My PCP has been after me to change neurologists because my longstanding one has a reputation for being moody and for not listening to his patients.

He has had me on a medication for a long that I really don't like because it increases my appetite and causes me to gain weight, and requires regular blood tests to make sure my liver is okay. Trouble is, it's one of the few meds that I've been able to tolerate.

Lately, I have gained weight to the point that it is a problem. I have bad feel that limit me ability to exercise and have also developed arthritis. Because of GI problems, I cannot take N-SAIDs for the arthritis pain. That leaves Tylenol as an option for the pain. However, Tylenol can affect the liver so I raised the problem with the neurologist at my last visit. I asked to have my anti-seizure med changed to something that would not affect my liver and that would - finally - cause my appetite to return to normal. I also described a recent seizure that I'd had. The neurologist gave me a referral to a specialist. He said that I needed to see the specialist because he did not know how to diagnose the mini-seizure that I'd had.

HOWEVER, when I called the specialist to whom I'd been referred, I discovered that he was not the seizure specialist that I'd been promised. Rather, he was a pain specialist. I called the neurologist's office back and said there must be some error and was told to call back. Also, when I recently called his office to ask if they would accept my new insurance which is changing effective January 1st, the receptionist would not answer my question and instead said I must call back and speak to the neurologist directly about insurance plans that he accepts.

I think it may be time to change neurologists. I am just not satisfied.