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Looking for Dr. Near Chicago

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/4/2015 5:27 AM (GMT -7)
Does anyone have a good Dr. near or in Chicago? I prefer the south suburbs but any advice will help. Want someone who also believes in helping with diet and doesn't dis probiotics and vitamins, etc.
Thanks!
Posted 1/4/2015 9:17 AM (GMT -7)
Some of the best in the country are at U of Chicago - IBD specialists. We love Dr David Rubin. Northwestern is also building a strong team under the direction of Dr Hanauer. If you are a complicated case, get to a center of excellence, they have state of the art testing, and up to date info. You wouldn't believe the lack of data some GI's practice with. U of Chgo also has a good team of Nutritional IBD dietitians. They are not pure naturalists though,but they study many alternatives scientifically.
Posted 1/4/2015 2:48 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks. I actually go to Dr. Hanauer. I like him and have confidence that he will give good advice...He is very nice too...however he doesn't share my feelings about vitamins and probiotics, thinks they are a waste of money and he also gave me some confusing advice about diet while in a flare (said it was fine to eat fresh fruits and veggies when I feel like that is what triggered my flare)....anyhow, I will probably stick with him and try to see a dietitian to help with those concerns I have. So, I guess now I will look for a nutritionist or dietitian. The other thing that kind of bothered me is that last time I saw Dr. Hanauer, he said to follow up in three months with his physician assistant...or someone like that so I am not sure if he is trying to give me to her...if I am going all the way to Chicago, I want to see him. I will see her this next time but in the future will ask for him.....Thanks for the advice...every time I ask anyone, Dr. Hanauer is the one they suggest. So, I guess that confirms I should stay with him.
Posted 1/4/2015 2:58 PM (GMT -7)
I have Dr. ALI KESHAVARZIAN at Rush University. He is head of the gasroenterolory department and has a Ph.D. in pharmacology. What I like about him is he works with you through email if you have any questions or concerns. He considers his job a failure if you ever wind up in the hospital and that's why he's so eager to help by email. I emailed him once over something urgent at 11:30 p.m and he emailed me back at midnight. He cc's his assistants and they fill scripts very fast. I am not a complicated case, but I did flare last year, moderately. He helped me ride it out by just giving advice, again by email. I found him by searching this forum on the key words Chicago gastroenterologist and his name came up frequently. He takes about three months to get an appointment, but will so you almost immediately if you need it. He also believes in diet and would recommend gluten free (I am) if he didn't think it put a cost burden on patients (it doesn't) He is also head of an NIH funded study on stress and UC. A very compassionate, warm person. They call him Dr. Kesh
Posted 1/4/2015 3:04 PM (GMT -7)
Wow, Thanks Journey! I will have to save this name...He sounds great....sometimes I feel crazy trying to find the right Dr. I feel like I am bouncing around. I tried to go local this past summer and it was a mistake so I went back to Hanauer...It is such a big decision and I will have to look into this more. Thanks!
Posted 1/4/2015 3:44 PM (GMT -7)
When I told Dr. Kesh that I felt probiotics were doing nothing except separating me from my wallet, he recommended whole milk yogurt. The look on his face when I asked if I needed pred for a recent flare was one of horror. I did ride it out it out in two weeks and he saw me immediately at the beginning when I was in a lot of pain. Also, he is a prof and it is a teaching hospital, so you first see a resident than him.
Posted 1/4/2015 11:34 PM (GMT -7)
I saw Dr Rubin about 10 years ago and he was the doc who put me on Align so he is (was?) pro-probiotics.

Nice guy, too. Just too far south for me.

My GI at Skokie Hospital, Bennett Plotnick, is fantastic. He is 100% on-board with me taking curcumin as my maintenance drug and is very interested in hearing about my experiences with resistant starch, grape seed extract, etc. He always returns my calls quickly. Works with me on prednisone doses and tapering schedules rather than dictating them to me. Great guy.

He's probably too far away for you but posting his info in case someone else checks this thread.
Posted 1/5/2015 4:32 AM (GMT -7)
Thank you. Actually Skokie is probably just about an hour from me and Chicago is too...but Chicago is more of a hassle to go to. I will look him up. Thanks kiptyn.
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