First, let me say I was told for years by multiple doctors that my migraines were sinus headaches. Not true. Then I was told by the neurologist (nay, the "migraine specialist" at Hopkins in Baltimore) that my migraines were indeed migraines but were caused by my hormones. Again, not true. That guy didn't even spend 5 minutes with me, and couldn't even be bothered to listen to the answers to the questions he was asking me. Had he, then he would have known his diagnosis was bunk.
I came home to Tampa in 2013 and was recommended to go to Dr. Bencze by a dear friend who's been seeing her for years. Dr. B's office is not convenient to me, but for relief, I'll go just about anywhere.
So let's get to it. She's kind; she listens to everything; she writes EVERYTHING down meticulously; if you feel she isn't hearing you properly, you can always correct her (she's humble, in other words); she always smiles, and it's genuine; she's very professional; I've never had to wait in the… waiting room more than 5-10 minutes, or in the exam room more than about 5 minutes; she takes her time with the patient in the exam room, never hurries you through; she is open to your ideas; she treats the whole patient, meaning she takes blood pressure, diet, sleep, etc. into account when talking to you about your regimen/treatment; she warns you if there are going to be side effects to a medication (she does this many times, just to make sure you KNOW); she gives samples if she has them; she listens when you think something isn't working, or when you think it is working; she expects you to hold up your end of the bargain (if she gives you a headache calendar to keep, how can she adequately and successfully treat you if you don't keep it?); she is easy to get appointments with, and will move your appointment up if there's a cancellation. I'm not really sure what else people want in a doctor.
I adore Dr. B. I cannot fathom a bad appointment, and was surprised to read a couple of negative reviews, but not everyone is going to like every doctor. Personally, I find Dr. Bencze to be warm and lovely. I always look forward to a hug at the end of our appointments (though admittedly, I'm the initiator, but she never seems to mind). And to whoever called her "old", I have no idea what that even means. She has a daughter in high school. If, to you, everyone over 50 is old, then I pity you your lack of respect for your elders. Life will be very hard for you. If you write off people over 50 as worthless just because they've been around a little longer, well, that's just pathetic. When and if you get there, I hope you remember that once upon a time you felt this way and feel the sting of disrespect from a young person who runs at the mouth. One day, you may realize that years add far more than wrinkles and grey hair to a life; they add immeasurable value. I hope so, anyway. I'd take one Dr. Bencze over 1000 of you any day.
Back to Dr. B. Looks like I'll be starting on my Botox therapy in a few months, because Dr. B and I thought it would be a good, logical next step for me to try. I love that, as opposed to Hopkins, where they just told me to adjust my birth control and said the doctor didn't need to see me again and sent me to bi-monthly nurse-practitioner visits for my migraines (and she had no answers but to "stay the course"), Dr. Bencze is proactive, personal, and unafraid to get in there and get her hands dirty. She really gets involved, and never forgets what's going on with me, personally. She's a doctor I actually look forward to seeing, because I know she wants to help. She's like a teammate! Give her a chance, if you're looking for a great neuro.
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