EDIT TO ADD: I cannot even pay my bill online. Have tried 3 separate times with 3 credit cards over months. I called the number on the bill to pay over the phone. Got a voicemail saying to pay online. I don’t even want to pay for this terrible experience but I’m still trying to to avoid collections. I can’t drive in easily nor do I want to do it in person. Reduced to one star. Unprofessional. ORIGINAL REVIEW: Today was my first visit and the impression was disheartening. I’ve been seeking answers for a long time regarding chronic issues in my life that have gone unanswered. I was told that this would be a place to go for that, and that doctors in osteopathy would offer different perspectives. First, and admittedly this was partly my fault, I was 7 minutes late due to my overtired brain replacing 8:20 with 8:30. In my mind, I was early, and I was embarrassed when the receptionist said it was at 8:20. I know for a fact I was visibly tired, and I had just been crying before coming, and I apologized, but she responded, “It would’ve been nice if you’d been on time.” It was just the last thing I needed. And it wasn’t even that late. The nurse was the sweetest one there. I’m so embarrassed but I barely was holding it together as she led me to the room where I was to be seen. I eventually fell apart in the room and she offered tissues and was so reassuring I’d get help. Finally, the doctor came in. She reviewed my files and essentially repeated what I’ve heard: all tests look normal, it must be my diet, there’s nothing else we can test for, see you in a year. (FWIW my diet is better than average. I see my friends who are healthier eat worse and not think twice. Meanwhile I’m trying to optimize every meal to the best of my ability and questioning everything.) I tried to offer as much information as I could to trigger some flags. Chronic fatigue, frequent headaches, I think they’re connected, my mom has crohns, so chronic illness is in my family, I get hot and sweat more than average, I can’t function or work like a normal person, I acknowledge the factors depression and anxiety play, but really my health makes it worse, I never have been able to lose weight even with hard work, I was like this even at my peak of health, etc. It felt like my chart did the talking. My blood work from April, my diagnosed back condition. I was offered more bloodwork but the Doctor restated that everything was normal in my recent test. So what was the point? I was also offered a sleep study which I may do, but I don’t snore. And that doesn’t explain my host of symptoms. What about POTS? Lyme? Unique thyroid issues? Long COVID? Something??? I left feeling utterly defeated and like I wasted my one primary care visit allotted by insurance. I had waited 3 months for this appointment. I had had a lot of hope and optimism for this change in care. I felt my depression just plummet as I left the building. I assumed I got what I deserved until I spoke to an older friend of mine who is the wife of a doctor and was absolutely shocked at the response I got. She used words I won’t here, but it made me realize I was worth more investigative care and to be taken more seriously. If falling apart in front of a doctor, saying, “When I look at the future it feels hopeless and like my body will just continue to decline,” and begging for help doesn’t spur deeper investigation, I feel as though I may receive better help elsewhere. I am open to giving them a second chance if they see this and offer it. One star for seeing me despite being late, and one star for the kind nurse.
