Quality Health care

Hi,

When was dx with MS I'd see my Neurologist every 4 months. When I have a relapse I get checked the next month if treatment was given. When I was on Avonex they had me come in every 3 months, to the MS Specialist, and have my blood checked for liver problems and find out how I was responding to the drug.

In Ireland, and Scotland I heard that many people only see a MS Nurse. I know they are well trained, as ours are too.

I see the MS nurse prior to going into the Neuro's office. She takes down the information, puts it in the computer, asks my problems and concerns, then the Neuro comes in and all is in the computer and chart in his hand. He gives an exam every visit, then orders blood work or MRI or whatever he thinks I need. He gives me the results of his findings and any past test.

I do admit, they are fast visits, because they see many patients, so the visit is about 15 minutes in a MS center or if a Neuro has his own practice the visit is much longer, due to less patients to see daily.

If you make a fuss in Ireland you may get to see the Neuro, or call him if you feel the medication is giving you any problems. You have to be your own advocate and be demanding when doctors are few. At least call and make known any concerns you have.

If you have a problem with the medication, go to the hospital and complain. Even your regular doctor can recommend you see the Neurologist if you need too. Good luck to you.

Lady2

Please see the Post on socilized medicine.....THIS REALLY SUCKS FOR PEOPLE JUST BEING DIAGNOSED WITH MS. THE GIRL FROM Ireland HAS A PROBLEM COMING USING INTERFERONS, AND NOBODY THERE HAS TOLD HER. INTERFERONS CAN DAMAGE HER LIVER AND KIDNEYS.
No matter what is said about the Health care in the USA, it's still the best in the world. Ask the sick of the other countries,, they are rushed about, and leave the office with very few clues on what is happening to them.....
The Red Neck

Originally posted by Hugh Glass
Hi,

When was dx with MS I'd see my Neurologist every 4 months. When I have a relapse I get checked the next month if treatment was given. When I was on Avonex they had me come in every 3 months, to the MS Specialist, and have my blood checked for liver problems and find out how I was responding to the drug.

In Ireland, and Scotland I heard that many ...[text shortened]... out, and leave the office with very few clues on what is happening to them.....
The Red Neck

Where are going with this anecdote? What are you extrapolating from it?

Mistakes are made in any system ran by humans. The op is talking about medicine. The recent reform is about insurance and has nothing to do with the medical issues that he brings up. Nothing to see here - move along.

Originally posted by TerrierJack
Mistakes are made in any system ran by humans. The op is talking about medicine. The recent reform is about insurance and has nothing to do with the medical issues that he brings up. Nothing to see here - move along.

You really think the manner in which insurance is purchased and administered has nothing to do with how medicine and treatment are administered?

Originally posted by Hugh Glass
Hi,

When was dx with MS I'd see my Neurologist every 4 months. When I have a relapse I get checked the next month if treatment was given. When I was on Avonex they had me come in every 3 months, to the MS Specialist, and have my blood checked for liver problems and find out how I was responding to the drug.

In Ireland, and Scotland I heard that many ...[text shortened]... out, and leave the office with very few clues on what is happening to them.....
The Red Neck

An ex of mine has MS, so I can support your claim that the 3-4 monthly routine visits are to (or rather in most cases from) a dedicated MS nurse, here in central Scotland at least. But there are annual visits to a neuro as well, with more if the nurse refers the patient, and certainly after a relapse. The care my ex received from the dedicated MS nurse was exemplary, and it was always made clear that access to a neuro was available simply for the asking. The nurse was, my ex felt, perfectly capable of performing the routine procedures you describe, and typically spent around an hour on each appointment.

I have no way of knowing if this was typical or not, knowing nobody else with MS.

Originally posted by TerrierJack
Mistakes are made in any system ran by humans. The op is talking about medicine. The recent reform is about insurance and has nothing to do with the medical issues that he brings up. Nothing to see here - move along.

ya, brush it off.
So this girl should just take her Drs word, and begin treating with interferon?
she's being led down a road by a nurse, and it could be a mistake..... but that is in Ireland.... could it happen here?
The Dr already made one mistake, by not starting her on something as soon as she was diagnosed. Slow down the progression, so she can live a bit more of a normal life. She is young, I'm sure she would like to contnue walking for a few more years. MS is a slow moving crippling disease, a slow steady torture.
Thankfully people on the forum have tried to steer her right, and insisted she hound the Dr..
Mistakes are made, and that's where the TORT reform comes to mind.... should she sue him now? can she in Ireland...?
Move on,,,, next patient please. Oh, sorry your liver is shot?? Humm??

Originally posted by FMF
Where are going with this anecdote? What are you extrapolating from it?

Just in some cases, it's real important to catch things right away..well most cases.
If this girl starts interferon without knowing she needs quarterly blood testing for liver damage, there is a problem with that system.... now I can't judge by that post.
But I hope we didn't sacrifice quality med care, for cheaper medical care.
If she was diagnosed a year before, something SHOULD have been done then. She went from 2 lessions to 13 in a year. You can go to bed one night, and wake up having lst your ability to walk.. It not something to take for granted.If the immune system moves to another spot, and leaves the damaged section alone, there's hope to recover some of it.. ala the term relapsing/remitting. If it just eats through the mylin sheath, then she'll lose some body function.
I am looking for people on that site from other countries.......... I want to compare what they have for treament options. probably just of interest to me though.. so we move on.

Originally posted by DrKF
An ex of mine has MS, so I can support your claim that the 3-4 monthly routine visits are to (or rather in most cases from) a dedicated MS nurse, here in central Scotland at least. But there are annual visits to a neuro as well, with more if the nurse refers the patient, and certainly after a relapse. The care my ex received from the dedicated MS nurse was exem ...[text shortened]... ppointment.

I have no way of knowing if this was typical or not, knowing nobody else with MS.

MS hits people in The Northern hemisphere pretty often. The further you are born from the equator, the greater the risk. There is a MS beltline running down the Canadian border.... Most people show symptoms years before diagnosed unfortuneatly. Early treatment can slow the process way down..
I want the best bang for my medical buck...... I do hope we get it.
It's somewhat hereditary, and more prevelant in women. SOOO my girls??

Originally posted by Hugh Glass
ya, brush it off.
So this girl should just take her Drs word, and begin treating with interferon?
she's being led down a road by a nurse, and it could be a mistake..... but that is in Ireland.... could it happen here?
The Dr already made one mistake, by not starting her on something as soon as she was diagnosed. Slow down the progression, so she can li ...[text shortened]... an she in Ireland...?
Move on,,,, next patient please. Oh, sorry your liver is shot?? Humm??

Again, you're talking about medical issues - not insurance. Talk to doctors and nurses about this. I do not have nor do I claim to have any medical knowledge. I would hope that everyone would get the best treatment that was available not just the best treatment that they can afford. Anyone, however healthy they think they, are can be stricken so we all need some kind of insurance. I should be in the US Constitution just like it is the Iraqi.