Any urologist recommendations for WA state?

[massagedoula]

I am looking for a new uro in WA state. The only one on the ICN list is a Dr. Modarelli in Tacoma. I made an appt, but then I looked him up on GOOGLE and saw that he is a ex-millitary doc. That makes me a bit wary...So does anyone else had a good recommendation for me? I am still trying to get a diagnosis of something...and a treatment plan for my symptoms.

[ICNDonna]

There are many, many physicians who have served in the military at one time or another --- that shouldn't make a difference. I worked in a hospital for 25 years and some of the most easy-going, friendly, caring physicians I met spent some time in the military. And, when my husband was in the service, I saw military docs for several years and never met one who wasn't kind and knowledgeable.

Donna

[massagedoula]

I was just afraid that they would be rough during the exam...I am so sensisitve down there. I was thinking that maybe if they were used to examining military patients (who are pretty tough people as a whole) then they wouldn't understand exactly how sensitive I am. The thought of a catheter makes tears come to my eyes because I remember what the one and only one I had felt like.

It was just a generalization but I really really want to find a dr that i am comfortable with. I still am keeping my appt. with him, though.

[megancolleen]

hey, i live in olympia too! :)

i'm going to this uro next month...my doctor recommended her, and i feel much more comfortable with female doctors:

http://www.virginiamason.org/dbPhysicians/Physician3133.asp

hope that helps.

[Babs RN]

Just some food for though from a military spouse who has been through the wringer with military healthcare--the best docs are usually the ones who leave the military. Not to say that all military docs are horrible, but some need some customer service training. :idea:


Hugs,
Barb

[jrowley]

Mass, There are 27 uro within 50 miles of you here is the link in webmd of them.

WebMD Physicians for Washington (http://my.webmd.com/pages/dir/search_results.asp?searchType=2&sponsor=&sortOrder=distance&specialty=103&specialtyDesc=Urology&hmoDesc=&hospitalDesc=&ddSpecialty=103&address=&city=Olympia&state=WA&zip=&radius=50&stayWithInState=1&hmo=&hospital=)

And there are three in Olympia. Good Luck, when calling them be sure to ask if they specialize in IC if they hum around the bush move on to the next one.
Also Dr.Modarelli has two other uro in his office that he affiliates with so he may not be a bad idea.

[massagedoula]

Thank you all SO much. I am not trying any more uros in Olympia...from experience with one and then my PT and gyno told me that he is the best one here and if I didnt think he was going to help me then dont even try any others in town.

I have the appt. with Dr. Modarelli in 2 weeks and also I am still going to go back to the urogyno I saw who thinks I have "urethral syndrome" and ask her why she thinks that and not that I have IC. Maybe she has a good reason...I also want to ask to try a course of doxycline, and I think she would be open to that from things she said to me on the first visit about antibiotic trials.

If I think that neither of them will help me after a few visits to each, then I will call the Uro in Seattle that megancolleen has given me. (BTW, I will PM you and ask a few more questions.)

Thank you all so much!
-Emily

[Imustpee]

I live in Bremerton..I see Dr Johnsrude at the Bremerton Doctors Clinic..he and his staff are awesome...after 38 years with I.C. I am now in remission..

[MelanieJean]

Emily,

I used to see Dr. Modarelli. I LOVE their office staff. They are the ones that diagnosed me and I was with they're office until about a year ago. When you go in, make sure that you specially request Tina to do your treatments. If you see Gea, the Nurse Practitioner, she's awesome. I really liked her. She's a lot more attentive than the doctor, and she seems to know a lot more than Modarelli about IC. He's the one that did my hydrodistention and he's very nice. The reason I tell you to see Tina, is because she has a special interest in IC. She's the one that put together the Tacoma support group for IC that meets at the hospital. She's one of the most knowledgable people I've ever met about IC. I love their staff, they are wonderful. If you do talk to Tina, tell her that Melanie K. says hi. She'll more than likely know who I am. Although I haven't seen her in a few months since I moved to Missouri. I used to be in their office at least once a week for treatments and other stuff... :) I think you'll like them. If not, I do know other docs in the Seattle area if you want to go farther north.

Hope that helps! Mel

[massagedoula]

Could you tell me about the ones in Seattle? I actually had an appt. with Gea at Dr. Modarelli's office, but I cancelled it. I decided that I wanted to try to see only female doctors, after a bad experience with a male doctor. Also, I was (worngly) under the impression that Dr. Modarelli was more about impotence and "male" stuff. Maybe I will reschedule the appt. if the ones with the doctors in Seattle don't work out. Pleas elet me know who you saw in Seattle. Thanks!

[Spongemom]

I have a great uro in Wenatchee. His name is Dale Peterson. He is at Wenatchee Valley Clinic. He treated me up until he thought I needed another opinion with my pain issues. However, he is the one that started me on Oxycontin, MS contin and such..He is devoted to healing and takes a great interest in IC. He is a very christian man and doesn't let his patients suffer.
The other uro's in my town aren't worth much. They don't seem to believe that IC pain can be so horrible. :mad:

I'm now seeing a uro in Seattle at the University of Wa. Medical Center. SHE specializes in IC. Her name is Jane Louise Miller (assoc. professor). She sent me to the UW pain clinic. From there I was sent to John Loeser professor of neurosurgery at the UW. Dr. Loeser will be putting in my Intrathecal morphine pump in mid May.

I have all the confidence in the world with my local uro (Peterson). I think he did the right thing by having my pain accessed by someone else.

Dr. Jane Miller is about my age, which seemed to make it easier. I really like her and her staff was great. She tells it like it is, I like that! She does seem very in the know with IC.

Hope that helps some. Let us know what you decide and the outcome.

[massagedoula]

I have an appt. with the ARNP at the UW Urology! So I hope I am on the right track. I wanted to get in with Dr. Miller but she didn't ahve ny opening for new patients until August...so they gave me an appt. with the nurse practioner, so I will be in the system and then I guess I will be able to see Dr. Miller on the next visit? Have you met the ARNP at the office? I cant remember her name. Oh, I think it is Jeanne Kalhoff.

[DebbieD]

Well I know of a Great one at Duke University In Durham NC. He has been my Dr for 35 Years.I love him to Death.

DebbieD

[massagedoula]

NC=North Carolina? I am confused b/c this is the NW forum. Am I missing something? :)

[Spongemom]

Yes, I have met Jeanne. She spoke to me about a clinical trial at the UW.
Her and Dr. Jane Miller were doing it. It involved Botox injections into the vulvar area. After discussing this with both of them and my pain doc's they said I couldn't participate. They instead decided to have me get the interthecal morphine pump implant. I am having that done in a couple weeks. Dr. John Loeser (neuro surgeon) will be performing my surgery.

Jeanne also taught me how to cath myself and do instills at home.
She seems very nice, but I have only seen her once. If Dr. Jane is refering patients to her I would trust her judgment. Also, if there is something that Jeanne K. can't handle Dr. Miller would take over.

The reason I keep refering to Jane Miller is because there is another Dr. Miller in the uro-gynecology dept. I can't think of her first name off-hand.

Keep me posted. I would love to hear what you think of Jeanne and or Dr. Jane Miller.

[massagedoula]

I was just wondering (since this is all new to me) that if I have to get something like an in-office cysto while I am there, can she do it? Or would I have to come all the way back at another time for an appt. with a Doctor?

I noticed that there was another Dr. Miller too. I thought maybe they were related!

I see her on Friday...I'll let you know what happens. This will be my 5th urology appt. since this started...I hope I don't have to keep looking for answers.

[massagedoula]

I saw Jean Kalhoff today...She was very nice!
She drew me out an IC plan, except it is a PBS plan since I am not diagnosed with IC by the hydro which I refuse to have. She says that it is fine not to have the hydro, PBS and IC have the same treatments.

[sydney42]

This is funny, because I have an appt with the OTHER Dr. Miller, who is in the same office at UW--Elizabeth is her name. I asked the receptionist if Jane and Eliz are related, and she said no, but Jane trained Eliz, and Eliz is supposedly also expert in IC. My appt is end of June. Same as someone else said her, Jane didn't have any appts til August! I'll let you know how it goes when I see the other Dr. Miller.

[massagedoula]

I wonder how you got an appt. with Dr. ELIZABETH Miller? When I made my appt, they said that all the appts with the MDs were full until August, and I had to go with Jean Kalhoff, ARNP. Not that I am complaining, but that is strange....I think it is a nice place, by the way. I left a message for Jean Kalhoff the other day, not thinking I would ever hear back, and she called me back the SAME DAY! I am not used to that with other urology places I have gone.

[sydney42]

You know, I really don't know. Initially they offered me waitlist til August, then said that Elizabeth could see a new patient in June. Maybe she had a cancellation and I caught her at just the right time? Who knows. I'm glad you've had a good feeling about the office overall, and good response to your phone calls--that makes a huge difference.

[massagedoula]

I would love to know how your visit goes in June. Please let me know, OK? Maybe the MD will want to do something that the ARNP didn't, and then I can ask her if I can switch to the uro...or...if they are the same, then it will make me feel happy that I am getting the best care possible. You know, I am sure that the ARNP is just as good as the MD, but there is something about those initials (MD) after a name that makes one feel like they have to be the "best".

[massagedoula]

PS...Where in WA do you live?

[sydney42]

I will absolutely let you know how it goes. I know what you mean about the MD thing, although I also know some ARNP's are better, and give more patient care and attention, than their MD bosses... But I will give you the update for sure. My appt isn't until end of June, the 24th I believe. I live in Seattle. Glad to meet you!

[Leigha]

I know I am coming in on all of this late but I wanted to share my doctor.

He is Dr. Ward of Northwest Urology Specialists. He has two offices, one in federal way and one in Auburn. He is probably one of the kindest, amazing doctors I have ever had. He has so much compassion and spends as much time as you need with him. Hes been treating IC for years and seems very knowledgeable.

The other doctor I know of would be Modarelli' like others have stated. I phoned their office once before to ask about the doctor and the office staff were so sweet. I have heard good things about him and if my uro ever leaves his practice for some reason I will go straight to Modarelli.

I went to the UW pain clinic a couple of times and didnt have a good experience at all. They did nothing to help me and treated me horrible. (This was a couple of years ago though). So I got scared from seeing anyone there and know nothing about the actual urologists.

I am going to a great pain clinic now that is in the same building as Dr. Ward. The doctor and office staff are wonderful. They really truly care. I hope this information helps somebody and the best of luck to all of you. Finding a good doctor is worth its weight in gold.

[massagedoula]

Hi again Sydney,

I wanted to let you know that I got scheduled for a cysto with Jane Miller on July 5th, so I will be meeting her too....I wish I could get in sooner...I am going to call tomorrow and beg.

[sydney42]

Hey there massagedoula, (oh wow, I just now figured out what your name is... a little slow there on the uptake--I was reading it as massagadoula [no idea what I thought that meant] and now I see that it's massage doula... duh for me. Very cool.) Anyway, I'm so glad you got in to see Jane. And that's really just a week or so after my appt with Eliz. Can I ask how, and why, did you go right to scheduling a cysto instead of an initial consult with her? I'm kind of ambivalent about having the procedure done.

[sydney42]

Also, wanted to let you know that I have appts with two naturopaths in June--one at Bastyr, and one in downtown Seattle--so I'll let you know how those go as well.

[massagedoula]

I saw Jean Kalhoff and then she had mentioned getting a cysto. Then recently, my symptoms have been getting lots worse and she had called me for a follow-up and I told her. She wanted to schedule me for a cysto/hydro but I have a lot of bad feelings about that procedure, so she told me that I should at least get the normal cysto, and that is done with Jane Miller, who she works with, as an ARNP, she can't do the cysto so she needs to have a Dr. do it....So I scheduled for a cysto (in office). I really can't stand this pain and frequency and sub-standard quality of life anymore and at first I was so resistant to the testing, but now I actually want the cysto and then maybe the urodynamics if they offer it, so I can at least know if maybe it is something else that is not IC...I would be probably the happiest person ever if it turned out to be something simple that could be easily treated and resolved. However, I still don't want the hydro. Something about that test really scares me, but I may get it done evenutally, I guess.

Oh...PLEASE tell me what the naturopaths tell you to do. I will tell you everything that the one here in Olympia has me on, and then we can compare...I bet the ones at Bastyr are really really good.

The one here has me on
-Glucosamine Sulfate (brand:Thorne) 500mg 3xday
-Quercitin (I dont know what dose or brand to take, so I am experimenting)
-Buffered Vitamin C (cassava source/brand: Allergy Research Group)
-L-Arginine (called "Perfusia" from Thorne) I haven't taken this yet because I am worried that maybe it will make my cold sores worse...but I will start it soon.

I am also taking (things I have researched independantly)
-Fish Oil
-Aloe juice (George's brand...its distilled with no citric acid)
-Beta Carotene

Anyway...I would LOVE to know if you get the same things and also the dosage of the Quercitin and etc....please post it or PM me. When is your appointment with the ND?

[sydney42]

Massagedoula,
I will absolutely let you know exactly what the ND's say, and thanks for sharing your list with me. I figured I would take in the article that you circulated here on ND approach to IC, and see if/what they agree with, as a starting place. I have two appointments--one on June 1st (that's the Bastyr one), and the second on June 15th--figured I would meet w/two people and see who felt like a better fit. Both say they are familiar with treatment of IC. We'll see! I will post here so others who are interested in the ND approach can see what mine prescribe.
I know what you mean about the cysto/hydro--I also have reservations about them--but they seem to be the only way to get a definitive diagnosis, PLUS I want someone to tell me I don't have bladder cancer PLUS I have heard that some people do get good relief for a few months afterward. I hope yours goes OK and is successful on all those counts.

[Leigha]

When I was attending the Chronic Fatigue clinic at harborview medical center some of the women from Bastyr came to give us acupuncture treatments, and some health advice. They seemed very knowledgeable on all levels. Ive been curious about going to Bastyr or a naturopathy so I cant wait to hear how they work out for you Sydney, if you seem to get a good response maybe I will try to it out and go myself. I wish you the best of luck. :)

About the cystos, I had one done at my first appointment in the office of my uro. It was a piece of mind for me, I liked the fact that he could take a good look at bladder, see my IC and also see if I had any ulcers.

I also had one done in the hospital under sedation which was pretty painful afterward. I didn't get any relief out of it but again I was happy he could look at it, see my IC, take a biopsy and even some photos that I plan on getting a copy of on my next visit.

[redizhere]

I printed out the info for this Dr Kobashi in WA has anyone been to her and if so how is she? I went to Ambre Olsen in Lakewood she is a urogyno..she thinks I have pfd I have extreme uretha burning with my IC she thinks the tight mucules in that area are causing this I am kind of leary and wish she would of scoped me for I have been having uretha inflammation and blood...my last uro scoped me and said my uretha was red and inflammed but made no suggestions as what to do..you have to wait 4 hours to see him even with a appt so I am looking for someone else...Dr Olsen is calling me Monday to set up PT for me for the pfd...but I wanted to have a back up in case this doesn't work....so wanted to know about Dr Kobashi...thanks xoxo Red

[massagedoula]

Hi Red...
It feels like it is only me that answers your questions. Wow...I feel like I have gone to every uro in the area! I went to Dr. ****on the advice of another member of the boards. I wasn't too thrilled about her, but maybe I am looking for something different than you. If you want a scope, however, she is your uro. She saw me for about 5 min. tops, and basically said that it sounded like I have IC but she would not see me unless I did the cysto. She wanted to do it right then and there! I was freaked and resescheduled it...I was to have the cysto and urodynamics done on the same day by her. But then while I was driving home I thought about it, and that I felt like she did not give me much time to talk or to even breathe! I felt rushed and forced and I cancelled the appt. I am now seeing Jean Kalhoff at the UW (since Dr. Olsen told me to go elsewhere!) and am scheduled for a cysto there with Dr. Jane Miller in July. I have also made an appt. with Gea at Dr. Modarelli's office in Tacoma. I hope that the care I get at the UW and then seeing a local uro can work synergistically...that was what I had hoped for with Dr. ****...but there you go, you know my story with her.

But, Dr. **** woud surely give you a cysto. She is also 8 months pregnant so you should get in soon if you want to see her!

[redizhere]

hum I am not sure if I like the rushed part I like a dr that is willing to listen to you and not just scope you first(but then again I would like someone that is willing to scope and look in there and see what the heck is going on but not in the first 5 min lol) I don't want to have to go to U in Seattle I just can't drive there let me know how this Gea is in Tacoma I may be willing to go there I am just hoping and praying the pt helps and I won't have to worry about none of this anymore!!! it seems you get obssessed with it and it is all you can think of doesn't it? I know I feel that way...I hope and pray the pt works if not I have a few backups! I think I would try Gea first at Tacoma. So be sure to let me know how that goes ok and thanks for all the help you give me!! (((HUGS))) xoxo Red

[ICAmy]

Hey guys,
I love these message boards!!! I am sooo glad that my Dr sent me here! How else would so much great info be passed around if it weren't for this website?

Hi massagedoula,
I'm glad to hear you are going to do the cysto. You'll have to let me know how things go for you. Tell me how or if you like her. I went in to see my uro up here in bellingham last week. I wanted him to know that I wasn't sure what to do next and that he wasn't offering me any help. He proceeded to tell me that I should go down to the UW. Strange since that was where I was going to call the next day. Anyway he's going to call her and talk to her about me and then I have to wait for her office to call me to schedule. He did mention she likes to redo tests that you've already had done by someone else. I don't know if that's true or not. I would think the pictures from my cysto and hydro would be enough, but I guess we'll see. In the meanwhile he called me back and told me he'd like me to do some PT up here. He also reminded me that he had already told me quite a few meds I could try and I turned him down 7-8 months ago. I don't like taking meds and would rather go the naturopathic way. I have since realized I am going to be taking meds regardless and I can try all of it at the same time. I guess it took me reading about my different options here before I was ready. I was also worried about doing the hydro, but I was worried because I've never been put out like that before. Since I refused for so long to do the hydro my uro finally said I had to do the cysto in office so he could make sure it wasn't cancer or something terminal. I think that scared me enough to make me do it. Really not t bad as I've told you before. I'm always in pain anyway so what's the difference?

Amy

[massagedoula]

Between all of us, I bet we have seen all the uros in the I-5 Corridor!

I wish all of us could meet up and share our uro stories.

Well, I am going to get that in-office cysto in July with Dr. Jane Miller at the UW. I am very resistant to the hydro. There is something inside me that feels like it is wrong for me. I want to wait until at least the end of the summer before I start to think of that as an option. The idea that they will diagnose me based on the fact that my bladder bleeds when they overstretch it sounds just too much for me to handle right now.

I also have turned down all meds so far (though I decided that I will ask for Elmiron at my cysto appt. if I don't feel better by then) and am going for the "naturopathic approach" plus physical therapy and chiropractic and massage. I am taking a bunch of suppliments and still experimenting. I am also on the diet (which is SO BORING but I just know I need to do it).

I made an appt. with Gea the ARNP at Dr. Modarelli's office today because I really feel the need to have a more local doctor that will be able to work with me when I need them. The UW is great but the appointments are 3 months in advance and so basically 4 times a year...plus it is really far. I am sure that I want to stick with them, but I also feel the need to have a local uro I can turn to. I just hope that Modarelli's office will feel OK with me having 2 uros. I don't see why not!

I am feeling really happy now, I don't know why. I just went out to dinner and was so careful to tell the waitress that I wanted the fish but with no lemon, tomato, or wine sauce. So...I got it and it looked great...COVERED WITH HOT PEPPER! I laughed and ate it anyway. Such is life.
-Emily

[massagedoula]

I don't really feel that my post should have been starred out. I was not saying that I did not like the doctor in question (Kobashi). What I was writing was that I did not feel comfortable with the rushed way the appt. went, but I actually PMed Red to say that I thought she would be a good doctor for her, since she wants to have a cysto, and that the doctor seems like she gives a lot of them on the first visit. I was not saying anything negative about either Dr. Kobashi (who was starred out) OR Dr. Olsen, who I had said many times on other posts and also PMs that I thought was a great person. The problem I was referencing to in the post was that she did not want to keep seeing me because she did not know much about IC. I thought this was a shame, since I liked her so much. That was the reference, not anything negative. I don't feel that anything I said would make a reason for my post to get censored.

[redizhere]

I am confused what does starred out mean? xxox Red

[massagedoula]

See in my last post where the names of the doctors were starred out like this *****
and underneath is says "last edited by ICNDonna"? That means that Donna went back to my post and starred out the names of the doctors so that other readers could not know what they originally said.

[redizhere]

oh why do they do that? not sure I understand why? I am glad for all the info you have helped me with ((((HUGS))) xoox Red

[massagedoula]

I just wanted to let anyone who reads this thread know that I have had very good experiences with the UW Medical Center. I saw Jean Kalhoff ARNP and recently Jane Miller MD. My cystoscopy was painless and they spent lots of time with me to answer my questions and gave me a lot of different things that I can try to see if they work. Furthermore, they were fine with me using natural remedies, and did not push anything on me like other doctors have done in the past.

[purpleviolet]

I've been staying up late reading posts and I just found yours on the UW docs. I live in Seattle and started with Bavendam there in 91. Then she left to go back east and Jane and Elizabeth Miller came. I didn't see any uros for awhile because I just gave up. I did go to both Millers one time each, but it took months for an appt. I usually would see Jeanne K. who I think is great. The last time though she ultrasounded my bladder with a device for 1 sec to see if any remaining urine after peeing and the UW charged about 300 for it which mostly paid for by insurance, but I was shocked. Its about 30 mins for me to drive there. In the meanwhile I see some doctors at Minor and James which is on the south side of town and one told me of a young new URO named Emily Bradly, so I'm trying her since some days she is at M&J which is only 10 mins away from me (other times she is at Northgate), however she does not seem to know anymore then Jeanne K. at the UW. It seems though that I'm always telling them things I know about... I'm mulling over the thought of starting up a support group in Seattle which was discontinued a few years ago. I'd like to meet some other ICers. If anyone reading this is interested then please post replies.

[ICAmy]

Hi,

Thank you for the info regarding the Drs is Seattle! Even though I live in Bellingham I am considering going to Seattle for treatment. It seems there is noone in Bellingham who knows much about IC. I have been treated by my uro and Fam Dr but at this point they don't know what to do with me. So, know I am on my way to Seattle.

I would be interested in info regarding a support group. It would be quite a drive for me. How often would everyone meet? I would only be able to commit to maybe once a month or something along those lines. Keep me posted! It would be great to have a place (face to face) to talk with others with IC.

Thanks,
Amy (ICAmy)

[massagedoula]

I would also like a Seattle support group but again, it is a long drive so once a month sounds great to me. We could make the first meeting a potluck and everyone could bring their favorite IC-friendly foods.

I agree that the UW is so EXPENSIVE$$$$! They charge an unusuallu high fee for the doctor and then also they always charge a hospital fee on top of that. I pay 20% of my bills (insurance pays the other 80%) so it still is extremely expensive. That said, it seems from the many people I have written to that live in western WA, there is a distinct lack of good uros that are knowlegable about IC. I find Jeanne K. to be very open to things I have to say, and also Dr. Jane Miller was wonderful during my cysto which I was so scared at. The nurses there are also very nice too. I went through 5 doctors before I found them. That said, next week I have an appt. with a GP in my area, so I can hopefully usually see them and onlt the UW for the big stuff, because of the cost.

[sydney42]

I too would be interested in a Puget Sound area support group, though once a month (or even less) would probably be all that I'd be able to attend due to too many other commitments. It would be so refreshing to talk with other people who really, really get it about IC. Scary about the UW bills--haven't gotten mine yet from my appt w/Eliz. Miller, and they did that two second ultrasound of the bladder thing! Yikes. Now I know to steel myself for the bill. Anyway, I think a social/support group is a great idea.

[massagedoula]

So there are 3 of us so far....that is a good base for a group there! And plus we all seem to see/have seen similar doctors so it will be very helpful to talk together....

As far as the bill goes I am terrified of seeing how much they will charge for the cystoscopy I just had! Especially because my insurance calls everything under the sun a 'preexisting condition' and I currently have 5 appeals going at once to them about this....

[purpleviolet]

I guess I have to look into the meeting thing - it used to be at Swedish.. and yes once a month at the most and what days? I'm assuming it would be more than 3 of us because there used to be quite a few people but those leaders couldn't do it anymore. Someone from the ICA called me today - every once in a while they do. I think I tried singulair for too short a time and so I'm going to try again - she said that a small study showed good improvement in 3 months.

[massagedoula]

If we just made one day to meet, then we can all get together and talk about what we want from the support group, and plan good days and such, but it will be easier because we will all be in person!