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Planning
Accepts new patientsAppointments recommended
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entranceWheelchair accessible restroomWheelchair accessible parking lot
Amenities
Restroom
In early October, I came down with severe vertigo. I contacted my GP who referred me to doctor James Andrews an ENT doctor. On 10/13/22 I had my first visit. The first thing that I was told is that the doctor does not accept Medicare. During the visit, I was told that I needed an MRI, and he recommended that I take part in a balance study. He told me that vertigo is not an illness. He also stated that I could have had a virus and prescribed pills for 10 days. At the end of the visit, I paid him $450, and we scheduled the balance study and the MRI. I was not able to drive or walk. I never knew when I would start spinning. I had the MRI, I took the medicine, I took the balance study which cost $1950 and which I paid before leaving the office. and I am not feeling better. I am spinning. I am getting depressed. The findings of the balance study showed that I had vertigo. Dr. Andrews prescribed Cipro and Valium. I researched each medication and they both increase dizziness. So I decided not to take them. The findings of the MRI showed that I had some water on the right side of the brain.
Three weeks have gone by. My friend gives me the name of Dr. Yamaguchi at UCLA. Unfortunately, it takes about 3 months to get to see her. It took weeks for Dr. Andrews to transfer the paperwork to UCLA. In the mean - time my insurance also paid Dr. Andrews for the first visit and I am waiting to receive the refund.
We now are around Thanksgiving, and I still have bouts of spinning at various time. My depression is increasing. One morning as I am laying on the floor, I came up with the idea of calling my friend who is a doctor. He told me about the Epeley maneuver and suggested that I have vestibular therapy as I am waiting to see Dr. Yamaguchi. My appointment with her is in March. I found the Balance Lab, a few minutes from my house. Scheduled an appointment and to my surprise, at the end of the first appointment I felt almost normal. I was called by the therapist and I told her that I am much better, but I need another session. I had my second session and I feel great now. For 3 months I suffered with Vertigo. If Dr. Andrews would directed me to therapy therapy I would not have suffered. But I feel that he wanted to do the study, and I was too unstable to make a correct decision. I was only concerned with getting better and he did nothing for me except take my money.
