What will a neurologist do???

[SaggyOldBagpuss]

I've been referred to a neurologist for further test into headaches and eye problems, am begining to get myself into a state and as my appointment isn't until Feb would like to know if any of you have a clue what sort of thing they will be doing?

Thanks in advance xx

Saggy, he will take a detailed history from you. Will want to know about your symptoms, etc.

He will probably do a neurological examination. This will involve using an opthalmoscope to examine the back of your eye. He will check your reflexes by tapping your knees, check your foot reflexes and elbow reflexes. He will probably check your coordination by asking you to do some simple tasks. All straightfoward, nothing to worry about.

HTH

Thanks jalopy, I just know that I am going to stress myself about his, even though the doctor has told me that he just wants a second opinion, and not to worry.

Saggy, I was under the consultant neurologist in Dec for eye problems and headaches - I had a CT scan but I had also lost movement and feeling in my right hand side of the body, so I think that explains that. I had about half an hour with him having to do simple tasks - walk in a straight line, say things like silly little hippopotomus, tests on strength so you have to push his hand with yours etc, following simple instructions such as touching your nose then eye then nose etc. If you have any q's I might be able to help.

Thanks Elf

My dad had a brain tumour so am getting worried.

I suffer from stress headaches and have been having slight visual disturbances, the doctor that I saw is also running a load of blood test for various things but referred me to a neurologist, I rang today and the first free apointment is in February, I think towards the middle so have plenty of time to worry!

Hope that you got sorted out and are ok now x

Have you had your eyes tested recently? I have been panicking that my diagnosis (hemilpigic migraines which cause loss of function down one side) and started my own thread in health, and somebody has just pointed out that I had my eyes tested which is good as opticians can often see things like this, so just wondered if you'd been tested recently and if the optician said nothing, you can use that to help put your mind at rest.

I know the wait is a worry, I'm waiting to go back to my GP when he eventually gets my hospital file, and limbo sucks!

Went to the opticians when problems got worse, eyes all fine so she said to go to the doctors to get Bklood preasure, glucose etc checked.

A few of my rl friends think that they are just being through and making sure the diagnosis of tension/stress headaches is right and that the visual disterbances are realted to them.

It's the waiting though that I can't stand and I keep imagining the worse then going to the at least i'll find out whats wrong.

Sorry to hear that you are still waiting for your Gp and the file though

I know how easy it is to worry especially when having to wait a long time. I think it is a good sign you saw your optician and nothing was said.

One thing to mention is that when I went to the doctor initially it was with sickness and dizzy episodes, and they initally said it was a viral infection. When I was admitted to the hospital the doctors were also saying there were some viral infections going around that is giving people migraines and problems with vision, the nasty little buggers. I never realised how bad a viral infection can be - my dad was diagnosed with one by his doctor which was in his nervous system and making him show similar symptoms as Parkinson disease!

I hope you start to feel a little more positive soon, I know it isn't easy! Let us know how you get on

Oh and be prepared to get narked with the nurologist, I know I was because he kept asking me to focus on something and follow it (a pen for eg) and say if I had blurred images, and because my eyesight is so poor I was getting mad trying to work out if it was blurred as my vision is rubbish anyway or blurred as something was seriouly wrong!

They will check your reflexes, your movement, walking, coordination, your sensory perception, e.g. distinguishing objects by touch with eyes closed, the 'tone' and power of your muscles.May do some simple cognitive tasks like months of the year backwards, or number of animals you can think of in a minute. Will take a history of the problems. But what they do will depend a bit on your own symptoms. Try not to worry.

Saggy - when is your appointment?

Still waiting for comfirmation but have got it booked for the 7th Feb.

Am trying not to stress about it too much about it and am thinking that I'll find out whats causing it and be able to deal with it.

Are you still getting your headaches?
I have found that my symptoms (touch wood) have eased off. Doctor phoned to tell me they still do not have my file but to see how I was and to tell me he was still chasing, I was rather touched!

Hope you are feeling slightly better with your mind at rest - let us know how you get on