Looking for IC specialist in Chicago, Northwest Suburbs, or Madison, Wisconsin

[seasoul21]

Does anyone have an IC specialist they recommend in Chicago, Ill., the Northwest Suburbs, or Madison, Wisconsin?
Thanks so much!

[blondie45]

Urologist

I recommend mine in Watertown, Wisconsin. Not sure if that is close enough to Madison for you. If so, please pm for his name, etc.

[jen74]

Hi Seasoul.
I live in Chicago IL and I have seen a total of 3 different doctors for this disease. The urogyne I am seeing right now, well she knows about IC, but I cant say that she is the best doctor when it comes to treating this disease as she is very closed minded and only offers two treatments which are bladder installtions and hydrodistention. I made an appointment with a new urogyne who a friend of mine said is very nice and very knowledgable. He is at Luthern General in Park Ridge IL, not to far fron Chicago. His name is Dr. Noone. I have not yet seen him as I have my appointment in a little over two weeks from now. So I cant really say what kind of doctor he is, but was told he is very nice, knowledgable, and willing to work with his patients. I guess I will find out in a couple weeks.
I have to say, I am dissappointed in Chicago as far as doctor are concerned as I have had rotten luck with them. And I am talking about the supposedly top doctors at the top hospitals I have seen that are just plain awful. Anyhow, if you need more info on anything please feel free to email me anytime. [email protected]
Jen

[seasoul21]

Thanks!

I think you're right. Watertown is probably too far for me. But thanks so much for the suggestion.

Jen, sorry you've had such poor experiences with your doctors. I hope the new one you're trying in a couple weeks is much better!

Thanks again for your replies!

Still on the search for a doctor that specializes in this condition, but is also available enough for emergency situations.

[jen74]

Hey seasoul,
If you happen to find a good doc who deals with IC, let me know please. It is so hard to find a good IC doc in Chicago it seems. I will see how this new urogyne is in a couple weeks, but if you find someone who is great, please let me know. I would appreciate it. Big Hugs.
Jen

[seasoul21]

I sure will!

[Katrina]

Since I get contacted about doctors in WI often anyone who can give any info on a doctor in WI or close to...good or bad please email them to me. I believe we only post good. My email is in my signature.

[turnaround]

I go to the uro-gyn department at Loyola and saw a Dr. Fitzgerald. Fabulous. The whole office staff was great and they know tons about IC.
good luck!

[seasoul21]

Thanks so much for the feedback. I've heard about Dr. Fitzgerald and Dr. Linda Brubaker as well. I had also heard that they're hard to get an appointment with because of the traveling and speaking engagements they have. Have you found Dr. Fitzgerald to be available enough when you're in the middle of a flair? I would love to connect with her practice if there are openings.

[turnaround]

Seasoul,
I got into Dr. Fitzgerald in a week. She spent so much time with me and her office staff is excellent. She even gave me 3 scripts for urine cultures, so I can just have them done anytime I think I might have a uti and go wherever the lab is the closest and they will fax it to her. She was awesome. I haven't had a flare, so I don't know what they do in that instance. Good luck!

[seasoul21]

Thanks so much. Your feedback is SO helpful. I'll give her a call this week.
Thanks again and hope you have a good weekend!

[vivig14]

I considered myself a "cured" IC patient (after 9 years). I flew to NYC for a consult with Dr. Moldwin, as I also was not satisfied with the MDs here in Chicago. However, I have also heard that Fitzgerald and Brubaker are good but i never saw them. I did like Janet Tomeszko at Northwestern in Chicago. She's a compassionate urogynecologist. Ultimately, it was my Phys Therapist, Rhonda Kotarinos, in Oakbrook Terrace, IL (western suburb outside of Chicago), who basically helped me put all the pieces together, and after many months of therapy, I'm just about normal I eat a normal diet, and have minimal pain. She was most helpful with all the urinary symptoms and pelvic floor dysfunction. At the very least, i definitely recommend at least a consult with her. You might have to wait a bit to get in, but it's worth it. I've never felt better. Take Care, I wish you the best.

[jen74]

I live in Chicago also. I use to see ****. I honestly just switched doctors. My hubby and I just were not satisfied at all. She was doing the instills and I was having issues with it and could not pee at all afterwards, and when I tried to tell her my concern, I could not even get a hold of her, and had to talk and communicate through a bunch of nurses. She also told me that the instills she used were the only thing that would help me, and that there was nothing else to help me. She also said that she did not believe in pain meds at all. Dont get me wrong, I dont like taking any type of meds as I tend to have bad side effects, but there was one point when I was in severe pain and needed something and she refused to give me anything.
She is a smart doctor, and knows all the latest treatments, but is just never available. You have to wait months just to get in to see her and always have to go through a bunch of nurses just to get a message to her. prefer to talk to my doctors personally when I have a problem.

I have heard alot of good things about the PT Rhonda Kotarinos you mentioned though. Was is hard to get an appointment with her? And is she in the PPO network?
Jen

[vivig14]

instills never did a thing for me either. my uro in '97(dr. garnett, northwestern) did them--dmso. really PT was the curative element for me. I really liked all three of my PTs, but the third and final was Rhonda K. She's in Oakbrook Terrace, so it was a bit of a hike for me, but worth all the rescheduling of my job/commute etc. Her hours are limited, and I did have to wait to get in (a couple of months). I went for a consult with her first. She was an out of network provider for me, so coverage wasn't the best. She says she's in-network for some. I have BCBS-PPO. She takes credit cards, though. I put money in my flex account, so i saved that way too. I told myself I would follow whatever directives she had for me, and I did. It hurt at times, but because I trusted her and saw that things gradually improved I stuck with it.

[ads]

I second this one Dr. FitzGerald is a great doc! There is also a pain clinic in the same area, so it can be comprehenisve therapy.

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I go to the uro-gyn department at Loyola and saw a Dr. Fitzgerald. Fabulous. The whole office staff was great and they know tons about IC.
good luck!