Well, I called the
Portland Diabetes & Endocrinology Center and made an appointment. There's nothing on their website that says anything about Cushing's (Unlike on the OHSU page) but, at least it's a start. Maybe they'll at least have better access to information than my GP.
You're really close to two amazing docs if you're in Oregon. Dr. Ludlam (formerly of OHSU) is in Seattle, and Dr. Friedman is in LA. So if you're having trouble getting diagnosed, go see one of them.
ReplyDeleteAnd come visit us at the Cushing's Help boards: http://cushings.invisionzone.com/index.php
Sorry I didn't respond sooner, I didn't see this comment.
ReplyDeleteI checked out the boards, but haven't been too active on there. I read about Dr Ludlam. I'll definitely consider it. Right now, I am just trying to do as much as I can within my insurance realm. Money is tight, and I can't imagine my insurance would cover me going to a specialist is another city.
Check your insurance closely. I know a lot of people find that Dr. Ludlam is covered by their plan, and all they pay is travel and lodging.
ReplyDeleteIn the alternative, Dr. Friedman does not take insurance, but your testing will likely be covered by your insurance (PPO usually does, and for people with HMOs he will usually work with your GP/PCP to have them order the tests so the HMO covers them). For a reference, my total out of pocket to see Dr. Friedman this year, including travel, was probably about $1000. And, it took less than 6 months from my first appointment to get diagnosed.
I hope that you find help at Portland Diabetes and Endocrinology Center, but I must tell you a friend of mine had no luck there. So I'm not optimistic. Sorry. :-(
Have a merry Christmas, and maybe 2011 will bring good progress for you on solving the Cushing's conundrum.