Ever been helped by a neurologist?

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Benit

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After a very long delay caused by insurance issues, I have an appointment set up with a neurologist. This is one that my GP recommended after telling him I've had "constant head pressure" every day for 6+ years. There are additional symptoms as well, chronic fatigue, intense brain fog, "stiff, weak eye muscles," and so forth.

While there's no doubt that I need to get this checked out, and no doubt that I badly need these symptoms to go away... I remain skeptical as to what a neurologist can do for me. There are MRIs and Cat scans but suppose they don't show anything. Then, suppose they do show something, but it's something you can't do anything about (an arachnoid cyst, brain calcification, etc etc.) This is one reason I have trouble being optimistic about this appointment.

Another reason is the thorny issue of medication. From what I've read of other people who have strange headache-like symptoms or unusual phenomena going on, typical medication for these problems include anticonvulsants, and drugs like Topamax. The problem is I already take a prescription drug (an antidepressant) and anticonvulsants (as well as Topamax) are well known for causing brain fog, even moreso than antidepressants. Who knows what the additive effect would be?

Basically, I hear neurology is often about MRIs and medication, avenues that myself and many others don't look to with great optimism. But do any neurologists explore alternative paths, though? And has anyone with a strange issue like mine ever found relief from your symptoms, after seeing a neurologist?

Please respond,
Benit
 
Well, I would certainly want to get to the bottom of what's going on. Any treatment is up to you to decide. I know plenty of people for whom a neurologist's dx was a goRABend, my sister for one. Yes, they tried drug therapy but when that no longer worked, surgery was done and she is fine today. Same for several others. I just wonder why you are self-limiting when you don't even know what's going on, if it is neurological in nature nor what the treatment might be. It would be preferable to head into any diagnostic situation without preconceived notions. I wish you the best.
 
I agree with Titchou's post 100%. You should not go into the appointment with preconceived notions. My neurologist and neurosurgeon helped me quite a bit with my issues. Unfortunately, I had to have a surgery for one of them, but also take a pain medication (non-narcotic) for the other.

Diagnostic testing can get to the root of your issues, if you give it a chance. If they don't find anything, that's a good thing. It is frustrating when you still have problems when that happens, but they'll know who to refer you to and get you the right help.
 
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