Introduction

[ArlaMo]

Welcome Chris. I just got back home from SLC on Monday. Saw Dr. Koening at the U of U while I was down there.

I think a lot of us can relate to thinking we're going to get back to normal. I had a brief remission after being diagnosed in April of 2010, but it wasn't very "normal." I'm really hoping a maintenance schedule of rtx infusions can get me much closer to normal this time

[ChrisV]

Hi, Chris,

Welcome to this great forum, and I hope we hear a lot more from you. Seeing that you live in Salt Lake City, you are lucky, because that is the location of one of the few vasculitis specialist centers in the western US. Several of us have been to see Dr. Koening there at the U. of Utah center. I'm not one of them, yet, anyway, as I live in western Washington state and it is too much of a trip for me at this point. Keep us posted on how it goes for you!

Yes I've heard about the Vasculitis Center at the U of U (my alma mater) but I've never been there. I'm still with the Rheumy that diagnosed me, who happened to be the guy who did rounds at the place I was hospitalized, the hospital run by my insurance provider (Intermountain Medical Center). But I'm thinking of switching, and I may pursue the U of U. I don't think it's covered under my plan, which has a several thousand $ out of pocket ded. for out of network. But I guess at least I don't have to pay travel!

[ChrisV]

Have you seen Dr. Koening before? If so, I guess you must like him to travel to see him?

Sorry you had to visit our filthy valley--the air here absolutely kills my lungs and sinuses this time of year! Salt Lake is the most beautiful place in the country 10 months out of the year, but Jan & Feb are UGLY in valley (but if you want to ski, the mountains are beautiful year round).

[ChrisV]

Nvrmind, found this. Good luck w/ dr. K! I have a friend who is a doc at Moran (she's now a surgeon, wouldn't see her unless you got something jammed in there). I actually went there before I was dx when I had slceritis that would never go away. It's a very nice place.

[annekat]

Have you seen Dr. Koening before? If so, I guess you must like him to travel to see him?

Sorry you had to visit our filthy valley--the air here absolutely kills my lungs and sinuses this time of year! Salt Lake is the most beautiful place in the country 10 months out of the year, but Jan & Feb are UGLY in valley (but if you want to ski, the mountains are beautiful year round).

What makes it filthy? People using wood stoves for heat, or am I overlooking something? Traffic, maybe.

If you do a search on Dr. Koening's name, you should find some posts in the archives from people who've seen him. He does have a good reputation.

[dennis2512]

welcome, this site has given me alot of comfort during my husbands journey with this disease. crissie and dennis hohenberger

[ChrisV]

What makes it filthy? People using wood stoves for heat, or am I overlooking something? Traffic, maybe.

If you do a search on Dr. Koening's name, you should find some posts in the archives from people who've seen him. He does have a good reputation.

The cold weather creates a condition where a "lid" of cold air covers our valley, and the pollution cannot escape (an inversion). It's a relatively small city, but all of the pollution gets trapped and it becomes smothering. Driving out of the canyon back into the valley I can literally feel my lungs and nose start to sting and within a few minutes I have a headache.

Here's an article in today's local paper if you're interested.

[annekat]

Thanks, Chris! I looked at the article, and it IS very interesting! I have lived in places where those inversion layers sometimes occur, though probably not as severe in impact or as predictable. I guess I'd been naively thinking that SLC, although a city, would be clean and pure due to its mountainous location. This is a good thing to know in case I ever go there! Will plan my trip for a different time of year.

[jola57]

Welcome Chris, you will be in good hands, both from your doc and from us here

[Jaha]

Chris,

Welcome to the greatest resource of info. It has been the best thing I have done for myself mentally and physically, when I united with these great friends,whom are trying to help one another get thru our ups and downs with this journey.
Jana