We are strongly and unconditionally committed to ensuring and assisting you with your health. However, your neurologist at UCSF MS & Neuroinflammation Center and our team are not best trained or resourced to assist with care outside of our expertise. Your primary care provider (PCP) has a better understanding of your entire health picture and is the best person to help you manage your overall health and symptoms, unrelated to your MS, neuroimmunological diagnosis or other condition for which you receive care in our clinic. We would like to know about substantial or important changes to your health but are not best positioned to help for non-neurological issues that need immediate help. We will be very happy to work with the rest of your health care team to help coordinate your care.
Thanks for remembering this when you reach out!
The following is a general guideline for the symptoms, illnesses, and tasks that should be directed to your primary care provider or a provider outside of our clinic:
Note: Please click on the following symptoms to find out which provider's care is needed
COVID, Suspected COVID symptoms
PCP, Urgent Care
"Cold symptoms" including but not limited to cough, nasal congestion, fever, sinus infection, sore throat, Strep throat, earache, conjunctivitis
PCP
Acne or pre-existing skin conditions such as warts, eczema
PCP
Podiatry Issues, foot and toe pain
PCP
Arthritis, pre-existing joint pain
PCP
Urinary Tract infections (UTI), or Bladder Infection
PCP/Urologist *You may update your neurologist, but reach out to your PCP for management of any UTI or Bladder Infection
Constipation (pre-existing)
PCP/Gastroenterologist
Wounds
PCP/Urgent Care/Emergency Department
Renewal of medications/prescriptions, not prescribed by your MS/Neuroinflammation Neurologist *This includes pain management medications and psychotropic medications not prescribed by our clinic
PCP or the prescribing physician
Nausea and Vomiting (due to a virus, “bug” or food poisoning)
PCP/ Urgent Care/Emergency Department
Lab tests for conditions not managed by our clinic
PCP or ordering physician
To have routine tests ordered for screenings and monitoring of conditions (unrelated to MS or a Neuroinflammation diagnosis like colonoscopies, mammograms)
PCP
Referrals to other specialties for care not directly managed by our clinic. For example: an allergist, dermatologist, endocrinologist, optometrist (glasses, contacts)
How to report Neurological and Other Symptoms to Our Clinic:
For any emergency or life-threatening symptoms call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest Emergency Department/Hospital
Please call the MS & Neuroinflammation clinic if you are experiencing any new or worsening neurological symptoms including, but not limited to: weakness, changes in sensation, visual impairment, imbalance and incoordination, difficulty walking, falling, double vision as well as loss of control of bladder (leakage, urgency or accidents), new onset constipation, and/or impaired thinking or memory. These types of symptoms require a call to our clinic instead of a MyChart message. We are available by phone Monday- Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm, except for holidays. Our clinic number is 415-353-2069. Concerning symptoms or issues should not be communicated by MyChart. Please remember that we have 1 to 3 business days to respond to MyChart message.