This is the first time I have been compelled to write a review about a doctor. It takes several months to be accepted into the GE practice of Dr. Ripple Sharma, MarinHealth Gastroenterology. After meeting we agreed that, although 79, it would be wise to have a colonoscopy. I assumed once I have a procedure with an MD, I am their patient and have a physician I can turn to. Wrong! May 4th I was in NYC in the ER due to severe cramping, diarrhea and bleeding clots of blood. After blood work, a CAT scan, and an "undetermined gastric event", I was discharged to fly home with medicine and the specific instruction to see my GE and/or Primary Care within 1-3 days. I tried. I learned Dr. Sharma's appointments are 2 months away. I assumed that there would be Physician Assistants or Nurse Practitioners available to see patients. Wrong! The office manager made it clear that the GE's in this practice don't cover for each other. She suggested I write to Dr. Sharma via the Patient Portal. I did. No response. Next day I added more information about my symptoms and concerns. No response. Day 3, I received a rushed call. Dr Sharma hadn't read my notes, "Do you want me to call you later when I have had time to read them?" she asked. "Oh, I would have you eating food, toast or a banana." Wrong! I was cramping for hours after that and back to liquids. One week later I didn't know if this was a single event or a problem needing attention. I didn't know when to begin to eat solid food, if not defecating for more than a week was normal, and if loosing 11 pounds was cause for concern. There was no information or care coming from this physician. I returned to my excellent GE in Oakland. I do not recommend that you join MarinHealth Gastroenterology or put yourself in Dr. Sharma's care. She will smile and do nothing. read more

I tried to see/speak to Dr. Sharma at the end of my pregnancy for some GI issues that became unbearable. My OBGYN had told me they couldn't treat me for this issue, so to reach out to a GI to see if they were able to. I'd spoken to Dr. Sharma once before for a separate issue, so I was an established patient. I spoke to the front desk staff on the phone, explained this issue had suddenly appeared (as things do in pregnancy) and begged to be seen by Dr. Sharma or anyone else in the practice before I went into labor as I was afraid labor would exacerbate the issue. I was told by her front desk staff that no appointments were available and that I "should have thought to make an appointment earlier" -- I started to cry and just hung up on her when the conversation was going in circles. I reached out to Dr. Sharma through the patient portal and her only response was that her admin told her about the conversation and she expects her staff to be treated with respect. I never replied, but it seems like respect should probably go both ways. The lack of empathy from both Dr. Sharma and her staff was astounding. read more

Dr Sharma is a fantastic doctor!! I have seen her for over 10 years for general appointments and for medical procedures. At appointments she doesn't rush to finish your appointment and spends a lot of time thoroughly explaining the various medical problems I have had. She is very nice & has a pleasant demeanor and is very good at communicating what needs to be done to fix the different medical problem I've had. She genuinely cares about your health and fixing whatever medical problem I have had. She has performed multiple endoscopies and colonoscopies on me and her bedside prep before the procedures is great & after the procedures she is very good at explaining what was done to addresse my medical problem. If you need a wonderful G.I. doctor--you should choose Dr. Sharma as you're treating physician. read more

Dr Sharma is the rockstar of GI physicians . I was very Ill and she worked me into her busy schedule . Everyone was amazing .From the receptionist to the recovery room. I highly recommend Jeremy , the Nurse Anesthesiologist, because he is amazing. He makes you feel safe during the most stressful time in your life . Dr Sharma contacted me immediately with my test results . I feel confident and reassured I will be back to my old self soon. Thank you so much for taking great care of me. You guys are amazing healers. Wishing all of you wellness - Maya read more

Dr. Ripple performed an excellent endoscopy on me a couple of years ago. Because I was impressed with her service, I returned to see her when a was experiencing fairly serious GI problems. Unfortunately, the visit was a total waste of my time. The entire time I was in the patient exam room, she never once touched me (she sat in front of a computer across the room from me). She said she "could" order an x-ray but there was no order. Dr. Ripple did not seem at all interested in addressing my problem but, instead, suggested I see a dietician and suggested some over-the-counter medications. At the end of my visit, I had no professional information regarding my condition nor was Dr. Ripple interested in ordering any tests, etc., that could possible offer a professional diagnosis. Lastly, I feel compelled to again mention that I was very pleased with the endoscopy that she had previously performed. She respected my request to refrain from using anesthesia during the procedure and I did not experience any discomfort. While I would not refer anyone to her for a consultation in order to obtain a diagnosis, I would definitely recommend this doctor if the patient needed a GI diagnostic procedure. read more

I would highly reccomend Dr Sharma . she is super smart, and she has a great bedside manner. . She responds quickly to questions , and she provides you test results quickly herself . It would be nice if people could desperate the physician whenever giving a review from her office and the hospital . These are separate issues . Dr Sharma is 5 stars for sure . read more

I was a patient of Dr. Sharma for about 3 years but over the last year she has just checked out. Doesn't seem to be engaged. She is rough (not gentle) when she is treating me. Doesn't seem to care if I'm there or not. Secondly, I called to get an appointment with her and it's going to take over a month and half to get in. Unfortunately this is typical in this area. Doesn't matter if you're in pain or not. Why would you take so many patients that you can't provide service for over a month? Moving on to a new doc. read more

Sharma seems like a competent Dr., but her office is a shambles and does not care for its patients. After a number of years trying various Rx's (PPI - protein pump inhibitors), Sharma finally found one that worked. When I changed insurance companies, the prescribed Rx was no longer covered. What followed was months of back and form with the Pharmacy, the insurance company, the Pharmacy Benefits Manager (PBM), and Sharma's office to try and get an alternative or approval for an exemption for the insurance company. I have tried several other drugs, which were on the insurance formulary, that did not work. This should be reason enough for the insurance company to approve an exception (perhaps the generic in place of the branded Rx I was taking). Sharma's office could not make clear what they did or did not do. They told me that the authorization (PA) was denied, but when I contacted the Insurance company's PBM, they told me that no PA had even been submitted, let alone denied. Numerous calls and messages to try to sort this out have gone nowhere. The PBM says they have sent faxes, but the office claims that they never received them. The office says that the PA was denied, yet the PBM says they never processed a PA. The PBM was nice enough to eventually call the doctor's office and walk them through the PA form. A follow-up with PBM two weeks later revealed, in the PBM's own words, that the Dr' office filled out the form incorrectly. Had they done it right, the PBM said that they would be able to approve the Rx. In my frustration, after many months without the Rx and significant pain and discomfort without it, I called the office and sent several messages. I finally got a call from Sharma, who said, in effect, "Quit calling so much" and made excuses about why they could not do a routine thing. She was unwilling to listen to any frustration or critique of her staff and fired me as a patient on the phone. And without any support for getting the medication. There is no acknowledgment by her of the hours I have spent trying to resolve this, the absolute contradiction of the Pharmacy, the Insurance Company, the PBM, and her office telling me different things (somebody must be lying or really incompetent). No sympathy for the pain I have experienced without the medication, no offer to expedite the matter or help fix it, and no tolerance for hearing about the failure of her team. She even insisted that I look up prior medication that did not work for years ago rather than have her office do so. I am not the keeper of the medical records; that is the job of the Dr and office. Yet she said without me doing it, she would not pursue the PA. I have been agitated with the staff, to be sure, but the level of frustration and indifference is stunning. I got to listen to a couple of minutes about how hard it is for them to make sure the gat faxes; this is not my concern, and not my responsibility, and ultimately, it is hard to remain civil when I am told that I should just accept that they can't always do their job. I am shocked at how indifferent, thin-skinned, and incompetent Sharma and her office are when dealing with a simple, frequent, and typical medicine matter like this. They have made it an incredibly frustrating experience for me, shown little care or interest in my well-being, and failed to perform a basic function of their job; to get the right medicine to the patient who needs it. Avoid Sharma and her office if at all possible. There must be more competent and caring Dr's out there. read more

My doctor insisted I see her again. Didn't want to. No attitude and 2nd chance. Nope, wouldn't even get up to examine me. Told me I had IBS. Said no, I don't have any related symptoms. Hands me RX for pepsid. I threw it away. Saw real GI doctor. Diagnosed with SIBO, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Got 2 RX and got well. Save your time and money. Pitiful. read more

I went seen Dr.Ripple Sharma like 5 times. She just gave me prilosec and ran some test. She is rude and thinks shes so smart. Well.... shes so smart that I ended up having Chronic Pancreatitis and bad gallbladder all this time and she told me everything is fine. Im not fine im in bad shape now and im only 37. She just blew me off and has no compassion.Horrible experience with Dr.Sharma even my endoscopy with her was very bad experience I told her I had hard time breathing she just said you are ok and released me. My o2 oxygen was 89to90% for week. She did something wrong to me. I will never ever go this place again. Very horribe scary experience with a non caring doctor. Im in bad shape cause Dr.Ripple Sharma negligence. Please stay away from this doctor and Marine Gastrology read more

Ripple Sharma, MD - Dr.Ripple Sharma Horrible doctor Im so sick now cause her Negligence - Gastroenterologist Near Me - Greenbrae, California

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Wow, this was one of the worst doctors visit I've ever experienced. Ended up crying in the car afterwards from the intensity of my conversation with Dr. Sharma. I've been dealing with GI issues for several months now and it has been a huge struggle and it's really affecting my life so naturally I'm very sensitive about it. I've been reading and researching and doing countless tests and seeing several doctors. Dr. Sharma was recommended by someone I know so I was hopeful to get another opinion on my issues. During my visit I've explained my issues and all the research that I've done and the discomfort that I'm feeling, I was telling her that I'm clearly not feeling myself and I know that's something is off. I told her that I had bad reaction to PPIs that another doctor prescribed and I didn't want to put my body through that again. She got very condescending and mentioned one study as the one that I should've read instead of everything else I read and that the study doesn't find any connection with PPIs and the horrible side effects I'm worried about. (So basically calling me crazy for researching stuff about my own health). And she suggested PPIs of course! I felt like she was flying through her information upload to me and didn't want me to interrupt her. It was almost scripted. Then she was ready to finish the meeting ASAP. Like she was annoyed of me even being there and wasting her time with all my "BS research questions" and "stupid speculations" that didn't fall into specific symptom list of medical literature. I felt like a number and there was no care for my individual situation AT ALL or any sort of holistic approach to address my issues. She made me feel stupid. I got a positive SIBO test that my naturopathic doctor prescribed. Her reaction to that was "I don't even know why someone would suggest a SIBO test for you with your symptoms". She said acid reflux is not a symptom of SIBO. Like everybody is a machine and the symptoms for all of us are exactly the same. I've been talking to many people with SIBO and GI issues and everyone having different symptoms and the way they show. When I asked what to do about my SIBO she basically said that test maybe false positive and only 50% accurate, but that's it, no next steps or anything to be concerned about.... Just take omeprazole and chill out. I should basically forget about positive SIBO test like it never happened because she would've not recommended it in the first place. Very bad bedside manner and attitude towards the patients. I understand that the doctor felt superior in her scientific knowledge and education, but a good doctor should have empathy and understand that health is a delicate and stressful matter and that us patients try to understand our bodies to our best ability with resources available to us. Making your patient feel stupid and their issues not important is the worst that you can do as a doctor. read more

I went to the ER several times with extreme abdominaI pain. I was referred to Sharma. Saw her twice - once in person, once on zoom. She did not listen to me, seemed uninterested, was uncaring and certainly wasn't helpful. Very rote - take Imodian. My previous gastroenterologist (who retired) recommended Mallidi. He's in the same practice as Sharma. The office manager said I couldn't switch doctors unless I got a referral from my primary doctor. I got a referral. The office refused to honor the referral, saying, once you see one of their doctors you are stuck with him/her. Unless you want to cry in frustration and continue in pain, avoid Sharma and Marin Gastroenterology. All this - to get an appointment with a gastroenterologist - has taken 6+ weeks. I still need to find a doctor. read more

Dr. Sharma and her team took GREAT care of me recently. Every team member was extremely Courteous and Professional. Plus, everything was completed on schedule. I am very grateful for the treatment I received. Thank you. See you in 10 years :-). read more

I had an excellent appointment online due to Covid 19. My colonoscopy was yesterday, and Dr. Sharma and staff did not disappoint. I was so well treated and respected. The staff was very patient with me, as I had a big reaction to one of the staff who reminded me of my deceased husband. I broke down and cried and was comforted and treated with care during that time. Also, Dr. Sharma gave me a prep 1,000 times better than the one I had 6 years ago, which made me throw up so hard that I thought my head would split open! This was so much better. I'm really grateful to her. read more

This office is incompetent. Starting with Dr. Sharma as a rude and uncaring doctor. Her attitude is "get on with it you're taking up my time and you are stupid". That's the feeling I get when I talk to her. Her nurse practitioner Vanessa is just as rude with an attitude of condescending sarcasm. The wait time on the phone is outrageous. I had to call THREE TIMES to ask them to fax lab request from Quest to my local hospital. A very siimple task yet my daughter went in THREE times and was told they didn't have lab slip. I can go on but definitely switching out to another doctor. Rude office. read more

Horrible experience, I wasted about a yr seeing Dr. Sharma, shes very cold hearted and likes be the boss, I asked her about other tests and whats next. She said theres nothing else just take your Prilosec and pepsid great treatment and advice huh could went CVS and got same experience on isle 4 lol. Im now in bad shape with Chronic Pancreatitis cause being put off and not wanting be a good doctor and dig. When a patient that has lived in their own body for so long they know when they dont feel good and something wrong, Im beyond disgusted, horrible experience being let down by so called Specialist. read more

I seen Dr. Sharma a handful times with always same complaints Im in severe pain upper center abdomain and severe bloating, fever, throwing up daily really sick. She did ct scan with contrast ( dont ask her about the contrast being dangerous to your kidneys she will get so upset lol such a horrible person) After CT scan and Endoscopy that was considered the Million dollar work up with Sharma Ripple, I asked her whats next, she said theres nothing else test for. Its almost like she hates people and hates hearing questions. I told her I dont have Gerd, IBS ect ect kept pushing junk poison PPI, well come find out that anohter GI really did some digging and found out that I have a bad pancreas which I did mention Sharma Ripple many times I think its my Pancreas and rudely told me with scarcastic smile I was delusional moreless, well..... My delusion and knowing my own body Im really sick now and have Chronic Pancreatitis cause of her missing my symptoms and pushing Prilosec for a severe Inflammed Pancreas which is now severly damaged and im only 37. Im beyond digusted with Dr.Sharma Ripple, shes a very mean, rude, heartless Doctor. I would never go Marin Gastro again,find another GI doctor or you might end up in really bad shape cause ego and narcism. read more

Ripple Sharma, MD - Horrible Doctor - Gastroenterologist Near Me - Greenbrae, California

I missed an appointment today (I thought it was an hour later than it actually was). I was told that if it happened again I wouldn't be able to see the doctor anymore. I also will need to wait another six weeks to see the doctor (I have already waited nearly two months). The receptionist was very rude and not at all understanding that someone might make a mistake with their appointment time. I called San Francisco Gastro and they can get me in in the next couple of weeks with a much improved attitude from the receptionist. Heading over there with a sense of relief that there are other options out there (even if I have to drive a bit further for them). read more

About 3 years ago I saw Dr. Sharma initially to manage my hepatitis c treatment with Harvoni. It was a complete success and I am now free of the infection. About a year or so after the hep c treatment I was contacted by Marin Gastroenterology to undergo a colonoscopy. I didn't ask for it, it was recommended. About that time I was going through a complete shoulder repair which was also a complete success. The recovery time took several months during which time Marin gastroenterology was trying to schedule the colonoscopy. I missed 2 or 3 appointments and contacted them that I was not going to be able to make them. I later found out that whoever I talked to either did not make notes or did not acknowledge my efforts to reschedule the appointments. I do not remember whether after the Harvoni treatments that there were procedures to see the after effects of the hep c. I still do not know if there is damage to my liver as a results of the hep c. I just now tried to make an appointment to follow up and see what condition my liver is in at this time. I was informed that because of my previous missed appointments that Dr Sharma was firing me as a patient. I was told that I could choose another doctor at Marin Gastroenterology, at this time I'm not inclined to do that. I'm hurt and offended that because of unavoidable circumstances I have been fired as a patient. Though I called and explained what was going on, I was recovering from my shoulder surgery, my cars transmission had failed, I didn't have transportation and it was not a good time to schedule this colonoscopy. As I look back on my experience with Dr Sharma and Marin Gastroenterology I have the distinct feeling that she was not interested in my health and that her interest was more in the payments to her practice for procedures and insurance billings. I do not have a good feeling or impression of Dr Sharma or Marin Gastroenterology. I still do not know the condition of my liver after Harvoni and clearing the hep c, neither does she or the practice. I would think those would be essential followup questions to have answered. An endoscopy was not the most important followup question for me. It seemed to me that Dr Sharma had to many other more important matters to attend to beside my health. Not a good feeling, not a good impression from this doctor or this practice. read more

Dr. Sharma has spent a great deal of time with me to help me with my stomach issues. She is patient, friendly and very knowledgeable.

Wish I would have read these reviews before my colonoscopy. I found Dr. Sharma from a referral from Marin Health Emergency Room, she was personable and intelligent. I followed her instructions for my colonoscopy and went to the Marin Gastro for the procedure. Everyone was efficient and comforting. When I awoke from the procedure she said she couldn't see everything clearly but everything should be okay and my issue should resolve. When I saw my primary care doctor he referred me to a different GI Doctor. That Doctor scheduled a variety of follow up tests to determine what my problem was. After many tests he scheduled a Sigmoidoscopy. Today while waiting for my procedure I met another woman in the same situation with Dr. Sharma that required a follow up. My understanding is that if she had taken a biopsy neither of us would have had to go through another round of tests and procedures. Just happy to hopefully and finally have some answers. read more

I went in today for an initial appointment after waiting approximately 6 weeks to see Dr. Sharma. A friendly nurse practitioner spent what felt like an appropriate 10-15 minutes screening me, after which Dr. Sharma showed up and spent less than 2 minutes, literally, to greet me and tell me that the next step in my diagnosis was either a CT scan or an MRI, as she shook my hand and showed me the door. There was no time spent whatsoever discussing any of the history, symptoms or concerns. On my way out, I told one of the friendly receptionists that I had concerns about the contrast chemical requested to be used in the MRI procedure ordered by Dr. Sharma, and asked if Dr. Sharma would please call me to address my concern. Dr. Sharma promptly called me on my cellphone, and once I told her that I did not want to intake the gadolinium-based contrast substance because of scientific literature linking it to potential severe health damage, her response was to go find another practitioner. Close-minded and unwilling to look at any other diagnostic options, my-way-or-no-way attitude, and hubris coupled with a deplorable bedside manner. Please do yourself a favor and avoid this doctor. read more

Ripple Sharma, MD - Gastroenterologist Near Me - Greenbrae, California

Dr. Sharma is a excellent Dr.,with her knowledge you come out feeling you are in the best of hands.And I have been seeing her for over five years. read more

Highly recommend Dr Sharma. Dr Sharma spent quite a bit of time with me discussing my issue before treating me. Dr Sharma called me several times to discuss any concerns I have. read more

Excellent bedside manner. Everything ran on time for my procedure. Follow up was timely and everyone in the office was professional and courteous. read more

I had a procedure with Dr. Sharma this morning and she was wonderful. My initial consultation was in May and she was very thorough in asking questions about my health and things that would make this procedure not so onerous. She didn't rush through the consult but took all the time I needed. Her staff was just as wonderful, taking time to answer questions and understand my situation. This morning Dr. Sharma again took whatever time I needed before the procedure, remembered details or at least went over details from my consultation that had concerned me. After she followed up and reminded me if there were any questions to call -- and it was a genuine reminder to call, not a formality to do so. I'd recommend her in a heartbeat. read more

Dr Sharma is highly professional, careful and kind. I feel like being in my family's hands, she and her staff took away all my fears and provided me a very clear overview of what's going on with my health. read more

I recently saw Dr. Sharma and had a procedure done by her. She is very professional. Before I knew it I was awake and it was over. She followed up with me after the proceedure and called the next day to check in on me. Dr. Sharma was quick to respond to my phone messages with questions. I would highly recommend her for any gastroentoroly procedures! read more