Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion List your great doc here! Great Rhumy In Tx

Lauren, Did this Doctor diagnose you? I am in Houston and am currently seeing Dr. Pegram (sort of). Since his office is so busy, he has hired other rheumys to help out so I never know who I will see. This might be ok if I have already been diagnosed but I feel I need to see the same doctor every time or I will just continue to go around in circles. Does this Doctor take Cigna?

Dogwood,

I was wondering if you still see Dr. Bernard Rubin in Ft. Worth, Texs. Thanks

I go to Dr. Cheatum too. He's great and he also helps 2 of my other friends, they think he's great too.

I saw him first, and he and his fellows told me and my PCM that HLA-B27 had nothing to do with any auto immune disease and that there was nothing wrong with me. When i tried to get back in to see him again to explain to me how HLA-B27 was not related to any auto immune disease, they would not make me an appt. When my PCM called his office to talk to him to get the explanation, the staff passed the message and Dr Rubin s "fellows" sent a message to my PCM stating again that HLA-B27 was not auto immune related in any way that that they could not help me.
Also, the first visit i was not treated by Dr Rubin, but one of his fellows, and she did not do any sort of physical examine. Just asked questions.

I am sure that Dr Rubin is a good Doc, but i would not recomment him unless you are actually seeing him, not one of the fellows

Now i see Dr Basu in fort worth and could not be happier.

Dr. Reyes in Denton,Texas. He's great!

Hello,
Dr. Kathryn Dao in Dallas, TX is great! I just saw her today and she actually...wait for it...LISTENED to me and also was patient and explained options and treatments to me.
I used to see Dr. Alan Brodsky, he was able to diagnose and do the appropriate tests, but his bedside manner was not so good. He would keep minimizing my symptoms...which yes my symptoms could be worse compared to others but still an inconvenience and pain for me.

Dr. Carlos Plata in Amarillo is a great Doctor as well, I noticed that there were two doctors from Amarillo already listed. Another great things about Dr. Plata is that he is the Rhuemy for the VA in Amarillo. My family and I went to the AS seminar in Dallas and Dr. Plata is right on the mark with how the doctor there said AS should be treated. He is a very humble man and I'm glad to have him as my doctor. Bobby

I also use Don Cheatum, although I have not seen him in a year. I am not too bad, not too good either, and probably need to see him again. Has anyone talked with Dr. Cheatum about the LSD? I am curious to see what he thinks about this diet.

Jill

I am newly diagnosed and not as knowlegeable as many folks here, but I almost went to Dr. Pegram and didn't because of the wait for an appointment and it seemed to be a crowded practice. My cardiologist recommended Grace Makhlouf in Sugarland and I'm so greatful. She is wonderful and patient and worked with me - first we went down the road of Lupus - she definitely knew she was looking at multiple varieties of inflamatory stuff. After a flu shot caused a really bad flare, my symptoms started escalating and it became apparent it was AS and the tests started falling into place. She is thorough and compassionate - she is attentive to and treats pain although I am allergic to most everything except Darvocette. I consider myself blessed to have her - no more rolled eyes and talk of viruses or confused looks - no more doctors who don't really have a clue. Now I know WHY I hurt and I don't have to explain myself.

You may have to wait a while in her office - take a book - but she will spend time with you and focus just on you when she is with you. I could go on and on and probably have.

Suzanne

Like others here, I see Dr. Don Cheatum in Dallas. He's a fantastic, thorough, attentive diagnostician and doctor. His staff is all very professional and knowledgeable too. He communicates -so- well with my other doctors and always mails me detailed reports of our appointments, after talking with me at great length at the appointment itself. He talked with me for well over an hour at my first appointment regarding symptoms, medical history and family history. He asks leading questions regarding things I would forget or not know to bring up. He jumped right into treating me and has outlined where we'll go from here if this treatment fails. He also provides all sorts of informative literature to educate myself on my condition. He may not have the greatest bedside manner in the world, but he's respectful and attentive. I'll take it. Office waits can also be very lengthy, but given the amount of attention he pays once you get in to see him, the wait is worth it.

Conversely, I used to see Dr. Lavery in Allen, Texas. Steer clear. His staff is rude and never returns calls. He is inaccessible for even pressing questions about medications. He is condescending and rude. His staff does not follow HIPPA laws. He IMs with his office staff regarding other patients' private information on a computer screen clearly visible to the patient he is pretending to pay attention to. He is also often frankly wrong. He told me I do not have any form of inflammatory arthritis but that he thinks I have PsA. Is he seriously so uninformed that he doesn't know PsA is an inflammatory arthritis? Despite my repeated reminders that many medications aggravate my IBS, he consistently prescribed medications that are notorious for causing GI upset even in patients without preexisting GI problems. My experience with Dr. Lavery is by far one of the worst customer service experiences of my life, let alone one of the worst ddoctors I've encountered. Driving thirty more minutes to see Dr. Cheatum is so, so worth it.