Dr Early at Johns Hopkins

[jebsat]

Hello everyone- I finally secured an appointment with Dr. Early. From anyone in the States that has seen him, what might I expect as far as his demeanor...is he a good listener...will I get a decent amount of time with him?

thanks!

[SueJohnson]

He's excellent! I have not seen him but reviews say he takes the time to conduct thorough examinations and clearly explain diagnoses and treatment options.

[jebsat in reply to SueJohnson]

I had my appt with Dr. Early and he was great...asked a million questions ...very thorough. I'm going to do the labs of course to check for iron and then get an infusion if require one; however he did recommend starting Mirapex. Then I read through this groups' experiences and it seems like Mirapex is frowned upon. After that, he says we can try methadone. Thoughts? I'm so used to this leg pain i'm almost to the point of skipping meds altogether and just living with it. I get enough sleep to function most nights. I welcome your thoughts.

[SueJohnson in reply to jebsat]

I can't believe he suggested Mirapex! He knows better. He's an expert and and one of the authors of the Mayo Algorithm. He helps people off DAs. Did he give a reason?

I assume he knows you tried ropinirole and if I remember correctly that didn't stop your symptoms which if you had RLS it should have.

Does he think you have RLS since you said you have urge to move but not to get up and walk?

My guess is he doesn't think you have RLS or he never would have suggested it.

[jebsat in reply to SueJohnson]

He didn't say you absolutely have RLS but that there seems to be similarities for sure. He walked thru treatments beginning with iron if that proves to be the problem..mirapax and then methodone. I'm not jazzed about mirapax or methadone to be honest. And I mean that based upon what I have learned in this group.

[SueJohnson in reply to jebsat]

I would ask if he wants you to try mirapex to test if you have RLS, which would be fine. If not ask why he wants you on mirapex.

[LotteM in reply to jebsat]

I wondered the same thing as Sue. Did dr Earley suggest Mirapex as an aid to help determine whether your symptoms are RLS? It used to be an additional criterion: if you respond to Mirapex (or another DA) then it is very likely tuat you have RLS.

[SueJohnson in reply to LotteM]

Just curious - how in the world did you see this since it is 27 days old?

[LotteM in reply to SueJohnson]

🤣 I think because my app (I am on my phone) lists the posts with the latest replies first.

[SueJohnson in reply to LotteM]

That's great. I hadn't heard of that.

[SueJohnson]

Here is another set of ratings:

Overall Rating by Patient 4.9 out of 5 stars4.9

Provider Listened Carefully rating 5 out of 5 stars

Provider Explained Things Clearly rating 5 out of 5 stars

Provider Knew Medical History rating 5 out of 5 stars

Provider Showed Respect Overall Rating by Patient 5 out of 5 stars

Provider Spent Enough Time rating 4.9 out of 5 stars

[DicCarlson]

He's brilliant! His info about iron connection and RLS on the Johns Hopkins website saved me from a course of DAs.

[Kaarina Administrator]

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