Rheumatologist fluent in English

[Dancing Queen]

I am looking for someone who knows an english fluent rheumatologist that they would recommend (as my random attempts are not proving successful) - especially if the doctor's office is in one of the inner districts.

I have tried the website link http://www.praxisplan.at/ and the US Embassy site. From the praxisplan site, the doctor I tried was not what I would call fluent in english and there is only one doctor specializing in rheumatology listed on the US Embassy site.

Thank you!

[Kerstin]

Hi,
from my own personal experience I can recommend the "Innere II (Internistische) Abteilung" at Herz Jesu Hospital, 3rd Distrikt. All my experiences with this kind of physicians/rheumatologists who have their own surgery in Vienna is negative. I have been in Herz-Jesu's care for about 1.5 years and the staff there have virtually cured me from rheumatism. I am on Simponi which is one of the new biological medicines and for the first time in 10 years I feel free of symptoms. The Herz Jesu Hospital have the benefit that they carry out clinical trials and in the course of this trial I was asked if I want to take part. Before that I was at the AKH Vienna General Hospital - they have a whole dept for rheumatology - but I was put off by the impersonal mass treatment approach, nonsense treatment and long waiting hours during surgery hours.
At Herz Jesu I get appointments at 8 am and I am normally finished shortly around 9:30. The staff is extremely friendly and competent.

Re language matters: the nurses may speak basic English, but doctors should all be able to talk English.
http://www.kh-herzjesu.at/index_html?sc=998518625

[Kerstin]

PS
Dr. Gonda is the guy who mostly does the rheumatology surgery at Herz Jesu, but he seems to have his own private surgery as well according to this.
http://www.kh-herzjesu.at/index_html?id=3484

[Dancing Queen]

Hi Kerstin!

Thanks very much for your suggestion and sharing your other experiences!! I really appreciate you taking the time to provide this recommendation. I will check them out.

Kind regards,
Amanda

[djbraun]

an old post...but in case anyone is still looking, I saw Prim. Dr. Hitzelhammer and he was great. At the WGKK on Mariahilferstraße 85-87 near Neubaugasse (U3) tel: 01-6012287850

[Kerstin]

Hi, it all depends on what they are willing to prescribe, I guess. I am still free of the nasty symptoms thanks to the 1,500 Euros a month medication. Recently I was told it is possible to make a test if I can do without the expensive medication, just continute to take the basic medication (called Auslassungstest or similar). In other words even the doctors at Herz Jesu seem to be confident that the worst is over and we can take a risk. I've never felt so good in years.