Dr Amy H. Akers, MD

I presented with a history of over 5 years of strange neurological symtoms that led me to suspect that I had MS. At age 46 (3 years ago) I was referred to Dr. Akers by my primary care physician because I had complained of intermittent weakness in my left leg. I had a history of many symptoms in that leg, such as numbness and sciatic pain, that seemed to be cured by the chiropractor within weeks or a few months. Previous to seeing Dr. Akers I had an episode of numbness in both feet that lasted 6 weeks that alarmed me but resolved. Dr. Akers performed the routine neurological tests for reflexes and strength and I passed with flying colors. When she asked what I was most concerned about, I replied that I was worried that I had MS. She informed me that I was "too old to have MS" and proceeded to ask about drinking, smoking, recreational drugs and stress. She told me that stress can cause many strange symptoms. I was also peri-menopausal, so I think she wanted to believe stress and hormonal… changes were the problem. I returned 8 months later after losing the vision in my right eye (optic neuritis - classic symptom of MS) and she insisted that it was Clinically Isolated Syndrome. I began crying, I told her that I didn't want to go blind, I'd been having stabbing pains in my back and was waking up every morning at 3am and not being able to go back to sleep. This is where it gets good: she told me it sounded like depression and she could prescribe ant-depressants and a sleeping pill. She also told me that I wasn't going to go blind - "Lots of people do fine on one eye". I was too ill and confused to fight, but what we decided to do was a Lumbar Puncture to test the CSF for signs of Oligoclonal Bands - another indicator of MS.That came back positive, as well as the brain MRI (the oval plaques she attributed to "aging") and the spine MRI and then she finally had to admit that I had a definitive diagnosis of MS.I believe that she couldn't stand that I had diagnosed myself beforehand. I am in the medical field and I know what questions to ask. I am very physically fit and strong - I look like the healthiest person who walked in the door. However, as all MS patients know, you continue to look good on the outside while you degenerate on the inside. Physical presence has no bearing on neurological disease. I was so disapointed (my therapy could have started almost a year earlier). I felt that I wasn't taken seriously as a woman, as a medical professional, or simply as a sick patient seeking care.I asked her if I should go to UCSF MS clinic and she said that she only sends them the patients that don't do well. I thanked her, started my medication and immediately called UCSF for an appointment. I now go to UCSF MS clinic and the treatment is world-class. Please do not recommend Dr. Akers to patients concerned with or have MS.

Dr. Akers was polite and professional. I came to SF to see her for a second opinion. She diagnosed a condition that had stumped my other neurologists.

Dr Akers shows no interest on the care of her patients. When I asked her for advice she immediately jumped to conclusions of dire consequences about me and when my family & I tired to reach her to follow up she made one return call back only even though my family and I kept trying to reach her. I feel that Amy Akers shows no interest or cares about the well being of her patiens.