Posted by Jackie

I have had the worst track record with neurologists. I’m sure you all have had similar experiences, but lets just say its made this whole MS thing a bigger pain in the ass than it had to be. After my last neurologist left her place of work, for a place that I hate…I decided it was time to move on. This time instead of researching, doing interviews, looking for specialists….I left it to google. I called the closest one I could find.

I found Dr. Rossman in Farmington Hills, MI. I was pleasantly surprised. I got an appointment within 2 weeks I think, so there wasn’t a huge wait time. I was able to get a 8:00am appointment so there was no wait to see him, and I only sat in the room for about 5 minutes before he came in. ALL pluses in my book. Not to mention he was VERY nice. He hadn’t read my records before I got there, but he skimmed them. I didn’t expect anymore than that. You guys, this guy taught me more about MY MS in that hour than anyone every had. This might be a long entry because I’ve got a lot to tell you. I gave him my history with my surgeries and with Colitis, and he was sympathetic, not a robot. He even shared a personal story with me about how he’s persevered and kept on keepin’ on. I didn’t have my scans, but he said that he could tell some info from the records that were sent, but wouldn’t make any final comments or suggestions until he got the scans, WHICH he would go over with me. I have NEVER had a neuro offer to sit down with me and my MRIs and talk them over with me. Then he taught me about how the placement of lesions can show severity of symptoms current and future. He said I have new upper spinal lesions which were of major concern. Again, no one told me that the placement really mattered for much more than just symptoms of the attack.

Then we started discussing treatments. He ruled out all of the CRABs immediately. I asked if it was because of my history of sucking at taking them and he said no. He wants me to consider Tysabri or Gilenya. Which also made me happy. All of my neuros in the past would tell me certain drugs were something they would just not prescribe. Period. Not because they would be bad for me, but because drug companies had their hands in their wallets. This guy is very determined to help me fight the right drugs for ME regardless of what they are.

I am hesitant on Tysabri for many reasons. Obviously because of PML, but also because I don’t feel my MS is “bad enough”. Day to day, I am doing very well. No daily symptoms except for some minor cog fog, and over heating when I work out. Although, since my last relapse I have developed some ortho static hyper tension (dizziness when I bend down or stand up). Dr. Rossman said this could be from my last attack, but he needs the MRIs to know for sure. I did the blood test for the JC Virus, and we’re waiting on that to come back. He said if I am positive we won’t even consider it because of my UC history and other health complications. Hes really considering my other health conditions which is so great. No other doctors ever seem to consider one drug in relation to other health conditions. He thinks that once he knows the placement of my new lesions, he will know how aggressive he wants to treat my MS. I’m still nervous about it…but until we get the MRIs and the test results back there isn’t much to be nervous about.

Dr. Rossman told me his office would call me when they got my blood test results back, and it had been almost 2 weeks and I didn’t hear anything so I called and left a message. Shockingly, Dr. Rossman himself called me back. Not a nurse. He talked to me like he knew exactly who I was, he remembered my case, what we were waiting on…ect. He was so reassuring on the phone.

Not to mention that once I got there, I realized that Dr. Rossman has a whole MS center. They can do MRIs, and Infusions there. Pretty cool huh? So lets just say I’m hopeful. I think so far, hes a great doctor, who seems to really know a lot about the drugs and how they can affect MS and other health conditions. He’s had patients on Tysabri since 2002 (I think), and is well versed in how it works and stuff like that. He also conducted trials for Gilenya. Who knows what will happen…but again…I’m hopeful! I’m going back in a few weeks when my JC Virus tests are back, and my MRIs scans were transferred.