The oncology palliative care NP that I see occasionally suggested I be evaluated by a neurologist as I expressed concern about my neuropathy, balance and memory. She's prescribed extremely helpful meds for side effects, spends alot of time talking with and listening to me and I trust her alot. My balance has gone down hill since I was hospitalized last fall and I use a walker when I go out and some at home. I saw the neurologist this past week, much sooner than I expected because they had a cancelation. My husband and I both liked him alot! He spent almost an hour with us, did some testing and ordered some bloodwork and further testing of the neuropathy, but told me that my memory issues are very consistent with my age (77) and do not resemble any kind of dementia! The best news I've had in a longtime. He also toldme that the area were I had one brain met, on the surface of the right cerebellum, with stereotactic radiation treatment, is the part of the brain that handles balance, and that the exercisesI've been given are the only thing likely to help. Vit B might help but he wants to see my blood levels first. I asked about the various stuff advertised for neuropathy and he said thet those aren't helpful. I left feeling relieved and happy! Now I need to make daily exercise a priority, sigh! I'm more of a thinker, reader, studier than athlete, lol!
One of the few good things about having MBC, at least in my experience, is that it often gets me appointments weeks, and even months, sooner than if I didn't! So when I talk with schedulers, I make sure to mention it!
