MS specialist in Tennesse or Georgia?? Please help.

[michele224]

I have been on the MS journey for about 10 years now with my first symptoms being several episodes of tinnitus and initial showing "flares" to 1 1/2 years ago vertigo that left me with significant imbalance. I have also become hyper-reflexive and positive hoffmans and clonus. Finally MS seems conclusive, but there are no Neurologist that specialize in MS in my city. I am looking for one as close to Chattanooga TN as possible but will go anywhere in Tennesse or Georgia. I am only 35 years old and a single mom to a 5 year old. I want to be as aggressive as possible.

[erica1000]

Hi Michele224,

I know it is a couple hours drive time for you but you might want to consider the Atlanta area. There are a couple of really good MS centers in Atlanta.

I see Dr. Ben Thrower at the Shepherd Center. He specializes in MS and only sees MS patients. I have been a patient for about a 18 months now and have been very pleased. I see him about every 6 months and in between I see Tracy or Colby (the NP's) and i am very pleased with them as well.

Last year I was an inpatient at Shepherd for 4 weeks of acute rehab. The whole staff is very caring and supportive while maintaining their professionalism. Overall I find it to be a great environment but then I could be a little prejudice because of the great experience I have had.

Erica

[Shashi]

Dr. Sybil Wray in Knoxville is an MS specialist. I've seen her for years. However, she is difficult to get an appointment with and sometimes you don't get any response to phone calls. (Which is why I'm seeing a new doctor now. I'm not all that impressed with him yet though.)

[golfwidow]

Just adding another recommendation for Shepherd Spinal Center MS Clinic in Atlanta. They gave me my second opinion and I really liked them. I live 5 hours from Atlanta so I see a local neurologist now. But if you are in Chattanooga that is not a bad drive.

[kmallory1]

Check out MS Center of Atlanta, which is just off I-75 just inside the north perimeter. (Easy to get to from Chattanooga)

There are 7 or 8 neurologists, two nurse practitioners, an on-site MRI, an infusion room with 15 stations, phone nurses, a research department for clinical trials, and many other helpful people, all focused on MS. There is an internal medicine department for all those non-MS ailments that still affect your MS. There is a case manager who specializes in disability claims.

In the same building there is a physical therapy group and a neuropsychologist that you can be referred to.

As soon as I was diagnosed 8 years ago, I started going there. I wanted to be with a group that really "gets" MS, and all the challenges that come with it.

I've been happy with the care I get. I think their website is mscatl.org.

[Defya]

Also at Shepherd Center

Hi:

I live in Alabama and trek off to Shepherd Center where I see Dr Sherrill Loring, who is Dr Thrower's associate. Like Erica, I am very pleased with and deeply grateful for the compassionate and very competent care that she has provided. I also see Tracy and Colby and they too are wonderful.

Dr Rob Godsall, the neuropsychologist is also an exceptionally gifted clinician and truly seeks to understand the realities of our lives.

Shepherd Center is about assisting us to achieve the highest level of function that we can and offer a range of support services to assure that we do.

Best wishes to you, Michele.

[sengelhardt]

I agree with a pp on Dr. Wray, but also in the same office is my Neuro, Dr. Crawford. She dx me in the ER when I went in with nystagmus which led to an MRI, which showed active lesions. She is quiet, but nice and thorough in her examination.
She works extremely close with Dr. Wray, asking her opinion and sharing information back and forth. Dr. Wray's nurse trained me on my Copaxone shot - and taken my blood for trials. So they work closely together - which might be an option if you can't get in to see Dr. Wray.

[WALKINGHORSEWOMAN]

another vote for the ms center in atlanta

I was diagnosed 2 years ago and have been seeing Dr. William Stuart at the MS center in Atlanta for 18 months. They are great over there, and since I have to drive 3 hours one way to see them I must really feel comfortable.

They will work with your local neurologist. In my case I go to them twice a year (for now) but if I need something I can see the local neurologist and they will communicate and get me taken care of.