Question:
Can anyone recommend a rheumatologist in Colorado to me? I am in Pueblo, can get to Colorado Springs in an hour, Denver in two hours. Would appreciate tips on doctors others have liked or disliked. My neuro told me on Monday that my symptoms look to him like lupus and that I should see a rheumatologist. I have the butterfly rash, sore joint, generalized neuropathy and an ANA of 1:160. While I pretty much knew this was coming, "it’s probably lupus" is a whole lot harder to hear than "lupus is one of the things we should consider." Trouble is, the rheumy they called (whose office is an hour away) initially responded that they couldn’t see me til January. Another message tells me that the neuro and rheumy have talked and that the rheumy will "talk to me". I’ll find out tomorrow what that means. This doesn’t strike me as a doctor I want as my major source of care. What happens if I need to see her on short notice once I become a patient? It’s been six months already of major pain to get this far. As I look back now, I realize that what was diagnosed as rosacia a year ago was actually the butterfly rash, and that supposed heel spurs were the start of the neuropathy. No way I’ll wait more months and have more damage to my body just because doctors are busy. I am also open to hearing about rheumatological clinics/ centers of excellence at greater distance. If I need to foot the bill on airfares and getting better care at a more reasonable date, so be it. Thanks for any help you can offer — Ellen — Ellen Cooney (ekcoo…@way.opens.org) Start-Up Education, P.O.Box 7072, Pueblo West, Colorado, 81007 USA Find out about Start-Up Education: http://way.opens.org/start-up And "visit" Pueblo West on the web: http://way.opens.org/pueblowest
Response:
In Denver, there are two excellent sources for diagnosis and treatment that I’m aware of. 1. National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine 1400 Jackson Avenue Denver, CO (303) 388-4461 The facility has a national reputation. You’ll probably need a referral to be seen quickly. 2. The Denver Arthritis Clinic They have two offices, but the Aurora one will be closer since you’re coming from Pueblo. The address is 750 Potomac, Aurora, CO (303) 366-2828. They take new patients and are willing to work with insurance. I’d recommend my old rheumie but he retired last year. Also, check with the Arthritis Foundation, 2280 S. Albion, Denver, (303) 756-8622. The organization maintains a list of rheumatologists who will take new patients. They probably have a listing for Colorado Springs. Hope this info helps. Doris (moved to Atlanta, but really misses Denver) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Ellen Cooney wrote: > Can anyone recommend a rheumatologist in Colorado to me? I am in Pueblo, can get > to Colorado Springs in an hour, Denver in two hours. Would appreciate tips on > doctors others have liked or disliked. > My neuro told me on Monday that my symptoms look to him like lupus and that I > should see a rheumatologist. I have the butterfly rash, sore joint, generalized > neuropathy and an ANA of 1:160. While I pretty much knew this was coming, "it’s > probably lupus" is a whole lot harder to hear than "lupus is one of the things > we should consider." > Trouble is, the rheumy they called (whose office is an hour away) initially > responded that they couldn’t see me til January. Another message tells me that > the neuro and rheumy have talked and that the rheumy will "talk to me". I’ll > find out tomorrow what that means. > This doesn’t strike me as a doctor I want as my major source of care. What > happens if I need to see her on short notice once I become a patient? It’s been > six months already of major pain to get this far. As I look back now, I realize > that what was diagnosed as rosacia a year ago was actually the butterfly rash, > and that supposed heel spurs were the start of the neuropathy. No way I’ll wait > more months and have more damage to my body just because doctors are busy. > I am also open to hearing about rheumatological clinics/ centers of excellence > at greater distance. If I need to foot the bill on airfares and getting better > care at a more reasonable date, so be it. > Thanks for any help you can offer — Ellen > — > Ellen Cooney (ekcoo…@way.opens.org) > Start-Up Education, P.O.Box 7072, Pueblo West, Colorado, 81007 USA > Find out about Start-Up Education: http://way.opens.org/start-up > And "visit" Pueblo West on the web: http://way.opens.org/pueblowest
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