PT Referral and Thinking of firing neurologist

[Violet2]

Mommas: May I pick your brains?

DD was referred to PT. No real diagnosis, just persistent weakness on the left leg and inability to use it on stairs, despite her best efforts.

I am happy about PT and pushed for it. Just wondering what to expect from it.

Also, the neurologist is kind of getting on my bad side. What do you think?

Visit 1. "Definitely not X, no sign of symptoms."

Visit 2. "Diagnosis is X."

I didn't call him on it as I was taken aback and since DD seems to be a 'subtle' case, I don't think he knows what to do with her.

The other thing that bugged me, the notes from the first visit were mailed to me and only mentioned the steps she did correctly and left off all the times she 'tripoded' on the stairs, unable to bear her weight on the leg. I did mention the omission and explained I felt it was a disservice to DD and that it was important to include all data points as they may be relevant later.

Especially since all she has done is tripod (has to put a hand down to help pull herself up) and has not since done any steps normally. Poor DD is now trying to alternate legs on the stairs and she can't do it because her leg won't hold her weight, so now she's reverting back to using the right leg alone and avoiding the left.

So I was thinking once I see how the pt is going, maybe I would get a second opinion? Does this sound reasonable?

The neurologist has a nice bedside manner so it's hard to think he's not doing everything he can or is lacking in some way, kwim?

I do sometimes think her leg turns in a bit and I worry about dystonia, but it's very subtle and easy to think I'm imagining things. sigh.

Thanks
V

[jennabean]

That's always so tricky... but I'm inclined to suggest another opinion.

My son had a neurologist and at his recommendation we had an MRI done b/c of weakness in my son's left side. My son also had severe clubfeet and was later diagnosed with arthrogryposis, but none of that explained the left-side weakness so hence, the MRI.

My son is only 2 years old so I don't know enough about your daughter and if this has been on-going or a recent development, but has the neuro given you any explanation for diagnosing whatever he's diagnosing? Has he suggested any testing of any sort?

It seems to me that your neuro doesn't really KNOW what to make of your daughter and I think I'd just want to pursue it more to look for an answer... it may be that one isn't readily available, but to say one visit it "isn't" something, then the next it is would leave me feeling uneasy...

best of luck to you,
Jenni