Some suggestions on how to deal with the dreaded neurologist

I'm not starting this thread to force my knowledge about this onto others. Many of you will have read my posts and so will be all too aware that I am the biggest failure of you all with my neurologist-interaction skills. But it seems to me that the same issues keep coming up again and again: 1) people going to neurologists, thinking that they've explained themselves perfectly, and the neurologist misunderstanding; 2) the neurologist understands the problem but doesn't give useful or logical advice; or 3) the neurologist is completely disinterested in everything that you have to say and would prefer to be out playing golf rather than being stuck in his office listening to you going on and on about your problems. I usually get 3.

This may have been discussed in detail previously, so feel free to shut me down.

I started thinking about this problem when confronted by a friend's story, where she had been diagnosed with a psychiatric problem, but obviously had an underlying migraine/other-neurologic problem: black spreading spot in vision, crippling pain, fuzzy thinking, sometimes passing out, and most of these symptoms coming on and pass within a few hours. So how would you convince the neurologist that this person's symptoms aren't just psychosomatic.

My thoughts are as follows:
1) Write everything down and post it to the neurologist prior to the appointment.
2) Rank your symptoms and write them into separate lists, e.g."This actually happens" through to "I think I feel this". So crippling pain and loss of vision would be definite symptoms but "feeling off balance at times" would be in the possibles list.
3) When talking to the neurologist don't give too much information as it just confuses them. Plus if you go on and on about every little detail then they don't know which ones are important and will end up thinking that your crazy. Give them the important details and wait for them to ask specifically.
4) Don't let them boss you around. My experience is that they will interrogate you to the point where you don't know which way is up.
5) Late in the appointment ask them specifically what they think is wrong with you. If they say something that you don't understand, get them to explain it. If they say something that is wrong, then correct it.
6) Tell them up front as calmly and clearly as you can that these symptoms are causing you distress and they are affecting your life e.g can't drive, can't work, can't socialise.
7) If you have seen a psych then tell them up front, and say that you know that you have those specific problems but that the psych (or you) sees no overlap with the other symptoms. A neurologist is as much of a psychiatrist as an ENT specialist is a urologist. So tell them that you don't want a psychiatric evaluation from them because you already have a psychiatrist for that.

Ja oder nein?

I think this is a good list. And a good idea too. I'll add a couple of others

1) Be careful what you list first. Doctors tend to anchor on the first symptoms listed and count later symptoms much less if at all. So make the most critical issues first and second.

2). Take someone (spouse, parent, adult child, good friend) with you. This provides back up for what you are saying, adds a second pair of ears regarding what the doctor says, and is good moral support too boot. It's much harder for them to blow you off.

My experience is that about 50% of doctors are condescending jerks who don't listen to you and play blame the patient or call you a nut job if they don't immediately know how to treat you. The other half are caring, compassionate doctors who will at least try to help if they can. Our job is to figure out which is which as soon as possible.

Thanks for the interest in this thread. I thought it was going to die
Yes. I agree with your points. What you say clearly and concisely at the start is most important. I would add that you may have to be careful what you say afterwards, so that you don't distract/overwhelm them too much with the more trivial stuff.

Absolutely to your support person idea. Someone who isn't scared to say "This person is really suffering".

50%! I don't think I agree with that I'm 0 for 2 so far!!