Graves Disease (Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Alcoa: health insurance, university, salary)

[brendaj]

Does anyone know of a support group in Knoxville for people with Graves Disease. Also, does anyone know of a really really good endocronologist?

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by brendaj

Does anyone know of a support group in Knoxville for people with Graves Disease. Also, does anyone know of a really really good endocronologist?

Dr Casey Page is a good one and really the entire group is good. Their office would know of a support group. Here is their contact info: UT Medical Center - Find a Doctor

[knoxgarden]

I saw Dr. Moffit who is also with the Endocrinology Consultants of East Tennessee and was extremely pleased with him. The office is very good and well-equipped.

[NikShewmaker]

Hi,

Just thought Id let you know that Dr. Prince is AMAZING! Very attentive and supportive and has made a huge difference in my thyroid disease. Hes an Angel... 865-522-5101 His office #
GodSpeed,

Nik Shewmaker

[gemkeeper]

Originally Posted by brendaj

Does anyone know of a support group in Knoxville for people with Graves Disease. Also, does anyone know of a really really good endocronologist?

Brendaj, I have used every search engine known to man for a Graves disease support group in the Knoxville area to no avail. However, having an arsenal of well-recommended endocrinologists, as you now do, they will have all of the information that you will need to find a group nearby.

I have been in this situation before, myself, and it seems that the good specialty doctors' offices care very much about their patients being knowledgeable about their disease and finding the support that they may require for peace of mind and reassurance.

If I were making a new patient appointment with one of the recommended doctors, I would ask at the time of that initial contact phone call about support groups. Many times a call to the local hospital will provide you with all of the available support groups, as well. UT maintains a website for thyroid cancer support groups, but Graves disease and Hashimoto's disease (the 2 thyroid autoimmune diseases) are not listed. You may want to give them a call for a referral number for other support groups:
The University of Tennessee Medical Center | 1924 Alcoa Highway Knoxville, Tennessee 37920-6969 | Telephone: 1.865.305.9000.

Best wishes on your search for a new doctor. Please let us know how you made out; there are others who would probably, also, appreciate the information. You will find lots of support for many of your needs right here on City-Data.

[allliesmom]

Dr. Elaine Bunick, Oak Ridge TN. Brilliant and thorough! She diagnosed Hashimoto's in one visit and showed / went over all previous my lab results with me including ones that were drawn and sent 3 weeks prior by my internal med dr. which clearly revealed that I had Hashimoto's a year ago- my internal med dr. kept telling me my tsh levels were fine- and kept me on the same dose of levothyroxine since intial diagnosis of hypothyroidism in 07. In my former drug rep days, I called on endocrinologists, but Dr. Bunick wasn't in my territory. Casey Page is a really good doctor and a very nice person, but honestly, Dr. Bunick truly is a genius, and she has a great bedside manner and a wonderful sense of humor. She listens and she teaches- I am so glad I trusted my instincts and went to her, and I am confident that she will get me back to optimum health soon! Ultrasound tomorrow on my thyroid- then back to her in a week- I will post again after follow up visit. Her office # is 865-483-5639. Oh and very nice staff as well!

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by allliesmom

Dr. Elaine Bunick, Oak Ridge TN. Brilliant and thorough! She diagnosed Hashimoto's in one visit and showed / went over all previous my lab results with me including ones that were drawn and sent 3 weeks prior by my internal med dr. which clearly revealed that I had Hashimoto's a year ago- my internal med dr. kept telling me my tsh levels were fine- and kept me on the same dose of levothyroxine since intial diagnosis of hypothyroidism in 07. In my former drug rep days, I called on endocrinologists, but Dr. Bunick wasn't in my territory. Casey Page is a really good doctor and a very nice person, but honestly, Dr. Bunick truly is a genius, and she has a great bedside manner and a wonderful sense of humor. She listens and she teaches- I am so glad I trusted my instincts and went to her, and I am confident that she will get me back to optimum health soon! Ultrasound tomorrow on my thyroid- then back to her in a week- I will post again after follow up visit. Her office # is 865-483-5639. Oh and very nice staff as well!

I might check her out. I've been battling severe edema and thyroid issues for a year.

[allliesmom]

hiknapster, Please do give her a call, the ultrasound tech who performed the ultrasound on my thyroid today at St. Mary's North said she has heard nothing but great things about Dr. Bunick and is actually planning on sending her mother to her.

She should have the results of my ultrasound and my labs in a few days and I will post her next step in my treatment. As I mentioned before, I used to call on doctors as a pharmaceutical rep and while that by no means gives me carte blanche to evaluate docs, it does provide a bit of an insiders point of view. I did learn for certain, if you have a very specific issue, and are not getting the tests /treatment you need at the gp level, and most often you won't, then by all means go to a specialist- they are the experts and are very specific and well trained in their specialty and endocrinoligsts are so very intelligent and diagnostic- they will get to the bottom of it and get the show on the road. Good luck to you and I will keep you posted.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by allliesmom

hiknapster, Please do give her a call, the ultrasound tech who performed the ultrasound on my thyroid today at St. Mary's North said she has heard nothing but great things about Dr. Bunick and is actually planning on sending her mother to her.

She should have the results of my ultrasound and my labs in a few days and I will post her next step in my treatment. As I mentioned before, I used to call on doctors as a pharmaceutical rep and while that by no means gives me carte blanche to evaluate docs, it does provide a bit of an insiders point of view. I did learn for certain, if you have a very specific issue, and are not getting the tests /treatment you need at the gp level, and most often you won't, then by all means go to a specialist- they are the experts and are very specific and well trained in their specialty and endocrinoligsts are so very intelligent and diagnostic- they will get to the bottom of it and get the show on the road. Good luck to you and I will keep you posted.

I'm already up to 125 mg of levothyroxine and I've only been taking it since February! i'm starting to feel tired and cold again, and the severe edema is back. Sheesh. Too bad I don't have health insurance anymore!

[allliesmom]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

I'm already up to 125 mg of levothyroxine and I've only been taking it since February! i'm starting to feel tired and cold again, and the severe edema is back. Sheesh. Too bad I don't have health insurance anymore!

I am so sorry you feel so bad- I have been on 50 of levothyroxine since initial diagnosis but Dr.Bunick titrated to 75 untill I get results of labs and ultrasound. I have been there with the no insurance. In the past few years, I have gone from a drug rep salary and benefits to a spec ed teacher salary. Thankfully I have benefits and am grateful for a job, but can't do this job forever- I love the kids I work with (mainly children with autism) but the stress is exacerbating the Hashimotos/thyroid disease. I feel ok, but just exhausted all the time and can't lose weight, which is causing lots of depression- I am still not giving up or in!

Have you contacted Dr. Kim? He has a clinic and sees/treats patients without insurance.

I hope you are able to get some help soon.

Didn't hear anything today from ultrasound but hope to next week.