Need Advise About Cleveland Clinic And Dr. Blitshtein In Ny!

[Gemma]

Hi everyone. I have appoitment this upcoming monday at the Cleveland clinic to get checked for dysautonomia. I have been having all the symptoms but my diagnose was not 100 percent confermed yet. I wanted to kow if anyone ever went to clinic and if it is somehow similar to mayo clinic. Do they do all the tests while you stay there. I asked to schedule with dysautonomia specialist and they sceduled me with Dr. Karen. H. Browning, a neurologist. However when i go on their site she is not listed as dysautonomia specialist. I live 7 hours away and my husband needs to take time off work to drive me there and I dont want it to be a waist of time. Any advise. I also have appointment with Dr. Blitshtein, in NY, and was wondering if anyone went to see her and if that is worth a trip. Does she do testing in her office or only consultation.

Thank you very much!

[corina]

Hi Gemma, Dr Blitshteyn is one of our medical advisors, this is what I copied and pasted from that page:

Svetlana Blitshteyn, MD
State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Dr. Blitshteyn completed her residency training in neurology at the Mayo Clinic where she became interested in autonomic disorders. She graduated with the Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry, Summa Cum Laude, from the University at Buffalo, where she was the valedictorian of her graduating class, and she received her Medical Doctor degree from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine.

After completing her training at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Blitshteyn returned to Buffalo where she is now practicing general neurology and autonomic disorders and serving as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Blitshteyn's research on hormone replacement therapy and meningioma received national recognition and a Research Award from the Florida Society of Neurology. She was also the recipient of the Merck US Health Award from the American Headache Society. She is currently leading research projects investigating the causes of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.

I can't give you any info on the Cleveland Clinic but I'm sure others can. Good luck on your appointments!

[Gemma]

Thank you Corina. I am choosing if i should go visit her or clevelend clinic. Both appointments are same week and my husband cant take so many days off same week to drive me.

[Gemma]

Do you know if she will just do initial consultation only or does she perform the tests while visiting her clinic.

Thanks.

[Joann]

I p.m. you with the info I had about CC and Dr. Browning. If you need any more info, please pm back.

[LMG]

Dr. Blitsteyn does phone consults. So maybe if you go to CC, you can send her results and get her opionion on treatments etc. Get both places on board!! Not sure if insurance covers the phone consults. I did one and self paid.

[SarahA33]

---

[Gemma]

Hi Sarah. Thanks for reply to my post. So, you would advise to see her for pots. The problem is that she is not performing any tests on spot. Did your friend get any testing done while there. Also, I heard that CC was not very helpfull, what can you say about them. Thanks a lot.

[Gemma]

And I am in philadelphia, so its about 6 hour drive for me to Dr. Blitshteyn and about 7.5 hours to cleveland clinic.

[Kms1990]

Hi Gemma,

Have you ever been to Dr. M Goodkin in Media PA. I have my first appointment with him today, and will let you know how it goes. I also am right near Philly!

[SarahA33]

http://www.drblitshteyn.com/contact.html

this explains the benefits of working with her at her office, it might help you answer some of your questions.

Her testing was done at a local Radiology Office and blood work was performed on site (or at the womens wellness building, i cant remember) I think you should give her office a call and ask those questions.. when traveling a great distance for a rare specialist as she, it's certainly warranted. Phone: 716-531-4598

Also.. regarding the CC...I am unsure about their Dysautonomia Clinic so I really can't give you my opinion on the doctor's who run it. I have heard that Dr. Jaeger is good but super hard to get into.

[Gemma]

Thanks everyone for responding. I will keep you posted on what I decide. I have not seen Dr. Goodkin. I herd of him, but thought he was just an internal medicine doctor. Does he work with dysautonomia patients? And how long did you wait to get an appointment? I saw couple of doctors in NY. Last one I saw was Dr. Weimer from colombia neurology school. Research him. He said he will try to figure out what is going on. He did blood work in his office, also MRI of head right on spot to check for chiary malformation. But for the autonomous testing I am going back in October because he is the only one who performs that test and only does it on thursdays. I am not sure what kind of test that would be, but was told autonomous testing (don't know whats included in that test). So far he only found that I might be having a celiac disease, which is already a progress that he found something , compared to other 20 doctors who say its just anxiety and everything is ok with you. So now I am working with my gastro on that issue. Did you see any other doctors in Philla area that you could recomend. I saw neuro at Jefferson, with no success. I have another appointment with cardio and neuro at U-penn, but I don't think they specialize in dysautonomia.

Sorry a lot of writing, but I just got exited that there is someone here from my area.

Edited August 16, 2013 by corina

[MightyMouse]

I have seen Dr. Goodkin 2x about 10 years ago. He did help me find sleep meds that worked. I also live near Philly, just over the border in Bucks County. I see an EP cardiologist at Penn (8th and Spruce campus)--I've been going to him for 8 years now, I think? I did also see Dr. Grubb a few times and my local EP at Penn was more than willing to listen to what Dr. G had to say. I was one of his first POTS patients, but he's always willing to learn and has become a lot more knowledgable over the years and now I'm not his only patient.

I don't personally know of any doctor in our area specifically focusing on autonomic issues. If that's what you're looking for, I'm certain Dr. B in NY could help--she is very knowledgable about autonomic problems and serves on DINET's medical advisory board.

Nina

[Gemma]

Thank you for the reply Nina. I am scheduled to see EP cardio doc at u-penn as well. My cardio from Temple recommended to see EP at u-penn. His name is Dr. David Lyn. Is that the same doctor you see. I just scheduled appointment with any doctor, because it is a long wait and hope that if he is not familiar with how to work with my condition maybe he can give my case to someone else in U-Penn who would be familiar with dysautonomia. I just want to find a local doctor who can work with me and be able to communicate with the doctor from NY that I saw for dysautonomia. I still do not know if pots is what I have, but all my symptoms lead to it, drop in BP, increased HR, palpitations, severe lightheadedness, chest discomfort and everyday pain in chest area. If you don't mind can you give me the name of your doctor at u-penn. You can massage me. Thank you very much to all of you. This forum is a big help.