Doctors specializing in autoimmune disorders.

[SkyIsGrey]

I hope it is okay to ask this here. Would anyone here know of a Doctor in the Chicago land area (I am in a Northwest suburb) that is well versed in autoimmune disorders? e.g. Crohn's, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriasis etc..

The reason I am asking this is the one I am seeing now is about as experienced in autoimmune disorders as Dick Cheney is at handling a gun.

I have been looking on the local Hospital sites, but of course there is now way of telling how good the doctor is. I, before anyone here suggests it, have also used "Castle Connolly Top Doctors" site, that is where I found the one mentioned above. I rather have it from word of mouth.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Warpy]

1. You want a rheumatologist

and that's what you should be looking for.

I know of no site that lists them by philosophy and competence.

[MADem]

2. Your advice is sound. nt

[SkyIsGrey]

5. I was not asking....

for a site that would list by philosophy or competence. I was looking for someone here that has actually dealt with a doctor they like. Instead of doing a hit or miss approach, I would say how someone would find a good auto mechanic.

[Peregrine Took]

3. I know of a doctor at University of Chicago that is a top notch specialist with

Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. He only takes advanced cases of each.

[trotsky]

4. Consider a membership to Angie's List.

The long-time customer review site for home improvement and service contractors now has reviews of hospitals, clinics, and doctors. I haven't used that feature yet but I've been on Angie's List for a long time. Takes a lot of the stress out of hiring a contractor.

http://www.angieslist.com

[SkyIsGrey]

6. I belong to Angie's List.

I did not even think to try that. :banghead:

Thanks.

[trotsky]

7. Don't feel bad, it's a new feature.

Hard to make the association that this place you always go to check for home stuff now also has healthcare stuff.

[cpompilo]

8. I hope you find a good doctor.

I have advanced Crohn's Disease and went to 2 "specialists" for Crohn's. Neither doctor could tell me what I could eat that wouldn't cause me pain or horrendous diarrhea. Neither doctor mentioned that Crohn's and other IBD patients are almost always B12 deficient. Neither doctor warned me about dehydration or were willing to set me up for weekly IV (water is absorbed mainly in the colon, the main location of my disease). I did the standard medical treatment for 3 years (steroids, 16 pills of Pentasa/day - an anti-inflammatory). The standard medical treatment did not work for me. After 2 hospitalizations and near death I found the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. see www.BreakingTheViciousCycle.info The diet saved my life. Neither doctor had ever heard of it. My point is, educate yourself about your disease(s) and advocate for yourself to your doctor. I find it amazing that the 2 "specialists" I went to for "treatment" knew nothing about diet or nutrition. They were only interested in prescribing drugs. I hope you find a good doctor!