A waste of time??

[chobee1kenobi]

Hey everyone,
I was just looking for some input. I am currently waiting for my Social Security hearing in about a year. I dont have very good dr. records because of no ins. I am hoping to get on my hubands within the next few months but I am just not sure we can swing that right now. Since my last neuro. appt.  I have had L'Hermittes and have been experiencing the MS hug for about a week now, I have also had some really bad back spasms for about 2 and 1/2 weeks and as I have said before killer joint pain. With all that being said would going to a primary doctor be any help for A.) my pain B.) Helping my social security case. I have found a primary care clinic in my area that would be relatively cheap given my financial situation, but would rather wait if it would do NO good. So do I go to the primary or wait until I can see a neuro.??

[Lulu54]

Mary is so right about the PCP being able to handle  treating these symptoms.  Why continue to suffer in pain when there might be something that can be done .... so please go to the doctor.

This visit will also add to the documentation you have for the SS hearing.

Stay in touch and let us know how you are doing.
-Lulu

[twopack]

I think it would be worth going and seeing what they have to offer there since you have said you are already diagnosed with MS.  If you weren't, they might be very reluctant to treat symptoms using a shotgun approach unless the cause was investigated with expensive tests.  

My primary doc is very well educated in how to treat day to day MS problems and I prefer to see her for those things.  The MS clinic I go to expects I will do that as well.  You might find that you need to educate yourself on treatment options so you can help guide a doc there who is not very familiar with effective MS symptom treatment.  For example, if you are having a lot of spasms, they might be willing to try some baclofen.  It's a very affordable and useful drug for that.

The problem might be the potential of seeing a different doc every time you go.  Some may be better than others.  Few are worse than nothing (although it seems we meet far too many of those around here).  If you never give it a try, you will only be able to guess if they could have been helpful.

If it works out well, you will also be an established patient and potentially have a much easier time being seen, believed and understood at a time in the future when a sudden urgent symptom appears.  They may not be willing or able to treat a relapse with IV steroids but they should be able to treat your ongoing symptoms and quality of life concerns.

I hope you go and can find some pain relief soon.  That will make life so much more worth living.  Good thoughts and good luck.

Mary

[lovemy6monkeys]

The thought of having pain, with no relief, for upwards of a year, is a daunting one! If it were me, I would go to the doctor you can afford, if only to get some help with the pain. If they cannot help you, maybe they know of someone who can. It is worth a try!

I can't imagine that seeing a doctor would hurt your SS case, but I do not know anything about SS. Hopefully someone will give better info on that!

((hugs)) I hope you get relief soon!
~Jess

[figuerpa]

I am not sure how Social Security works, but I am guessing that any notes from any doctors are better than no notes at all.

Make sure you get any and all hospital reports as well. As for the neuro, i think you should see one, it is important reguardless of Social Security or not.

I am pretty sure Social Security will send you to their own doctors to verify what your doctors are saying.

Good luck and keep us informoed

Paula