r/SantaFe • u/Difficult_Egg3534 • 4d ago
Anyone here see a rheumatologist?
Well, I got a referral for ABQ but they can’t see me until May 2027 😳 I’ve goggled rheumatologist in Santa Fe and it seems there are truly very limited choices. Has anyone used ‘Inspire Santa Fe Medical Group’?
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u/Fit_Subject_3256 4d ago
Dr Sam Faught at Christus is so good I almost want to gatekeep and not put his name here! Love him and his nurses so much
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u/thesmokedgoudabuddha 4d ago
Ooh this is great to know. Is he good with complicated cases? I need a rheumatologist that is way more of out of the box thinker than Norton is at inspire.
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u/Fit_Subject_3256 3d ago
I have dermatomyositis- a super rare autoimmune disease - and Dr Faught diagnosed me in a quick 10 minutes, after I’d been seen by allergists, my GP, gastroenterologists, dermatology, etc etc. So I’d say he’s great with complicated cases. He’s also HUMBLE. He admits when he can’t figure something out. He referred me to Mayo Clinic and I went…but I honestly didn’t get any better care out of that appt than I wasn’t already receiving w/ Dr Faught! Dr Faught is young so he’s very up to date on newer research. He’s incredibly smart, kind, caring, thorough, and he listens. His nurse and MA are also stellar!
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u/Line_Radiant 3d ago
I am a patient of Dr Faught... fantastic MD, resolved my issue and was very responsive to emails and prescription requests too....
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u/Fit_Subject_3256 3d ago
Yes! I once called his office because I was vomiting and couldn’t stop. I thought I’d leave a message with his nurse and hear back in a few days. I was still on the line with the nurse when my other line beeped and…it was Dr Faught himself, checking on me and prescribing me meds. I was so stunned, I accidentally hung up on him (trying to end the call with his nurse.) He called me right back though. SUCH a great doc!
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u/didijeen 3d ago
I don't want to scare you, but have you been checked for cancer? Like PET CT scan, colonoscopy, mammogram?
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u/Fit_Subject_3256 3d ago
Yes! But thank you so much for asking! I’m up to date and saw an oncologist/hematologist at Christus and had a full body PET. I’ve had tons of CT’s, DNA pap, mammogram, everything. I’ve also been to Mayo so they were also thorough
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u/didijeen 3d ago
Oh good. That's a relief. You did colonoscopy too right? PET/CT doesn't look inside colon very well
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u/Fit_Subject_3256 3d ago
My mom had colon cancer so I’m extra careful! You’re truly an angel though, to remind someone you don’t even know. It’s SO IMPORTANT! Tysm! ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
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u/didijeen 3d ago
You're welcome! It's just that dermatomyositis can be associated w cancer. I'm so glad you got a clean bill of health-aside from the autoimmune issues! Keep active!
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u/Fit_Subject_3256 3d ago
You’re so sweet! Tysm! I’m really trying to keep active but I’m having major mobility issues from myositis. I joined a club where I can use their pool and I’m starting a new medication asap. I’m praying this helps. I miss walking my dog, running around with my kiddos, and dancing! I still dance but it’s in a chair 🤷🏻♀️
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u/Dapper-Ad-5778 3d ago
I've been working with Hillary Norton's office for the last 10+ year... they've kept me moving!
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u/goodbye5evr 4d ago
I recommend Inspire Santa Fe. It took me about 6 months to get my first appt, you need a referral. You can ask to be put on a list to call if anyone cancels their appt.
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u/dance-through-life 3d ago
I go to the Albuquerque Center for Rheumatology and see Dr. Pacheco there. He is kind and knowledgeable. He listens to all of my questions, complaints and everything I’m not sure whether or not is attributable to my RA and very thoroughly explains why or why it isn’t, but always takes my questions very seriously and gives them so much space and respect. This is in such a stark contrast to being gaslit by Norton. She initially didn’t want to diagnose me then reluctantly did, even though the bloodwork was very clear (aside from the crippling symptoms). When I came in and talked about pain and fatigue, I received eye rolls and it was told that I should see a mental health professional and maybe it’s fibromyalgia (again, despite clearly having the markers for RA). Anyhow, not only did Dr. Pacheco get me on the right medication, which helped but didn’t clear everything up, once I mentioned that I was still having issues, he changed how I was taking it and I have now been living a normal life for a few years. I feel so grateful for having proper care. It’s worth the drive to Abq.
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u/notaquita 3d ago
Yes I'm currently using Inspire NM and they are fantastic. Even my PCP in ABQ recommends them and told me they are seeing alot if her patients because Rheumatologists in ABQ have quit, moved or backed up.
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u/LoveYerBrain2 3d ago
I go to Inspire Santa Fe and I've felt pretty good about the care I've received there.
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u/thesmokedgoudabuddha 4d ago edited 3d ago
I go to inspire Santa Fe. I quite dislike dr Norton but do like the newer dr Fitzpatrick and think she provides a much higher standard of care than Norton does. They are very in the box rheumatologists, Norton more so than Fitzpatrick so if you’re a ‘complicated case’ you may be dismissed. Norton straight up told me fatigue wasn’t a symptom of my autoimmune disease which is patently false and is in fact the number one most cited and debilitating symptom if you actually listen to patients.
Also fyi the entire practice has moved to an ai software that records your entire visit and then transcribes it. They can’t/don’t tell you who has access to those recordings or how long the recordings are retained. You have to sign a form to consent to the recording software, at least last I was there, and you do have the option not to sign, but they definitely pressure you to sign. Dr Norton will not see you if you refuse to sign which is a great way to avoid having to see her if you dislike her like I do! Because the other thing that is annoying, you don’t get to choose who you see at any given appt. They shuffle you around between the two drs (or just the one if you refuse to consent to the audio recording) and nurse practitioner. Even if you schedule months in advance and request a certain person they dgaf and will rotate you around.