Re: rheumatologist

[Guest guest]

Thank you Louise,

Maybe I can avoid the knee replacements , for a while anyway Since My x-rays

showed I still had some cartilage. My orthopedic surgeon did send me for an

ultra sound because of swelling in my lower legs ( thought it might be a blood

clot....but it wasn't ) But the ultra-sound did show I had a " Bakers Cyst "

behind my knee which is quite common I was told.

As of right now, I've not had severe back problems nor hip pain...My knees are

just my main complaint right now...Not to say I don't hurt in other joints...I

DO....I can just tolerate it better elsewhere.

Louise, you've been a great help...Thanks for sharing.

Gail ( N. AL )

[ ] Rheumatologist

Gail Read your e-mail. I have been seeing Dr. Philips since I was first

diagnosed in 1993. I was fortunate enough to have had a great PCP who sent me to

the rheumatologist's when I began to present with symptoms. I have had no

complaints or problems with him. He is concerned and really wants to do his best

by his patients. He also was a one time the Chief of Staff at Huntsville

Hospital. His office nurse Anne is a real big help also. I had my knees replaced

last year. I could not take the pain any longer. I was on crutches for 6 months

when I told Dr. Tindell (orthopedic surgeon) it was time. He had done

arthroscopic surgery on both knees the year before that and told me that they

were ready to be replaced. He did not try the synvisc because I had no cartilage

left 2 years ago . It was bone on bone then. The surgery went well. I had them

done three months apart. It was painful but I had less pain than I had before

the surgery. Before I had the surgery I had so much leg,hip and back Pain I was

virtually house bound. I use a cane for a little help with balance. I can not

do a lot of walking. but I have my life back. I am not house-bound like before

and I find each day brings a little more strength. I just had my year check up

with the surgeon and he is very pleased. The followup X-rays show that the new

knees are fine. Hope this helps your questions. Louise in Alabama

[Guest guest]

I am in the Atlanta area. I was going to a Dr. at Crawford

Long. I finally got an appointment with Dr. Liberman. I will have my second

appointment with him on Friday. He was very nice at my first virus but the

second one when we get down to real business will be when I know. He came very

highly recommended.

Myra

J & E Beach <je.beach@...> wrote:

Can anyone tell me if they know of a really good Rheumatologist in the

Atlanta area? I have had the same one for over two years now and I think it

is time for a change. I usually have to wait 1-3 hours past my appointment

time when I go and today I went for my appointment only to find that the Dr.

wasn’t there and no one called me to change my appointment! My husband took

the day off work and we drove through traffic for nothing.

Thanks for your help

JB (Atlanta Area)

[Guest guest]

Thanks Myra. I'll look them up. I'm kind of sick of going to the doctor

right now so I might take a break for a while.

JB

Re: [ ] Rheumatologist

I am in the Atlanta area. I was going to a Dr. at Crawford

Long. I finally got an appointment with Dr. Liberman. I will have my

second appointment with him on Friday. He was very nice at my first virus

but the second one when we get down to real business will be when I know.

He came very highly recommended.

Myra

J & E Beach <je.beach@...> wrote:

Can anyone tell me if they know of a really good Rheumatologist in the

Atlanta area? I have had the same one for over two years now and I think it

is time for a change. I usually have to wait 1-3 hours past my appointment

time when I go and today I went for my appointment only to find that the Dr.

wasn't there and no one called me to change my appointment! My husband took

the day off work and we drove through traffic for nothing.

Thanks for your help

JB (Atlanta Area)

[Guest guest]

Sorry, JB! That's ridiculous. I would be looking for another

rheumatologist, too.

Although, I can't make a recommendation, here is the American College of

Rheumatology's Geographic Membership Directory:

http://www.rheumatology.org/directory/geo.asp

Here's the physician referral list from the Arthritis Foundation Georgia

Chapter:

http://www.arthritis.org/Communities/Chapters/PhysList.asp?idchap=19

[ ] Rheumatologist

Can anyone tell me if they know of a really good Rheumatologist in the

Atlanta area? I have had the same one for over two years now and I

think it

is time for a change. I usually have to wait 1-3 hours past my

appointment

time when I go and today I went for my appointment only to find that the

Dr.

wasn't there and no one called me to change my appointment! My husband

took

the day off work and we drove through traffic for nothing.

Thanks for your help

JB (Atlanta Area)

[Guest guest]

I used to see an rheumatologist before I moved back to Florida 5 years ago....so in the last 5 years I only saw my primary care doctor who is an Internal Medicine Doctor and my hand surgeon. Both had been encouraging me to see a rheumatologist because they are more up to date on the drugs and stuff. So I finally found a rheumatologist in February and it was VERY hard finding one in my area. I'm near Orlando which is a big city, who would have thought that I could only come up with 2 of them in my area with my insurance. So I'm very happy seeing one finally, I feel more secure now knowing he specializes in the disease. He's really good so that helps me feel better.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maggie

http://www.4HockeyFans.com

http://www.4FloridaHockey.com

MSN: Maggies1429

AOL: Maggies85

-----Original Message-----From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ]On Behalf Of paula delarosaSent: Saturday, April 16, 2005 1:46 PMRheumatoid Arthritis Subject: Skye....

Does everyone here have a rheumatologist or do some of you go to a primary care dr for your arthritis?

a

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message ----- From: Maggie

> So I finally found a rheumatologist in February and it was VERY hard finding one in my area. I'm near Orlando which is a big city, who would have thought that I could only come up with 2 of them in my area with my insurance. So I'm very happy seeing one finally, I feel more secure now knowing he specializes in the disease. He's really good so that helps me feel better.

I live in a small town and it's extremely hard to find a rheumatologist, even if you drive 100 miles to a big city (Dallas). The first one I had I absolutely loved! She diagnosed me immediately with Fibro, Sjogren's Syndrome, Primary Biliary Cirrhosis and a host of other things. Unfortunately, when I lost my insurance and went on Medicare, I could no longer see her because she did not accept Medicare.

I went to my PCP for six years. He's an internist. He tried to help. Did a lot of research. Tried various things, but nothing was really working. I am limited as to what I can take because of the liver disease. Finally in Dec. I insisted that he find me a rheumatologist. He did. I really like the rheumy. He's young, up-to-date on treatments, etc. He spent 1 1/2 hours with me on my first visit. He will answer any questions I ask. He is trying to get me on Enbrel through Medicare, but we haven't heard back from them yet as to whether they will pay. If not, I'll try the manufacturer. If that doesn't work, I'll have to do without because of the cost.

Nina