Good Doc in Maine

Hi,

As my doctor is now moving out of the area, I figured it was time to find a new Doc that has the same feelings as me on the bennefits of MM. The following is a list of name I have of Doctors I may contact.

H. F. Colt-MD, Augusta

R. DeKeuster-M. ED, Cumberland

Dustin Sulak-DO, Hallowell

I have real reasons for getting card. Was in a motorcycle crash 3 yrs ago. Broke my back, broke half my ribs, collapsed lung, dislocated sholder...... So you know why Im looking for someone who knows what they are doing. Lots of good Docs out there, unfortunately only a handful are willing to see MM for what it is; real medicine

If you have experience with any Docs above, or know of one that would be a good choice for me please feel free to share. I live within reasonable driving distance from all three.

Thanks
NSB

Shawn Higgins-DO Falmouth

I have heard rumors in this forum that she is no longer taking appts for mmj, but cannot verify that. Honestly, I would be surprised if she stopped doing so altogether. It's just too lucrative and there are too few docs doing it. Perhaps she's just reduced the criteria she'll certify for, staying away from the more subjective ones like intractable pain. I did see Dr. Higgins for my own card a few months ago, but I have one of the listed primary conditions. My sister lives up north and saw Dr. Sulak for her card. Hers is for pain.

Edit: I should have added that I am caregiver for a patient who also saw Dr. Higgins. He has a major illness for which there is no doubt about eligibility. I will also soon be caregiver for one additional patient. I do not know who their doctor is.

rebecca dekuster isn't a doc. she runs 4 dispensaries....her degree is a masters of education......

Thank-you,
I was mis-informed.
nsb

Thanks for the info.

I will probably give Sulak a call. He will be able to determine if need to see a MD too.

tet1953 said:

Shawn Higgins-DO Falmouth

I have heard rumors in this forum that she is no longer taking appts for mmj, but cannot verify that. Honestly, I would be surprised if she stopped doing so altogether. It's just too lucrative and there are too few docs doing it. Perhaps she's just reduced the criteria she'll certify for, staying away from the more subjective ones like intractable pain. I did see Dr. Higgins for my own card a few months ago, but I have one of the listed primary conditions. My sister lives up north and saw Dr. Sulak for her card. Hers is for pain.

Edit: I should have added that I am caregiver for a patient who also saw Dr. Higgins. He has a major illness for which there is no doubt about eligibility. I will also soon be caregiver for one additional patient. I do not know who their doctor is.

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When I went to Dr. Sulak's office (saw practitioner) they recomended I keep my regular doc. So if you require prescription meds or other care you would have to find another Dr. along with Dr. Sulak. Obviously the best scenario would be find a Dr. that would do both but at this time not many will. Myself I dont know of any unless you have one of the original prescribable illnesses. Good luck!!

Dr. Sulak has a really long waiting list and about the only way to get on it is to show up at his office in person around 8am the first business day of the month (according to one of the very pleasant woman at his office, she said it was ok to repeat it)

Dr Higgins on the other hand seems to be able to get people in pretty quickly. I had been warned that she may be more reluctant to make a recommendation than some others. However I understand that as long as you have records that support your claim (of legitimate need) its usually a pretty good visit.
I think she just expects people to realize that they are seeing her to make a request rather than demand, and they are seeking something that's more of a privilege than right.. (as things stand now anyway)

I saw Dr. Higgins a month ago and still haven't received a definite answer. She only agrees with using marijuana as a bridge to recover, not as long-term treatment or using marijuana more than once a month. She believes in changing your nutrition to allow your body to regenerate cells that cause pain. She told me I would notice a big difference if I cleansed my body by only eating and drinking natural things, fruits, vegetables, water & rice etc. I left her office under the impression I would have to see her again which would cost another $200 because the DEA is cracking down on doctors giving patients cards at the first visit, and you have to get them renewed every 4 months. I'm not sure if it is worth it. I would be spending $500 just for the card and would still have to buy the prescription.

rtownsend said:

I saw Dr. Higgins a month ago and still haven't received a definite answer. She only agrees with using marijuana as a bridge to recover, not as long-term treatment or using marijuana more than once a month. She believes in changing your nutrition to allow your body to regenerate cells that cause pain. She told me I would notice a big difference if I cleansed my body by only eating and drinking natural things, fruits, vegetables, water & rice etc. I left her office under the impression I would have to see her again which would cost another $200 because the DEA is cracking down on doctors giving patients cards at the first visit, and you have to get them renewed every 4 months. I'm not sure if it is worth it. I would be spending $500 just for the card and would still have to buy the prescription.

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I got my cert from her, but I have absolutely no question about eligibility. The stuff about once/month and bridge is new to me, I heard none of it. She did say I would have to have some visits to establish a relationship as the law requires etc. She even mentioned possibly switching to her as primary care. Yeah, right. I have a doc, a good one, and he would have certed me in a sec if his association allowed it.
Did she do a massage thingy? That Reike thing is what she's into.
Honestly I would not recommend Higgins to anyone, especially with Sulak now in the area.

there is a new place in manchester, I'll see if I can find the name of it.....

tet1953 said:

The stuff about once/month and bridge is new to me, I heard none of it.

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I am also certified by Higgins. I told her that i had been smoking weed since i was 17, that i saw about 170 Dead shows (she had Alex Grey art on the walls, very cool) and smoke 3-4 times a day, more on the weekends. I showed her the documentation of my knee surgery and follow-up that indicate i've been bothered by the injury since it happened and that surgery didn't correct the issue. I told her that smoking weed provides as much relief as the vicodin i could get scripts for at will without making me a short-tempered opiate junkie. She said sure thing & tell your friends about me.

On the other hand, i keep hearing people saying that they needed to see Sulak a couple times before he would certify but my wife went to an appointment in August and walked out with her recommendation. I dunno.

Maine Brookies said:

I am also certified by Higgins. I told her that i had been smoking weed since i was 17, that i saw about 170 Dead shows (she had Alex Grey art on the walls, very cool) and smoke 3-4 times a day, more on the weekends. I showed her the documentation of my knee surgery and follow-up that indicate i've been bothered by the injury since it happened and that surgery didn't correct the issue. I told her that smoking weed provides as much relief as the vicodin i could get scripts for at will without making me a short-tempered opiate junkie. She said sure thing & tell your friends about me.

On the other hand, i keep hearing people saying that they needed to see Sulak a couple times before he would certify but my wife went to an appointment in August and walked out with her recommendation. I dunno.

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I dunno either, unless it has to do with eligibility. Just a wild guess here, but maybe there is a correlation between the stories of less-than-smooth certs and somewhat questionable reasons for getting a cert. Maybe the doc has to establish more of a relationship on more questionable applications. Just thinkin out loud here lol

That was my first thought, too.

i agree with both you guys, I have seen an heard people asking for scripts for things that would be questionable in cali.. and cali this aint.. I am skeptical of doc's advertising to be MMJ and then delaying people BUT I am all for a doctor weeding out bad ellements. We don't need bad elements fucking up this good thing.

on topic, Sulak is the man, honest and fair. He sent one of my patients back with out a script telling them he just didnt have enough background, I asked the patient what he brought (past records) "nothing" I had him fax his history in and two days later, a phone call and the recomendation in the mail. Honest and fair.

That is good to hear - Sulak sounds like a straight-up guy and doing things the way he should

May actually be interested in the reike.
I've had about 10 myofacial massages (they "unwrap" the muscle fibers so they relax) and it worked well when I kept with it. Also had deep tissue massage as well. Gotta say nothing like a good rub down to get you back up to par!

Bah! None of that touchy feely stuff for me LOL

Dr. Sulak is excellent! Very caring people at his office. I saw him first of July and got my card by the first of August. I have had to get ahold of his office for questions a couple times & they were right on top of everything. I can't recommend him enough! You WON'T be disappointed

Just to follow up myself - I went to Dr. Sulak's office in October and I got my recommendation. Total time was 3 weeks - I did have full documentation with me when I went in - I'm told this can help speed things up if you are qualified. Very professional atmosphere - and I actually enjoyed the Reiki as well. It was very relaxing I would highly recommend their office to anyone.