Annual MRI&Neurosurgeon Appointment

[3boysmom]

OK-
So I survived my appointment on Friday. I first had to go for the MRI, and then directly to my Dr's upstairs. I waited longer in the waiting room then the total time he talked to me. My sister was with me and she was flabergasted at his lack of sensitivity. I explained to her that I guess he has to be that way. He said, "From what I can see, there has been no significant growth. So, don't worry. Leave that up to me. See you again next year." I asked the size, etc.. He said he wasn't sure but did want me to go back down for more MRI pictures so he could review it further. I asked if he was going to let me know the size it is now vs. what is was last year. He said, he would try to mail me the information. I did request a copy of my surgical report, of which he asked me to get from his assistant. They just split the practice off and he is now associated with another hospital and she explained that they did not get my whole file, so they would have to put in a request for my surgical report. I could not believe that they would not have that in their existing file. I would think they should know what size it was when it was removed, vs. the size when they discovered it growing back, vs. the size it is now. He couldn't, or wouldn't, tell me any of that. Just not to worry and will see me next year! Easier said than done. My sister kept asking him questions, like what about her lack of memory and her visual problems (I have been having blurry spots, and my periphial vision seems to be going) He said that I should not be experiencing any problems with the size that the cyst appears to be. Which is what??
I had to go back down and wait for the MRI, and then go back in for another 20 mins of pics, and now I am left wondering what those pictures showed. Hopefully I will find out.
Anyway...has anyone else experienced this kind of behavior with your Dr? I also see a neurologist who, when I last saw last year, didn't feel the size would warrant any of my problems. I should probably make an appointment with him to follow up on all of this, but I don't want to come across as a hypochondriac (sp?).
I guess I just needed to vent here with all of you who have experienced this.
~L

[Hopeful]

Vent away, girlfriend … that’s what these sites are for.

I definitely have experienced “don’t worry, just trust me ” behavior with my PCP, but fortunately my neurosurgeon is a rare breed – he gave me his cel and told me to call him every week after hours to talk about how I’m feeling (more on that in a minute). My husband and I had to work real hard on forgiveness issues with my PCP, because when I saw him with my “first migraine,” he missed several red flags. Now I can understand his thought process (gravitating towards the most common explanation), but with a neurosurgeon such as yours, I would expect better. So please just be persistent about getting your answers, and don’t worry about being a hypochondriac – coming across as a little nervous means nothing compared to not taking care of something as potentially serious as this. Do it for your boys.

*Anyway, about how I’m feeling … much better since a week after I saw my NS in May. My theory is that my brain is now like a car that has been in a crash – it still goes, but under stress, it shows the strain. I never used to get any kind of headache whatsoever, but now that they’ve opened up my head twice, when I’m very tired or very stressed, I get headaches … and of course that just adds to the stress! Seriously, how many people have to worry about cerebrospinal fluid building up in their brain every time their head hurts? But from the get-go I placed my faith in God and that he has a good plan for my cyst and for my family. Every now and then I slip down into worry, but then I get back on my knees, return to that precious place of trust, and find my peace. I hope the same for you.

[chunky]

You know I have been in the field for 40+ years and the MD's never seem to surprise me. My MD back in 72" told me not to doctor hop;put me on valium and sent me home.. Go get another opinion it is your life and your brain. If your MD is so sure he should not object to your seeking a second opinion. I wonder if it was his wife; if he would think the same way!!!?
Keep us posted and yes this is a safe place to vent and we are here for you, but get that 2nd opinion right away and not an MD from his office or practice.!!
Donna