Neurology Appointment - What to Expect

[damone]

Have my 1st ever appointment with a neurologist next week. I'm very nervous, to say the least. I'm going as I've been feeling kind of "off" the last few days. Not necessarily dizzy, but just cloudy. I work in front of a computer monitor 10 hours a day, and have a history of mild to moderate afternoon headaches. Normally, a couple excedrin and a nap does the trick. I started feeling kind of crummy on Tuesday, like I ate something that didn't agree with me. I was kind of dizzy and my stomach was upset, though no vomiting. Was fine after 24 hours, but my head still feels kind of cloudy.

Anyways, any idea on what I can expect at visit?

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

I just went for the 1st time last week. I am having headaches, very often, across the back of my head. I also have a stiff, sore neck. I have that cloudy feeling you mention and sometimes feel off balance. I have gotten brief buzzing sounds, ear pain and dizzy spells. For me this has been on going for about 7 years but it comes for spells and leaves for spells. I just got tired of it, so I went

Anyway, the doctor asked me a bunch of questions, did some little things like checking reflexes, asked me to touch my nose and squeeze his hands. Little things. He ordered a CAT scan, to rule things out, which I have done but don't know the results yet. He says it can all be from the degenerative arthritis and stenosis I have in my neck

I wouldn't worry about the exam itself, it was easy
Good luck to you! I'll be checking back here

 

[mamamary]

I went to one a few times about 10 years ago. I wish I could remember more but I know he did some tests in the office where lights flashed and other tests where you kinda get poked. It was abs. nothing to be scared of. Don't think anything was done on the first visit though. I also believe i was sent for a brain MRI.

Good luck - maybe you can call the office to see what a typical visit would consist of?

 

[damone]

Never had a CAT Scan. Kind of nervous about that, and even more nervous about having to wait for the results.

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

well, I have never had an MRI, but the CAT scan was nothing. I just laid on a table and the table slid into this capsule looking thing. I had my eyes shut at 1st but when I opened them I wasn't even all the way in. Only took a minute, piece of cake As for waiting for results, I'm not too worried b/c I have had my symptoms for so long that it couldn't be too serious, or I'd be dead already

1 step at a time...if you're going to worry, worry only about the exam b/c so far thats all that happening.(and you don't need to worry about that) In other words don't get ahead of yourself and worry about things that aren't yet I know, I'm one of the biggest worriers and thats what people tell me
Take it easy, he may just tell you its stress Mine asked me about my stress level

 

[damone]

If they have to do either, I'm hoping it's a CAT Scan, as I read that MRI's take about 30-60 minutes. I'm claustrophobic and would freak out if in there that long. Apparently, MRI's can read head x-rays better.

How long do you generally have to wait for the results of either?

 

[Nette]

If they have to do either, I'm hoping it's a CAT Scan, as I read that MRI's take about 30-60 minutes. I'm claustrophobic and would freak out if in there that long. Apparently, MRI's can read head x-rays better.

How long do you generally have to wait for the results of either?

I definitely wouldn't worry about the office visit. The doctor is basically going to look at you, talk to you have you do a few very "normal" things like check reflexes, muscle tone etc.

If you have to have an MRI, try not to worry about it either. You can always ask for a sedative if you're worried about the claustrophobia. They will likely give you a couple of Xanax which works fast and doesn't last more than an hour or so, so you would be fine to drive home afterward.

I've had countless Neurologist appts over the years for everything from headaches, to RLS, to neuropathies, to epilepsy. The only unpleasant appt I ever had was when they did the nerve conduction study and lumbar puncture trying to figure out the source of my neuropathy. Other than that, it's easy peasy.

ETA: re: time to MRI results... I've never waited more than a day or two. Usually the radiologist reads it and sends it to my neuro who also looks it over and then gives me a call.

 

[damone]

I definitely wouldn't worry about the office visit. The doctor is basically going to look at you, talk to you have you do a few very "normal" things like check reflexes, muscle tone etc.

If you have to have an MRI, try not to worry about it either. You can always ask for a sedative if you're worried about the claustrophobia. They will likely give you a couple of Xanax which works fast and doesn't last more than an hour or so, so you would be fine to drive home afterward.

I've had countless Neurologist appts over the years for everything from headaches, to RLS, to neuropathies, to epilepsy. The only unpleasant appt I ever had was when they did the nerve conduction study and lumbar puncture trying to figure out the source of my neuropathy. Other than that, it's easy peasy.

ETA: re: time to MRI results... I've never waited more than a day or two. Usually the radiologist reads it and sends it to my neuro who also looks it over and then gives me a call.

Thank you very much for the info. I really hope I'm just letting my anxiety get the better of me and it's nothing to worry about.

I keep trying to remind myself that I went and got the appointment, not the other way around, but it's not helping much.

 

[golfgal]

If they do memory tests be prepared to feel really stupid. One test I had they showed me a bunch of pictures and I just had to tell them what the pictures were. There were a couple pictures that I just couldn't for the life of me come up with the name-one was a pair of pliers so nothing very technical

My issue ended up being thyroid related and your symptoms sound similar, are you tired too? My reflexes were VERY slow-to the point that the Mayo Clinic doctors were even puzzled by that until they saw my thyroid results.

 

[damone]

My issue ended up being thyroid related and your symptoms sound similar, are you tired too? My reflexes were VERY slow-to the point that the Mayo Clinic doctors were even puzzled by that until they saw my thyroid results.

I wouldn't say abnormally tired. I'm always a bit lazy, always have been. The thing is, I've had these off and on headaches for years. I just always assumed they were from work. They've never been debilitating or had any other noticeable symptoms. Then, I go see my regular doctor, and within a week, I get this dizziness thing. My wife keeps telling me I've just stressed myself out so much over it, that I'm making myself worse. I just wish I could believe her.

 

[locolala]

Neuro appointments aren't that bad, don't worry! The doc will (as others have stated) check your reflexes and make you walk around the room in funny ways (on your heels, on your toes, heel to toe etc) to check balance and coordination. If you have to have an MRI, do ask for a sedative if you're claustaphobic. I don't really have issues with closed spaces but I HATE MRIs. I have to get them twice a year now since I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last year.

 

[damone]

Very odd. I feel better today. It's not really a sensation of dizziness. It's more like a cloudiness, but really seems to be some pressure on my right side, right behind my eye.

 

[disfan07]

I had a neurologist appt about 3 weeks ago. My appointment was a little over an hour long.

It was basically just questions and a full nuero exam. (nerve sensations, muscle tone, balance, etc)

I'm having an MRI next tuesday. Ive had 2 before and I get more anxious with each one so my doctor prescribed xanax for before the test.

 

[JustineMarie]

I've been going to a neurologist for over a year now. On my first appt they checked my reflexes, touched my legs and arms with a pin to see if I could feel the sharpness (didn't hurt), checked the bottom on my foot for my Babinski reflex, and just asked a ton of questions. I just had an MRI last Monday and picked up the results the following day so my results were ready quickly. I had an MRI of my brain with and without contrast and it took 25 minutes. They don't put you all the way in the machine, just from the chest up - so it isn't too bad. I hope you get some answers to why you are feeling the way you are!