Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion List your great doc here! Good doctor in portland oregon?????

Does anyone know of a good doctor in portland oregon??? All of the doctors that my husband has seen for his AS all tell him that there is nothing that they can do but give him medicine to help with the pain but nothing to help treat the disease itself.

My rheumatologist is really into meds also, but my Doctor of Osteopathy, Dr. Joan Takacs, is great (don't confuse her with her husband, John). I saw her for a lumbar strain and disc bulges. In the course of treating them she sent me for x-rays and then to a rheumatologist who diagnosed AS. I haven't seen her specifically for AS (unfortunately she's not a preferred provider for my health insurance; I was seeing her under work comp for other injuries) but she and I talked about it many times and I know she is currently treating another person for AS.

DO's are kind of a cross between chiropractors and physical therapists; although Dr. Takacs went to med school instead of a DO school. She wouldn't be able to take the place of a rheumatologist but she could help your husband with mobility and is into natural treatments and might have some good ideas for him to try.

If she's covered under your health care plan, she's worth a visit to see what help she would offer your husband. If you're interested I can get you her contact info or you could probably google it.

Hey it's me again. I realized I didn't actually give you the name of my rheumatologist. His name is Dr. Richard Wernick. Like I said, he's into meds. But he wouldn't just treat the pain, he would go after stopping the inflammation with whatever meds necessary to slow disease progression. He works out of Providence but isn't actually a providence doctor. He's really nice and friendly and very welcoming. He's an extremely well known and respected doctor by other medical professionals and seems like a great overall person. If you haven't found anyone yet, give him a try.

just out of information, the providence docs will rarely, if ever? order pain meds of the prescription type. many years ago, when i was living in portland, i cut my big toe open, went to the er there because it was close, and they sewed it up without waiting for the numbing stuff to work, then dismissed me when i asked for pain meds. nice folks, but i think pain meds are against the religion or something.

now, the best bunch of docs i found were up at northwest/good samaritan med center, its name may have changed. next check the clinic out at st. vincents, they have a 6-8 person rheumy clinic. check the rheumy clinic at good sam first. just call the hospital and ask them for a phone number. good luck. sequoia

I see Dr Wai Lee who is in the same office as Dr Wernik. He is also a great Dr

A coworker of mine sees Dr. Lee for osteoarthritis and also really likes him.

Does anyone have a good recommendation for a PCP, too? I'm currently in the market.

It's good to see there are some Rheumy's that are good here. I think I'll check out Dr. Wernick.

I'm going to switch my ins. from Kaiser to Blue Cross because I have just had the worst experience with all of the docs I've seen there. Oh! I'm so frustrated with people that won't listen and want you out as fast as possible.

Sorry, haven't logged on in quite awhile. Hopefully you found a doc you're happy with. If not and you still need a recommendation, what is a PCP? Is it a Personal Care Provider, like just a regular practitioner?

I've been off the forum for a while, too. Thanks for your response. A PCP is a general practitioner.

I've seen Dr. Lee twice now, and I really don't like him. He doesn't let me speak and just grabbed my head and forcefully moved it around with no warning. I guess that was his exam. . . after I told him my neck was killing me. My neck hurt for 3 days.

I'm interested in seeing the DO you like, if you're willing to share that info. Do you like your rheumy? I need to find someone else. I tried to see Dr. Wernick, in the same office at Providence, but he's booked waaaay out. I might just schedule with him anyway. Would you send me a personal message if you would share your good doc info? I'd really appreciate it! Thanks, and happy new year!