Dr. Anu Sharma, MD

As someone who might be seeking treatment for a mysterious rheumatological condition, I would urge you to seek medical treatment elsewhere. Individuals with mysterious conditions are often treated like we are crazy, and sadly this is the type of treatment I received at the Center for Rheumatic Diseases and Osteoporosis I had been seeing Dr Anu Sharma for a number of years after experiencing life threatening Pulmonary Embolisms, for an unknown reason in 2017. I thought it was logical to have a rheumatologist on board, having suffered from an undiagnosed collagen vascular disease in my late teens and early 20s, and a resurgence of similar problems in the past four years. The most recent 3 times I sought a visit, I was essentially turned away, and not given any testing - even though Hopkins had specifically asked that I have testing for potential autoimmune problems based on GI issues. Fortunately, I left this practice and went to another one in Chevy Chase, and was immediately… properly diagnosed

Dr. Sharma does not return phone calls. I left over 5 messages over a week and a half. On my 6th call I told her front office staff I was going to hold the line until she finally picked up my. Call. She was also dismissive and very condescending. I will definitely not be going back!!

I have a rheumatoid disease diagnosed by blood tests by my PCP. Sharma was so disbelieving of my very real pain that it was only after she made my cry (!) by prodding and poking me that she seemed to believe me. Terrible bedside manner. Stay away from this woman.

I was just, finally, diagnosed with (disease name redacted) after having six years of strange symptoms. Three years ago, I went to see Dr. Sharma because my mother had just died of a similar condition, which prompted me to push harder for a doctor to take me seriously. Even if this or that on my results were flagged, it was brushed off. Dr. Sharma was rude, dismissive, and condescending to me. My blood test results came back "normal." I told her I was dizzy, had leg weakness, chronic fatigue, had begun having panic attacks, and more. I then told her my mother had just passed away from a similar condition to what I suspected I may have. I mentioned my history of anxiety. She said, "OK," in a tone with finality. Then she said, "So you've had a really hard year." and went on to insist that anxiety was at the root of my symptoms. When I told her my SYMPTOMS I came to her with had been going on since 2012--way before my mother died and way after my generalized anxiety showed up. She then… said to me, "You don't LOOK sick to me. I see patients who come in here and they look sick. I can tell by looking at them they probably have *disease redacted*." Then she clasped her hand together and shook her head at me and said, "You don't WANT *disease name* as if I am a crazy hypochondriac who WANTED to be diagnosed with a disease. She told me to come back if anything else comes up. Please. She had zero plans for me going forward other than maybe I could go to a cardiologist. She did not offer to do further tests either soon or months from that date. Dr. Sharma never even mentioned the possibility of false-negative results. Her dismissal of my very real symptoms was humiliating and after so many other specialists who had already ignored me (a few were just as socially inept as Dr. Sharma is), I stopped going to the doctor to dig for answers. For three years I just tried to eat right and exercise. Then last month, a new, disturbing symptom showed up. I went to a different Rheumatologist who diagnosed me with one illness on the spot, then did lab work to "rule out" anything else. I got a call telling me that I not only have the illness Dr. Sharma told me I don't have and "don't want" (as if anyone WANTS a chronic illness.), but I also have another, similar, third illness. So, no, I don't recommend that anyone whose hair isn't literally falling out, to seek out Dr. Sharma. Yes, it was a "really hard year" for me, and Dr. Sharma only worsened it with arrogance and swift, tone-deaf dismissal. So, Dr. Sharma, no, I don't and never did WANT that illness, but I do, in fact, have it, unfortunately, and it's even more unfortunate that it was not diagnosed sooner.

It was apparent this doc did not read my history. She ran some blood work I needed but, that was it. I did not get any other help from her. I felt like I was run through her office along with a herd of other patients. I hope she helped them more than she did me.

After close to 5 years of seeing 6 doctors in 3 states Dr. Sharma was a breath of fresh air. She brought together a list of symptoms that seemed unrelated to these other doctors and was able to link to an auto-immune disorder (psoriatic arthritis) and give me hope. My husband and I were beyond frustrated and my illness had me on medical leave from work and "medical leave from my whole life." Dr. Sharma spent close to an hour with us, listened closely and asked so many questions I couldn't believe I was talking to a doctor. Being sick so much of the time for so long wears on the emotions and mood but her validation and recommendations proves I'm not a hypochondriac and I'm not attention seeking. I'm just plagued with a disease that is tough to diagnosis and tough to treat.

Waited 6 days before an assistant returned my phone call about medicine dosage. Dr. Sharma had no phone contact with me.All questions were relayed to her since the PA didn't know the answers. Terrible doctor!!!!

She prescribed me a medication that she had put me on previously that did not help. I had to remind her of my treatments she tried. Doesn't go the extra step to diagnose or find new methods of treatment.

Dr. Sharma is nice but I always seem rushed when meeting with her. She has this condescending way of talking to me as a parent talking to a child. She looks down and is typing as I am talking with her, no eye contact, which is very rude. Her follow up with my results have not been good. I have to ask her what they were, I am used to other doctors calling and reporting the results and what I should do. Her affect is always very flat as if she would rather be else where. I am currently searching for another doctor, she is not not a good fit for me. The secretaries at the front desk are also not very friendly or welcoming.

I was a little concerned when I saw the lower bedside manner score here, but I was pleasantly surprised when I met with Dr. Sharma. She answered all of my questions and put my fears to rest right away. I thought she took a very thorough history and really looked at all aspects of my symptoms and lab results. Also, she is able to do pretty extensive bloodwork and xrays on site, which is a plus.