Try to arrive a little early for your appointment so you have time to find the correct waiting room. This lets things run on time. If you will need a translator, one can be provided.
In the clinic room, very often the neurologist will rely on the story you tell about your symptoms to diagnose you. It is worth thinking through:
- How and when your symptoms started,
- How the symptoms changed and when,
- How these affect you,
- What you have done so far to improve things, and
- What you are worried about.
The neurologist will generally examine you in clinic, testing the cranial nerves (including eye movements) and your strength, reflexes and sensation. If you would like a chaperone to be present, one will be provided.
If you have been referred for a seizure, or an episode of loss of consciousness, try to bring the witness with you, or have them available on the phone. If you have a video recording of the episode that will help your neurologist with the diagnosis.
For many types of headache, Parkinson’s disease and some other conditions, further tests are not normally required. If a test is required, your neurologist will explain what that is and when it is likely to happen. They will normally write to you with the result, or explain what it means at the next appointment.
Some patients need further appointments, known as “follow-up” if there is uncertainty about the diagnosis or if treatment needs to be monitored long-term. Not all patients need further appointments and if you are discharged, the neurologist is normally happy to see you again if anything changes.
