Question About Neurologists

[ed.lippman@gmail.com]

I've been waiting for a referral to come through to see Dr. Yango at UCLA. It's starting to look like it could be months before I can see her.

My disability insurance is making noise that they want an official diagnosis. I'm nervous they might cut me off before I get in to see Dr. Yango. I already have a referral to a Neurologist I saw in LA several years ago. I'm wondering if I should go to him in the meantime to try to get something going treatment-wise. I'm not sure about this guy because he's a bit gruff and I doubt he gets the whole POTs thing. Last time I saw him he said it was stress and it would go away in time. Well, I'm no longer working so that source of stress is gone and it's only gotten worse. Not sure I trust him but he may be the only thing for the time being.

Thoughts? Advice?

[flop]

It might be worth calling his office and asking if he treats POTS and autonomic dysfunction. If he doesn't it probably isn't worth going back to him if you got the oh so common mis-diagnosis of stress last time.

Hope you get the help you need to get your disability insurance sorted out.

Flop

[skiberthoud]

When I called for an appt with neuro they said his first available appt was in jan 2011 (this was last month). So my pcp called the neuro and i had an appt within 10 days. Just a thought. May or may not be helpful for your situation. I hope things turn out well...

[potsgirl]

I also got in a lot quicker to see a neurologist when my PCP called and asked them to move my appointment up. It certainly can't hurt to ask your doctor to call in the referral! Also, you might want to let them know the situation you're in, too. Make sure you let your disability rep know the situation, also. They'll usually work with you. You can always provide proof of when your appointment is.

Good luck!

[Chaos]

My concern would be if you go back to the neuro you saw before and he puts it in your record that it's "just stress" now, that may have a negative effect on your disability insurance getting approved. They may take that diagnosis and deny you further disability. Like Potsgirl said, you can wait and see the specialist and offer your insurance people the proof of when your appointment will be. Explain to them that you have to wait to see an expert in this field to get a correct diagnosis and, as we all have found out, true experts in this field are few and far between so it takes a long time to get to see one. Your PCP may be able to help you get in sooner to see the specialist, but if not hopefully they could write a note to your disability insurance people and back you up on why you need to wait to see a particular specialist.

The other thought I had is if the neuro you saw blew you off before, he's probably not a lot better now so why give him another co-pay just so he can cause you more emotional grief?

Good luck with all this.

[Guest tearose]

It is such a highly specialized world today and if you you don't consult with the professional with the specialized education how can you expect an accurate dx?

Neurologists who have specialized in ANS disorders/dysfunction will have both the experience and diagnostic ability to help you.

Why not explain to the insurance company that you need an ANS trained neurologist and they will be able to help you get to one of the major centers like Mayo? I hope you find the best place for dx and treatment soon!

best regards,

tearose

[ed.lippman@gmail.com]

Thanks for the ideas. I made an appointment with my primary physician for Monday. I plan on telling him that I need the disability extended and see if he can do it for me until I finally get into a neurologist.

I chose to cover my bases. Neither neurologist can see me for some time. I'm on a wait list for Dr. Yango, maybe as soon as late September. I made an appointment with the old neurologist who also can't see me until late September. I figure if Yango's office calls I can cancel the other one.

Thanks for the advice!