Dumb Trip For No Reason.
By DE
@DaddyEvil (173662)
United States
February 11, 2026 3:55pm CST
So the neurologist's office called and set up an appointment to talk to me this afternoon. Nobody gave me the name of the doctor I'd be seeing, just the address of the office and a time to check in. (Remember, this is a 70 mile [112 km] trip one way just for a consultation.)
When we got there, we waited around 20 minutes and my name was called. We were taken back to an office and an LPN came in and started talking with me/us. I asked when we'd see the specialist and she told me she needed to talk to me first.
She asked me a bunch of questions and then asked me to walk down the hallway and back again so she could see my gait. When I was back in the exam room, she talked to me about things happening here at home (the two falls) and how I was feeling and if I understood what she was talking about. I said I understood so she told me to explain what was happening so she was sure I understood... So I did.... She said I sounded coherent and asked Pretty if there were any problems reaching the office.
I told the nurse that I didn't have any problems on the drive up or in the city. She acted surprised and asked if I still drove. I told her Pretty couldn't drive and I don't trust other people to drive me places. I still have my license and might have to ask where we're going but that's the only problems I've had.
She asked Pretty if I was normally irritable and I replied, "Only when you talk about me as if I'm not right in front of you and perfectly capable of answering for myself. Please don't do that again." (Pretty agreed with me.)
I asked again when I'd speak to the neurologist and she said this was a preliminary consultation and if I really wanted to talk to the doctor, we'd have to make another appointment for that.
I stood up and Pretty stood up, too. We were ready to leave. The nurse was surprised although I don't know why and said she wasn't done talking to me/us. We sat back down... and she explained again what the x-rays showed... (The nurse at the ER had already explained what was found on the x-rays.)
Finally, she handed me a sheaf of papers and said someone would call, probably within a couple of weeks to set up an appointment to talk to a neurologist.
18 people like this
19 responses
@GardenGerty (168951)
• United States
12 Feb
@DaddyEvil That stinks. Someone is too high and mighty.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
12 Feb
@GardenGerty Or, and I don't like to think about this too hard, they feel like they're too busy to answer "silly" questions a new patient may have.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
11 Feb
I don't understand why I drove that far and didn't talk to someone that knew anything.
I really hope so, thanks.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (134300)
• Marion, Ohio
11 Feb
They could have done all that by phone. Is it possible to find a different one. I would have been pissed at her too.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
11 Feb
Apparently not. I suggested going to a different doctor and said I'd have to do a preliminary interview with a nurse where ever I went.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (97081)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
11 Feb
Sorry, I didn't understand half of anything here, I hope you get some good answers about what concersn you from the neurologist.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
11 Feb
I'm sorry. I can explain in another way if that would help?
I was given a "possible diagnosis" at the ER a few days ago. The ER nurse said the x-rays showed too much cerebrospinal fluid in my head that was putting pressure on parts of my brain that could explain my getting dizzy and falling lately.
They recommended I talk to a brain specialist.
3 people like this
@RasmaSandra (97081)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
11 Feb
@DaddyEvil now I understand and yes, to help you and decide what to do i think it is a good idea to see a brain specialist.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
11 Feb
@RasmaSandra I hope they can see me soon-ish. I was nervous about it before and now I'm angry and nervous.
3 people like this
@sallypup (68954)
• Centralia, Washington
11 Feb
First, that is a long long trip each way. I wish you had a support system. That kind of medical crud is why I sit here with swollen legs and no compression socks or further evaluation into why my legs are swollen. I'm sorry that the health care system has failed you.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
11 Feb
It hasn't failed me yet but it's not looking good at the moment.
If you were a little closer, I'd drive you to and from doctor appointments or where ever you wanted to go. 
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
12 Feb
@sallypup You're very welcome.
Thank you.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (68954)
• Centralia, Washington
12 Feb
@DaddyEvil Thanks. I wish you well.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
12 Feb
Even hours later, I'm still feeling irritated about the way I was treated in that "preliminary interview".
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (379679)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Feb
@DaddyEvil I think I would be fuming. 
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (51748)
• Staten Island, New York
12 Feb
Such a long trip and you didn’t get the answers you were looking for. Such a waste of time this was. And frustrating too.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
12 Feb
Yes, it was and very frustrating... I hope the next appointment goes better.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (188774)
• Boise, Idaho
12 Feb
How irritating and frustrating. I wish you lived closer to the doctors. That's a long way.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (188774)
• Boise, Idaho
14 Feb
@DaddyEvil .......It's nice to live out in the burbs but not so nice when it comes to getting to the inner cities for appointments. I was happy with my last doctor because she was such a good doctor and her office was just down the street. That doesn't happen often.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
13 Feb
Thanks. All the specialists are in the bigger cities around us. Pretty has one even further away I have to take her to see once a year.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
15 Feb
@celticeagle I agree... I was very happy when we found our regular doctor just down the street. We can walk there when I can't see to drive. Sometimes Pretty takes my hand and leads me to her office... She's just on the other side of the hospital complex.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (76916)
• Philippines
11 Feb
You drove that far only to talk to a nurse? I'm no belittling them but aren't you supposed to see a neurologist? A specialist is what you need.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
11 Feb
Yes, I was supposed to see the specialist. Pretty was angry about this trip, too, on our way home.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54707)
• United States
13 Feb
That’s terrible that you had to drive so far for something you could have done over the phone. I’d be very irritated.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
13 Feb
Pretty and I were both irritated. And then to find out we weren't even seeing a doctor, just a nurse who couldn't answer questions... 
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
13 Feb
Pretty is my carer but, as long as I'm compos mentis, there's no reason to ask her questions I can answer with more assurance.
Thank you. I was getting more irritated the longer she talked to us.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
15 Feb
@noni1959 Pretty normally doesn't answer for me unless I look over at her. THEN she'll answer.
@noni1959 (12965)
• United States
15 Feb
@DaddyEvil Even when I was my mom's caregiver, I let her answer all the questions first. Sometimes, she wouldn't remember something well, so I would, but I made sure she was included no matter. Those doctors should know better.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
12 Feb
@DianneN I don't see a purpose in a pre-interview. I was recommended to the neurologist so why should a nurse see me first?
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
12 Feb
There wasn't any paperwork to fill out. And that's what I thought we were going to be doing. Seeing the actual doctor yesterday.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254717)
• United States
12 Feb
@DaddyEvil I guess certain doctors have different methods. You really should be seen my an actual neurologist.
1 person likes this
@Traceyjayne (10682)
• United Kingdom
11 Feb
Oh dear ….sorry you had a wasted journey.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
12 Feb
We were both irritated and trying not to show it. Thanks.
1 person likes this
@valherma00 (2934)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
21 Feb
i agree with you. this was not necessary and dumb also, she could have done this over the phone, without you coming over. i am sorry.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
21 Feb
Thank you. I don't understand the reasoning behind making me drive all that way when a phone call would have worked just as well.
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
12 Feb
If they make me angry, I might not be as polite as your hubby. It has happened before.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
12 Feb
It really was. I'm glad I could see to drive yesterday. Otherwise I would have asked my brother to drive us up there and it would have been a wasted trip for him, instead.
@LindaOHio (220745)
• United States
12 Feb
That's a long way to go to be treated that way. Hopefully the neurologist is better.
1 person likes this
@pitsipeahie (5697)
•
12 Feb
Wow, that sounds really frustrating! You went all that way expecting to see a specialist, only to find out it was just some sort of what... a screening appointment!
I’d sure be annoyed, especially after a 70-mile drive. They really should’ve explained ahead of time that you weren’t actually seeing the neurologist yet. That would’ve saved you time, energy, and stress.
Also, good for you for speaking up when they were talking about you like you weren’t there. You handled that calmly and respectfully, and you were totally right to do so.
It does sound like they were trying to assess your mental and physical condition, but the way they went about it feels pretty poorly communicated. Being told at the end that you still have to wait weeks for the real appointment is really disappointing.
Hopefully when they do call, the next visit will actually be worth the trip and you’ll get some real answers. In the meantime, hang in there, you and Pretty handled that situation way better than a lot of people would’ve. Are you still going back there or just go for another neurologist?
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
12 Feb
I'd have to find someone to send me to a different neurologist. You can't just show up and expect them to talk to you. From what the LPN told me, a different neurologist would make me go through the same hoops before talking with them anyway. Hopefully, I'll actually get to talk to the person I thought I'd get to see this time.
And thank you. At least I've calmed down again now and can wait without stressing about it too much.
1 person likes this
@Shivram59 (49512)
• India
12 Feb
You mean, it was a useless visit to the doctor You could better contacted him over phone.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (173662)
• United States
12 Feb
Yes, it was a useless trip. The nurse can't do or tell me anything I didn't already know.
