Tri-State Rheumatology

I left this office completely ashamed of who I am as well as defeated that my pain isn’t validated.nI admit I am morbidly obese but I didn’t always use to be. The pain got worse, my energy level dropped, my weight got worse.nI have experienced the same pain for over a decade if not even longer.nI hate going to doctors because once I gained weight that’s all they saw. Everything was and is always blamed on my weight.nI have been diagnosed with RA but Dr. Afzal after a very quick and impersonal assessment that made me feel like another dollar added to his paycheck blamed my issues on my weight. Said this only happens to people carrying excessive weight.nDidn’t give me an opportunity to even say my side of the story when it came to my weight.nI was so happy driving down to Clarkston that I was finally taking the right action to see the correct doctor who would validate my pain.nBut the moment he walked in the room it was apparent he saw nothing but a fat girl sitting in front him.nAfter essentially telling me my pain isn’t valid and I’m just fat and get over it, he also ordered 13 vials of bloodwork and xrays so I’m confused what to even believe.nI will go to my follow up appointment and request my medical records but I will not continue care with him.nI will gladly drive hours away if it means a doctor won’t just see my weight and assume the worst of me.nMy weight didn’t start until the pain got unbearable. I should have seen him then and then maybe Dr. Afzal would have treated me like a human because I was an acceptable weight. But I didn’t because I thought I could handle it myself.nWould not recommend if you’re overweight. Because he doesn’t care about anything else if that’s apart of your life.

Dr. Afzal is great. He has taken great care of us. He makes us feel welcome and no questions goe un answered. He always takes the time to make sure we understand everything and welcomes our input on any new situation we run into. Thank you for being so good at your job!