Question regarding health care (San Antonio, Center: home, live, moving to)

[firstclassflyer]

All,

I mess with you guys a lot but now I have a serious no joke question.

We moved here several months ago and I have been traveling on business constantly. I now have a few weeks at home and I need to find a new doctor (already have one for my wife and son). I am a diabetic (Type 2) and am asking you guys if you know of a doctor that is very familiar with this.
Our family health care is Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Any help would be appreciated. We live near Sea World,but I'm not opposed to driving a little (med Center, Stone Oak etc).

[The Man in SATX]

try this.. Did this by googling...

Endocrinology in San Antonio, TX

[ShaneSA]

I'd pick Scwartz and Kipness with Diabetes and Glandular Diease. They have a clinic at Medical Drive near Babcock, near Santa Rosa Northwest Hospital.
They are constantly doing research and have the latest information on new treatments, old stand by treatments, and what's best for you. They do alot of research themselves.
I'm not Diabetic, I am a nurse and have seen thier patient's, if they are compliant with treatment, remain stable and have few complications.

[Paka]

I think that you should not have too much difficulty in finding good provider in SA to treat DM II....unfortunately it is a HUGE issue with the Mexican American community.

Interestingly enough, we found that true with Hawaiians as well. As a nurse I studied up on it to provide Diabetic Teaching to my patients when I practiced in Hawaii and found that statistacally the 3 most common ethnic groups are Hispanics, Hawaiians and Blacks.

I can not help by believe that whoever discovers that missing link answering why such high incident in DM within any certain ethnic group is sure to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

It is also believed that Medical research is on the cusp of being able to cure diabetes. What a wonderful day that will be!!!

[CelesteDF]

Originally Posted by Paka

It is also believed that Medical research is on the cusp of being able to cure diabetes. What a wonderful day that will be!!!

Are you referring to type I or type II when talking about a cure? My understanding was that type II is reversible through diet, exercise & medication but is not curable because it isn't technically a disease. Rather, it's a metabolic side effect of a lifetime of consuming refined carbohydrates, added sugars, and avoiding physical exercise. If there is indeed some cure for type II in the offing, can you point me to a source of info? Type II is prevalent in my family and I'd like to be able to share the info. Thanks.

[The Man in SATX]

Not sure how you would be able to cure type I. That would be the shut down of your pancreas and it no longer produces the insulin to your body. Hence the shots to cover up for the lack of your pancreas. They now have the pump to replace the effects of having to take shots all of the time.. but a cure.. not sure I have heard of that.. that would be nice.

Type 2 on the other hand is reversible with the right diet and stuff.

[Paka]

Here is a good article from Wikapedia on the advances in "cures" for both I and II.


Diabetes mellitus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Another interesting article is :

Advances in Diabetes for the Millennium: Toward a Cure for Diabetes

BBC NEWS | Health | Transplant cures man of diabetes


These articles are not my source (it was a AJN article and other Medical publications), but describes some of the advances I have read about that are being worked and expected to be improved upon in the next few years.

Of course, everything concerning these (and other possible cures, i.e. cancer) would require several years of case studies to validate, but there IS progress being made towards these growing health concerns.

Again, what a wonderful day when we can wipe out the threat of children and others cursed with this disease process. I feel that there will come a day when we look on it as we do polio now...a mostly distant, bad memory.

[NurseDana]

Before moving to SA I researched this as well. My hubby is Type 2. We use Dr. Kelly Wirfel at Texas Diabetic Institute on Zarzamora. In our opinion, she is excellent! Great bedside manner and spends a lot of time with us at each visit. Hope this helps!

[Cookiemeister]

Ralph DeFronzo, MD and Kenneth Cusi, MD are renowned for their diabetic research and are located here is SA. They may have a private practice in the Medical Center area but not sure. Google them... they may not have time for private practice.

[little_thirsty]

I am a type one diabetic and have found a good doc. I will dm you with my doc info.