I was referred to see him for a workers comp injury. I was in his office for less than 5 minutes and he started making inappropriate jokes about my injury and losing my job. It was very insulting, but I stayed because I needed help. The reason I was seeing him was increased depression, anxiety, dizziness and irritability (among other things) after my injury. I told him that I had some depression and anxiety before the injury, but my antidepressants had it under control until I was injured and now they were out of control. He told me to stop taking my antidepressants because it was such a low dose that I wouldn't notice the difference or even feel withdrawals. He told me to take more of a different med (meant just for anxiety) even though I told him it makes me nauseous. He said if it keeps doing that, to stop it as well and I wouldn't notice. He said if I had an issue to call him. He also said that he forgets to call back a lot...
I stopped taking the antidepressants and, in about 3 days, the withdrawals were terrible. I increased the other med and got even more nauseated. I tried to call and got no answer or call back. I called again the next few days and still nothing. My depression, anxiety, and definitely my irritability were much worse. I stopped taking the other med and my stomach finally calmed down. My next appointment was a few weeks later (today). I had stopped taking both medications per his instructions. The withdrawals aren't as constant but are still very difficult to deal with. He wouldn't see me because I didnt bring the medication that I was no longer taking. He said I should have brought them even if I didn't take them. He would have known I stopped the other medication as well if he answered his phone. I have Aspirin, Tylenol, Peptobismol, etc at my house. Should I have brought everything in my cupboard?
He had his receptionist tell me that he wouldn't see me and to reschedule for over a month away. I was in his office, having bad withdrawals, worse off than when he first saw me, and he was refusing to see me. He came out of his office and just stood there looking at me. I told him that I was having withdrawals and the other symptoms were worse. He was less than 10 feet from me and definitely heard me. He literally just waved at me. He is so disrespectful and disregarding of his patients. I got mad and reminded him that he said I wouldnt notice. He still just looked at me. I got even more angry that my doctor wasnt taking my problems seriously. I told him that I didnt think he knew what he was doing and that I wanted a different doctor. He finally spoke and said "Ok". No compassion for patient care at all. This is the only doctor I have ever seen that has told his patient to stop taking the only thing that helped them within a few minutes of meeting them. I could understand alcohol or opioid or something. But telling a person with depression to stop antidepressants in one of the hardest points in their life...
So if you want to be made fun of, ignored, made worse than when you started, and told you won't be seen during a scheduled appointment when you really need help. Dr Bokarius is your guy. At least there isn't any mystery why he started his own practice, he can't fire himself. read more
