Boston - where to go for 2nd opinion?

I want to go to the Chron's and Colitis Center in Boston.  My friends Dad went and he was very happy with it, also my friend is a nurse who also works @ MGH, she went w/her Dad and she thought they were just wonderful.

My Aunt is helping me research my options (as my sister tells me, I do not have a PhD, ESP or a Crystal Ball........so a second opinion is not going to hurt me and I may even learn something = ).   One of her nurse friends recommended the Beth Israel Hospital in Boston.

I checked out both the websites and other than the above recommendations, I don't have anything else to go on. 

Anyone been to either of these places?  Any thoughts or suggesstions?   I am leaning toward the Chron's and Colitis center in Boston, mostly b/c of my friends Dad, my friends dealings w/MGH and the information on their website.

I really want to go to the best place.

TIA!

I have also heard great things about the MGH Colitis Center. My mom is a nurse in the area, and all of her doctor friends recommend it. I'm not there yet - I'm happy with my doctor now, and don't want to deal with the city traffic and parking yet, but I'm sure that's where I'll end up, too. (BTW - Dr. Sands is the one that was recommended to her). On the other side, my mother-in-law works with some people who swear by Beth Israel for their UC. We're lucky to have so many great hospitals in the area - you really can't go wrong with either MGH or BI!

I agree with Eva Lou, I was a patient of Dr. Peppercorn at Beth Israel for many, many years. I only switched because I went into remission and it was such a pain to get into the city with all that darn traffic. He really knows his stuff.

thanks for all your responses.  I think I am still leaning towards the Chron's and Colitis for a second opinion.  I like my Doc in Nashua and want to keep him, but I do want to get a second opinion.

I work close to Emerson Hospital so that would be super convenient, but I went there once before and it was not a good experience (though I am sure all places have people that do not have good experiences). 

Hi Old Hat, Dr Korzenik does seem very cutting edge.  He is also very willing to work with you, clearly explains things, the office returns phone calls quickly(sometimes him, sometimes his NP who is great as well) and has an overall great personality. I live in southern NH, so I drive 1 hr 15 minutes to get to the appts, but it has been well worth it.  Before going to him, I was in a sick on and off (mostly on) for 2.5 years.  My old doctor offered prednisone time and time again for longer and longer periods of time because, it was explained, that is what they do. Nothing was ever monitored when I was on prednisone.  He did finally try Immuran, but when I had a toxic reaction to it, he started just suggesting medication (Remicade, Lialda (no 5ASAs have been effective)) without explaining why they would think it would work. These are your choices, take it or leave it. It was more of a my way or the highway approach. Since going to Korzenik, I was well for 5 months and then started getting sick.  He quickly reacted to the situation and worked with me until we found something else that would work. I've felt well for about 1.5 months now.  He also thought to check my B12 levels, which were pretty low, and started me on B12 injections.  My old GI never thought to check this even though I was exhibiting the same symptoms of the deficiency back when I was going to him and would tell him of my symptoms during my appts.  I recommend Korzenik highly. Mary

I am currently relocating from Ohio to Boston, and have been trying to schedule an appointment with one of the Dr. at the Colitis Clinic. I called the office number posted on their website, 614-724-6005, and have had a bad experience with the office staff there. I have had to fax my medical records 4 times, because they admit that they keep losing them. I've heard wonderful things about the clinic, but getting an appointment has been terrible. I'm still waiting for a call back to schedule an appointment before I move to Cambridge. Has anyone else experienced this?? After seeing the reviews for Dr. Korzenik, I would love to be one of his patients. Do I need to request an appointment with him? The NP (Leslie?) told me she would review my records, to see which Dr. would be good for me.
Thanks for your help!

You can phone the center & ask if a specific gastro accepts new patients-- if they say no, ask if the gastro does consultations on physician referral. The situation can vary among the most savvy IBD gastros, depending on how heavy their current caseload is, and/or what their research interests are. Sometimes they acquire new receptionists who don't seem to have a clue about scheduling appointments; this is likely the reason why. I've noticed on CCFA Physician Finder, for example, that a couple top IBD gastros in NYC sometimes list there, but at other times remove their names, indicating that they're not available to new patients. In the mid-1980s I tried to schedule an office visit with one of these guys, whose receptionist asked me a couple dozen Qs about my condition over the phone & then told me that the gastro was only accepting Crohn's patients at that point in time! So-- it can be hard to get a foot in the right door; one has to be persistent in many instances-- to get the desired appointment, but as nhmas writes, it is well worth the effort when these "top guns" help you to better manage your UC. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])

beth~ my previous gi moved to boston i LOVED HIM, i was so upset when he moved, he got me in remission, and he's a sweetheart his name is Dr. Papper. look him up...he use to work for the uc and crohns foundation of nj at robert wood johnson hosptial in new brunswick nj...CALL HIM!

I would definitely talk with your primary care doc. After my last hospitalization, I was so confused. In the hospital I had been dealing with a thoracic surgeon, a cardiologist, a hospitalist, and of course, my GI. When I was discharged they told me to make an appt. to see my primary doc within a week. He pulled all the pieces together and it all made a little more sense. He also ordered more tests that I wouldn't have thought of. And I think it's just a good idea to keep your primary aware of everything going on with you!