Jacksonville, FL area....Need RE

pandak · 07-14-2004, 04:38 PM

Ok, here's the situation......

I've read that a Dr. Michael Fox is very PCOS and weight friendly....however, he is not listed under my insurance and unfortunately my husband and I aren't rich enough to pay full price.

There are 4 doctors listed in my physicians guide, but I haven't read anything about these doctors, and I really don't want to go to someone new without having at least one recommendation.

So, I'm going to list the names, and if ANYONE has gone to any of these doctors, please give me a heads up...

Dr. Patrick L. Blohm

Dr. Samuel E. Brown

Dr. Marwan M. Shaykh

Dr. Kevin L. Winslow

I'm really shaky because there's no female RE's on my list (I don't even know if there are any in town *cries*) But any info on these four would be greatly appreciated.......I need to see someone soon who is not fat phobic and who knows about PCOS.

Also, I'm willing to drive a little ways for a great doctor who might be with my insurance (our physician guides are set for our areas only.... :\ ). I have United Health Care, Options PPO plan.

Thanx!!

~Panda~

DianeJ · 07-14-2004, 11:59 PM

Dr. Patrick L. Blohm is now practicing in Georgia. He used to be with Dr. Samuel E. Brown and Dr. Kevin L. Winslow at the Florida Institute of Reproductive Medicine (FIRM). I don't know anything about Dr. Marwan M. Shaykh. And I've heard good things about Dr. Fox, but no personal experience.

I've seen Dr. Winslow (and a few times Dr. Brown) and I HIGHLY recommend them. They are wonderful, the whole office is wonderful. Really, I've had nothing but great experiences with them. Unfortunately, I've only been able to do 3 injectible cycles and all 3 failed (we're also dealing with a bit of male factor and my insurance doesn't cover IUI). We were on our way to IVF, but we got news pretty suddenly that we're going to be leaving the area, so no IVF (timing would be really lousy, nevermind I think it would be too stressful). I told DH I wanted to pack Dr. Winslow and take him with us! lol

Dr. Winslow is more serious, but he's very punctual and doesn't pull any punches. Yet he's VERY nice and sweet about it, but he won't tell you fairy tales either. Dr. Brown is more....I don't know how to describe him. Most of his patients say he's more personable, but I really haven't seen that, I think they both are, just different. He is very nice. Not very punctual though, and that ticked me off a couple of times (only saw him like once every cycle). They have a new doctor that just started there within the past 2 months (Dr. Duffy); I haven't met him yet though, but I"m sure he's very nice too. Really, I can't see them hiring someone that doesn't fit in with their atmosphere, kwim?

Anyway, I really recommend going to FIRM. And I prefer Dr. Winslow over Dr. Brown - but that could just be that whoever I got first, that would be my favorite, kwim?

BTW - if you go to their webpage (www.firmjax.com) you can read some history/biography about them. And their embryologist is considered in the top of the field. I really felt in great hands with them. Another good thing - they're open 7 days a week for appointments - very important!

I also want to add, I'm overweight and they've never made it an issue. Actually, I don't think it was ever mentioned. And they do know pcos. Really, they're just wonderful.

Can you tell I love them there? LOL

Good luck!

Sari · 07-17-2004, 07:13 PM

I've only ever been to Dr. Fox (PS - did you hear about Dr. Fox here on SC, or from people in real life?), sorry I can't help you with any other doctors. Good luck in finding one you like.

pandak · 08-06-2004, 12:19 PM

sorry it took me so long, but I want to thank both of you for replying.

DianeJ - Thank you so much for the reccomendation. I will definitely check them out.

Sarabelle - I heard about Dr. Fox on SC....I read that he moved to Atlanta. I'm sooooooooooooooooo tempted to go up there at least for a consulation and a reccomendation on a doctor down here, but I'll probably try the ones on my insurance plan first.

I really really need a buddy close by to either exercise with or at least be able to call on and have girls' days out. DH is very supportive and understanding, but he can't totally understand (obviously) and he does get a little frustrated that he can't grasp what I'm going through. I posted a request for jax buddies on the Diet/Exercise Buddy board....but no replies just yet.

I live on the westside...on Timuquana between Roosevelt and 103rd. But I'd drive wherever if I could find a buddy that's really going through some of the stuff I am.

I need a new gyno also.....I went wednesday to see mine (this was only my 2nd time with her....the other one i was seeing left last year just before my '03 annual). I really liked her at first....but, after wednesday, i don't think so...........she saw that i put "possibly" next to the question "Are you planning any pregnancy in the next 12 months?" and asked me about it. I told her I really wanted to start trying in about 6 to 18 months, and all she said was "you're young yet......you'd be a high risk pregnancy.........we've got a lot of work to do". I would've pressed the subject, but i was so uncomfortable I couldn't think...i just wanted my clothes back on (they didn't have any regular gowns, so i was wearing a paper gown that didn't even fit....and i was trying desperately to keep coverd with that paper cover).

I'm just SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO sick of only hearing "you're young............lose weight, then we'll talk".....it hurts SOOOOO BAD! I came home crying from my apt the other day. and kept crying most of the night....poor DH...he tried so hard to comfort me, but it just wasn't happening.......

So any reccomendations on a new gyno would be wonderful......preferably female, but if not, I'll just get over it.....lol.....i guess either way I"ll still feel violated at the end...haha! ;-)

Anywho, once again, sorry it took me so long, I almost forgot I even made this post (lots going on in my life off the computer...lol). Hope to hear from one of you gals soon....(if interested, you can email me anytime at CherokeePanda@aol.com, or msg on that same screen name if I'm on...)

~Panda~

Sari · 08-10-2004, 01:40 PM

Panda, I'm emailing you! PS, I'm living right down the street!

Octbride2003 · 08-10-2004, 05:08 PM

Hey Panda!

The doctor that I emailed you about is in practice with Dr. Samual Brown and Dr. Kevin Winslow. He is part of the Florida Institute for Reproductive Medicine. His name is Dr. Daniel Duffy. He came very highly recommended to me and after two appointments I am very impressed. He used to practice in California, so I did some searching there, and everyone in CA was sad to loose him.

It will probably be quicker to get into see Dr. Duffy, but he is great. Always one time, takes a lot of time and is very patient. I even broke down in tears in his office and he stopped for a few minutes and gave me some words of encouragement. He didn't mention loosing weight.....and gave me some information with my first visit regarding decisions, etc. I highly recommend him. The people I have met in the waiting rooms that see the other doctors are very happy with them as well, and they do not have enough nice things to say!

I sent a reply email, but I am wondering if it didn't go through! I will be happy to be your buddy! I am new to the Jacksonville area and I don't know hardly anyone!

Let me know what happens! Have a great day!