Pittsburgh area

[ladiefury]

Do I have any fellow MSers in the Pittsburgh area? Looking for advice on doctors... more specifically doctors that deal with headaches and MS.

Thanks.

[dougd35]

Hello Ladiefury. I'm only about a half hour away from you in Donegal but have only been dx'd a few weeks ago so I'm not really any help but am looking for MS specialist in the area. My neuro is in Greensburg. It's all new to me and I just got my Betaseron test kit today so I'm really no help, just wanted to say Hi.
Doug

[KatieDidNOT]

Not from Pittsburg, but use to go to school in the area

There is a MS Clinic at Ohio State and one of the best in the Country at the Cleveland Clinic (Mellon Center)...about a 2-hr drive. It might be worth the drive if bad enough.

Cheers--Katie

[Tomjadg]

Hi

I am in the McKeesport area, and go to my Neuro at Jefferson, but it is probably too far for you.

[ladiefury]

Thanks for your responses!
@ Doug - which neuro do you see in Gbg? If you are looking in Pgh for an MS specialist, I see Galen Mitchell. He's pretty thorough. I've also heard good things about Rock Hyman. They are both UPMC.

@ Katie - I actually see a MS specialist @ Cleveland Clinic...I was hoping for a doc closer to home that specializes in both headaches and MS. I've seen both MS neuros and headache neuros, but I was hoping to find one that focuses on both. I know it's a long shot.

@ Tom - distance is not a factor for the right doctor! I've been off work for over 2 years due to headaches and dizziness. I'm going nuts!

[dougd35]

I see Dr. Aussie in gbh. I feel that I should at least get a second opinion and he encouraged me to talk to a specialist. He believes that they will confirm his diagnosis and treatment. I am still working a lot of overtime so I didn't really get a chance to talk to another Dr. but would like to talk to a specialist. In the meantime, I'm starting betaseron.

[ladiefury]

Those specialists are generally a pain in the butt to get in to see. Usually a 6 month wait for any of them from what I've come across. Just a heads up if you wanna at least make an appointment.

[wkikta]

Rock Heyman and Galen Mitchell at the UPMC MS Clinic are both exceptional Doctors, Heyman heads the Clinic and does have a much friendlier disposition. Thomas Scott at the Allegheny MS Clinic is an exceptional Doctor and heads their MS Clinic. Stuart L Silverman at Associates in Neurology is an exceptional Doctor, Adviser to MSSS and does work with Headache patients. There are a lot of very good MS Neurologists in the Pittsburgh area, I see Heyman and love him. I have yet to meet a Neurologist in this area that I don't feel comfortable with.

[ladiefury]

@ wkikta...thank you for coming up with the right words to describe the difference between Dr. Heyman and Dr. Mitchell. I was trying to figure out a nice way to put that Dr. Heyman has a "friendlier disposition" but couldn't find the right way to put it without sounding crass.

I see Dr. Mitchell and, although he is a fabulous doctor, his thoroughness and year and a half of testing to diagnose me (after Cleveland Clinic had already diagnosed me) sent me home in tears and frustrated after many visits. After time I feel much more comfortable with him, but I continue to go to the Clinic as well. I figure if my insurance is willing to pay for it, it doesn't hurt to get a 2nd opinion for pretty much everything! One can't be too cautious with their own health!

I have also gone to programs where Dr. Scott was the speaker. He seems very good...and he has an uncanny resemblance to "The Fonz", mr. Henry Winkler.

And thanks for the recommendation on Dr. Silverman. I'm going to look into seeing him. Appreciate your help!