Moving to Florida

Hello Everyone-

I am "cold intolerant". Probably, because I am originally from North Carolina and Alabama. But the family seems to have all "migrated" to Florida.

So I am moving to Florida. And after doing some househunting the last few weeks, I have settled on the Ocala area (Central Florida).

So I am looking for a good neuro around Ocala or the Villages, and a good MS Specialist. I am willing to travel to Orlando, Tampa Bay, Daytona, or Gainesville for the MS Specialist.

I am not concerned about bedside manner, just someone who is really knowledgeable of the disease and keeps current on new therapies.

Do any of the Floridians have any suggestions?

Cheers--Katie

[gomer]

Gainesville would be closest I would think and they have the university there, plus I think there is a VAMC in that area.

Tampa might have more specialist. They have a huge complex of medical specialties at the university in Tampa. Traffic in both Tampa and Orlando can be downright dangerous at times.

Gomer Sir Falls-a-lot

[rdmc]

I can speak for the Tampa Bay area. Dr. Krolczyk at USF (it's on the outskirts of Tampa...so probably about and hour and a half from Ocala.)

http://health.usf.edu/medicine/neuro...y/krolczyk.htm

Also Dr. Cascione...but he's farther into Tampa at the South Tampa MS Clinic.

http://www.multiplesclerosisprofessi...s.mvc/Member/1

But Shands (in Gainesville associated with UF) would be much closer to Ocala. I just haven't heard anything about their MS clinic. Mayo is in Jacksonville and that's another possibility, although much farther.

BTW, book early, for instance it takes 4-6 months to get in as a new patient with Dr. Krolczyk.

[KatieDidNOT]

Thanks Gomer and RMDC for replying!

Gomer they actually have two VAMCs now in the area and then there is the Tampa VAMC that has one of the MS Centers of Excellence. Just not sure if I choose the Tampa VAMC if that would lock me into ALL medical care there, not just MS...will have to look at that. I don't want my PCP at the Tampa VAMC...I want them located "Down the Street".

RMDC--I completely forgot about Shands and Mayo...those two would be my first choice. Thanks for pointing that out. I need to look at their websites and maybe even call them.

Thanks again to both of you for you help...good information.

Cheers--Katie

[SwedishPrince]

I am also cold intolerant and can warn you that the Orlando area gets plenty cold. No snow, but you will not want to be out and about when the cold fronts come rolling through.

My choice was the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area. Good luck with your move, but don't throw away your sweaters and jackets.

[kingrex]

My choice was the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area. Good luck with your move, but don't throw away your sweaters and jackets.

I've lived in the Miami-Ft.lauderdale area (Pembroke Pines right now) for the past 30 or so years, but went to school in Gainesville. I had some greyhounds on a farm in Ocala (Bellview, actually). I wish I was in the Ocala-Gainesville area again - my area is RUINED.

Shands is a very good place to start.


rex

[gomer]

Katie...........

Back in the 80s I lived in Orlando and used that clinic for my diabetes etc back then. When special testing needed to be done I was sent to the Tampa VAMC (horrible parking then, now??)

I get my MS care at the large VAMC in Ann Arbor Mi, but I have to keep semi-annual GP appointments at the VA, but that I do local at a smaller clinic. Here the small local clinic is linked to the AA-VAMC. Still not suitable for emergencies, 2 weeks normal for an apt and NO walk-ins.

I think you SHOULD be able to use the Tampa MS clinic and a closer local clinic for other things. I would visit the local clinic you want and ASK for a referral to the Tampa (or other) MS clinic. In fact up here that is the ONLY way you get into any specialty clinic, by asking the GM doc.

Gomer Sir Falls-a-lot

[gomer]

BTW katie..........

Tampa VAMC is right off I-75, so coming down from the north, you avoid the worst of Tampa traffic. They are affiliated with the big university hospital close by as well.

Gomer Sir Falls-a-lot

[KatieDidNOT]

Thanks Again Everyone-

SwedishPrince--My mom has been warning me not to get rid of my warm clothes! I will tell you one of the COLDEST days I have ever experienced in my life was in Florida (went to my parents in Tampa). It was bitter cold, and the Gulf Winds were acting up. But it only lasts a little while...so I will stay inside.

Kingrex--Thanks for your opinion on Shands....I agree that is the place to start. After I wrote this thread, I realized that my Aunt was a patient of the Neurology Dept at Shands and received excellent care. Maybe one day you can move back home...it is indeed a beautiful area...love all the Horse Farms.

Gomer--I actually visited the Tampa VAMC while I was there. And I am proud to report their parking situation is much better now. Thanks for all the good info...especially about the referral system. I have never used the VA for medical, just the C&P stuff. So it is good to know what to do in case I need it.

Thanks All--Katie

[rdmc]

I've lived in the Miami-Ft.lauderdale area (Pembroke Pines right now) for the past 30 or so years, but went to school in Gainesville. I had some greyhounds on a farm in Ocala (Bellview, actually). I wish I was in the Ocala-Gainesville area again - my area is RUINED.

Shands is a very good place to start.


rex

Hey Rex,

I, too, love the Ocala area...when heading north sometimes we'd get off 75 and take 301 up to Jax and then catch 95...specifically to revisit the nostalgia of what was Florida. Boiled peanut stands along the side of the road, little fruit stands, beautifully fenced farms, yummy home cooking restaurants, speed traps .

We live on the Gulf Coast, and often talking about living more rural...don't think my hubby could ever give up the fishing though, LOL.

[cloudedmoon]

I grew up in Michigan, I move to florida early 80's. I lived in Ocala for a while, I only saw one nouro there who DX me. Howl I think was his name. He did send me down the right path. Nice guy.

I love Ocala. The Forest is beautiful. Nice people, great place to live. It gets cold a few times a year, but it is nothing like up north.

I live in SW Florida now. I have my support system here, Family and friends. It gets hot here, I mean reallyreallyreally hot. I am both cold and heat intolerent. Winter is great, but summer is a nightmare. I just stay in the air all summer. I wish I could find a place that is 75 year round.