UCSF Neurology
I was diagnosed with MS almost 30 years ago and have had fabulous care at UCSF MS Center. They immediately put me on a DMT (not much to choose from back then:) and have continuously changed DMTs whenever needed to manage my symptoms. I currently do twice a year Ocrevus infusions.
I honestly believe I would not be walking today without their support. With UCSF I was able to have and raise children, work full time, and lead an active life. After 30 years I am proud that MS has not limited or defined who I am.
My neurologist is Dr. Emmanuel Waubant, but all the doctors at UCSF MS are wonderful. Unlike Kaiser, I feel UCSF never based its decisions on “cost” but on what will work best for the patient.
Good-luck.
My husband (late 30s) was diagnosed with MS last year and his neurologist at Kaiser Oakland was Dr. Fan, who I think was trained at the UCSF MS Clinic. He was able to get MRIs quickly and begin Rituximab within 1 month of diagnosis. We ultimately decided to switch to insurance a few months later so he could go to UCSF. He's now on Ocrevus, which is similar to Rituximab, and his neurologist (one of the residents) is good. The admin side of being at UCSF has been a bit of a headache and there's a lot more work on our end to make sure that radiology gets the MRI order, payments are received, etc. He makes the trip to SF for appointments but can receive the infusions in Berkeley. He's also part of a couple clinical trials, which is one reason we were interested in making the switch.
With Kaiser, I think his specific insurance covered the infusions so all he had to pay was the copay. I can't remember what portion insurance now covers with UCSF, but he pays his out-of-pocket max each year.
For us, the unpredictability of MS progression coupled with having a young family makes the cost (and added complexity) of UCSF worth it. We are comforted knowing there is an entire team of specialists and researchers that we now have access to.
MS is a different disease for everyone, but I echo the advice in the other comment - even if your episode is not very bad, get on the most effective DMT that you can, as soon as you can. As far as resources, couldn't agree more about the MS subreddit - it's a really active and supportive community. I've also found Dr. Aaron Boster's youtube videos really helpful in learning about the disease. My heart goes out to you, best of luck!
Dr. Brandon Kopald at UCSF is amazing.
His Secretary email is:
Janet.Claudio [at] ucsf.edu
you can tell Silvia Matta from Brazil referred you . He is very through and has great communication with parents.
Location:
UCSF Neurology Practice
400 Parnassus Avenue, 8th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94143
Phone: (415) 353-2273
I highly recommend the neurology practice at UCSF, if his insurance covers them and he can go to their office on Parnassus in SF. They can also do remote appointments (but will probably only do that for follow up, first appointment probably needs to be in person).
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Neurosurgery for cervical spinal stenosis
August 2008
I need neurosurgery for cervical spinal stenosis. I have been referred to Bruce McCormick in San Francisco. Anyone know anything about him? Trying to get reviews over the internet has yielded nothing. Anyone have other recommendations or suggestions how to learn more about McCormick? jenny
Brian McCormick MD has an excellent reputation in the spine community as does Brian Andrews MD. Both are highly reputable spine surgeons. Ortho spine surgeons in the community also include Robt Byers MD in Marin, Noel Goldthwaite MD, James Reynolds MD and Paul Slosar MD in Daly City, as well as Sernea Hu MD and Bobby Tay MD the latter 2 @ UCSF. ALL of these providers belong to NASS (the north american spine society) which educates and credentials neuro and ortho spine providers.
I wish you the best with your surgery-you would be in good hands with any of the above doctors! ortho NP
Migraines - At the end of my rope
Oct 2008
I am 36 and have suffered with migraines since 11. I am going through a particularly stressful time (divorce) and am a single mother so I would 'expect' to have more migraines than usual; however, I am having them nearly everyday - 9 days out of the past 14. They used to be triggered by menstruation but now are pretty much constant. I am losing my mind.
I have tried massasge, acupuntcture, chiropractic. I have eliminated alcohol, dairy, chocolate, dried fruits. I am now on a ''raw until dinner'' food plan. I take preventative medication as well as medication for when I get the migraine.
I am hoping that someone out there has a new idea, advice - something. I lose SO much time to feeling terrible. I feel desperate and overwhelmed. Anon.
Neil Raskin, migraine guru at UCSF, (415) 353-2273. He will change your life. I suffered from what you've got -- chronic daily migraines -- tried everything you did plus a few more, nearly went bankrupt + crazy -- I didn't need a new lifestyle or diet or mindset, I just needed a better neurologist. One who knew migraine disease inside and out, got that it WAS a disease and didn't judge, wasn't afraid to scrap what didn't work and keep trying, wasn't afraid to medicate for pain....Don't worry about his manner, which some find gruff. I find him tremendously compassionate, but that doesn't matter -- he stuck with me till he found what worked, took several tries, and I'm no longer in pain. I'd come to believe that was impossible. tried everything else first
Neurologist for mild, stable case of MS
Nov 2005
I am looking for a neurologist for a yearly check-up for my multiple sclerosis. Since I was diagnosed 8 years ago, I have only had 2 episodes, neither of which left significant residual symptoms, so most years I have only needed to contact my neurologist to renew my Copaxone prescription (knock wood that this will be the future pattern as well). Now that I recently began to have decent health insurance, I would like to see someone to get a more thorough check-up and re-assess my treatment/management options. I am looking for someone who supports the use of Copaxone, will not cause me anxiety by expecting the worst, will support my general attitude of taking my medicine reliably but otherwise not thinking about my MS most of the time, and who is up on the medical literature. She/he does not need to be an MS specialist. I appreciate any recommendations, particularly in Berkeley/Oakland. anonymous
Try the doctors at UCSF MS center(http://mscenter.ucsf.edu/). They are more than worth the trip over to the City. Good Luck
Neurologist in SF for hand tremor
Nov 2005
I'm looking for a neurologist in San Francisco to diagnose/treat a tremor in my hand. Any recommendations? -Shaky
I had a second opinion on my hand tremor done by Ann Poncelet at the UCSF Neurology Department. She was great, knew just what it was and how to allay my anxieties. Heather (with Benign Essential Tremor)
Neurologist for adult's seizures
May 2005
Does anyone have recent experience with a neurologist (for adults) in the East Bay or SF? My main problem with neurologists I've seen so far is that they didn't really seem to care about me as a person (and my seizures have been strongly related to my personal history). Since all of my brain tests have always come out normal, the neurologists I've dealt with so far just seemed to want to prescribe a medication that would suppress the seizures and leave it at that. I am looking for someone who is personable and who is interested in approaching this illness more from a mind/body perspective rather than using just the standard, contemporary medical approach.
I didn't see the original post. I can recommend Richard Cuneo for neurology. Both my husband and I have gone to him for a stroke and recurrent Bell's Palsy over the past 15 years. He is incredibly thorough, bright and personable. He has always been available, even when he has been on vacation. He has also been voted the neurologist that doctors would most like to use if needed in the KQED surveys. He is a professor at UCSF and has his office at 3838 California, SF. His number is 415-221-3006. Good luck. linda
Brown & Toland neurologist for seizures
Oct 2004
Hi, Can anyone recommend a good neurologist in San Francisco with Brown and Toland medical group? I have a stable seizure disorder and am interested in checking out other medication options besides what I'm on (dilantin), and want someone who will work with me around this. Julie
I work at UCSF (inpatient) with the epilepsy team. Our epilepsy specialists that are with B are Paul Garcia, MD, and William Marks, MD. (both very good). Good Luck. Kathleen
Pediatric neurologist for 2-year-old's seizures
June 2003
My daughter (almost 2) just had her second complex partial seizure and we need to see a pediatric neurologist to get an EEG and possibly an MRI. I saw the recommendations for pediatric neurosurgeons, but none of the names are on my list (Hill Physicians), and I didn't see any plain old neurologists (is there such a thing?). I'd love to hear from other parents who have been through this kind of thing, also.
My infant son has experience with Pediatric Neurosurgeons, unfortunately, and among the 2 best are: 1) Peter Sun at Oakland's Children's Hospital 510/428-3319
2) Nalin Gupta at UCSF, also has offices in Walnut Creek 925/945-6098
Maryanne
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