First, I'll say my review is strictly based on Anna Mecasa, not her support staff who were all nothing but wonderful. They were professional, caring and kind. The "doctor" however was another story. I would not send anyone I care about to see her, EVER. Unless you already have a definitive diagnosis (and even then) I would strongly recommend finding another rheumatologist, which I understand is difficult in this area, but trust me, it's worth it.
The office called me in for a last minute cancelation and I rushed over to the office. She hadn't reviewed a single thing about me and her exam consisted of looking at my hands and feet (all swollen) and asking me to squeeze her fingers. I had to repeat myself several times and she wasn't retaining or hearing anything I said. I gave her the benefit of the doubt, thinking maybe it was because I was a last minute add and she hadn't had time to prep like she might normally do. However I found out some of the scans she ordered had come back with concerning results - to the point that the hospital left multiple messages with the staff and then called me directly, and she never mentioned a word of it...still hasn't. Luckily I watch for my results and saw a different specialist to address.
Upon my follow up, she was again unprepared and had no idea what was going on. She relies strictly on lab results, which is dangerous and negligent, in my opinion, when it comes to diagnosing and treating autoimmune diseases. I'm positive for several things (according to multiple labs and recognized diagnostic criteria for several diseases) but not "positive enough" according to her. I showed pictures and documentation I've kept to help provide more clues as to what was going on because I recognize autoimmune diseases can be very difficult to pinpoint and bloodwork labs are never the single diagnostic tool. I had to keep repeating symptoms, she completely dismissed pictures I had shown her and she continued to reference back to ONE set of labs. Mind you multiple other results from other labs were abnormal and positive and multiple other doctors are certain it's something AI related because of the systemic symptoms and presentation. Her solution was, and I quote "take a leave of absence from work and see someone about depression." Incredible.
I have never walked out of a doctor appointment, but she is so unbelievably unprofessional that I couldn't listen to another word of her rambling and telling me to "just live a healthy lifestyle." As an active and previously healthy individual who can no longer function on a daily basis - to have her say something so ignorant was beyond appalling. I don't know if she assumes if you're younger you are fine or if she's not well versed in AI diseases or if her bedside manner just sucks that bad. I should have trusted my gut after my experience during and after my first appointment but I was hopeful I was mistaken. I wasted weeks of feeling horrible and not being able to live my life because of her and now I'm back to square one waiting to see a different rheumatologist. My advice is do your own research, document everything, and find a different rheumatologist to see. She is the kind of healthcare provider that makes you want to give up on the medical field completely. I hope I can save someone else from being treated this way by Anna Macasa. read more
