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Dr. Marianna Castells in Boston (Read 35590 times)
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Dr. Marianna Castells in Boston
12/31/10 at 04:32:49
 
(Archived from deborahw - original forum)
deborahw
Dr. Castells is a leading mast cell researcher in Boston. Like Dr. Akin, she is known for her compassion and willingness to help mast cell patients. For east coast patients, she is a a great doctor to go to! I don't know how easy it is to get a quick appointment with her, but once you go, you won't be disappointed!
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Deborah
19 March 2009 07:23 AM
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Re: Dr. Marianna Castells in Boston
Reply #1 - 12/31/10 at 04:34:36
 
(Archived from starflower - original forum)
starflower
I know a couple of people in this group have seen Dr. Castells... what was it like?  Is there anything I should know to make the appointment more successful?  I'm thinking of going, but it's a long trip for me... and I've been disappointed by doctors SO MANY TIMES.  Ugh.  I'm assuming I should take as much of my medical file as I can get... I've ruled out a lot things in the last year.    
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10 September 2009 07:49 AM
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Re: Dr. Marianna Castells in Boston
Reply #2 - 12/31/10 at 04:36:04
 
(Archived from thefoxx - original forum)
thefoxx

Star - it's like visiting the Dali Lama.  It was wonderful.  Prior to my visit I sent her an email stating I was coming to see her for masto - that I had my tryptase level, n-methyl histamine levels and bone marrow biopsy.  I asked her what other tests she'd like to see for my visit.  She asked me to get a CT scan, bone scan, skin punch and a few other things that I had my regular doctor order and was able to do locally (to be sure insurance covered it).

I got into Boston the night before so I didn't have to worry about any travel issues (which was good because my flight was severely delayed).  I just wandered around Boston till it was time for my appointment.  VERY IMPORTANT - she is NOT in Boston - she's in a suburb - about a 10 minute taxi from downtown Boston.

The appointment started in her office going over my tests, then into an exam room for a physical check and then back into her office.  Be prepared to take notes as she goes over a lot of information.  I brought my husband along for backup ears and brain Smiley

Go - it will give you a lot of peace of mind.  I know it did for me.
10 September 2009 08:33 AM
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Re: Dr. Marianna Castells in Boston
Reply #3 - 12/31/10 at 04:37:45
 
(Archived from starflower - original forum)
starflower

That sounds very smart... how did you get in touch with her?  I looked up her profile at Brigham Women's Hospital, but I didn't see an e-mail address.

Also, how long was your appointment?  Did you have to do anything special to make sure you would have enough time together?
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10 September 2009 10:31 AM
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Re: Dr. Marianna Castells in Boston
Reply #4 - 12/31/10 at 04:45:39
 
(Archived from thefoxx - original forum)
thefoxx

Hmmm - it used to be on her profile.  Her email is mcastells@partners.org.

The appointment was about 45 minutes long.  All I did was first register with Brigham and Young as a patient (her office will explain how to do that).  Then you call the office for the appointment and tell them that you are a masto patient and they take it from there.
10 September 2009 01:42 PM
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Re: Dr. Marianna Castells in Boston
Reply #5 - 12/31/10 at 04:46:53
 
(Archived from deborahw - original forum)
deborahw
I should have all her contact info. I will check and see.
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10 September 2009 01:42 PM
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Re: Dr. Marianna Castells in Boston
Reply #6 - 12/31/10 at 04:48:14
 
(Archived from rnonc - original forum)
rnonc

I have an appointment with Dr Casstells in November. I am looking forward to it.  It takes quite awhile to get a new patient appointment with her but office is very responsive and supportive.
They set me up an appointment with  Dr Greenburger at Brigham and Womens 3 weeks ago. He is a Gi Doc that specializes in Masto.  All I can say is that thank the lord for Dr Greenburger. He is incredible. I have heard it said that if you have Mastocytosis and you go see a masto specailist they can tell with in a few minutes.
I was sceptical after PCP, Oncologist, Hematologists, Endocronologists, and many others were all puzzled by my symptoms.  Differental for carcinoid did not pan out other than elevated prostoglandins most Dr's thought Mastocytosis ruled out but Dr Greenburger had the expertise and understanding to sift through  the mountain of test results, Ct's MRI's, Bone marrow, Octreoscans and see Mast cell activation disorder.
It was refreshing to see a Dr who was compassionate, knowlagable, and did not think I was suffering from some psych disorder. The first thing he asked my wife was " is he always this color?"  (I cant tell you how many Dr's have told me how healthy I look because of the nice red glow in my cheeks.) I knew when that question was  asked that after a long journey my wife and I had finally walked into the right office.
I have started treatment H1, H2 blockers and Cromolyn sodium . I am Better. WOW. Still have had a number of flushing episodes, still cramping , and brain fog but it is changing not as frequent except for 1 episode they seem less intense. All good news. I have capselle endoscopy tomorrow just to finish my work up for carcinoid.  But it looks like we have found the cause and that feels great.
I will see Dr Castells next month and hope to continue with Dr Greenburger.  The team at Brigham and Women's hospitalis great. Everyone from the parking attendant to the receptionist was proffesional and courteous.  If like me you have been lost in a world of clinics Dr's and testing with no answers and your symptoms are similar to those of Masto I highly recomend trying to see someone from the team at Brigham and Women's hospital in Boston. It is very clear to me now that most physicians even specialists are not equipped to deal with this diagnosis.
09 September 2010 07:22 AM
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Re: Dr. Marianna Castells in Boston
Reply #7 - 01/29/11 at 11:36:11
 
Dr castells is wonderful!  I brought my 20 month old so to see her in december  Yes, it took a long time to get into see her, but it was worth it.

She discussed my sons case w/his allergist months before we saw her and gave him recommended doses on gastrocrom.  

I had to call the office the other day to check on one med that he gets when his eyes are dialated, the office is so responsive.  They called to tell me that they got my message and they were sending the info off to dr castells, next am, I had a call back.

I would recommend seeing dr castells, we were already on the right track w/my son.  she gave me her emergency plan, some mastocytosis info and brochures.  we did up his gastrocrom from 1 vial to 2, but that was the only change.  we are going to follow up w/her on an annual basis unless something arises.
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Re: Dr. Marianna Castells in Boston
Reply #8 - 02/04/11 at 14:40:46
 
I am lucky to live in Boston.  I have seen Dr. Castells and Dr. Akin.  They both are great.  I also have Colitis.  I just saw a young GI doctor, Dr. Hamilton at Brigham and Women's.
One of his special interests is Mast Cell disease in the GI tract.  He spent almost an hour with me and asked me to keep him posted via email how I am feeling.  It was great to find another GREAT  Doc at the Brigham's.
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Re: Dr. Marianna Castells in Boston
Reply #9 - 02/04/11 at 15:17:58
 
I just sent you a private message - I would love to hear back from you if / when you get a chance. Thank you!
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Re: Dr. Marianna Castells in Boston
Reply #10 - 02/17/11 at 11:59:05
 
2 1/2 years ago being diagnosed with UP I am finally making my journey to Boston to see Dr. Castells next week. I have been emailing her periodically and she has giving my local docs med suggestions up until this point. I finally just asked her yesterday to see me and she agreed. I was surprised to get a date so soon so I am unprepared. I live in Delaware and plan on driving up the night before. Can anyone that has been there give me any tips -ie a near by hotel, parking info etc? I got a new patient packet faxed over today. I am excited to finally have someone that can help me instead of looking at me like I am crazy or have ten heads
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Re: Dr. Marianna Castells in Boston
Reply #11 - 02/17/11 at 15:04:15
 
Hello.  I live in Boston.  The best hotel closest to Brighams is the Hotel Commonwealth.  There are a few closer but this one is the best.
As far as parking, there is valet parking at Brighams.  It is easy.
The are is home to a few other hospitals(Beth Israel and Children's Hospital) and a few colleges.  It is a very busy area.
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Re: Dr. Marianna Castells in Boston
Reply #12 - 02/17/11 at 15:39:20
 
Hi there - If your looking for another option - I was just there last week for my first appt with Dr. Castells. We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott in Brookline (the one on Webster St). If you have AAA it's much cheaper - and it's also cheaper to book online. Parking is extra (about $24 for 24 hours). It's a short drive to Dr. Castells' office. The rooms are large, clean, etc. and you are in the middle of the town of Brookline where there is a Trader Joe's, a bunch of restaurants etc. Hope that helps! Smiley
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Re: Dr. Marianna Castells in Boston
Reply #13 - 02/20/11 at 08:00:01
 
Dr Castells office is not at Brigham and Woman's it's on RT 9 in Newton, MA.   It's in "Chestnut Hill"  There are many hotels in the area, depends on what type you are lookng for.  

Just as an FYI...the building does come up on you rather quickly and it's a quick/sharp turn to get into the driveway.  I had a GPS, so that helped.  It was all valet parking, which I didn't realize, thankfully I had a few $$ for a tip.

NYCpots, did you see dr castells in chesnut hill or someplace else??   my understanding was she was only at the allergy center at the medical building in chestnut hill.   They told me thats where she was...they being the person that set my appt and the person who went over the paperwork that had to be reviewed prior to making appt.
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Re: Dr. Marianna Castells in Boston
Reply #14 - 02/20/11 at 11:12:38
 
It is best to check with Dr. Castell's office since she sees patients
at Brighams and at the office in Chestnut Hill.
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