Any suggestions for a neurologist in Mass.?

[lmkmip67]

Despite the fact that we are seeing Dr. B for PANDAS, I still want to have my son seen by a neurologist as he very likely has OCD issues beyond just the PANDAS OCD. But when I go the Children's Hospital site it is overwhelming how many there are. My pediatrician didn't have any specific names except local. But, of course, I would rather take him to Children's and start with someone knowledgeable. I understand neurologists may not treat PANDAS. But if I could find someone that would be open to it, and have heard of it, etc. all the better. So I figured I might ask here for recommendations since there seems to be quite a few on here from the New England area. Thanks!

 

Lisa

[PhillyPA]

Did you read the Saving Sammy book? She mentions in it a doctor in the Boston, MA area that has helped a lot and is knowledgeable about PANDAS. I think he was a psychiatrist but I am not sure.

[lmkmip67]

I haven't yet, no. I meant to download it and read it, but am just so busy now. Does anyone know which doctor this was?I am looking into Torres, simply because he has knowledge of PANDAS. But will keep seeing Dr. B in CT for PANDAS. I just wanted someone more open to the diagnosis. Our pediatrician is very cautious at best.

[Worried_Dad]

I think you're referring to Dan Geller, who was instrumental in treating Sammy's PANDAS? Dr. Geller is a child psychiatrist at Mass General. I've heard that he's expensive, though, hard to get in to see, and as a psychiatrist isn't comfortable prescribing things like abx, steroids, IVIG, PEX.

 

He might be helpful with residual OCD, though, if that's your hope, Lisa. Although I think most PANDAS kids see a psychologist who specializes in OCD therapies (CBT/ERP) vs. a psychiatrist, who generally focuses more on prescribing psych meds to manage symptoms.

 

Beth Maloney certainly raves about Dr. Geller, so he might be worth a try!

 

 

Did you read the Saving Sammy book? She mentions in it a doctor in the Boston, MA area that has helped a lot and is knowledgeable about PANDAS. I think he was a psychiatrist but I am not sure.

[lmkmip67]

Yes, that is my hope. Just to have someone on the "team" that is receptive and open to the idea, not someone that would poo poo the treatment he is getting with Dr. B. I want to get more testing done in general I am not worried about finding someone that would prescribe the antibiotics instead of Dr. B. I just prefer to explore all avenues. I just prefer to get it going than wait months and months doing one thing at a time. I didn't think of checking Mass General, I will check there, too. I will look into Geller for sure.

 

I think you're referring to Dan Geller, who was instrumental in treating Sammy's PANDAS? Dr. Geller is a child psychiatrist at Mass General. I've heard that he's expensive, though, hard to get in to see, and as a psychiatrist isn't comfortable prescribing things like abx, steroids, IVIG, PEX.

 

He might be helpful with residual OCD, though, if that's your hope, Lisa. Although I think most PANDAS kids see a psychologist who specializes in OCD therapies (CBT/ERP) vs. a psychiatrist, who generally focuses more on prescribing psych meds to manage symptoms.

 

Beth Maloney certainly raves about Dr. Geller, so he might be worth a try!

 

 

Did you read the Saving Sammy book? She mentions in it a doctor in the Boston, MA area that has helped a lot and is knowledgeable about PANDAS. I think he was a psychiatrist but I am not sure.

[PhillyPA]

Just paged through my Saving Sammy book. Worried Dad is right. It is Dr. Daniel Geller. Psychiatrist. Director of pediatric OCD at Mass General. Faculty member at Harvard Medical School.

[lmkmip67]

Ok, thanks! I hear he requires a lot of money up front. I will keep him in mind if we have issues seeing Dr. B long term. I do think I will try to get in with Torres as a neurologist. We have a local allergiest/immunologist because of my son's dairy allergy. So when we see her (in a month, I think) I will be asking her beliefs on this and see if she is open minded. I do think I need to find someone in state, in case of insurance issues, that is willing to work with Dr. B as well.

[Healingthedude]

I have heard good things about this one.

 

Dr. Frank Duffy MD

Psychiatrist / Neurologist

Medical Education

Harvard Med Sch- Boston Ma

02115

Graduated 1963

Medical Residency

Children'S Hosp, Neurology; Mass Gen Hosp, Neurological Surgery; Yale New Haven Hosp, Flexible Or Transitional Year

Hospital Affiliations Unknown

Practice Affiliations Childrens Hospital