Socialized Medicine

Excuse the bear in the big blue house pun, but I was dx'd last april when my spinal tap results came in. Had an app scheduled for this april to meet with the doc again, which was fine.

So I had a second mri this feb and got my results last week from my ms nurse. Im going in interferon so she said no point seeing the doc for few months to see how I do on it. That was also fine.

So today I get a letter from the hospital saying my next appointment with the doctor is feb 2011!!!

That will be nearly 2 years not seeing the neuro! This seems like a long time. My ms nurse is lovely and I trust her advice about the inetrferon but surely i should see the doc shortly after i go on new medication or even before i start it. Is this normal practice to not see a neuro for 2 years when I was only diagnosed a short time ago? Shouldnt they be keeping an eye on me a bit more?

Just wondering of anyone elses experienced this? Am I being unreasonable expecting a yearly appointment?

Thanks for any replies 🙂

OK ALL YOU OUT THERE WHO THINK THE USA IS LACKING IN HEALTH CARE, THIS IS FROM A LADY IN DUBLIN. I PICKED IT OFF THE MS FORUM TODAY. IN THE USA WE GET NEUROLGIST APPOINTMENTS EVERY 6 MONTHS....... WE ALSO START ON INTERFERONS ASAP, AS IT'S IMPROTANT TO STOP THE ATTACKS, ONCE YOU LOSE A FUNCTION IT DOES NOT COME BACK.
ITS QUITE EASY TO COMPARE WHAT WE HAVE TO WHAT THEY HAVE, IF YOU ASK THE SICK.....
Did we really move ahead with Health care, or take a step backward? Some seem to think socialized medicine is the way to operate, I beg to differ...
The red neck

Originally posted by Hugh Glass
Excuse the bear in the big blue house pun, but I was dx'd last april when my spinal tap results came in. Had an app scheduled for this april to meet with the doc again, which was fine.

So I had a second mri this feb and got my results last week from my ms nurse. Im going in interferon so she said no point seeing the doc for few months to see how I do o ...[text shortened]... Some seem to think socialized medicine is the way to operate, I beg to differ...
The red neck

Having lived in both France and England, I think the French system works much better. I never had to wait to see a specialist.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/9994.php

Originally posted by UzumakiAi
I think that's normal practice in any health care system. Not the best practice, though. Better than being denied service for a pre-existing condition.

I have not been back to the MS web site, but will soon. having MS I know some things need to be considered. I was given options other than the three interferons, but chose one of them anyway..... Interferon can damage your liver and kidneys, so I had to go in for quarterly blood tests... If she was not told that, I see a possible problem. Don't you think?
There are other treatments, which are not interferon, which I take now.
Secondly, MS attacks, can be likened to a hose being cut. Once the water is on the yard, it can't be recovered.... meaning stop that leak. I am surprised she was not put on one of the MS injectible drugs right away... she ended up with more lessions that MAY have been stopped. A bad risk. ( a lession is where your own imune system is eating at the nerves in your brain or spine ) Once cut, they seldom repair themselves. Thus, you may never walk if it's that nerve )
I also chat with a lady from Canada, who takes nothing... I have to ask her why.

Originally posted by UzumakiAi
I think that's normal practice in any health care system. Not the best practice, though. Better than being denied service for a pre-existing condition.