boymommy3 Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 Can anyone recommend a POTS specialist in NC? I saw that there were two Doctors listed on your Physicians List. Dr. Black and Dr. KlineHas anyone on here seen either of them?Thanks!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lejones1 Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 I'm in NC as well and am also looking for a POTS specialist. I was diagnosed a few weeks ago by a cardiologist at Wake Forest but he said they don't have any POTS specialists. Dr. Black is actually a chronic fatigue specialist. I saw the other doctor in her practice, Dr. Lapp, and he was great and actually knew more about dysautonomia than the cardiologist. I have post-viral POTS and still seem to have an underlying infection and he did a great job of helping me piece everything together (rather than so many doctors who seem to look at one issue at a time). They'll do tilt table and exercise testing but don't specialize in it. They're expensive and don't take insurance (although they will help you file), but I thought it was worth it. Each doctor only sees 2 patients a day, so they can spend 3 or 4 hours with you.Dr. Kline is a neurologist at UNC who I've heard is wonderful, but unfortunately she's out on medical leave indefinitely.I've also heard good things about Dr. Daw, a cardiologist in Raleigh.If you find anyone else, I would love to know! I'm still searching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roxie Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 My SIL has been having some problems. She lives in NC and was sent to a cardiologist at UNC- Chapel Hill because they thought she had mittal aortic regurgitation. Well, she didn't but they did some other tests on her- blood work, 2 week holter, and a TTT. They found NCS, but they call it vasovagal. They told her to start with salt & electrolytes & if he doesn't feel better at the follow up they talk med. follow ups tomorrow actually. I don't believe this dr is a specialist by any means. I really don't know how knowledgable he is with POTS or Dysautonomia. But he's the head of cardiology at UNC. His name is Dr Cam Patterson. I wish I had more info but I thought if throw it out there. Also, check Dysautonomia Friend Finer on Facebook. It'd be under the pic of NC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megsmit6 Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 I am currently being treated by Dr. Frazier in Greenville,NC for POTS/NCS. He is an cardiac electrophysiologist. He is very knowledgeable but he is very busy so be patient and expect to wait when you go to his office. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennaC Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 Dr. Kline is amazing and I saw her until she went on leave. I unfortunately don't have much to add to this conversation other than my support from someone living in chapel hill... there is an amazing GI motility specialist at unc-ch that really helped me with my delayed gastric emptying and severe nausea. Getting those issues addressed has probably been more helpful to me than any other MDs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boymommy3 Posted February 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 I'm in NC as well and am also looking for a POTS specialist. I was diagnosed a few weeks ago by a cardiologist at Wake Forest but he said they don't have any POTS specialists. Dr. Black is actually a chronic fatigue specialist. I saw the other doctor in her practice, Dr. Lapp, and he was great and actually knew more about dysautonomia than the cardiologist. I have post-viral POTS and still seem to have an underlying infection and he did a great job of helping me piece everything together (rather than so many doctors who seem to look at one issue at a time). They'll do tilt table and exercise testing but don't specialize in it. They're expensive and don't take insurance (although they will help you file), but I thought it was worth it. Each doctor only sees 2 patients a day, so they can spend 3 or 4 hours with you.Dr. Kline is a neurologist at UNC who I've heard is wonderful, but unfortunately she's out on medical leave indefinitely.I've also heard good things about Dr. Daw, a cardiologist in Raleigh.If you find anyone else, I would love to know! I'm still searching.I live about 4 hours from Chapel Hill. Is Dr. Lapp worth that drive? I mean, in your opinion, does he know enough about POTS to make it worth my while? (although hubby probably wouldn't put up a fight at all about me seeking out a doc in Chapel Hill. We are HUGE Carolina fans! We were actually in Chapel Hill 2 years ago when my symptoms were so bad but we had no idea what was wrong with me yet. We were at a basketball game and I was shaking all over, then got so dizzy and faint that we had to get up and leave (That's when I knew I was REALLY loved! When my husband was willing to leave the Carolina game because I felt so bad. I had to sit in a chair out front for a few minutes and some EMT's attended to me. They really wanted to take me in but I declined. Looking back, I almost wish I would have because maybe I would have caught this earlier and would have been able to see someone who really knew what they were talking about.If they only see 2 patients a day, how long does it take to get in with them? I can't believe they spend 3-4 hours with you! (Although my GP has spend 1-2 hours with me more that once.)Have you considered seeing Dr. Daw?Keep me posted as well if you find anyone!It just goes to show you how few and far between these POTS specialists are because NC is no stranger to modern medicine and state of the art healthcare facilities.I hate that Dr. Kline is no longer in practice. Not that it matters or is any of my business but why did he/she go on leave? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennaC Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 I am pretty sure she is on medical leave... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lejones1 Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 I'm in NC as well and am also looking for a POTS specialist. I was diagnosed a few weeks ago by a cardiologist at Wake Forest but he said they don't have any POTS specialists. Dr. Black is actually a chronic fatigue specialist. I saw the other doctor in her practice, Dr. Lapp, and he was great and actually knew more about dysautonomia than the cardiologist. I have post-viral POTS and still seem to have an underlying infection and he did a great job of helping me piece everything together (rather than so many doctors who seem to look at one issue at a time). They'll do tilt table and exercise testing but don't specialize in it. They're expensive and don't take insurance (although they will help you file), but I thought it was worth it. Each doctor only sees 2 patients a day, so they can spend 3 or 4 hours with you.Dr. Kline is a neurologist at UNC who I've heard is wonderful, but unfortunately she's out on medical leave indefinitely.I've also heard good things about Dr. Daw, a cardiologist in Raleigh.If you find anyone else, I would love to know! I'm still searching.I live about 4 hours from Chapel Hill. Is Dr. Lapp worth that drive? I mean, in your opinion, does he know enough about POTS to make it worth my while? (although hubby probably wouldn't put up a fight at all about me seeking out a doc in Chapel Hill. We are HUGE Carolina fans! We were actually in Chapel Hill 2 years ago when my symptoms were so bad but we had no idea what was wrong with me yet. We were at a basketball game and I was shaking all over, then got so dizzy and faint that we had to get up and leave (That's when I knew I was REALLY loved! When my husband was willing to leave the Carolina game because I felt so bad. I had to sit in a chair out front for a few minutes and some EMT's attended to me. They really wanted to take me in but I declined. Looking back, I almost wish I would have because maybe I would have caught this earlier and would have been able to see someone who really knew what they were talking about.If they only see 2 patients a day, how long does it take to get in with them? I can't believe they spend 3-4 hours with you! (Although my GP has spend 1-2 hours with me more that once.)Have you considered seeing Dr. Daw?Keep me posted as well if you find anyone!It just goes to show you how few and far between these POTS specialists are because NC is no stranger to modern medicine and state of the art healthcare facilities.I hate that Dr. Kline is no longer in practice. Not that it matters or is any of my business but why did he/she go on leave? I'm not sure if it's worth the drive to see Dr. Lapp for POTS, I think it depends on what you think your underlying cause is. Mine is post-viral, which he knew a lot about because of CFS, so he was very helpful but if you suspect it may be something else or have no idea, I would try someone else. It took me about a month to get into see him. I think the cost can be prohibitive so that's why the wait isn't so long. His practice is actually based in Charlotte but I think he spends a couple of days a month in Raleigh.Haha that's funny about the Carolina game (although I'm sorry you had to go through that!), you're lucky to have such a devoted husband!I have considered seeing Dr. Daw, I'm actually trying to get an appointment with him now. I was told today that his earliest available appointments are in late March. Maybe Raleigh would be close enough to Chapel Hill to satisfy your husband?!And yes, JennaC is right, Dr. Kline is on medical leave and doesn't have an expected return date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LMG Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 I live on the Coast of NC and found it hard to find an MD. I was told in 2011 that Dr. Kline was out on medical leave. Eventually, I went to Duke Med Center and was diagnosed by Dr. Augustus Grant. He is an EP cardiologist. He knew enough about POTS- discussed florinef, prescribed Beta Blockers. He didn't do much testing. I didn't go back as I felt my GP would prescribe the same things and understood my medication sensitivities better. I debated Dr. Black but was not and am not up to the 4 hour trip to Charlotte. Well, actually I would have seen Dr. Lapp. Google Hunter-Hopkins Center in Charlotte and you can read about their approach. He is a leading MD in CFS/ME and treats fibro and POTS as part of the syndrome. He uses meds and supplements. Would be a different experience than going to Mayo or Vandy etc. More time with one doctor, less about research I would imagine. Wish there were more options! Lauren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boymommy3 Posted February 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 Thanks! I think I have confused my self. Dr. Black and Dr. Lapp are in Charlotte? That's only about 2 hours from me. That might be worth my while.Thanks so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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