Finally Seeing a Weg's Doctor :)

[rebekah]

I've missed you guys so much! I'm so sorry for being away for so long again, it's been a crazy past 2 weeks. I just wasn't happy with the medical care I was getting with my doctors in Tampa, and since I graduated nothing was keeping me there. So I made the decision to move... to Columbus, OH. I've been in a hotel for 2 weeks and finally moved into a place a few days ago. Definitely a poorly planned move, but I know this is what I needed to do to get my health back on track. I first saw my new rheumy up here 2 weeks ago and she is absolutely wonderful! She has experience in treating weg's and is a million times better than my old doctor. We spent 45 minutes at my first appointment discussing everything from my medical history to lab work to a treatment plan. I finally started lowering my prednisone the end of July. I'm down to 30mg now, no more 50mg for me. My new doctor and I decided I'll lower it 5mg every 2 weeks until I get to 20mg and then I'll go slower. I love the online system they have up here where I can see my test results and message my doctor. I think I've contacted her everyday since seeing her. She calls me back and even contacts me on the weekend to answer my questions. Something my old doctor never did. I see her again later this week and we'll discuss my maintenance Rituxan among other things. It's so refreshing to finally have a doctor that knows what they're doing.

I hope everyone is doing well!

[NikkiNicole]

Isn't it amazing what a good doctor can do for us mentally? When I found my new rheumy and she was experienced/knowledgable and consults with the specialist I wanted to see, it was like the fog lifted and a weight was taken off my chest. It was bad enough shouldering this lifelong disease and trying to see what was in the future, but now knowing I have someone on my side made it a little less scary.
I am so happy for you that you found someone that is going to take care of you!!!!!!

[mishb]

Wow Rebekah - I don't think I would like to stand in your way ........I'd get run over :flapper:

What a fantastic kind of spur of the moment decision - now that takes courage.

Congratulations on the move and on finding the right doctor for you.

Onwards and upwards for you girl :thumbsup:

[Debbie C]

Welcome to Ohio, Rebekah and get ready for winter !! I'm glad you finally found a good dr. Who are you seeing ?

[rebekah]

It feels so nice to have a great doctor now. It's one less thing I have to stress over. Now I can just focus on getting my health back and getting into med school again.

Thanks for the Ohio welcome, Debra. I'm seeing Dr. Ardoin at Ohio State. I'm not ready for these cold winters at all, living in Florida my whole life all I own are shorts and flip flops so I'll definitely have to buy a lot of winter clothes.

[Alysia]

Hi Rebekah,
nice to hear from you :hug2: we missed you here.
congratulations for you new home and doc :thumbup:

there is a say in hebrew : "if you change your place, then you change your luck", so I wish that to you, to change your luck for good: no more flares, no more active wg, feel well, have good times and enjoy life.

[annekat]

That's great news, Rebekah! I hope the move will be nice for you in other ways, too. Keep us posted, of course!

[Jaha]

Welcome to the buckeye state! Glad you found a good dr. Wish you all the best in your new city and Debra is correct it does get cold up here.

[Pete]

Hi Rebekah,

Welcome to Columbus. I hope you enjoy your time here and get your health back into great shape.

I am pleased with my docs here at OSU. They take great care of me. I see a wegs specialist at Cleveland Clinic because their wegs caseload is heavier and they seem to be more up-to-date with treatment protocols.

[rebekah]

Thanks, Pete! I'm liking it here so far... loved the cooler weather yesterday. I was really hoping to make it to the game this weekend, but my sed rate is increasing (it's now 35) so I'm getting my maintenance Rituxan Friday. I feel okay and don't have any weg's symptoms, but I want to get things under control before I have any. So glad you like the doctors at OSU. I only have a rheumy right now and need to find other specialists (pulmy, nephrologist, ENT...). My doctor gave me some names she recommends, but if you have any you like I'm open to suggestions. :)

[annekat]

Rebekah and Pete.... I'm hoping you two can get together at some point, along with anyone else nearby, and we can see a picture or two! I know a move like that is a pretty big deal, though, and especially when dealing with WG at the same time, so it will happen when the time is right......

[rebekah]

We'll definitely have to get together one day. Everyone in the area can join us - it'll be an awesome weggie party.

[Pete]

Hey Rebekah,

Here are some OSU docs I respect:
- PCP: Steven Draeger is at OSU Family Practice on Bethel Rd (Upper Arlington Area)
- Pulmy: Matthew Exline at OSU Lung and Allergy Center (Morehouse Building on Kenny Rd on west side of main campus)
- Nephrologist: Udayn Bhatt is at a Care Point facility off I-670 at Leonard Ave, but he also had an office at Wexner Center that is being replaced in the new building there.
- ENT: Bradley Welling at Eye and Ear Institute on Olentangy River Rd in Grandview Heights.

[rebekah]

Thanks for the names, Pete. You're awesome! :)

[rebekah]

Thanks again for the names, Pete! I saw Dr. Welling and he is so nice, such a great doctor! It's crazy how much better the doctors are here. It still feels like this move is just a dream and I'll wake up back in Tampa...

[Dirty Don]

Thanks again for the names, Pete! I saw Dr. Welling and he is so nice, such a great doctor! It's crazy how much better the doctors are here. It still feels like this move is just a dream and I'll wake up back in Tampa...

That's the thing about 'clinics' like yours...they are researchers so are not bound by the need to move patients thru to make a living...they are usually salaried at Hopkins, Mayo, etc. Hang tough, this entire thing still seems like a dream to me too...but the realities abound and we must abide. Best to you Rebekah.

[gilders]

Sounds like a great system that they have set up there. I'm still waiting for my Dr to contact me re: biopsy result. Would be great if I could check online myself.