Thoughts on UPMC
 

Hey everyone,

recently came into contact with UPMC and I'm attempting to book an appt soon, wanted to know what other people's experiences or thoughts on their concussion program are.

UPMC has a lot of experience with concussions. Some have had good results and others have not. It just depends on the specifics of the concussion. Their focus is return to play for athletes.

It would be interesting to hear what your experience is with the concussion clinic there. University of Buffalo also has a well know concussion clinic.

I was there about 2 weeks ago and met with Mickey and his team, they seem like they know what they are doing and try to treat all of your symptoms, mine are centered around an intolerance to excercise, mixed with anxiety attacks and a few panic attacks.
I go back again in a few weeks and will let you know, I am going to UNC Chapel Hill tomorrow for another opinion

Critter81, any update on with your experience with UPMC or Chapel Hill? I also have intolerance to exercise and am looking for help.

Please feel free to call me if you like 704-905-9801 I am on east coast time, the two places are very different in the way the diagnose you but I think similar in the way they treat you. I can give you contact info for UNC if you like.

Critter,

It would be great if you could post what happened at each place.

UPMC (Mickey Collins et al) appears to be medical with neuro psych

UNC-CH (Dr Gus) appears to be sports trainer based.

What was your experience ?

What was different about their diagnostic tests ?

UPMC = They diagnosed me correctly with a concussion and gave me some therapy and I have been back there for one follow up, things seem to be better for me and my tolerance for exercise seems to be getting better depending on the position of my head during those exercises. I have been doing their vestibular exercises for about 5 weeks now and things seem to be getting better, but getting there slowly.

UNC = they diagnosed me with PCS by using their vestibular balance machine and some other cognitive exercises. They knew they were a second opinion to UPMC and when I got their they kind of leaned back on UPMC. I went there because I wanted another opinion, and they directed me to their neurologist who is very difficult to get a meeting with and I got lucky on a cancellation and he told me I had a concussion and to do therapy. I would say that UPMC seems to be a little more organized for out of town patients meaning they will line up everyone you need to see all in one day so you can go there and back with just one overnight stay.

UPMC = used the impact test and vestibular testing and exersion testing, here is how the day lined out
1) 9 AM Impact test followed by Meeting with Jill and Mickey for emotional and cognitive interview
3) 10 AM meeting with Ann in Vesitbular Therapy
4) 11 AM meeting with DR Pan Psyhciatrist
5) 1 PM Meeting with Cara for exersion therarpy
6) 2:30 follow up with Mickey and Jill

Right after I met with Jill and Mickey they gave Ann some things she was supposed to do before I got down the hall

Right after I met with Ann she gave feedback up the line to Mickey and out to Cara.

Right after I met with Cara she gave feedback to Mickey before I got back to him.

Mickey gave me some physical and vestibular exercises to do every day and then come back in 5 weeks, I did that and then the second trip they did the exact same thing and then I am to go back there at the end of July.

UNC = I called thier concussion program and got Kristen on the phone and she immediately got me in to see Dr Cairnero

1) Meeting at 2 PM and they put me on the SMART Balance master machine it knocked me down and buckled my knees twice, then they took me downstairs for some cognitive and vestibular testing.
2) Diagnosed me with a concussion and suggested I meet with Karla Thompson for an Neuropshyc interview, she had a cancellation and got me in about a week ago, she showed concern and is 5 STAR by the way.
3) They then suggested I get an MRI done and I did and then followed up with Dr Kaufman
4) Dr Kaufman knew Mickey well and studied at UPMC. He diagnosed me with a concussion and said there was no real visable damage suggested some meds, about the same as UPMC,

The biggest difference for me was if you are from out of town then UPMC is geared more for one day get everything done type of deal where UNC is more designed for local people that can come back and forth. UPMC did a better job of giving me exercises to do, but I feel like UNC did a better job of looking for something mechanical that might have been broken in my neck or head,

UNC leaned back on UPMC for the physical exercises and really did not schedule any follow ups past Kaufman so I guess I would stay the course at UPMC with their physical stuff, it seems like UNC is geared towards more straightforward cases and NFL players, I will call them tomorrow to see if there is anything else I should be doing.

Appreciate you sharing your experience I'm looking forward to going to UPMC in early July