This man prescribed an antibiotic at full does that has a black box warning and is known to cause achilles tendonitis and did not warn me. Over prescribes without follow up and incorrect diagnosis.
I first saw Dr. Schottenfeld Feb 1 2021 for an area of my left sinus that was painful but not horrible. No fever, no green discharge as with a sinus infection or dark eyes etc..
I paid $531 for this visit. Had a CT scan of sinuses and was diagnosed with an infection.
During our consult he was on his cell phone with what seemed like personal calls continually with little focus on me. Very distracted
At the time he told me my inferior turbinates looked like balloons. He prescribed antibiotics and steroids and asked me to check in after the 10 days were up. He was aware I have epilepsy and still prescribed a high level of steroids which affect seizures. I couldn't tolerate them after 3 days (increased seizures). I checked with him 10 days later - you do not get to speak with him just an assistant (not a nurse) - fine. He prescribed another round as I had no change in symptoms.
I checked in again and no change. I asked the assistant of there was a way I could speak with him or how would I know that things haven't really improved or of this was the right course. She said I could make another appointment for $130 for a 10 minute consult in his office. He wanted me to take another round of antibiotics (levaquin 750mg). I was unsure but she passed on his message that he thought I had a broad spectrum infection that we needed to clear up.
He didn't want to see me again to make or anything.
In the meantime I was having so many seizures and expressed concern that he wasn't taking into account my epilepsy. Never got to speak with him. I should have followed my instincts but I trusted this doctor instead.
My neurologist raised my seizure medications to help in the meantime. 7 days in on levaquin and I started to feel pain in my left ankle. I looked up the medication and learned there was a blackbox warning of this dosage and achilles tendonitis. I was never warned of this and later learned it should never have been prescribed in the first place.
I stopped the medication immediately but had to go to a podiatrist who deals with ankles. Both of my achilles were affect as a result of this medication. It is now June and they are just now improving.
I went to another ENT for a second opinion and asked for my records to be sent over. They wouldn't provide me with the CT scan cd just the notes and the medical records didn't show any medications prescribed or his diagnosis etc..
When I asked his office I was told that they do everything through notes and those are not official records. That is a huge red flag.
The new ENT did another CT. I have a deviated septum - most people do. No big deal. He did a thorough exam with a scope. He was shocked I was prescribed levaquin. This is when I learned of the blackbox warning - shame on me for not looking it up but I was mentally compromised due to have 3 x the amount of seizures I usually do. I work full time and was unable to during this.
New diagnosis. My deviated septum pressed on one of the turbinates which was inflamed due to seasonal allergies. That's it. Use Flonase and Claritin as needed.
This man turned my life upside down for months. Be very wary.
He will only speak with you if you go back to his office - no phone. I would have paid for a follow up visit. I am reasonable. I do not drive so a phone consult regarding the medication without further testing is what I wanted to speak about. If he wanted to do more tests I could have arranged a ride for that.
I learned from new ENT this is not the first time he has had patients come from this doctor and the diagnosis of balloon turbinates is a method he uses to push for unnecessary surgery in the future. read more