Hi, everyone.

I have intermittent Lumbar back pain and intermittent leg pain accompanied by intermittent tingling/numb sensations and hot/cold feelings across my legs, buttocks and feet - these can be in both legs. Theses symptoms occur at the front, back and both sides of the legs and feet.

I have had this after having some sort of virus when I was 17 and at college which made me extremely ill - vomiting, aches and pain from the top of my head all the way down to my toes and hallucinations with a high temperature. I was so ill my Mom even decided to let me sleep in her bed with her. No one else caught this virus which I did think was a little bit strange as if my body was hurting just me with it.

Ever since I had that virus I've never been the same again. I now suffer with back and leg problems which are made worse by physical exercise, standing for too long and sitting for too long. I get relief by resting in bed and not doing any of the aforementioned which start it off. It is affecting my general life as I cannot do anything that may start it off as it takes at least a week to settle again if I start it off, sometimes a couple of weeks.

On Friday I was sent to a Neurologist for some Nerve Conduction Studies and an EMG. The Neurologist only did my one leg (the left one) even though I clearly stated that it also occurs in my other leg. He was also not thorough as although I stated again that I also get pain and other sensations also on the sides of my legs and back, he only tested two areas. I'm very concerned that he could've missed out something that may well be a help to my Neurosurgeon in diagnosing me.

This Neurologist also didn't sterilise his hands (he didn't wear any gloves or even clean his hands before doing the needle EMG) and I'm worried I could have caught something from his dirty practice.

He didn't have any patience with me whatsoever and just treated me like an object, not a person which, I think as a patient who is very interested in healthcare and patient satisfaction (I'm interested in doing a career in healthcare), is not acceptable.

This supposedly professional Dr seemed awfully amature to me - he didn't know how to talk to a patient - he didn't know what 'bedside manner' is. By his bedside manner it meant forcing (he practically pushed my foot in an upward position which really hurt me because the needle was rubbing against my bone) a patient to move his/her leg even though the EMG needle had not been inserted correctly (on the skin above the bone on top of my leg). He didn't do the procedures, particularly the needle EMG in a clinical manner (I could've caught anything from having this done). He had no idea how to evaluate patient's symptoms thoroughly - testing only one leg on a patient with two legs affected.

The other thing that really upset me was when I told him I am not keen on needles he called me a 'coward' which I thought was discriminating and unprofessional. Just because a person doesn't like needles doesn't mean they should be called a 'coward' by a so-called healthcare professional. It's disgusting how he can just say that and think it's funny.

He didn't like his job and that's the exact impression I got from the way his attitude was in the whole of this consultation and tests. He even said "why do you want to work in healthcare? Leave the people and let them look after themselves." in a very funny/odd manner. Was this actually a joke or not, I couldn't tell.

He said 'everything is fine' even though he hadn't correctly inserted one of the needles for the EMG and had to abort the test as it was too sore because he hadn't inserted it properly and just told me to go. He couldn't wait to get rid of me, quickly ushering me out of his room. The other thing, he was late (I had to wait over half an hour just to see him) and he never even mentioned it or appologised which I thought was disgusting - us patients don't want to be stuck in hospital either.

I would be very grateful if anyone could give me a little advice on the following questions I still have;

Is it correct for a Neurologist to only test one leg on a patient that has both legs affected or should he have tested both of my legs?

Also, should he have tested more than just two areas/spots on my leg/foot?

Do Neurologists have to clean their hands and wear gloves when inserting the EMG needles?

Is it ok for a Neurologist to call a patient a 'coward' when they don't like needles?

Would it be a good idea to have this tests done again by another different Neurologist?

I am fed up with being treated like an object rather than an actual living thing. It's disgraceful.

Thanks for any help or advice you can give and I apologise for the lengthy post, I just had to get it out.