Need ENT Doc Recommendation

[bugs4cy]

Yah, I really am using a collegate sports fan message board to ask this question...but, I tried to find an allergist on my own this spring and ended up with a dud, so what can this hurt?

I think I need to see an ear-nose-throat specialist pretty quickly. Does anyone have any good, or bad, observations to report on an ENT Doc in the Des Moines or Ames area?
:sad:

 

[FarminCy]

We use Dr. Morgan at Mercy North in Ankeny. He has been great to deal with and between my two older kids and my wife we have run the full gauntlet of issues.

I highly recommend him.

 

[DJSteve]

ENT Clinic of Iowa--I was referred to Simon Wright by a coworker who's unfortunately VERY experienced in sinus-related problems. My only complaint was the last follow up visit after surgery they billed my insurance something like $3-400 for appointment+scope and I was on premises literally less than 10 minutes. But the surgery was about 1/3 the cost of having it done in Ames, and I was not very impressed with the ENT guy I initially saw at McFarland (though he has since left).

 

[Chipper]

I highly recommend Dr. Garrett Losh at The Iowa Clinic ENT Dept. He's a great Dr. and is very personable- # is 515-875-9450.

 

[Angie]

Well, it would depend on why you need to go.

If it's just for regular ENT type of stuff, I really like Stephen Griffith at McFarland. He's very nice, been here for forever, and very thorough. Involved in the community, etc. https://www.mcfarlandclinic.com/doctors/stephen-griffith/

If you're going for advanced issues (in my case, I need cancer care), I would recommend Dr. Douglas Schulte down at The Iowa Clinic in DSM. He specializes in laser surgeries for head and neck cancer: Dr. Douglas Schulte - West Des Moines | Iowa Clinic

 

[MrPeske]

I had polups removed by Dr Mark Zlab a decade ago. He's buddy's with Dana Altman so you can thank him for taking that job in ... Oregon???

 

[bugs4cy]

I've had this happen a few times, but yesterday it got a little crazy. All of a sudden, when I'm inhaling, my throat just seems to close. I can't get air in nor out. I was pulling out of my driveway when it happened yesterday. I wasn't eating or drinking or doing anything out of the ordinary, and on an inhale, it's like I feel something in my throat click and I couldn't get enough air in to even cough. It wasn't getting better as I struggled to get a breath. I actually pulled across the street to the neighbor and ran to their door. They pounded on my back and eventually I got ahead of it, though I was getting pretty lightheaded. I've never had it happen at this intensity nor duration.

So, I assume I need to get my butt to a throat doc.

 

[Angie]

Hmm - do you have a general physician you see? I might start there, just in case it's a pulmonology problem. ENT sounds more likely, but a GP may be able to tell you for sure...?

You're not allergic to anything, are you, that could be causing your throat to swell? I know that happens.

 

[bugs4cy]

My general doc is out of state on vacation. I gave that a try yesterday.

I just went through a full round of allergy testing this spring. Nothing popped up. Though, I did figure out I'm never setting foot in The Allergy Institue again.

 

[isuno1fan]

We use Dr. Morgan at Mercy North in Ankeny. He has been great to deal with and between my two older kids and my wife we have run the full gauntlet of issues.

I highly recommend him.

2nd this....very nice guy. Young and on his game.

He's also at Mercy West if that is closer.

 

[ajk4st8]

Stephen Griffith at McFarland and it is not even close. Guy is great.

 

[soccercy]

I had polups removed by Dr Mark Zlab a decade ago. He's buddy's with Dana Altman so you can thank him for taking that job in ... Oregon???

My son went to Zlab and we had no issues there...

 

[Angie]

I forgot, I actually also really liked Doug Hoisington, down in DSM. He has a great resume, I just didn't feel comfortable with him for my cancer care:

Dr. Douglas Hoisington * Otolaryngology * ENT Doctors of ENT Clinic of Iowa

 

[bugs4cy]

Thanks for the recommendations everyone! Dr. Simplot at ENT of Iowa was FANTASTIC.

Found out today that I have vocal cord dysfunction (VCS). Turns out I have wicked acid reflux (who knew!) and when it bubbles up my esophagus and tries to go through the cords to my lungs, the vocal cords, or folds, snap close to keep the acid out. Viola! = I can't breathe!

So, I'm on acid reducers for the long haul and prednisone for a bit to knock the substantial swelling down. And, they taught me how to breathe to force the cords open when it happens.

The good news that no one dies from this. If I actually do pass out, I'll start breathing again. I wasn't really thrilled when they told me that but the reality is that it isn't likely to happen again if I get the reflux tamped down.

And in case you're wondering, having a camera shoved up your nose and down your throat isn't as bad as you might imagine.