It was like an episode of the Twilight Zone. I went in with a rash. I saw a Physician's Assistant and I was suddenly, within MINUTES, WITOUT ANY TESTING, officially diagnosed with a "painful and debilitating condition." WHAT? The Physician's Assistant then asked, "The question is, how do you want to treat it?" (WHAT are the treatment options - HELLO?) I responded, "I will treat it by finding someone who knows what the hell they are talking about!! You officially DIAGNOSED me with a "painful and debilitating condition" WITHOUT TESTING ME FIRST??" What about, "I'm concerned that you MIGHT have a certain condition so I would like to do some testing to confirm or eliminate any concern."
When I questioned her, she insisted that I INDEED had this life altering and SCARY condition!! I was IN SHOCK!! She even gave me a pamphlet to support her diagnosis!! She THEN offered to do a biopsy to prove herself 'right' and I'm like HELL NO!! I'm out of here!!
I was throwing up because of WORRY!!! I contacted another dermatologist's office and made an appointment, but I had to WAIT to be seen!! I was seen and upon seeing my rash, the PROFESSIONAL dermatologist said, "It could be several things, let's take a biopsy because biopsies don't lie." He showed no concern. I had to WAIT for FIVE DAYS for the results of the biopsy!!!
I was leaving on what was SUPPOSED to be a RELAXING vacation, but instead I was sick with worry and my vacation was RUINED!! I didn't tell my hubby about my worry because I didn't want to ruin his vacation. I didn't cry other than in private because I also have a 12-year-old and I didn't want to worry him either. I wanted this vacation to be "normal" for them. We went out to eat as a typical part of a vacation, and I ordered, but I couldn't eat. I made excuses and I took my food back to our place but threw all of my food out. Who loses weight on vacation?? Someone who is abruptly diagnosed and WORRIED SICK that their future life is going to be filled with "PAIN and DEBILITATION"!!
I called the office manager. I was FRANTIC with worry!!! I told her that no testing was done despite this devastating diagnosis, and she ASSURED ME that the Physician's Assistant was "more than qualified to make the diagnosis." I replied that she diagnosed me with a "painful and debilitating condition without testing" and her response was, "It IS a painful and debilitating condition!" She then stated, "She offered to do a biopsy and you refused." The PA offered to do a biopsy ONLY because and AFTER I questioned her!!! READ ON!! You will be MORE OUTRAGED!!
The office manager hung up on me!! See my previous review for this location and the Surprise location. The OFFICE manager (not a medically qualified person) ASSURED me that what I was diagnosed with was FACT!!! I wanted to make SURE that this didn't happen to anyone else. I then asked to talk to the owner. I received a call from him. He ALSO ASSURED me that what I was diagnosed with by the PHYSICIAN'S ASSISTANT was ACCURATE!! The owner was talking over me, insulting me and he was VERY condescending!! He inaccurately repeated my words back to me. I said to him, "Her scary words are etched in my brain." His response to me was, "Did you just say that there is something wrong with your brain? Did you just admit something is wrong with your brain?" He then told me that he was recording our phone conversation. I sure as hell hope he did and I sure as hell hope he produces it when I further pursue this matter, and I WILL!! I guarantee he won't produce our conversation!!
After living through HELL because of what turned out to be a MISDIAGNOSIS (TRULY unknown to me for OVER FIVE WEEKS because additional testing was necessary beyond the biopsy!!), I was notified by the OTHER and PROFESSIONAL dermatology office that my biopsy results concluded that I had ECZEMA!! ECZEMA - NOT a life sentence of "pain and debilitation" as diagnosed by a PA at this office!!
But this nightmare was not over YET! I have other conditions that I have suffered with that the Physician's ASSISTANT used as an excuse to come to the diagnosis that she chose WITHOUT TESTING. She told me that my existing conditions were "ALL INTERTWINED" with her diagnosis as she put her fingertips and thumb together in an upright fashion as she twirled them in the air.
After returning from my "vacation" and after suffering mentally, emotionally and physically, I contacted my regular physician. I told him about the diagnosis. He ordered tests to confirm or dismiss the diagnosis that was NOW IN MY MEDICAL CHART - with ZERO testing!! They took 5 tubes of blood. FIVE DAYS LATER and after MUCH WORRY, I was notified that ALL TESTING CAME back NEGATIVE!!! I was put through this HELL UNNECESSARILY!!
It cost me HUNDREDS (probably close to a thousand dollars, yet TBD) to COUNTER the FAKE MISDIAGNOSIS!! The office is now BLOCKING my emails!! I will seek other avenues to communicate with them like through the medical board, ETC!!! read more