Which Doc in Northern California should i see?

[Tura]

I need to see a new Urologist. I'm in San Francisco. Do any of you recommend
Marshall Stoller, MD, Univ. of Calif. San Francisco Medical Center or Dr. Christopher Payne, Stanford University? I can see either.
thanks

[kadi]

Why not see both & see which you prefer to work with? I've heard really good things about Dr. Stoller. Dr Payne is excellent, I've seen him & his nurses are great too. I think you could get very good care from either doctor...

[ICNDonna]

I have heard good things about both. I was fortunate in meeting Dr. Payne briefly at an ICA convention and was very impressed. I think you would be in good hands with either one of the two.

Donna

[SFGirl]

Hi! I am new. I plan on introducing myself in a better post soon. For now, I just want to know...any thoughts about Dr. Alexandra Haessler or Dr. Jerome Weiss in San Francisco? I noticed that Dr. Alexandra Haessler was not on the IC list, but that was the doctor I was referred to by my gyno who said she was "the best" and she was booked until December! Looking at Dr. Weiss's website, I am confused as to whether he is an IC doctor or more of a PFD doctor. I am so new to this...it is confusing. Thank you!

[SFGirl]

Oops, I just saw the "search" function and found a lot of info on Dr. Weiss. He sounds like a great doctor. I haven't been officially diagnosed yet, no IC diagnostic tests have been done. My gyno just strongly suspects it and referred me to Dr. Haessler, but the wait is so long and I don't want to wait that long to be diagnosed. I'm thinking of seeing Dr. Weiss for a diagnosis?

[Tura]

He sounds like he specializes in pelvic floor dysfunction but he also treats patients with IC. I'm in SF and cant decide between another at UCSF i was told was good,( Dr Marshall Stoller) and Dr. Christopher Payne at Stanford University, who im told is also good. Let me know who you decide to see.
Nice to know there are others in San Francisco with IC though i hate this disease and feel for anyone who has it its nice to have local support.
Gigi

[Tura]

I think i may just see Dr Payne for now. Dr Stoller specializes in those tens units and i don't want to try that. I'm gonna see if i can see Dr Weiss as well cause i am sure i have PFD problems as well.

[SFGirl]

How do you know you have PFD problems? THanks!

[Tura]

Actually i dont know if i have it but im wondering if everyone who has had IC for awhile gets it.

[SFGirl]

Hi Tura, did you end up getting an appt with Dr. Payne and Dr. Weiss?

I have an appt with Dr. Weiss at the end of September and my PCP just faxed a referral for me to see Dr. Payne, I'm not sure if he's taking new patients tho...we'll see if I get an appt or not.

[Tura]

Hi SFGirl,
Yes i sent my interstitial cystitis records to Dr Payne and then his receptionist made me an appointment with him for middle of next month. I didn't make one with Dr Weiss because when i called to make one and I mentioned he is a IC specialist they said no he isnt. That puzzled me so i didnt bother making one. When do you have one with him? Let me know how it goes.
Thanks Gigi

[SFGirl]

My appt with Dr. Weiss is on Sept 27. I asked if Dr. Weiss sees IC patients, and they told me he does. Maybe what the receptionist meant is that he sees IC patients, but he isn't an IC specialist and instead is a PFD specialist? I have no idea. I will keep you posted to see what happens.

I have no IC files to fax to Dr. Payne, my PCP jsut sent a regular referral...so I dont know. How long did it take for them to call you to schedule an appt?

[ABliske]

Just wanted to say I've had ic for 6 years, been diagnosed for 5. I thought I'd have PFD but I don't! I went to physical therapy and my muscle tention was tested and is normal. However, sometimes I think I might have a little bit of it. Good luck because I have enough to deal with, with the IC pain. Good luck to you!!!!!!!

[MamaZ]

I had a cystoscopy/hydrodistension with Dr. Payne a decade ago. I was living in the Bay Area at the time and had been dealing with chronic pelvic/vaginal pain for years by then. I had seen some of the bigwig doctors in my hometown who refused to treat me for IC because I did not fit the criteria according to the diagnostics.
Same went for my cysto and hydrodistension with Dr. Payne. No visible signs of glomerulations or ulcers in my bladder, etc. etc. So he sent me home telling me it WAS NOT IC.
I'm sure you can imagine how incredibly frustrating it was to know that I fit all the symptomatic criteria yet doctors refused to treat me -- including doctors who were heavily involved in the most current research of the time.

In any case, my 2 cents is that if it's at all possible, go with a doctor who treats chronic pelvic pain but perhaps not one who has their hands in a bunch of trials or studies. They tend to look through a very narrow lens and have less warmth and empathy when it comes to treating patients.

It sounds like a generalization and it is. But that's been my experience with this disease and seeing many doctors on both sides of the country.

[Tura]

Interesting Dr Payne told me that glomerations arnt necessarily indications of IC and people without IC can have these.
Im having another hydro since i had one from my previous doc years ago by Dr Payne monday then if he feels necessary another cystoscopy. Who all did you see in the Bay Area? Im in San Francisco btw. Tura

[Tura]

BTW i suffer more from urgency frequency bad than pain.