Successful management of multiple sclerosis (MS) often requires a team of medical professionals, and that team should include a neurologist.
“MS is a chronic illness that affects the central nervous system, and so it’s important to have someone who has knowledge of the pathophysiology of MS, the consequences and outcome of MS, and the new profile of treatment for MS,” says Aliza Ben-Zacharia, NP, an acute care nurse practitioner and assistant professor of neurology at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine in New York City.
“MS is not a temporary disease,” Ben-Zacharia says. “You need to have follow-up with the neurologist for the rest of your life. It’s important that the neurologist fits your life and properly communicates with you.”
You may need to meet with several neurologists to find someone who matches your individual needs.
“When I was first diagnosed with MS, the doctor handed me a piece of paper with options for different medications and told me to pick one,” says Michael Weiss, who was diagnosed with MS in 2004. “Then he left the room.”
Weiss continued searching until he found a doctor who took the time to get to know him.
“She spent two hours with me on my first visit,” Weiss says. “She asked me about my lifestyle, my kids, and my work. She was able to get a much better idea of the medications [that would] work best for my needs.”
As a result, Weiss has been able to manage his MS symptoms well and lead an active life.
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