Florida Rheumatologist?

[mbr22m]

Hi all,  I'm new to the forum so hopefully I'm posting in the right place  I was recently diagnosed with Sjogrens  (positive SSB, negative SSA and ANA). I had my first appointment with my rheumatologist on Friday and let's just say it was probably one of the worst experiences I've ever had with a doctor. I cannot believe how unprofessional, rude and uncaring this woman was.  My question is,  can anyone recommend a  good rheumatologist in Florida? I live in southeast Florida  (Indian River County) but would definitely be willing to travel further.
Thanks in advance   

[Deb 27]

mbrr, why don't you try the Cleveland Clinic down there?    There's always Mayo up in Jacksonville. I've been there and they are all pretty good. It's a long drive for you though..... You live near a fairly populated area , there's bound to be a decent rheumy not too far away. Sorry you had a bad experience. It's unfortunate but it happens to almost all of us at one time or another.  Don't give up.

[SjoDry]

Mbr22m,

Welcome to the group. My Mom has a wonderful Rheumy in the Clearwater area. I actually saw him when I spent a number of weeks there. I am not sure what your distance is, but he is a nice Doctor. He spends a long time with his patients. Of course this can make for a long wait to see him..

If you are interested, please let me know, and I will get an address & phone number for you. I am so sorry to hear about your experience with the first Rheumy. This is a common story & it can sometimes take awhile to find a good doc.

Take care.
SjoDry

[ohiolady]

My daughter saw Dr Sutter at Cleveland Cinic in West Palm Beach.  She was very thorough as most Clinic doctors are.  It is sad when we put our hope in our doctor helping us and come away feeling discouraged.

Hope you find someone you feel comfortable with.

Anna

[SunshineDaydream]

I do not recommend Norman Gaylis in Aventura.

[Debi]

Hi all,  I'm new to the forum so hopefully I'm posting in the right place  I was recently diagnosed with Sjogrens  (positive SSB, negative SSA and ANA). I had my first appointment with my rheumatologist on Friday and let's just say it was probably one of the worst experiences I've ever had with a doctor. I cannot believe how unprofessional, rude and uncaring this woman was.  My question is,  can anyone recommend a  good rheumatologist in Florida? I live in southeast Florida  (Indian River County) but would definitely be willing to travel further.
Thanks in advance   
[/quote

I am new as well & have seen 4 different Rheumatologists on the SW coast of Florida. If anyone has any recommendations, I would be grateful.  This is SO hard if you don't live in a cosmopolitan area.

[Synnove]

There is a marvelous rheumatologist that is an assistant professor at University of Miami, Miller School of medicine.  Her office is in Deerfield Beach, at the Sylvester Center, there is a rheumatology department there at the center.  Her name is Dr. Christine Savage.
She is very capable, she is thorough, has the patience out of this world, she listen to her patients, and she never gives up.  As it is with autoimmune disorders, it sometimes takes many trials to come to diagnosis.  This doctor is very clinically smart.

You should look her up.  And she really is not that far from where you live.  Just go down  I95 to Sawgrass Expressway, take first left, then left again.  The Sylvester Center is right there. 
I have seen her for 4 years.  She has diagnosed me with Rheumatoid arthritis , vasculitis and sjogrens. I was recommended and sent to her by my dermatologist in Boca Raton due to rheumatology issues.  He said:" I will send you to a doctor who will take all the time in the world with you.  She is super"   
The University of Miami Health System has worked for me.  I also have my neurologist there.   
I hope you will get your doctor soon and that you like the rheumatologist you choose.
Please let me know if you go there.

Synnove.

[mbr22m]

Hi all,
Thank you so much for all your replies. This is great.  I haven't logged in in awhile and just saw these now.  Not sure why it didn't notify me. 
I'm going to check out Dr Savage since that is about 1.5 hours from me (I also have family there). Thank you Synnove for the suggestion. I will keep you posted.
On a separate note, I've been reading up on ANA testing.  How is it possible to have a negative ANA IFA test,  but a positive  SSB test??  Both were ran at same time. I'm so confused by this. ..
Thank you all again for your help.  This is a great site.

[Navigator]

I live in Stuart. I too would recommend Dr Kari Sutter in West Palm Beach but that is probably too far for you to travel.  She is younger than I am, very thorough and you have the Cleveland Clinic behind you.