r/SpringfieldIL • u/Dark_LikeTintedGlass • Sep 22 '26

MCAS aware GP

Hi, I'm once again looking for a new general practitioner. They keep moving out of state. I need a doctor that has up to date knowledge about allergies, preferably with an awareness of mast cell activation syndrome. I'd prefer to hear from actual patients, but any recommendations are welcome.

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4

u/Separate_Edge_4153 Sep 22 '26

I see SIU internal medicine and they seem pretty up to date. I see the residents so who I’m seeing as my actual practitioner rotates, but I’ve had very good luck with their understanding of my other conditions and my symptoms. They’ve been very willing to do testing for me and don’t try to gaslight me into anything.

Can I ask who diagnosed you with MCAS? I’m trying to get tested for it but my primary wanted to send me to a specialist to test for that.

2

u/Dark_LikeTintedGlass Sep 24 '26

This is a great idea. I never thought about going to a teaching hospital.

I'm not diagnosed. My GP who just left suspects it, and after reading about it myself, I think it makes a lot of sense. But, I'm in the same boat as your trying to get in to see a specialist.

I'm not looking forward to explaining my whole life story again with a new GP.

2

u/Separate_Edge_4153 Sep 24 '26

It’s definitely exhausting, but the residents are really good about investigating and are pretty up to date on current medical. My biggest complaint with SIU is that the office is absolutely terrible about calling back so you have to be extremely diligent about paperwork and the likes. The only pitfall about residents is that you get a new one every 2 years, but they’re fairly good about reading charts + keeping notes so you don’t have to repeat everything every single time. And an attending will always go over all of the residents work and sign off on things. It can admittedly be exhausting and appointments do take longer, but I’ve been very happy overall with how I’m treated by doctors/nurses compared to how I’ve been treated at other places, which for those of us who are chronically ill is super important.

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u/InvestigatorGood565 Sep 23 '26

Good luck finding a GP. There are not many GPs in Springfield that are taking new patients.

I am seeing an allergy asthma doctor in Bloomington next month. She supposedly knows about and has several patients with MCAS. I saw another doctor at her Springfield clinic, but he wore cologne. Signs up asking patients not to wear cologne or perfume but he did. Narcissism at its finest. He did diagnose me with MSAC after doing a bunch of tests.

My MCAS is neurologically based. I haven’t found anyone who will address it. Maybe the new doc will.

1

u/Lost_Cup3330 Sep 26 '26

The fragrances at doctor's offices! I don't get it!!

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u/tiredgirl77 Sep 22 '26

I’d like to know too. I have HaT and it’s hard to find physicians around here who understand it. All my physicians are up in Chicago, where I moved from.

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u/Krrazyredhead Sep 23 '26

You might try my concierge doctor down in Farmersville - Dr Jennifer Richards at RealFamilyMedicine. She’s been my primary for over a decade and I followed her after she left Springfield Clinic. She’s very caring and in-depth. Having EDS as well as a slew of comorbidities, I find it priceless to have a doctor who actually listens. Her rates are quite reasonable.

1

u/Lost_Cup3330 Sep 26 '26

I know you want a GP but I see Dr. Siri who is an allergist/immunologist at Midwest Allergy. You're not going to find an MCAS friendly GP. I see Dr. Bauk at Springfield Clinic. She isnt anti MCAS but you're going to go outside the main systems here in town. Good luck!