Gyoncological Endocrinologist Anyone? (Manassas, Fairfax, Haymarket: gynecologist, insurance, how much)

[imisscarlsbadcalifornia]

Can anyone recommend a gynocological endocrinologist in the greater DC area (I live in Haymarket but am willing to travel) who specializes in perimenopausal and menopausal women relative to hormonal irregularities? I went to one doctor locally (an OB/GYN) who was unwilling to explain my diagnosis and options and seemed to run among seven or eight exam rooms. She didn't even realize which patient I was when she came to the exam room and began talking about a condition that was different from my diagnosis. When I stopped her and told her who I was and what the diagnosis had been she pulled me up on her laptop and redirected what she was saying, but she contradicted what she told me on the phone prior to coming in for the follow up. The experience left me with zero confidence in the doctor.

I have excellent insurance (PPO) so can go to any doctor of my choosing. Being new to the area I just chose one who looked good on paper; it was a mistake. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

[blossom4792]

I had a horrible visit very similar to yours, but I'm now in a different state (it was in this new state). I would recommend checking either Washingtonian.com "Top Doctors" article (free if you have a subscription of $4.95 for the article); or Consumer Checkbook, if they have a relevant article. I just tried to check Washingtonian for you (they really truly have great recommendations) but I can't justify the $4.95 lol ... Or maybe someone here will know of a good doctor and you'll be all set. I did like my ob/gyn (who now does only gyn): Gloria Grover who I think is in Haymarket. She is extremely sharp and would never make such mistakes, but again, not necessarily an endocrinologist ...

[Yankeesfan]

Dr. Suzanne Rogacz in Fairfax is an excellent endocrinologist who helped get one of my friends through a high-risk pregnancy, so a consultation with her might be helpful.

[imisscarlsbadcalifornia]

Thank you Blossom4792 and Yankeesfan. I appreciate your input and will investigate further next week.

As an aside, would you believe that my doctor was one among Washingtonian's top doctors? She looked great on paper but I had three miserable experiences with her. Anyone can have a bad day, but in my case there were three so I very much appreciate your help!

[blossom4792]

Wow, isn't that interesting. I think the Washingtonian methodology (selection by other doctors, I guess) could allow for someone highly qualified who has a very poor interaction with patients. The doctors I found through the Washingtonian tended to be the best of both worlds, but nothing surprises me - I've found such a huge range among doctors - huge, huge, huge, especially when the issues are complex.

[imisscarlsbadcalifornia]

Originally Posted by blossom4792

Wow, isn't that interesting. I think the Washingtonian methodology (selection by other doctors, I guess) could allow for someone highly qualified who has a very poor interaction with patients. The doctors I found through the Washingtonian tended to be the best of both worlds, but nothing surprises me - I've found such a huge range among doctors - huge, huge, huge, especially when the issues are complex.

I was surprised too. She looked good on paper and she may very well be technically excellent. She left a lot to be desired however in her willingness/ability to address questions. For example, when she told me my progesterone was low I asked her what number or range of numbers is considered to be normal and then what my number was. Her answer: I told you that your progesterone is low and this prescription will help you with that. I was floored. As I sought to ask further questions she would interrupt, wave her hand back and forth and shake her head no, and say something that was completely unrelated to what I was trying to ask. I felt kind of crazy when I left because I have never had that kind of experience. Maybe she was on the W list because of her academic credentials or number of published articles. I just know that I am not a good fit for her practice and am grateful to have some input from others who have had better experiences than this one.

Thanks again for your help!

[arabellava]

Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience- I agree- not all top doctors are top in dealing with patients (I had a few doozies- and I do look for theses lists if I can't get a reference- for some specialties- it's a starting point).

Checkbook as mentioned before is a good point - your local library should have a copy of washingtonian best drs AND checkbook- you can make copies as needed- no need to buy or subscribe. Checkbook is based on other dr's ratings (and you see the number who would as they say "recommend this doctor to their own family")..
I hope you find a good doctor soon!

[blossom4792]

Originally Posted by imisscarlsbadcalifornia

I was surprised too. She looked good on paper and she may very well be technically excellent. She left a lot to be desired however in her willingness/ability to address questions. For example, when she told me my progesterone was low I asked her what number or range of numbers is considered to be normal and then what my number was. Her answer: I told you that your progesterone is low and this prescription will help you with that. I was floored. As I sought to ask further questions she would interrupt, wave her hand back and forth and shake her head no, and say something that was completely unrelated to what I was trying to ask. I felt kind of crazy when I left because I have never had that kind of experience. Maybe she was on the W list because of her academic credentials or number of published articles. I just know that I am not a good fit for her practice and am grateful to have some input from others who have had better experiences than this one.

Thanks again for your help!

Sort of as an aside, last spring I went to a gynecologist as a follow up to issues of blood clotting and migraine. I went to considerable trouble to get my medical records from Virginia (Grover et al.) which referenced pregnancy complications related to blood clotting, etc. This doctor was running late - ran in, first thing *handed me back my medical records* - said I should keep them, she didn't need them, didn't have time to read them. I asked if hormones would help my migraines (I had told her of the clotting history) - she said "it depends on how much risk you are willing to take". I said "what are the risks?" It sort of went downhill from there. Her transcription to my general practitioner said "the patient was advised of the risks of taking hormones". It was a nightmare - I left feeling so crummy, relieved only by writing really bad reviews of her whenever I can.

[KathyR]

I live close to Haymarket and can recommend Dr Louie-Ng in Lake Manassas, an oby/gyn. I recently had Novasure ablation surgery and was very pleased with his work. He was recommended to me by several nicu nurses from Prince William Hospital. I used to go to Gloria Grover's practice, liked her, but then had a bad experience with another doc and staff members there after she left the practice.

[imisscarlsbadcalifornia]

Originally Posted by blossom4792

Sort of as an aside, last spring I went to a gynecologist as a follow up to issues of blood clotting and migraine. I went to considerable trouble to get my medical records from Virginia (Grover et al.) which referenced pregnancy complications related to blood clotting, etc. This doctor was running late - ran in, first thing *handed me back my medical records* - said I should keep them, she didn't need them, didn't have time to read them. I asked if hormones would help my migraines (I had told her of the clotting history) - she said "it depends on how much risk you are willing to take". I said "what are the risks?" It sort of went downhill from there. Her transcription to my general practitioner said "the patient was advised of the risks of taking hormones". It was a nightmare - I left feeling so crummy, relieved only by writing really bad reviews of her whenever I can.

I can completely relate. It must be challenging to be a good doctor, a patient-centric doctor in our health care system given that the profit is based on illness rather than wellness and on volume rather than quality, and yet like you, I can't help resenting the dismissive, aloof treatment from these people. I'm glad you take the time to write reviews that are commensurate with your experience; people like me shopping for a new provider of these services are really going in blind and it helps to have others share their experience, positive or negative. Sometimes I wish these docs could have their patient interactions filmed and then replayed to them in front of their peers for a "what could we have done differently here" kind of session!

A friend of mine in LA has been struggling with hormonal issues for the past five years and finally found someone who can help her. She goes to a compounding pharmacy for her tinctures that she applies to her forearms at various points in her cycle and says that she feels like a completely new person. He's an endocrinologist with a specialty in women's reproductive health. She just read Suzanne Sommers' book "Ageless" and said it was a wealth of information that in large part mirrors the research that this Dr. Hortof in LA has conducted over the years. I'm running out to buy it TODAY.

Thanks again for your help/input/candor.