Enjoyed your post Hi, Alix. I enjoyed your post, Alix, and wanted to inform you that you are correct in perceiving that women are often not treated by doctors in the same way that they treat men. Women are often suspected of exaggerating, histrionics, psychosomatic problems, somatitization syndromes, personality disorders, and all that nice stuff.
Men are far more likely to be spared that sort of treatment when they seek help from a doctor.
It's appalling, really, not to mention frightening and humiliating, but the menace is there, no pun intended. If you haven't seen a neurologist, I recommend that you owe it to yourself to make an appointment with one in order to be evaluated. I assume you live in the Boston area because of your job, and you might wish to check around and see if anyone can strongly recommend a female neurologist. It may help you to have a more satisfactory and comfortable consultation. There are many here willing to engage in dialogue about their experiences with and perceptions of doctors who have treated them, so you've come to the right place at least.