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How often do you see a neurologist?
My wife, diagnosed with MCI 2 years ago, has seen the neurologist once, the very first visit. Since then it has only been the physicians assistant. Is that typical? She was also tested for sleep apnea and put on a CPAP machine. That machine communicates sleep results back to doctor. These sleep measurements results have never been discussed with us in any or our doctor visits. Is that also typical?
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We were twice yearly but now are 3 times a year. Our guy is great with messaging. We do that in between on questions about drugs etc.
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3 Reactions@geppetto I read your comment about only seeing a PA when you go to the doctor. They, and nurse practitioners, are the way of the future. I was at first skeptical when i went to see the neurologist and saw a PA instead. This was my broken neck we were talking about and I wanted to see a doctor. The PA was excellent and my fears were erased. The majority of them are excellent and can easily see patients. That is not to say that I’m dismissing your anxiety. Far from it! I totally understand.
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2 Reactions@geppetto My husband has been seen at a Memory and Brain Wellness Center every 3-4 months since his diagnoses of ALZ caused by dementia since 2021. He has a team of 3...the actual doctor, an nurse practitioner and a social worker. At the diagnosis appointment we were told that the M.D. and the ARNP would rotate on seeing him but we've only seen the neurologist twice since then and i'm okay with that. She's very attentive to our concerns and needs. Does your doctor's office office a Patient Portal? After our visits, everything is documented about that visit and i love this communication. And I can email her when I have concerns because we all know it's almost impossible to talk directly to the doctor. Before you leave your next appointment or testing, I would ask for a summary and/or notes about your visit. Leaving patients in the "dark" only makes this journey harder and stress we can do without.
Good luck and just keep asking questions!!
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4 ReactionsWe have never seen a neurologist. I chose the neuropsychology route for my husband since early 2023. We also have a gerontologist whose specialty is dementia. We see him 2-3 times a year. I always ask to see only HIM.
We speak to a neuropsychologist once a week on the phone.
We are still in the MCI phase but it is progressing. Hopefully slowly but who knows.
I will say this took a lot of research in the beginning as to who to see and how to treat.
I have considered a neurologist at this point - would like a PET scan and more definitive diagnosis, but not sure it matters.
Regardless of who you see, it’s important to ask questions and discuss concerns with whatever health care provider you see.
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3 ReactionsI agree completely. I'm my experience PAs and APRNs have been much more involved in my husband as a whole person, not just a bunch of symptoms. At first I was indignant that the doctor was passing us off to someone with less medical knowledge and experience, but I've completely changed my opinion.
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3 ReactionsI'm not so much indignant as I am curious. Our family dr checks in with us once a year whereas most intermediate visits are with the PA. I'm a bit more concerned over sleep apnea readings (yes, next visit will be one of the questions) not being reviewed.
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1 Reaction@geppetto You have to remember that the PA works under the doctor’s license. They need to OK all prescriptions and procedures with the doctor. (Did you know that PA’s work the ‘on-mountain’ clinics at the ski resorts?) So the doctor knows what’s going on with your spouse. As for the sleep apnea, you can ask about that.