Purpose of Seeing a Neurologist after Stroke

@grrranny - it's always legitimate to ask and try to understand why you might spend your time and money on something - in this case a neurologist appointment.

I'd think they'd look at potential reasons for the stroke and any damage done by it so you could better understand it. I think they'd also look at risk factors you may have and preventing another stroke in the future.

I'm also tagging Connect members who've talked about stroke so they can provide input on what the purpose would be to see a neurologist 4 months after your stroke @tazcat @naturegirl5 @strokesurvivordynamo @strokecarespatty @avinashdadi @slowrunner1 @strokemom2.

How have your medications and occupational therapy gone for you so far?

Thanks so much, Lisa! Medications seem to be okay so far. While the Occupational Therapy is just once a week and is helping somewhat, it kind of hurts my hand because we're doing mostly fine motor skills like sticking tiny odd-shaped objects into tiny holes. The Physical Therapy is only twice a week, and although I'm making progress, I feel like I really need at least one more day per week. Will talk to them again about that tomorrow. Apparently Medicare only covers 2 sessions per week. Anybody have any ideas what to do about that? I've told them I'd be willing to pay out-of-pocket.

@grrranny Since a neurologist is the specialist for brain and spine this is a reasonable referral for you. The neurologist will presumably do an exam and figure out how you have progressed since the stroke occurred. The neurologist will review your medications. Since you have ongoing occupational therapy and physical therapy (do you also have speech therapy?) the neurologist may write another script to extend your therapy for a longer period of time.

Do you have any questions you'd like to ask the neurologist about the stroke? You might have questions about where, exactly, in your brain the stroke occurred and how that is related to your fine and gross motor skills? The neurologist may also have suggestions on what you can do for prevention of a future stroke.

Doing fine with speech, thanks @naturegirl5. Only needed speech therapy the first 3 weeks during hospital rehab.
So, that's one good thing. 🙂

I had a hemorrhagic stroke caused by a (currently removed) meningioma. And six months after the surgery and stroke, I started having seizures. I later learned that epilepsy can be a side effect of having a stroke. And epilepsy doesn’t necessarily develop immediately; it can take months before the first seizure. So my (survivor, but non-expert) opinion is to continue with the neurologist who would be better at treating epilepsy for maybe a year and if everything goes well, then consider switching.

I hate to sound discouraging but you probably will not get insurance to cover more therapy days for you BUT you can create your own. Reach out to friends & family and ask them for half a dozen minimum of any beads or small buttons they may have--explain what you are doing in therapy to help them determine what you need. Then take an empty large jar (peanut butter?) have someone drill holes into the top (one hole for each object size) just barely large enough for the bead to fit through. On days when your therapist doesn't come, "spill" the beads onto a cookie sheet with sides and practice picking them up one at a time to replace in the jar. Get a sewer to help with this nest part: You will need 2 strips of fabric similar to the button facings on a shirt (can use the button side of 2 old shirts). Sew buttonholes just barely big enough for the various buttons on one strip and loosely sew the button onto the other. Then practice getting the various sizes & shapes of button through the holes. I also found stress clay at Walmart--silly putty works too. Good luck! don't let insurance limit how you recover.

I too was surprised neurologist was the last person sent to after my stroke, their practice sent you for a triage appt, that reviewed all actions by my primary care covered what should be, so that was nice. They added genetic testing so I could reassure my children did not possibly have a gene that they should check for. I too had an ischemic stroke, on my third. Hoping no more , they spanned over two years, so did the pt/occupational therapy round twice but they did help so much. be sure to save your instructions at therapy, and do them the third time that you want at home your self. They do normally advise home work. To specifically answer your question though, I had my last stroke 3/24 and I am being sent for another mri this month, since I have had minimal symptoms but consistent to make sure all looks clear, to see if a plaque is causing them. The neurologist decided on this not my primary care, so they all do a great job ensuring best care.

A Neurologist is a specialist. He is specifically trained to treat stroke patients. Your PCP is a general practitioner. You will receive superior care seeing a specialist. I too am 82 yo and had three TIAs several years ago. I see my neurologist every six months for a followup. He does all the tests and evaluates my present condition. My PCP does none of those tests.