Any ITP Specialists in or around Chicago/Indianapo

My son is thinking of stopping all this treatment because he feels "fine" he states and is tired of the ups and downs and now a possible spleenectomy. He is about to be called for his final interview with the Sherrif's dept and doesnt want this to interfere with his job hiring. He is asking lots of questions about what whould happen if they never even found the "Itp", or what would happen if I just dont do anything anymore? I told him he could have a stroke or worse and he needed to find this fix for him.

We love our hematologist, but I am wondering if I should just get another opinion? Are there any ITP specialist in Chicago or Indianapolis? We live in Northwest Indiana.

He just received another round of the IVIG treament yesterday, had the 4 weeks of Rituxan prior to that and has 4 days of decadron going right now and then repeat blood work on Monday. The next step is a possible spleenectomy and that concerns him. Any advice would help?

I saw a very good ITP doctor in Chicago in December. Dr Anna Zakarija at Northwestern Medical is very knowledgable and thorough. It is apparent that she actually researches ITP and sees a lot of ITP cases. I called in early November and the next available appointment was in late December, so I recommend calling her office ASAP. 1-866-587-4322. She was not able to communicate with me over the phone until after I saw her in her office, but now that I have seen her, she can give advice over the phone if I need it.

She saw me in a second opinion style visit. She knew I already had a hematologist and that I traveled from Central Illinois to get her expertise. I'm an adult, but my parents came with me because they wanted to learn and help me remember what she said. She took the time to explain ITP to them and answer their questions and my list of questions. She was not rushed at all to get rid of me even though she has a lot of patients. The visit would have been very expensive without insurance, but would have still been worth it. She made sure all the bases were covered and ordered a few new tests. Thankfully all came back negative. She follows the standard testing and treatment procedures for ITP, so it might not be a game changing visit. Her philosophy on the spleen is to first try other treatments. If they fail she will recommend splenectomy if the bleeding risk is higher than the not having a spleen risk. The expertise comes in when assessing the bleeding risk and there are too many variables for anyone to predict exactly what that risk is for each individual patient.

Hopefully the Rituxan works for your son. Dr Zakarija said she has seen it work in a higher percentage of cases than it is supposed to. Has your son been tested for H Pylori?

Dave,

I have a friend that has just been diagnosed with ITP he thinks but he is very overwhelmed.
I'm trying to help him find a Doctor in Central IL that knows about ITP. I may also see if I can get him to Chicago for that second opinion you wrote about but first we need to find a Doctor within driving distance of Springfield, IL. Can you share the name of your Doctor with us? Thank you for any help you can provide.

Fitnspart1,

My primary Hematologist is Dr Patrick Gomez at Illinois Cancer Care in Bloomington, IL. I am very grateful that he took over my treatment when I was in the hospital the day I got diagnosed. His plan worked and put me in remission within a week. I'm still in remission 17 months later (count of 211 last Friday). He knows about ITP and is a good doctor. His downside is that he does not like to share any knowledge with the patient that he does not deem relevant, such as "what if" scenarios. He likes to take control of the treatment rather than work as a team with the patient. Mix that with the steroids I was on, and we butted heads a few times, but it all worked out, and I do recommend him.

I have also seen Dr. Siratana in Normal, IL. I went to him to get questions answered that Dr. Gomez wouldn't answer. He is much more of a listener, will work as a team with the patient, and will share everything he knows if you ask. If I had to pick one local Hematologist, it would be Dr. Gomez because he is the one who put me into remission. His results are proven. I trust Dr. Anna Zakarija (the specialist in Chicago), the most, and Dr Siratana is the one I would trust to follow her advice and treat me locally if I needed more treatment.

I see dr tarrAntino in peoria il and he is amazing. His passion is itp. He actually has published and goes to the ito confrences. His whole staff is great. You get a real feeling of importance at his.office. they assign you a nurse evev. I only hear from and see one nurse every time. When i do have treatment he always comes to see how its going. He knows so much about itp