Dr. Joseph Allen Cahill, MD

We recently had the opportunity to have Dr. Cahill treat a very close friend with a history of Multiple Sclerosis complications. We have seen specialists from University of Alabama, University of Texas Medical Branch, MD Anderson and Sacred Heart Medical. For over ten years medication has been able to keep her uncontrollable tremors (spasticity) under control. Recently the medication has not been as effective. Her last episode was so severe that she struck her face on the floor, broke her nose and developed two black eyes. Dr. Cahill gave us a five minute exam and then pronounced his only recommendation was we should see a psychiatrist associated with his office. It became painfully obvious that Dr. Cahill was over his head. His lack of understanding of our condition was frightening. On a recent visit to West Florida Hospital, Cahill was asked to consult. He once again referred us to a psychiatrist. We know doctors are famous for dumping patient's in the psycho bin. It's an easy… diagnosis when you don't actually have one. His first recommendation during our last to West Florida was to "limit her opioid use", in spite of a toxicology screen that clearly indicated that no opioids were present. He then suggested that we ignore the multiple sclerosis specialists from UAB and stop taking the drug Keppra that UAB had prescribed. To a layman, it appeared he was treating the wrong patient, or he had no idea what he was doing. His attempt to "do no harm" failed miserably. Dr. Cahill's credentials indicate that he has had training in the area of multiple sclerosis. I question that he has any experience treating older patients with advanced MS symptoms. In need of a neurologist? Try the University of Alabama at Birmingham. We have formally requested that Dr. Cahill no longer be involved in our treatment, and I would encourage anyone looking for a neurologist to look elsewhere.+===