OB/GYN Discussion Thread

Overview - $50
Ultrasound - $50
PAPA smear - $33

Vaginal discharge, specifically clamydia, per $83, HPV $133

If paying out-of-pocket for these tests feels like too much of a financial hit, you might want to see if you can secure a referral from a public gynecologist. You could then pick up the necessary testing swabs at the local health department over on Rockefeller, head to Dr. Harni to have the actual samples taken (which will run you about $33), and finally return the supplies to the health department yourself.

Jonathan Palmer said:Alright, let me step in here—I’m officially jumping to the guys' defense!
Well, to break the ice and get things moving—the very first guy I ever saw was a private practitioner. His name was Dr. Mladen Miljan, and honestly? He was absolutely phenomenal. If I’m being totally real with you all—and maybe this sounds a bit blunt—I just tend to trust men way more than women when it comes to this kind of stuff. Anyway, he was just incredible! He was so incredibly polite and genuinely gentle with me, probably because he could tell it was my very first time and didn't want me to be nervous. Seriously, he was top-tier. Highly recommend him if you're looking for someone great!
So, I finally made the switch over to Dr. Shedid—and let me tell you, the man is an absolute legend! Like, seriously, one of the best out there. I’ve been seeing him for five years now, and honestly, I wouldn't go anywhere else. He’s such a sweetheart that he even went out of his way to write me referrals for a urologist—which isn't even really his specialty, mind you—but he just does it anyway. I've basically been using him as my go-to for every little thing under the sun, even when it had absolutely nothing to do with his field! He’s originally from India, by the way, and he is just the kindest, most wonderful soul you could ever meet.
So, I finally headed over to the doctor's office today—just me lounging there while he does his thing—and we ended up just chatting about all sorts of random nonsense. Honestly, I don't know why I get so worked up about these appointments! It’s just a doctor, right? No need for all that nervous energy. Anyway, during our little chat, I actually found out something pretty wild—did you guys know that a child can actually catch HPV from their mom during birth? Apparently, it can just sit there in a latent state, totally undetected, so nobody even realizes it's happening. Just one of those things you never think about until it pops up in conversation!
Look, I wouldn't trade him for any woman out there—seriously. To me, gender doesn't even matter in this context; at the end of the day, you just need someone who can actually get the job done properly, right? That’s the bottom line! And as for those people complaining about having "bad skin" or feeling awkward about being undressed... honestly, they got exactly what they deserved. If you're physically capable of having sex, then you should be perfectly fine with getting undressed in front of a doctor—it’s not about being shameful, it's about medical necessity! Health is way more important than a little bit of embarrassment, don't you think?
So, if you guys are actually looking for a female gynecologist—and I mean someone who is actually decent, professional, and, well, great in bed—I’ve got a solid recommendation for you! You should definitely check out Dr. Puvacic. She works the opposite shift from Dr. Shedida, so if that timing works better for you, there you go. A close friend of mine goes to her regularly and she is absolutely thrilled with the experience—super happy! If anyone wants her direct number, just shoot me a private message and I'll send it over.

Oh man... seriously, not you again, Puvacicka! I’m actually hanging out with her right now—which, let’s be real, means I am officially ready and more than willing to trade in my gin!
Honestly, her physical exam wasn't even that bad! It’s just—get this—she was in such a massive rush that she basically decided to base her entire diagnosis solely on my eye color... can you believe that? Talk about cutting corners!
So, I actually had to make the tough call once to refuse stepping out of the office for an exam—and honestly? I was totally right to do it, because things were turning into a complete disaster...
Honestly, Chedid is an absolute legend—seriously! 😁
Honestly, I wouldn't recommend that at all—seriously! I had this one experience where I completely mixed up my pills, and let me tell you, the staff there was absolutely useless. They couldn't figure out what was wrong to save their lives! But then, this old doctor from the same clinic—who’s actually retired now, by the way—stepped in and sorted the whole mess out in like five minutes flat. It was such a relief!
So, expertise... hmm... let me think about that for a second—it’s one of those things that sounds so simple when you say it out loud, right? But once you actually start digging into what it means to truly *know* something, it gets a little messy! —not that I’m claiming to be an expert on anything, mind you, I'm mostly just winging it most days—but there's definitely a difference between just knowing a bunch of facts and actually having that deep, seasoned intuition that comes from years of trial and error. It’s like the difference between reading a cookbook and actually being able to taste when the sauce needs a pinch more salt without even looking at the recipe! You know? Anyway, just some food for thought while I ponder this!

Betty Bennett10 said:Exam - $50
Ultrasound - $50
Pap smear - $33

Swabs (Chlamydia, etc.) - $83, HPV $133

If doing private swabs is too expensive, see if you can get a referral from a public gynecologist. You can pick up the swab kits yourself at the local health department office over on Rockefeller, go to Dr. Harni to have her take them (that costs $33), and then you just return the kits to the health department yourself.

Thanks! 👋

So exam + Pap + labs = $133
And it’s honestly not that bad. It's only once a year anyway. It's not like I'm unhappy with my current doctor—Dr. Topalovic—but I think he's still out on medical leave... basically, I mostly just need a gynecologist for advice and someone to talk to... I'm hoping Dr. Harni is decent since everyone raves about her.

It's just those swabs that are pricey...

Maybe you could try setting this up with Dr. Miller or whoever is covering his shifts—they keep all the files over at the university clinic, so you wouldn't have to deal with hauling everything down to the hospital lab myself.

From what I’ve gathered, Dr. Miller isn't actually out on medical leave anymore🙂—unless, of course, he’s decided to go back on leave once again.

hmmmm... I feel like I was there around March, and he wasn't around then. Some other doctor, Dr. Zahi Khouri if I remember correctly, was covering for him.

Don't hate me, I'm just bumping this thread!

Keep it going, ladies.

Based on what everyone was saying on the forums back when I checked those old threads a year or two ago, I switched over to the clinic near the university hospital.

First off, this guy has like a thousand patients, so his "kindness" gets spread so thin it basically disappears by the time he actually talks to you. And when I say a thousand, I’m being dead serious.😁

Second thing—the appointments are timed so that every single person (at least according to his sister) gets exactly five minutes, including the Big Man himself.👎

Third, you can only book on the first of the month. If you happen to call at 1:39 PM (assuming they open at 1:30), congrats! You get an "exciting" appointment on the 23rd or the 27th. Everything else is already gone. I honestly wonder who he's saving them for.🙄 If you call on the 2nd, the slots for that month are long gone.😢

Fourth, the lovely nurse storms out into the waiting room and, in front of the entire crowd (and yeah, some guys are there too), starts interrogating people about what they need. I once piped up from the waiting area, "I need a referral for an STD test."😁
Just watch his face. Seriously. Whatever, man. What can you do?

Fifth, once you finally see the "esteemed" doctor—assuming he hasn't canceled on you because he's at some prenatal class or whatever, forcing you to reschedule two weeks later—he immediately directs you to his private practice where service is "fast and efficient."
Talk about a massive conflict of interest. But since the nurse clearly hates my guts, I'm not about to go tell him he's running an illegal side hustle. He wouldn't even look at me if I were on my deathbed.

Like I said, I haven't been seeing him in 35 years. It's not like my sister-in-law is best friends with his godmother or anything like that.

Maybe that's just my problem.
🙄

Word on the street is that Dr. Tarle is actually pretty solid. He’s an old pro, you know? I haven’t sat in his exam room myself, but I picked him because he’s eyeing retirement. Apparently, he’s handing the reins over to some supposedly "super talented" young gynecologist...

Regarding Dr. Grujic-Koracin—who’s gone private now and has an office over on Star Street—honestly? It's a complete train wreck.

When she first opened, she was super sweet, but then the whole vibe just went south. She’s constantly having these low-key blowouts with her nurse (total power struggle drama), and the atmosphere is just GROSS. The nurse acts like she runs the joint, jumping in with diagnoses before the doctor even speaks, and then the doctor gets all insulted and talks down to her... like she’s some kind of dim-witted heifer who doesn't know anything.

I went there last, and I am never going back.

And don't even get me started on this: I show up, explain everything that's bothering me, lay out the facts, conclude I probably have a hormonal imbalance, list all my symptoms, my routine, my diet, everything... and I tell her, "Look, please just run an ultrasound so we can be sure." And what does she do? She starts a literal war with me. Claims I'm making it up, says I need to lose weight, says I should move more... blah, blah, blah. Then, after all that nonsense, she finally does the ultrasound and finds out I'm not even ovulating and actually *do* have a hormonal disorder and need deep testing.

I mean, seriously, you absolute moron. Could you not have just checked first instead of picking a fight when you had no clue? I'm totally done with that cow. I can't even describe how much she disgusted me—the way she looked at me like I was something gross until she finished the exam... just pure "ugh, you're so dramatic, now I actually have to deal with you" energy. And guess what? I PAID FULL PRICE for all that, only to get treated like trash.

Never again, even if I were dying! That woman is repulsive; they should honestly just revoke her medical license. To top it off, she pushed contraceptives on me without even suggesting blood work or basic tests, even though I'm overweight and considered high-risk. Total idiot!

But hey, as long as she speaks French, she thinks we're all just uneducated hillbillies while she plays the genius. Absolute nightmare. 👎 👎 👎

Gregory Nguyen4 said:Following some advice from the forums (recommendations from a thread posted maybe a year or two ago), I switched over to seeing Dr. Topalovic at the student health clinic.

First off, the guy has about 1,000 patients, so he spreads his kindness so thin it basically disappears when you actually need an individual touch. When I say 1,000, I’m not even exaggerating much. 😁 .

Second, the appointments are timed so that everyone gets—according to his sister—exactly five minutes, including the paperwork. 👎

Third, you can only book on the first of the month. If you happen to call at 1:39 PM (working hours start at 1:30 PM, for example), you get the "privilege" of an appointment on the 23rd or 27th. Everything else is already gone. I honestly wonder who they're saving those slots for. 🙄 If you call on the 2nd of the month, there's nothing left for that month. 😢 .

Fourth, the nurse storms out into the waiting room and, in front of the whole crowd—and yeah, some women bring their boyfriends along—starts grilling people on what they need. I once mentioned to her that I needed a referral for an STD test 😁
Just so she could look it up. Unbelievable. What can you even do?

Fifth, once you finally see this "distinguished" doctor (assuming he hasn't canceled on you because he has a prenatal class or some other excuse to push you back two weeks), he immediately directs you to his private practice where service is supposedly "fast and efficient."
Talk about a conflict of interest. But since the nurse clearly hates my guts, I won't go telling him he's doing something borderline illegal; she wouldn't take me as a patient even if I were dying.

Like I said, I haven't seen him in 35 years. It's not like my sister-in-law is his best friend's godmother or anything like that.

Maybe that's just my problem.
🙄

I see Dr. Topalovic, and honestly, I have nothing but praise for him. In the ten years I've been going to him, I've never had a single issue. He and his nurse have never been anything but polite. I actually have his number, and if I ever needed to ask him something, he was always kind and respectful. If he wasn't, I would've switched doctors ages ago.
....It gets crowded, sure, but when I go for an exam, I try to show up right when they open, or I'll ask the nurse if I can squeeze in because I have a little baby, and she'll let me in before my turn. Once, she even squeezed me in when there was absolutely no space...
I think saying he has 1,000 patients might be a bit of an exaggeration...

Hey, anyone know a good dentist in Columbus?

Has anyone seen Dr. Mamuzić? What's the verdict? Prices okay?

Thanks!

Does anyone know a gynecologist specializing in breast diseases? Somewhere in the US. Thanks.

I totally agree that private gynecologists can be amazing—they’re often super attentive and provide such great care. But just think about the "what if" scenarios. What if things don't go perfectly? Like, imagine you get a Pap smear result that comes back completely messed up, or you're dealing with a persistent infection you just can't shake, or heaven forbid, you catch an STD. Or even just standard stuff like PCOS and all those other hormonal headaches. If you have to keep going back for follow-ups and specialized testing, the costs add up fast. Honestly, at that rate, you might as well just take out a personal loan just to cover your doctor visits!

Anyway... I’m heading over to Dr. Franklin’s office now. Honestly, his practice isn't exactly high-end or anything, but the guy actually listens to me. He doesn't try to play games or talk down to me, and he'll whip up whatever prescription I need. That said, if I ever need actual medical advice for serious issues, I’ll probably check with someone else—so far, he hasn't really been able to help me solve any major problems.

Honestly, my absolute favorite moment was back when I had some kind of fungal infection and things just spiraled out of control. It eventually turned into a CIN I diagnosis, and finally, after all that stress, I got to see the doctor. He took one look at my results, said "Okay," and handed me a slip to take to the nurse. I told him, "I can just check with the doctor here." Then I actually looked down at the paperwork and saw "CIN I" staring back at me. I swear, I just thought, "Holy crap, there is no way I am driving home without a massive pile of gynecologists to visit first."
He just gave me this totally confused look, then typed out a bunch of stuff to me, and... yeah, okay.

That’s just how it is for me with my doctor... I’d love to go to a private practice so badly, but I just don't have that kind of money.

shadowsailor78 said:Does anyone know a gynecologist who specializes specifically in breast diseases? Looking for someone in the Chicago area. Thanks!

I know a great guy—though, to be clear, he isn’t a gynecologist, just a specialist in urology. It's Dr. Gregurić over in Krapina, specifically on Trešnjevca Street. He runs a private practice, so you do have to pay out of pocket, but it’s not expensive—and honestly, for the quality you get, it's well worth it.

So, I ended up pregnant and started hunting for a solid OB-GYN—someone who runs a private practice but also has hospital privileges where I’d actually deliver. That search led me straight to Dr. Snjezana Skrablin Kucic.
The exams were rushed, incredibly painful, and I actually ended up bleeding after one of them. Honestly, after the appointment, I couldn't even walk properly for hours because the pain down there was just unreal. And her bedside manner? Non-existent. Zero. I was dealing with vomiting three to five times a day, and when I tried to explain just how miserable I felt, she basically shut me down mid-sentence, telling me it was "perfectly normal." To make matters worse, I was physically sick right before the exam, and she and her nurse just brushed past me like I wasn't even there. It was cold.
Anyway, after all that, I left. 😠
Now I'm seeing Dr. Frane Rusinovic. He’s also in private practice, and honestly, I couldn't be happier. We actually sit and talk for a good thirty minutes during appointments. And the weirdest part? The exams barely hurt at all. 🙂

Austin Lopez4 said:Regarding Dr. Grujic-Koracin—who’s moved into private practice over on Star Street now—honestly, I think it’s an absolute disaster.

When she first opened up, she was quite pleasant enough, but everything just soured after that. She’s constantly having these "quiet" little spats with her nurse—it’s clearly a power struggle—and the whole atmosphere is just BLEAK. The nurse tries to take charge, acting like she knows everything and jumping to diagnoses before the doctor even speaks, and then the doctor, feeling insulted, talks down to her... treating her like she’s some dim-witted, incompetent subordinate... it's just awful.

I went there last, and it will certainly be my last.
...

It doesn't help that she speaks French and acts like we're all just uncultured peasants while she fancies herself so much more sophisticated... truly dreadful. 👎 👎 👎

Oh, I agree; I visited her once myself, and never again... it was nothing short of a nightmare. I’ve since switched to Dr. Doka at the local community clinic, and he is actually a great guy. He’s a bit older and has a bit of a cheeky sense of humor, but he’s a decent man... and I’m perfectly satisfied with him so far.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Miller, and I have to say, he’s actually really great. I haven't tried anyone else, but he’s always super polite and genuinely attentive whenever I'm there. Honestly, no complaints from my side.
As for booking appointments... it can be a bit of a headache. Everything is handled through the patient portal and they have such a huge volume of patients that you can basically only schedule once a month. Though, to be fair, when I had an emergency recently, I didn't even need to book ahead.
But man, I was so frustrated hearing about what happened to a friend of mine. He went down to Cincinnati for a check-up—actually saw a urologist regarding HPV testing—and this doctor just looked at him, laughed right in his face, and told him, "If there aren't any symptoms, there's no need for an exam." That is just absolute garbage behavior from a doctor.

Amy White2 said:My former gynecologist is the absolute pinnacle of incompetence—Dr. Nitzic. I’m talking both his hospital practice and his private clinic. This guy actually refused to write me a prescription for Canesten (???) and instead had the audacity to suggest I just "gently rinse" everything with apple cider vinegar. After two months of pure misery, when I finally went back to beg him for actual cream and suppositories, the idiot looks me in the eye and implies it's happening because my boyfriend is cheating on me! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! What an absolute jerk... anyway, he won't be seeing me ever again.

Get lost, stay away from the downtown core!

Are you kidding me right now? Seriously? Just... NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I can't even deal with this level of absolute nonsense today. It’s like trying to drive through a blizzard in a sedan with no heater—just pure, unadulterated frustration. Give me a break! 😂

I’m about to dive into this reading, and honestly, I’m already fuming. I am ready to absolutely tear Nižetić apart! What did he ever do to me? Good grief! Because of some changes in my cervix, he spent two and a half years nagging me about those interferon injections in that exact same spot. And don't even get me started on the cost—one single dose costs an absolute fortune! $117 It’s like this: you get a little something—maybe a modest bonus or a small perk once a month—and then suddenly, you're spending the entire following night shivering and puking with a 104-degree fever. It’s a total wash. One minute you think you've gained an inch, and the next, life hits you with a sledgehammer that leaves you incapacitated for twenty-four hours. It's completely irrational.

Of course. After every single round of being poked and prodded—it’s like dealing with Dad.

He keeps trying to convince me that I CANNOT have a biopsy. His reasoning? Apparently, I’m just too "small down there" for him to perform the procedure without causing permanent damage. To quote his exact, ridiculous words: "any potential child would just leak out."

It’s a constant cycle of two steps forward and one step back. Things stabilize for a minute, then they crash. They improve, then they tank again. It’s exhausting. And honestly? The uncertainty is paralyzing. I’m stuck living in this constant fear that if some butcher at the clinic performs a biopsy, I’ll be left barren forever. What a pathetic, cliché way to describe it, but that's exactly how it feels.

Two and a half years... and what? That’s the question, isn't it? We sit here, we wait, we watch the clock tick away like a slow leak in a tire, and for what? Two and a half years of nothing but empty promises and stalled momentum. It's like waiting for a train at a station that was decommissioned decades ago. You just stand there, staring at the rusted tracks, wondering if you've completely lost your mind. Time doesn't just vanish; it gets stolen. And right now, it feels like we've been robbed blind. $3333 Later on, I’m going to lose my mind (excuse my language). I’ll just walk out, find a different doctor, and get everything done in three days—Pap smear, biopsy, and the LETZ procedure. Then, the very next Pap will come back clean. 👍

P.S. I won't even get started on Nižetić’s legendary one-liners. He’s got that sharp, biting wit. Remember when he brought up that ridiculous rubber duck thing? "Hehehe... is that how you push it, kid?" And don't even get me started on his commentary during the butt-slapping bit... yeah, I know, I know.🙄 Good grief! I bet you absolutely love it when some little brat keeps messing with you like that! 🙂 )

It’s just... unbelievable. Truly. How can anyone look at this situation and not see the sheer absurdity of it all? It’s like watching a slow-motion train wreck where everyone involved is arguing about the color of the conductor's hat instead of grabbing a shovel. Absolute madness. 🤣

Betty Bennett10 said:I don't think it's really appropriate to post things like this about people publicly.

Oh, so what's better? Just end up on a regimen of interferon injections and apple cider vinegar?!🙄

Look, we aren't making anything up here; we are strictly reporting the facts of what actually happened. If certain doctors want to run shady operations, they should be held accountable for their actions. I am incredibly grateful for any solid advice or recommendations, especially when it involves my own health and well-being.

shree_kali said:So you think finishing up with interferon injections and apple cider vinegar is the better move?!🙄

I am not interested in speculating or making things up; I only stick to the facts of what actually happened. If certain doctors want to engage in malpractice or shady business, they can deal with the consequences themselves. Personally, I’m all for receiving solid advice and recommendations, especially when it concerns my own health.

Look, did you even bother to read what my (original) post was actually about?