Neuro office open M-F 9:30-4 1hr for all go to lunch same time. Time for new neur

[terric]

I find this shocking. It's no wonder that I don't get any answers and no one ever calls back.

Is it time for a new neurologist? Or do you think these are normal hrs. Everyone in the office gets the same hour for lunch.

I feel that I am really losing my mind.

terric

[Jakaloke]

I'd suggest you phone around to other specialists in your area to compare. My bet is you'll find similar hours at most offices.

You don't seem to trust your neuro, why don't you go ahead and get another one?

Scott

[terric]

This neuro is the second one. The first one said that my MRI showed MS type demyelination and my evoked potentials were off. She accused me of being to well to have MS, accused me of not being sick enough to have MS. So I left. She said MS. I never even thought of it.

terric

[Cat Dancer]

I think you need to figure out what you want in a doctor, then shop around til you find one that fits what you seem to need. Good luck.

The hours you cite are pretty typical around here..and yes, they do all go to lunch at about the same time (I think there is one receptionist still "on call" over the noon hour, but she only takes messages, doesn't answer questions or look in records or any of that.) I think my doctor's office is open to 4:30...but no later. And not on Saturdays, Sundays or evenings, if you're looking for one to be open then.

The first doctor seemed on target -- there are signs that you might have MS but you (at the time) didn't appear all that ill. That's a statement of fact, not a judgment. Many folks with early MS "don't appear all that ill". That's a GOOD thing, not a reason to quit a doctor.

[MomtoM]

I think it's normal. My neuro's office is open 9-4:30 and closed from 12-1 for lunch.
I don't have a problem with it though really. They are really good at getting back to me usually with any concerns.

Deb

[Ruby_NikitaK9]

my neuros office is open till 5 pm i dont know when everyone gets in in th morning or how they do lunch.

but my primary doc is open till 4:45 and they do lunch at the same time what i have found is if you r at the last appointment of the day at times the doc is working much later then 5pm...he somtimes calls back days later too.

i dont know why noone calls you but i bet what you call up about is written in your record... do you ever ask about these issues while your at an appt? i know somtimes they do not know the reasons for things and other times there is no solution just to wait.

[MS Bites]

My neuro's hours are about the same...... so is my PCP's office.

I think you need to take a deep breath and relax... meditate or something.

[nuthatch]

Wow, my neuro is closed on Wednesdays and my GP is closed on Fridays. They both close at 4. Neither one is open on weekends and they both take 2 hour lunches!

[Cat Dancer]

Many specialists..and a neuro IS a specialist..only work 4-day weeks. Or rather I should say have office hours that reflect a 4-day week. The rest of the time they're often seeing patients in the hospital, or doing surgeries, or consulting about other patients, or teaching, or a host of other things. Their "public" hours only reflect a small part of their true working time.

There are some areas of the country -- New York City is one -- where...for a rather substantial fee -- you can "hire" a doctor to be on call for you, to be always available for your needs. Obviously most insurance companies won't pay for this, and you have to be a gazillionaire to afford it yourself, but for folks who need that sort of instant response, seems like this would work!!

[lady_express_44]

I think you are just very frustrated because they have not responded with your test results within a reasonable amount of time. I would be angry too, especially if the result was that you do have MS, and there are drugs you choose to take to try to control it.

Your current vent, about their hours of work, just might be misguided by your warranted frustration though . . .

It's a whole different world as the sick person vs being the nurse/doctor, isn't it? I bet this has been an enlightening process for you as a nurse, eh?

Cherie

[Jules A]

My MS specialist has very limited hours because he works in research which is great because maybe he will find something to help us. He told me right up front that if I felt I needed someone who could call me back quickly I wouldn't be a good fit with him. I figured that if it was an emergency I'd call 911 not him anyway, lol. As it turns out he has always called me back or emailed me within 24 hours so I have been very happy. Good luck.

[PattiLee]

My PCP's office closes for an hour so all can have lunch. That's fast becoming an industry standard.

I go to an MS clinic. I get the best care available in the area. Because the clinic is also at a teaching hospital, and because my neuro is a top notch researcher-- he's there on Tuesdays. Period.

So I see him on a Tuesday, once a year if need him or not.

That's also very normal for most people with RRMS. We see a neuro every six months for the first year or two, then once a year unless we're having major problems. Quite frankly, once a year is enough.

My life is too full and too busy to spend it sitting in an office.

For me, I'm hiring a good neuro, not his office hours. Emergency services are always available through the neuro or a local emergency room.

I agree with Scott-- you don't seem to be happy with your doc, or more likely the speed at which you are getting your answers. As stress is one of the causes of MS flares, you might wish to decide to relax a bit. If you do have MS, you're contributing to your own progression.

Take a deep breath and wait for the results of your tests. If anything life threatening was happening, you'd know by now.

[Matthew's Mom]

Many dr.s offices close for lunch. I was trying to call the eye doctors yesterday, they are closed 12 to 1 for lunch and kept getting the message "call during regular office hours" until I finally got through after 2pm.

I too know you are very frustrated not knowing the results. I'm sure (hope)you will hear soon.

Pam