how do you find a good doctor in NJ

[monster]

I've posted here an got some good advice but how do i find a good doctor? I was given a center in nj but how does a person know if they are good? Is there anyone here from nj? It seems that we should be going to someone who knows about als, I was told my a doctor to just to go to a neurologist, I realize that is not a good thing to do.

I hope this is ok to post this

 

[Al]

Sure, no problem posting. We've got a few from NJ so you should get answers although it can be slow on weekends.

AL.

 

[monster]

Thank you al,
i'm not to good at this but someone was trying to private message me an is unable, do you know why this would happen

 

[Al]

You need a certain number of posts to use the PM. This keeps out most spammers.

AL.

 

[twinmommie72]

The information I pasted to you came from the ALS Association website. They are registered with the Association because they are certified ALS specialty clinics. If you question the credibility of the specialist then I advise researching their name. Good luck in your search.

 

[monster]

thanks twomommie72, i guess if they were from the als assoc. they must be good. I didn't want it to seem like I was questioning the credibility of the specialist , I'm sorry , I was trying to see if anyone else went to them or someone in NJ. You have been very nice and a big help, I really do appreciate everything you have done and all your advice. I guess we can't PM because I didn't post enough yet. I hope I reach my max soon

 

[twinmommie72]

No worries...always happy to help. I want you to have the best options possible.

 

[momofsixkids60]

Monster,
Therre is also an ecxellent group at Johns Hopkins, in Balktimore, MD. Just a ride dowm I-95 for yuo. I kmnow we have some Marylander's thjat have been thjere, myself imcluded (25 yrs ago). Good Liuck to you.
Kimbrely

 

[monster]

thanks kim. Do you have a name and number. I also have my neurosurgeon consultant who use to be a hopkins, I have another rare disease. It is just horrible I have to keep traveling when it is hard on me with my other health issues.

 

[mare]

OK, so what people are trying to tell you is that an ALS specialist is considered a "good" dr. because they diagnose & treat ALS patients all the time.
If you had heart problems, you're family doctor might be the one to first notice the problem but he might then send you to a cardiologist who deals with your particular problem. (if that is your definition of a "good" dr.- his personality & bedside manner does not come into play here)

In the absence of an EMG (you have not said that you had one), the neurosurgeon was premature in diagnosing you with ALS (IMO).

Where in NJ do you live?
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School has very good recommendations. I do remember a CALS saying they went there (sadly, her PALS passed away). That would be convenient for a north Jersey location.

If you are closer to Philadelphia, there are 2 ALS centers.
1) an ALSA affliated clinic- University of Pennsylvania (at Pennsylvania Hospital)
Dr. Leo McCluskey or Dr. Lauren Elman
2) an ALS-MDA affliated clinic- Drexel University (at Hahnemann Hospital)
Dr. Terry Heilman-Patterson

I would suggest, instead of looking on the internet for symptoms of ALS, look at:
the alsa dot org. site or the als-mda dot org. site and search the various centers & clinics that are in your area or that you would be willing to travel to.

 

[mare]

I left a post- went to moderation.

 

[monster]

Don't know what you mean can you send me a PM, I can PM now.

 

[momofsixkids60]

Monster,

If uoy contact your loval MDA/ALS Clinic they cam diresct uou where to go. But, you PCP has to mnake the initial appt.

Kimnberly

 

[monster]

Mare, thank you for all the info. I checked on google, penn U is about 1 hour 20 and rwj is about 1 hour.
Not too much of a difference.

Kim I did check for clinics there are none in nj, just centers at rwj. thanks

 

[monster]

I didn't know my pcp had to make the first appt. I was going to call myself tomorrow.