Dr. Barrie James Hurwitz

This physician was rough during physical exam, rude and condescending. This was probably my worst medical experience ever.

Dr Hurwitz shouldn’t be practicing. Can’t believe Duke still employs him. Saw him for one appointment years ago in 2005 (he was old then) for MS evaluation due to numbness, unsteady gait, fluctuating bad vision, years of low Vitamin B, abnormal MRI. Took numerous medical records and test results, which he didn’t even bother to review. Had me touch my nose, walk two feet and checked my reflexes (which were totally absent). Didn’t ask me anything about symptoms and background. Grabbed me by my arm, pulled me up from my chair and hatefully told me I didn’t have MS and that I was just depressed. Went to Johns Hopkins and leaned I have numerous autoimmune issues to include uveitis/retinal vasculitis (required vitrectomy both eyes), vasculitis, sjogren’s. MS still considered a possibility by Johns Hopkins neurologists (aneurysm clips obscure brain MRIs).

He decreased my medications because it wasn't "evidence based practice" although I was exacerbation-free for 5 years. 2 months after he decreases them I have a severe exacerbation. I had to call his office about 4-5 times to ask for medication. He never once called or had his staff call to inquire about me or schedule an appointment or MRI. I obviously immediately changed neurologists and no one at Duke Neurology wanted to know why I was having my records transferred. This exacerbation left permanent residual effects which has never happened before.