Oregon MS Neurologist

[MSW1963]

I have been with the same neuro clinic for 5yrs, receiving treatment/care by the head of the department for the previous 1.5+yrs.

I have always liked my MS neuro, sort of worshiped him acutally. However recently the doc/patient relationship has changed. The change is one that I'm very unhappy about. I would appreciate any MS neuro recommendations from other Oregonians.

[JerryD]

I have visited and spent some time ( for completely other reasons ) at the University of Portland's medical campus. I spent time with the neurologist that was working with a drug company on a 'compassionate use' drug developed to treat Parkinson's disease. I would say that they are very involved in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. But I don't know them intimately. I am, after all, from the East coast.

[goddessmoon]

oregon neuro

What part of Oregon??? I have great, great recommendation of a doc in Southern Oregon, Medford to be specific. His name is Dr. Michael Narus. I was his patient for 16 years before moving to north east Oregon. Truly the kindest man, willing to listen, not aggressive. Having a hard time finding someone in the new area to fill his shoes.

[MSW1963]

JerryD

Thanks for the tip. I am hoping to hear about patient care, bedside manner, & treatment type of first hand experiences.

Thanks again for the tip.

[MSW1963]

goddessmoon..

I'm in Portland. I'm not sure about travel to/from Portland & Medford, I'll have to look into that.

I don't know how my DMD infusion treatment course might complicate changing docs. I have a few months remaining of the treatment protocol. This is beginning to look more complicated than I initially thought, although completing my current course of treatment before changing Doc's would probably be best and I can tolerate the current situation. I had a neuro appointment yesterday and it solitified my perception of previous experiences with my current doc. Very dissappointing because I did really love this doc.

Thanks so much for the recommendation!

[TLC_31]

The University of Portland is a fine institution, and it has a nursing school, but I suspect where JerryD has “spent some time” was at Oregon Health and Science University, on the hill southwest of downtown. Its reputation for MS research and patient care is outstanding.

http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/health/servic...osis/index.cfm

Unfortunately, I am two hours south. I get along with my neurologist at Oregon Neurology in Springfield, but it seems like sometimes he and the office staff are the ones with black holes in their heads. I’m pondering a switch to another local office later this year. I’d be happy to go into more detail if someone is interested in Eugene-area neurologists.

[techie]

medford

Back in 2000 I was dx'd by Walter Carlini.
The igit I saw here in Albany said I didn't have MS when I told her I didn't want to go back on treatment.
I just found out Sunday the head neoro at her clinic is doing a study on Gilena (sp).
I think that is why she said I didn't have MS even though she wanted to see me back in a year.
If no MS why want to see me again?
techie
PS If any of these were a CURE I would be happy to be on them until my husband retires at the end of the year.

[MSW1963]

TLC, figured it was OHSU also. Sorry to hear about your neuro, staff and the black holes situation.

I contacted OHSU when I relocated to Oregon and it was a curious exchange of automated instructions to hold the line for assistance, without warning to automatically go into default v-mail. Then waiting patiently for more than a week not sure if my message was even received.

I called back a week later with the exact same results. Eventually someone did return my call extremely annoyed that I had left 3 messages, and a few hang up calls. It was a turn off and red flags that maybe this was an indication of something, I don't know. It definately left me with a bit of a 'chill'. It may be time to re-consider though.

Thanks again for the reply and I hope everything improves for you.

[BikeChik]

Hi, I saw Dr. Mass at OHSU ms center when I was diagnosed and I loved her. I live in Corvallis so don't travel much to Portland or I would just see her. My local neurologist in corvallis, Shelly Svoboda, is really good. OHSU puts on yearly MS ed events and all the neurologists there seem really good.

[mirandal1958]

Goddessmoon - I LOVE Dr. Narus. I feel so blessed to have found him. If there's anyone out there in S. Oregon who needs a neuro I highly recommend him. I travel 2 hours to see him. He's that good.

[Mable]

When I was diagnosed in December, I traveled out to Oregon to be with family (I was pretty shaken) and to attend a real MS clinic--OHSU. Coming from North Dakota, I found the crowds and the waits a bit much. But, once I got in to see the neurologist and then the physical therapists, I thought they were awesome.

I'm not aware that I had a choice of neurologist. I saw Dr. Savage, who was a in training. She was supposed to be backed up by Dr. Spain, but on the day of my appointment it was Dr. Whitman instead.

I LOVED Dr. Whitman. She had good answers to all my questions (and so did Dr. Savage). But honestly, after I had heard what they had to say, I was confident that my neurologist (who is not an MS expert) back in North Dakota was pretty awesome and I was confident when I came back home that I was in good hands.

[goddessmoon]

neuro/miranda

I agree about Dr. Narus. Loved him and was so sad when I moved. I have traveled 500 miles to see him for my yearly check up. Hard trip to make though. He has reassured me though I will always be his patient. Great, great man!!!

[MSW1963]

techie, I know what you mean about the slippery slope of DMDs. I do sometimes wonder who or what is really getting better, my health or $$ accounts of others.

BikeChik, I'm glad to hear you liked Dr. Mass who is located in Portland? I will definately check with OHSU about an appointment.

Mable, same for Dr's Whitman and Spain. OHSU seems to be the place for MS Neuros. Sounds like the peace of mind was well worth the trip to Oregon and I hope you are doing better with your current doc.

I'm so dissappointed about the turn of events with my current doc. It's upsetting to lose confidence in someone I trusted so much.

Thanks everyone for the info, it's very much appreciated.

[AmyKathryn]

I lived in Bend during and for several years following my dx. There is a MS Specialist there that people RAVE about but I wasn't a fan of her bedside manner. It's a personal choice I suppose.

HOWEVER, my initial neuro was Dr. Griffin at Northstar Neurology and after seeing the MS specialist a couple of times I would only see him.

He is amazing, attentive, doesn't rush you and is just plain wonderful. I have moved to Ohio to be closer to family and am in desperate need to find a neuro here. I finally understand the problems people have always had with them.

OH how I miss Dr. Griffin, everyone I have seen out here makes me feel (have actually said) that basically there is nothing wrong with me.

I know the drive over the mountain isn't always so easy but if you look for opportunities to get to Bend, Dr. Griffin is 100% worth the drive.

[MSW1963]

AmyKathryn...

thanks so much for taking the time to recommend Dr. Griffin.

I'm now frozen in a kind of 'paralysis', unsure if changing doc is the wisest decision. I was initially so sure I wanted to change MS docs, but now it's not so clear cut considering the alternatives I've come accross myself with other ms neuros.

I hope you find a good doc that you like soon. I thought I had mine. Doc-patient relationships sometimes run their course and when they change, there comes a time to cut the losses and move on.

In retrospect there were some minor incidents, small clues over the course of my treatment that were not worthy of dwelling on at the time. Oh well.

I've traveled to Ohio on bussiness and also to visit a friend there for about 3 yrs. I hope you like your new home. I love oregon, portland in particular but miss my home way too much. Take care and thanks again.