminded off but I have an appointment on the 22nd and will determine if he will prescribe opioids and how familiar he is with the Mayo algorithm. He was knowledgeable about Ropinirole and augmentation so that gives me some hope. I feel that augmentation has already started because my symptoms are happening earlier and the Ropinirole doesn’t seem to be lasting as long so the sooner I get this moving the better off I will be. My son and daughter want me to try cannabis which I may do but we are limited to what we can get in Georgia. Anyway sorry to ramble but I will post test results and his recommendations as soon as I can.

[Boldgirl45 in reply to 6236]

OK thanks for that

[ziggypiggy in reply to 6236]

Like Sue mentioned it's hard to remember everything you want to say at appointments. One approach I use if I want my doctor to lookover anything that is more than a small paragraph (Mayo algorithm for example), I will email the doctors medical assistant the information and links I would like him to review about one week before my appointment, with the suggestion that the doctor take a look at the information at his liesure sometime before the appointment. I also bring print out versions to the appointment as backup. It can speed up the process if the doctor is receptive.