Hello, vy0081 (@llevy0081)

About a year and a half ago, I had the same question: Should I see a neurologist? I began having balance problems several years ago, but the episodes were brief, and I thought the result of hypertension. (I'd been taking medication for hypertension at the time.) Gradually, the episodes grew more frequent and longer in duration.

Finally, I mentioned it to my primary doctor. (Three years ago?) That began a series of workshops with various physical therapists. Each believed my troubling balance was due solely to advancing age. The workshops helped, but only "so much." That's when I started to ask myself: Should I see a neurologist? My primary doctor was quick to refer me. My first visit was with a neurologist's PA, who had me get a brain MRI. The brain MRI didn't show much, other than 30 years ago being a pretty heavy social drinker. Next came a cervical MRI, which revealed some "borderline" intrusion on my spine. I was sent to see a neurosurgeon, who agreed the intrusion was "borderline" but not requiring surgical intervention.

It was then, still having my balance difficulties (no pain, however) and frustrated at having still no idea what was wrong, that I asked my primary doctor if she knew of a local neurologist who took a more holistic approach to treating patients. (I had wondered if there might be a doctor who took a more holistic approach because of my other medical "issues": severe flat feet, one prosthetic knee and the other knee chock full of arthritis, and an arthritic hip.) It was then I first learned of "physiatric medicine," a neurological specialty using a whole-body approach to diagnoses and treatment (think: physical rehabilitation).

Luckily, there was such a doctor – a whole clinic – in my area. So I met with another neurology practitioner (the physiatrist) and had an EMG exam on my second visit, which led to my diagnosis of idiopathic axonal sensory/motor peripheral neuropathy.

I mention all this only to show how long it took me to go from puzzlement and self-diagnosis (those early balance episodes) to finally have a diagnosis that makes sense and upon which I can plan (and accommodate, as necessary) my future. I wish you the very best!

Cheers!
Ray (@ray666)