Looking for people aroung Philly area that have IC

[jdsong1]

My mom has IC and I am trying to help her with her pain. She had a hydro done today by her urologist here in PA so hoping she gets some releif soon. She has seen Dr Hanno out of Univ Of Penn but was not thrilled with his personality I have heard of Kathleen Whitemore too but not sure which one is better is there really is a better IC Urologist really.. Dr Hanno told her to stop taking Elmoron as he did not feel it was a very good drug for IC. It helped my mom once but she went off of it and now back on it it does not seem to be helping this time around but she has only been on it for 3 months so she might have to give it more time. Does anyone have any suggestion on these Drs of opinions on better IC Drs in the area...Her urologist here does not know much about instillations and what mixtures to use in them. I would like mom to deal with someone that has more knowledge of IC issues..:rolleyes:

[Netgrrl]

Yes, I have some suggestions for you. There are tons of treatment options out there and it seems many urologists just aren't knowledgable enough. I went to Kristene Whitmore's office yesterday and saw Jennifer Fariello. I was very pleased with my experience and treatment, and I am already feeling better after starting some of the new meds. There are 4 women at this practice and they seem very compassionate and knowledgable. The majority of their practice consists of IC patients, so get your mom in to see someone there. I no longer feel hopeless about my situation after seeing Jennifer.
If you do take your mom to see someone there, let me know how she feels about it...hope she feels better soon.

~ Annette

[KarenAnne]

I live in the Philly area. Feel free to pm. After seeing "Jenn" & Whitmore, I have been given my life back by Dr.Philip Hanno. His treatments are based on sound clinical research. He is one of the leading IC researchers in the country. He took me off the 8 other meds I was prescribed by another dr. & has me on amitriptyline. I have needed NO other meds. Dr. Hanno is very low key, but very thorough & caring.

[jdsong1]

Yes, I have some suggestions for you. There are tons of treatment options out there and it seems many urologists just aren't knowledgable enough. I went to Kristene Whitmore's office yesterday and saw Jennifer Fariello. I was very pleased with my experience and treatment, and I am already feeling better after starting some of the new meds. There are 4 women at this practice and they seem very compassionate and knowledgable. The majority of their practice consists of IC patients, so get your mom in to see someone there. I no longer feel hopeless about my situation after seeing Jennifer.
If you do take your mom to see someone there, let me know how she feels about it...hope she feels better soon.

~ Annette

Hi Annette
I have heard of Kristene Whitmore but mom my went to Dr Hanno at Univ of Penn first and was not too happy with his personality and hate driving 50 minutes or so to see a urologist but he did offer some good direction like trying Elival with her Elmiron which he does not care for but she had Elmiron work for her once before so wanted to start trying it again so now take both drugs. I have heard alot of good things about Whitmore also but not she would go down to see her after seeing hanno. I might bring it up again to her after we see her urologist here tomorrow. Both these Drs seem more up to date with IC treatments

[Goodnightmoon]

So these are the top 2 in the Philly area? Hanno and Whitmore?

Is there anybody in the Wilmington/DE area??

[jdsong1]

The only thing about Hanno my mom did not care for was his personality but I have to say he did recommend Elival but he does not care for Elmiron (not sure why) It helped my mom once but this time around it has not seemed to help yet but she has only been on it 2 months or so so we have to give it more time. I think she saw results from it the first time she tired it. (Yes she went off elmiron a year or so again and was good for a year but now the pain is back. Wondering if she stayed on it longer if this bad flare would not have happened..
I know she does not like to drive to Philly but there are some good Drs there with some good ideas to try for IC.

[ICNDonna]

Dr. Hanno is very well known in the IC world, as is Dr. Whitmore. I'm not sure which I would choose if given a choice. I live in Oregon so neither is a possibility for me.

Donna

[crkshnks79]

So these are the top 2 in the Philly area? Hanno and Whitmore?

Is there anybody in the Wilmington/DE area??

Are you familiar w " Riddle Hospital " ? I saw a UroGyn there named Matthew Fagan . He is very , very nice , compassionate and helpful . He has very good knowledge of IC and PFD . He does do some pain meds , but will not do long term pain management . That being said , if you have mild to moderate IC , He is awesome !

Lauren

PS: I now see Dr. Hanno , because my IC is so beyond moderate , that severel docs no longer knew what to do w me . Dr Hanno , is listed as one of the best , if not the best , when it comes to IC and knowledge . His bedside manner can sometimes seem short , I guess . But I felt like he really listened to me and that he had to tell me some hard truths but that he was compassionate and understanding . He's is kind of like the no BS approach , which after so many yrs of being yanked around , I found it refreshing .But he does not do pain management but he is the guy you go to when everyone else has said " we tried everything " , theres nothing else we can do " He is as Ive heard the top one to see when you are at your wits end . I have heard wonderful things about Dr Whitemoore as well , my cousin went to her and loved her and the women with in the practice , Im not sure if they do pain management ? But it seems like alot of women go there and recieve some quality of their life back w inevasive methods for mild to moderate IC .

[KarenAnne]

I have seen both doctors. I am staying with Dr. Hanno who gave me my life back. He is thorough, patient, compassionate, & has a very competent support staff.

[jdsong1]

Have any of you had instills by Hanno or Whitemore and where do you get the drugs filled? I hear Hanno has a office in Devon area but only there once a month. Where do you get instills filled??