Looking for a neurologist (preferably migraine specialist if possible) in the pittsburgh area that accepts Cigna?

Submitted by SunfishStudio t3_y251fb in pittsburgh

I've had chronic migraines since I was about 11 and have been going through a series of tests and treatments on and off then for the past 16 years. I'd like to pursue further treatment and see if I could get botox (previously my last neurologist wanted me to try another medication first) and in general just need someone in the area since my move.

Any recommendations? I'm in the E Liberty area but given that my last migraine specialist was a 3 hour drive away, I'm willing to go out of my immediate surroundings for a good doctor. And as mentioned, my biggest hurdle so far is finding someone who accepts Cigna. Not in a financial position to be paying out of network atm. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

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MaybeADumbass t1_is1crrf wrote

I would STRONGLY recommend against seeing anyone in the AHN Neuroscience Institute at West Penn Hospital. I saw three different doctors there (Fishman, Weisman, and some guy whose name I forget) and honestly they all sucked really badly. Fishman's PA put notes in my chart about anxiety that were massively overblown, and no one I saw after that was able to look past them and see the patient actually sitting there in front of them.

Weisman is a straight up asshole who started deliberately fucking with me when I asked about MRI results. I just wanted to know what they said and whether they were normal because it wasn't clear to me. He refused to answer that and instead scrolled through them and spouted nonsense like, "Oooh, right here I can see that you drink alcohol", "Here I can see that you speak a little of a foreign language" and other bullshit like that. On a follow-up visit, I told him my symptoms had gotten worse and he replied, "That's great that they are getting better." I tried to correct him and he replied with the same, like that was the only answer he was going to accept. It was honestly surreal and I felt like I was talking to a caricature of Homer Simpson. I went home and just gave up for a while.

Months later, I decided to try again and asked to see another doctor at the practice because I didn't click with Weisman. I saw a PA (Asian lady...don't remember her name) and all she would do is read off the original notes and tell me that she could tell how anxious I was (through Zoom visit). She ordered tests and scheduled an in-person visit that I thought would actually include an exam, but instead she cornered me with the neurologist (Indian guy) who told me that he wanted to give me a drug that would, "Lower the adrenaline in my body and help to make me feel better" and then handed me a script for Zoloft. They told me they couldn't help me until after I'd taken it for a few weeks.

It turns out I have an autoimmune disorder and needed to see a rheumatologist with some pretty obvious symptoms that absolutely should not have been missed. Instead, I wasted about $2,000 and 18 months on useless visits with assholes.

Don't be like me. Don't waste your time with any doctor at the Neuroscience Institute. I'm sure there some there that are good, but there are enough bad ones that I wouldn't take the chance!

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Professional-Till-27 t1_is1hrkv wrote

Not sure if he is in your network but Dr. Benjamin Smolar is both UPMC and AHN covered. I have struggled FOR YEARS with migraines and getting adequate help. He is the only neurologist who has listened to me and literally spent almost 45 minutes with me taking a THOROUGH history. He is also a migraine sufferer so he gets it and is willing to hear you. I have never been happier and have had less migraines because he listens to me, adjusts meds, etc. Can't speak any higher of him.

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bekahed979 t1_is1m2w6 wrote

I don't know anything about who accepts what, but I just saw someone from The Headache Center at West Penn (AHN) and they were amazing. I would heartily recommend them if you're covered.

Edit to add, after seeing another post about how bad their experience was, I saw Beth Kus, PA & she sat & talked to me for an hour about my symptoms and we developed a plan going forward. I felt heard and respected, but I can only speak to who I saw.

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coatedingold t1_is1of5i wrote

Not sure about insurance but Robert Kaniecki at UPMC headache center in Oakland is considered to be the "migraine king". Every doctor I've ever had confirms this. I've been a patient for over a decade and just got my Botox yesterday. Private message me or chat if I can help you with anything else.

Most insurance requires you try all classes of medication proven to help migraines before approving Botox.

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SpecialKayla t1_is1phu9 wrote

Definitely recommend Dr. kaniecki.

Anti-recommendation Dr Castellano, serious fucking asshole.

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coatedingold t1_is23xrw wrote

Replying to needfeeding (#88,116)

I didn't know they took kids! That's awesome. I felt a little weird about calling him the "migraine king" but he really is. I've heard about people flying in just to see him. I also love how the office does extra steps like have the waiting room dimly lit. They really think of everything

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SunfishStudio OP t1_is2pou4 wrote

Replying to MaybeADumbass (#86,862)

Wow, I'm sorry you had to go through all that!

>Fishman's PA put notes in my chart about anxiety that were massively
overblown, and no one I saw after that was able to look past them and
see the patient actually sitting there in front of them.

Yup, been there; I used to have bad health anxiety (side effect of having chronic illness as I'm sure you know, and much better now) but I stopped telling Drs about it at all because then it felt like every symtpom was "because of my anxiety". Or my period, which I haven't had since I was 12 since I've been on birth control ever since lmao.

>He refused to answer that and instead scrolled through them and spouted nonsense like, "Oooh, right here I can see that you drink alcohol", "Here I can see that you speak a little of a foreign language" and other bullshit like that.

Wtf? My doctor used to do something like that and tell me shit like "oh you have a smurf in your ear"... when I went to a pediatrician lol. That's so incredibly demeaning, what an absolute freak

>It turns out I have an autoimmune disorder and needed to see a rheumatologist with some pretty obvious symptoms that absolutely should not have been missed. Instead, I wasted about $2,000 and 18 months on useless visits with assholes.

I'm glad you at least got some help and answers in the end, but man it is such a crap shoot. It's a shame because it does look like they take my insurance but I don't feel at all like dealing with any of that. Thank for the head's up

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coatedingold t1_is3d347 wrote

Replying to pghgreatest (#90,024)

You can use cgrp in conjunction with Botox, or if cgrp don't/stop working. It true he does have long wait times to get in, but it's easier to get in with Kimberly and with them using telemedicine lately, I've gotten in quicker. Years ago it used to be a year long wait to get in.

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sr214 t1_is3p3tv wrote

Dr. Santamaria at West Penn Neuroscience. Multiple treatment options/cycle breakers. Good luck.

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sqqueen2 t1_is3u030 wrote

Replying to sr214 (#90,631)

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>I've heard good things about her too. When I went the staff was pretty rude but if you can live with that the doctor is probably pretty good. I ended up going back to UPMC for other reasons so I can't really say much about Dr. S myself.

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sr214 t1_is3xd6a wrote

Replying to sqqueen2 (#90,846)

I'm surprised about your experience with the staff. I've never encountered that and I always say the staff can make or break a practice. I hope you find relief.

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