anyone know anything about Dr Gooch @USF?
 

Hi Gang
My insurance is not approving me to keep seeing Dr Franklin in St Pete. I am fighting them on it but they have approved me to see Dr Gooch at USF. His website says he is a NM specialist with an interest in MG. I have an appointment at Dr Franklin's office on 5/21 and am schedule to leave for a 2 week trip to Italy on 5/24. I have to be seen before I leave as I have only been diagnosed for 10 days. This stress is making my symptoms worse
Any help would be appreciated
Sandy:confused:

Hello Sandy, sigh... :( I'm hopeful that someone will respond to your post.

For what it's worth, I took at look at Dr. Gooch's credentials; his education, and his special interests. I like what I see. I, of course, can't speak to his personality, but that isn't important right now.

If you had a good rapport with Dr. Franklin, then I do empathize. I'm going to throw some possibilities at you, knowing full well that our medical systems differ--your answers will be helpful to me.

Is it possible to pay cash for your appointment with Dr. Franklin, and meet with Dr. Gooch upon your return? Is is an option for you to call Dr. Gooch's office, to inform them of your upcoming trip so that they can make concessions to get you in to see him, quickly?

Is Dr Franklin part of an MDA clinic? If so, the insurance issue might be more workable.

Good News
 

My husband has been wrangling with Tricare all day and it is looking like our appeal will be successful. I have found this kind of stress is the worst for me. Mestinon not helping me at all with my diplopia and ptosis. I cant keep my eyes open at all and my speech is slurred. I feel like crap. Good thing I am off work today. I am still shocked by how quickly and hard this disease can knock you down:eek:

Stress can be pretty hard on us. As well, if we become incredibly excited/happy about something, the effect can be sometimes be equally as stressful. Speaking of which, I hope you will let us know what transpires with your insurance company.

Sandy, I hope things work out. The fact is that they do cover Franklin, so they don't really have a leg to stand on.

They do have an MDA clinic. Dr. Weiss is the MDA Director. So ask when they have their "free" day. I don't believe that means you have to see Dr. Weiss.

When you find a doctor who has "rescued" you, giving them up is cruel. That's especially true when your first neuro was so damn slow in getting you help when you urgently needed it.

Fortunatos, I hope you don't mind my asking but are you new? You sound like you're an "old timer." If so, I don't believe I said, "Welcome." ;)

Annie

Hello AnnieB3, and thanks for the welcome! :) I've had MG for years, and I'm new in Neurotalk. I'm hopeful you meant that I sound like I've been on this forum before and not that you think I sound like "an old timer.." ...not that there's anything wrong with that...as Seinfeld would say... LOL I'm not quite there...yet! :D

Cheers....

Yes, I meant "been around for awhile." And I'm just "Annie."

So sorry, Sandy.... Try to stay positive....Dr. Gooch has a very impressive résumé. I hope it all works out well for you! Stay hopeful.
I am driving over from Orlando to see Dr. Weiss next week...will be eager to hear what he has to say. I love my dr. Here in Orlando, so I know how stressful it would be to be told I couldn't see him.

PS....I saw on the Myasthenia Gravis page on Facebook that this woman got MG dr of the year....

http://www.dukehealth.org/physicians/janice_m_massey

She is at Duke ...where Dr. Gooch trained.....