I receive many emails and phone calls on a weekly basis asking me for information, diagnoses and recommendations for disorders of both painful and non-painful fat. Everyone who contacts me is very important but my time for answering inquiries immediately is extremely limited. I felt starting this website might answer a few of the questions people might have and save us all a lot of time. This does not mean that I don't want to hear from you, I do! This website and its information will just let you muse things over before contacting me.
MY INTEREST IN FATTY GROWTHS
Although an Endocrinologist by training, I have always been interested in fat - why do daughters have fat just where their mothers do and why do men develop large abdomens and skinny arms and legs as they age? While training in the lipid clinic at the University of Washington in Seattle, I was introduced to patients with familial partial lipodystrophy and Madelung's disease (multiple symmetric lipomatosis; MSL). I was fortunate enough to work with one person with MSL in Los Angeles and have come to know many more as I continue working in San Diego. While talking with the owner of the "About Madelung's Disease" website, she told me to look into Dercum's disease (adiposis dolorosa; AD). Since that time, I have been contacted by people with both AD and familial multiple lipomatosis (FML) from all over the world. While much research remains unpublished, I want to share here my understanding of these disorders and provide suggestions for treatment so that you and your doctor can help you live a better life.
At present, my web site is still under construction. I am making an effort to present you with the entire spectrum of painful fatty disorders as soon as possible. At this point I can provide you with information regarding some of these disorders. Check this site regularly for updates, please.
If you or your doctor are looking for help, I can be reached at:
3350 La Jolla Village Drive, Mailcode 9-111-G, San Diego, California, 92161
or call 858-552-8585 x7384.
You can get an appointment with me by calling 619-543-6404 to get a UCSD medical record number then call Mary Mendez, R.N. at 619-543-6604 to schedule the actual appointment.
Dr. Karen Herbst has no affiliation with the companies whose products she recommends. She has received research funding from the NIH, the NIDDK, the NICHD, Auxilium and Glaxo-Smith-Kline.
