Dr. Parsons

[IcyAngel23]

I'm flying from Chicago,IL to San Diego, CA to see dr. parsons. I'm not sure what to expect from the visit so has anyone been treated by D. Lowell Parsons as UCSD? Let me know.

[vm]

No, but lucky you getting to see him! :) Let us know how it goes, OK?

[Sarojini]

I talked to him on the phone at one point; he's a pretty nice guy. He actually offered me a job in his laboratory when I was job hunting, but we decided San Diego was too far to move and too expensive to live in.

He believes strongly in heparin/lidocaine/bicarb instills done via self-cath three times a day in conjunction with oral Elmiron. He does not believe in narcotic pain therapy.

That's about all I know about him -- but he is nice and knowledgeable.

Hope you have good luck with him!! :grouphug:

[curlycue]

I went to see him back in 07/05 he was great and his Nurse Marianne was great as well. Good Luck, what Hotel are you staying at? I was at Days Inn. I dont know how many days you are staying for but there is alot of places to see and things to do.

[IcyAngel23]

It is weird that Parsons is known for elmiron because I get dealthly ill when I take it( even instillations) My dr. here in chicago has had me on the lidocaine and hep instills and they haven't helped either. Dr. Parsons reveiwed my history and he thinks he can help. So i hope he has something other than what he is known for up his sleeve. I hear he is the man to see if you are at your last road. I've tried botox,interstim and god only remembers the rest. I"m 23 and I can't do anything. I'm almost confined to my room for most of the day due to pain. I want to drugs because they help but i know they aren't the answer. My brother is a US Marine and he is in San
Diego so I will get to see him while i'm there. My appointment is Sept 12 which is my bros 21st birthday so we will be staying close to the base (30 miles outside San diego) We were going to stay at the days inn but we wanted to be close to him. Marianne sounds very sweet and in the IC world you need a sweet nurse to deal with all your crap. I feel very lucky to be able to go and see Parsons. My parents are very supportive and pretty much support my disease.

Curlycue- i was told the appointment lasts 2.5 hours. What is going on during that time? Did he find a treatment that helped you? I just don't want the same treatments repeated or invasive tests performed. is he your dr now? will he continue to monitor you? It must seem like 20 questions but I excited and nervous at the same time. I read up on him and he is the best. Thanks again

Kristin

[curlycue]

Hi Kristin,
I am sorry it has taken so long for me to respond, I have a nice that had a Quincenera thats a sweet 16 party, it was alot of work its like having a Wedding, the parents told me that they had spend over 15,000.00 is that Crazy or what? I am getting ready to have one for my daughter next year and I am going to try to cut the cost down to 6,000.00 wish me good luck.

The day I had my appointment it only took about 1 hour He came in looked at my records and said ok this is what I can offer you. He told me about the cocktail he has been using, wich is Heparin,Lidocaine, Soidum Barb, 3 times a week. I stared back in June and it has been working out for me, I am keeping me fingers crossed. The Nurse is nice and every body there seems to be helpfull. The only thing I did not like is I had to call them back for some info on my meds and it took them over 4 days to get back to me? who knows what was going on? I was nervous as well but there is nothing to be nervous or afraid. Good Luck. There is great shopping around there as well, and lots of things to do and history.

[IcyAngel23]

Thanks for the reassuring post. Having the cocktail three times a week do you do it yourself or go into your local uro's office? I'm afraid to do it myself. I don't want to have scarring later on from excessive use. Do you get the meds from the pharmacy or the dr? I know hep. is hard to come by because it is a controled substance. So I've been told. I just want to get back to my life, I've had to put on hold for so long. I love San diego and looking forward to going.
Was your niece's sweet 16 party nice? That is alot of money to spend but you only turn 16 once. I never really had a party for my sweet 16 so enjoy your daughters when the time comes.
Good luck with the plannning and if you start buying stuff now it won't seem like so much money at one time. That's how my mom bought all my stuff for college. I had everything even though my mom didn't have alot of money. Thanks for responding

Kristin

[curlycue]

Hey Kristin,
I dont remember if I ever responded back to you regarding your question.I do the instills here at home know witch is alot easier than going all the way to dr parsons.

[IcyAngel23]

Thanks. take care

[curlycue]

Hey Kristin,
how was your dr app with Parsons? I have not heard anything I hope it was good.