[BigLew]

are there any in or about the villages?

[JenAjd]

There is one..over near 441...think the name is Dr. Gonzolez. However, there are also some practices in Ocala which is about 30 minutes away.

[momesu]

Originally Posted by BigLew

are there any in or about the villages?

I too have been searching for a rheumatologist.....they are few and far between in this area which really surprised me. Even in Ocala there are only a few. Still haven't found one that my insurance plans participates with and is taking new patients.....and I need one badly if I want to keep moving. I have appointment with an internist next week and I'm hoping she has some advice. If not this could be one deal breaker for TV. I really do not want to have to travel to Gainesville or Orlando on a regular basis to see a Dr.

Suzanne

[JenAjd]

I'm thinking that most of these rheumatologists may need a referral anyway...your internist can suggest (I would think) where you can go!!! Did you call any of the clinics that have these specialists to inquire?? I can tell you that Dr. Rodriquez's practice in Ocala won't be seeing anyone until February---I know this from trying to get in back in Sept and then calling again a couple of weeks ago. So you will have to get the ball rolling asap.

[marianne237]

There are one or two in Tavares associated with Waterman hospital. Sorry, don't know any names.

[SALYBOW]

I have gone to Dr. Stephen Bookbinder in Ocala and Dr. Miguel Gonzales in Leesburg and TV. They are both said to be good but Bookbinder leats you wait for 1 -1 1/2 hours in the waiting room and examination room. His bedside manner is very sterile. Dr. Gozales takes forever at the Villages office but is with you rather quickly at Leesburg. He was thorough to the 9th degree ordering a page full of tests. He did however, discover that my thyroid replacement needed to be decreased. I left both offices wondering why I needed a rheumatologist anyway. If I go back to a rheumatologist, it would be Gonzales, and pribably in Leesburg. I hate to wait.

[ndrsn]

Dr. Gonzales 's office staff is not friendly and when you call to talk to the doctor, no one calls back.

[JenAjd]

Originally Posted by ndrsn

Dr. Gonzales 's office staff is not friendly and when you call to talk to the doctor, no one calls back.

When the office person with my primary called his office to get me in...she ended up not sending me there as the person on the other end was very rude to her. Plus if you have insurance with United Healthcare or any subsideraries of them, he doesn't take that insureance. So the office person told me she'd not send me to such an office and referred me to Dr. Lafferty in Ocala. He doesn't have the best "bedside" manner and I'm not sure I like him. That being said...there's others in the Ocala area and I'll be going with a different practioner.

[momesu]

I'm going to try Dr Stark in Tavares, but couldn't get an appointment until Feb. I'm on some stop gap meds to help deal with the RA pain until then. I can not believe how few Rheumatologists there are around here......and I have not heard great things about any that are here. Oh and I have United Health Care.

Suzanne

[Avista]

Dr McIlwain and his associates are located on the north side of Tampa. He is very well respected and has written a book which can be seen on AmaZon. Book is titled Pain Free Arthritus. His web site is: Www.Tampamedicalgroup.com

[JenAjd]

Yup...tis frustrating to start over in a new area to find this kind of conundrum. Hope you have success with the doc in Travares! I'm hoping the best in my new quest as well.

[fgrider]

I have a friend with severe RA that moved to The Villages from Ma about three years ago and she goes to Dr. Howard Offenberg in Occala. He has really helped her and she said his office staff is always pleasant. We were visiting with her in November and she had a bad flair up and called his office and they returned her call right away and called in a perscription. She is very happy with the care she has received,