doctor

[bubbe1]

Hi,
I'm not new here but didn't know where to put this, sorry.

I am looking for a doctor who specializes in IC, in the northern Va. area. I searched the ICN forum listings and found one physician, Dr. Eric Hurtado, who is in my area.

I would like to know if anyone has used this doctor, and if so, what your thoughts are asbout him, that is,would you recommend him, is he very familiar with IC, etc.

Thank you,

Laurie

[Fluffersmom]

What ICF Says

Hi-I live in the NOVA area too and have had bad experiences with two Uros recommended by my internist, so I too am looking for a good URO in the area. One uro was rated well in a local angie's list type thing, the other wasn't. Both have been listed as "top uros" in the Washington magazine.

I have no info one way or another about Dr. Hurtado.

Let me tell you what the folks at the Interstitial Cystitis Association told me about IC "specialists" in VA, DC and MD. This is a quote from their email to me "we have not had good reports about any doctors in VA or DC. All of our good reports are in Maryland." I got their list for VA but tossed it when I read this statement. They will only email lists of MDs, not publish them on their website. So if you're interested in a state's list, go to www.ichelp.org.

[bubbe1]

doctors

Hi-I live in the NOVA area too and have had bad experiences with two Uros recommended by my internist, so I too am looking for a good URO in the area. One uro was rated well in a local angie's list type thing, the other wasn't. Both have been listed as "top uros" in the Washington magazine.

I have no info one way or another about Dr. Hurtado.

Let me tell you what the folks at the Interstitial Cystitis Association told me about IC "specialists" in VA, DC and MD. This is a quote from their email to me "we have not had good reports about any doctors in VA or DC. All of our good reports are in Maryland." I got their list for VA but tossed it when I read this statement. They will only email lists of MDs, not publish them on their website. So if you're interested in a state's list, go to www.ichelp.org.

Hi,
Thanks very much for the info. Not too great that the ICA hasn't had any good reports about "IC Specialists" in Va. I'm starting to think we ,(DH and I), need to move to MD.!

I am asking Kaiser for an outside referral to Dr. Hurtado. If I get it, I'll go and see what I think. He was suggested by somone on the forum btw.

Stay cool, and thanks again,
Laurie

[Fluffersmom]

Eric Hurtado

My primary care physician has referred me to an Eric Hurtado. This must be the same Hurtado you described. He is listed as both a gyncecologist and a gynecological surgeon. I am making an appointment to see him because I can't stand the idea of going to someone else out of the primary care physician's network and perhaps re-doing the thousands of dollars I have already spent on pursuing an IC diagnosis. I will let you know what I think.

[bubbe1]

Dr. Hurtado

Thanks.
Kaiser denied my request for a referral to Dr. Hurtado,(no surprise). but I might go to see him anyway if I can get my PCP to refer me to him.
I hope he works for you and am looking forward to your feedback.
Laurie

[Fluffersmom]

Hurtado

I have done a little research on him. He refers to himself as a gynecological surgeon. His specialty is removing fallopian tubes. What does this have to do with IC?

Let me know what you think. I am still on the fence doctor wise as I REALLY don't want to hoof it to Baltimore even if all the experts are there if there is any way I can avoid it.

[bubbe1]

doctor

I have done a little research on him. He refers to himself as a gynecological surgeon. His specialty is removing fallopian tubes. What does this have to do with IC?

Let me know what you think. I am still on the fence doctor wise as I REALLY don't want to hoof it to Baltimore even if all the experts are there if there is any way I can avoid it.

Hi FM,
I don't know what I think at this point!
There is one person in our network who saw him and recommended him, and they do have a PT in their office who works with IC patients. I guess the only thing to do is go and talk to him and ask lots of questions re his experience in treating IC, what his approach is and why, and is he comfortable treating you given that his specialty is surgery and that's not what you're looking for. You can tell him about your treatments so far and ask if there is anything that he would do differently, and why. If, after that, you don't feel like he's the right doctor, then that's that for that .
I know what you mean about Baltimore, it's a long ride. We do it for my husband's back because the doc who implanted his Interstim is up there, as well as his back surgeon. No fun.
I wish I had a better answer for you, but to tell the truth, I'm struggling with the same problem right now . We should get together and make a group trip to Maryland,(except of course, that I don't drive much, so would be pretty useless)!
Let me know what you decide to do.
Laurie

[Fluffersmom]

Hopkins Second Opinions

I just found out that Johns Hopkins' Urology Dept will review your Uro's diagnosis and give its own opinion/diagnosis. This can be done through the mail and only costs $500. Not covered by insurance BTW. Here's the link:

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/second_opinion/urology/

I would think that once you're in the Hopkins system so to speak, you could be referred to a Hopkins MD for treatment.

In my case, I am convinced that I also have some form of pelvic floor disease which I learned Hopkins can treat laparoscopally (4 tiny incisions), with a 1-2 day hospital stay.

[bubbe1]

doctor

I just found out that Johns Hopkins' Urology Dept will review your Uro's diagnosis and give its own opinion/diagnosis. This can be done through the mail and only costs $500. Not covered by insurance BTW. Here's the link:

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/second_opinion/urology/

I would think that once you're in the Hopkins system so to speak, you could be referred to a Hopkins MD for treatment.

In my case, I am convinced that I also have some form of pelvic floor disease which I learned Hopkins can treat laparoscopally (4 tiny incisions), with a 1-2 day hospital stay.

Hi,
Thanks for sending the link to JH.
I checked it out and noticed that in the list of conditions that they give second opinions for, IC is not mentioned. They seem to be more focused on surgery and incontinence for both men and women.
I'm thinking about calling and asking if any of their Uros. specialize in IC.
I'm fairly certain that my HMO would not pay for getting an out of plan second opinion or for a face to face visit, so there would have to be a very good reason to do either of those things.
Just wondering, why do you feel that you have pelvic floor disease? Are you referring to a proplapse of some sort?
Also, I have to ask, who is Fluffer?!
I am now going to go and stick my head in the freezer. Our heat pump died yesterday evening, so it's just a tad bit warm in the house!
Laurie

[Fluffersmom]

Why JH

I am in a peculiar situation in that I have some of the IC symptoms, but not all. (For example, what I eat/drink has no impact and I have no urgency. Also, the pain is confined to only one side of the bladder. Bladder pain is caused by any pressure on bladder, internal or external.)

All of the usual suspects for the excruciating right sided bladder pain were ruled out at great cost, no blood, no bladder cancer, stones, etc. I had sonograms, a CT urogram, pee tests out the whazoo, and an in office cystoscopy which also showed no problems. The uro insisted that I have a full blow up cystoscopy under general anesthetic, which I did. (I have no insurance: cost was $4K.) (According to the AUA's guidelines, this was not necessary, a fact which the Uro should have known. I think he's a "prostate guy.") In the big blow up there were no signs of Hunners ulcers or glomurations. Right after the big blow up the URO went out and told my friend that I didn't have IC. At the same time the URO resident is telling me in the recovery room that I do have a mild case of IC. Three weeks have passed and the Uro is giving me the run around on a diagnosis-it's getting bizarre.

As for pelvic floor disease possibility, I have totally numb anus (it feels like someone stuffed something up it), tingling and numbness in right side of genital area (same side as bladder pain), pain near my belly button, pain and tingling running from right side of crotch down left side of right leg to knee and foot, back pain, numbness in right cheek of rear end. I literally cannot stand up straight or put all my weight on my right leg. I look like I am pregnant. The problems with the anus and genitals have been there for months, but the tingling down the leg thing came about only after the big blow up, making me think that the procedure actually did more damage.

When I first suspected IC I contacted the IC association for a uro who specializes in IC. They will send lists of doctors by email. None of these doctors are recommended or endorsed by the ICA. Some are just people who decided to list themselves as IC treaters.

However, when I got the email from the ICA people they told me that they had not received any positive feedback from members about any MD's in DC or VA, but had re MD's in Baltimore. That lead me to think of Hopkins.

If you haven't done so I recommend that you read the diagnosis and treatment guidelines for IC published in Jan 2011 by the AUA (the organization that board certifies URO's). It's on their webpage. There's a short form for laymen on the ICA website, http://www.ichelp.org/

I agree that it doesn't look like Hopkins specializes in IC but there is one woman doctor there who is listed on the ICA Maryland Doctor list who has received recognition for her IC work and also deals with pelvic floor disease.

Hopkins' second opinion service is not covered by any form of insurance and they say so on their web page. Some things like hysterectomies require second opinions but in that case the ins. co. pays for the second opinion. I think that the Hopkins second opinion service is a way to get people into their hospital, which is one reason why I am interested. In my case I suspect that I may not even have IC and that there are other problems that are more in their surgical line. I can't wait to tell the URO that I am going to Hopkins for a second opinion-not.

Fluffer is a 15 year old himalayan whose full name is Fluffernutter (a peanut butter and marshmallow sandwich). Fluffer has been very supportive in my pursuit of the Cure.

Sorry to hear about heat pump problems. I don't know where you live but it's been over 100 here in DC. Good luck.

[bubbe1]

doctors

Hi,
Thanks for the link, it's very helpful.

I was diagnosed under general anesthesia, with cysto/hydro and was found to have the glomerulations (sp?).

Re your pelvic and leg sypmtoms, it almost sounds like you might have a pinched nerve someplace. That almost always causes numbness and tingling. Hopefuly the JH docs will be able to get to the bottom of that, so to speak!

Your kitty sounds beautiful. I love Himalayans, but am allergic to all cats. Also used to love fluffa nutta sandwiches, but haven't had one in ages.

I live in Northern Va. btw, so yes, it's been hot as heck. A/C is working again, yea!!

Have a good day.
Laurie

[Fluffersmom]

Nerves

You are right about pinched nerves. Best wishes to you too.