Dr. Kathryn Michele Lawson, DO

Very superficial visits. In the 2+ years I have gone to her, she has never checked for swollen joints or asked if I'm having problems with any life skills. Only checks your bloodwork results if you have an appointment. She said in my file that I felt coming every 3 months was a waste of my time when instead I said since things weren't changing at all could I see her every 6 months like my previous dr had me come (I saw her for 15yrs until she retired). Dint feel I got any individualized care. Looking for another, better doctor

I've had 2 autoimmune diseases being treated for over 10 years. Moved to this new state. She was very rude, downplayed anything I said, then after a medication she prescribed made me vomit nonstop, had someone write me that I have "no autoimmune conditions". I guess the other 6 Rheumatologists were wrong. LOL. I reminded her of my other autoimmune conditions (biopsies had been done) and it was all ignored. What a. nightmare. I find this doctor to be dangerous.

I saw Dr. Lawson in 2011 and at first I thought she would actually help me. She diagnosed me with RA based on an ultrasound of my hand and began to prescribe various meds. When none of them worked, I asked if it may be a connective tissue disorder I had been previously diagnosed with or something else. She told me I "didn't have a bunch of rare diseases," and ignored me. I never went back and the experience caused me to put my medical care on hold for a long time. When I did see another rheumatologist, they found no signs of RA. She seemed like a doctor who wanted an "easy fix" and when my case required additional work, she didn't want to be questioned and became hostile. I don't feel she listened to or believed my medical history, because I didn't fit the image she had of someone with my previous diagnosis, and it was detrimental to my care.

Dr. Lawson was very unprofessional she had no bedside manner! This was the worst rheumatology experience I have had. Do not go here unless “your labs tell her what to do” if they don’t your on your own and she will not know how to treat you. Also she doesn’t see how someone in severe pain and who can not function with daily activities is a big deal and life altering. According to her it’s no big deal and lots of people have to live this way. Not the case. She offered no help at all to this very complicated “her Words again” lupus patient. All she can offer you is some xrays for a pinched nerve.... seriously find another doctor she does not have enough experience to treat any one!

Dr Lawson is very polite. She listens, runs labs, and prescribes medicines. However, she does not consider the overall health of the patient, other factors that contribute to your condition, or the amount of pain you suffer. She only looks at RA and doesn't address any other findings. She doesn't appear concerned at all for your overall health. Find another RA doctor.

Lawson seemed nice at first, but seemed to 'poo poo' my symptoms even though I came armed with a blood test that showed I tested positive for rheumatoid arthritis. Her 'thoughts' did not match what the blood test said! Ha! After a myriad of x-rays, Lawson's nurse called and said that I'm fine, BUT that do have arthritis in several joints and most severely in my neck....DUH! That's it. No, physical therapy or offer of any alternatives.....Why waste money on this?! I could have done the diagnosis and saved the money!! GEEZE Who cares what the 'wait time' is and whether the dr. was polite or anything else, but relief from symptoms!! Find another doctor!

Dr. Lawson was so pleasant during my first couple of visits. I was new to the world of Rheumatology and she confirmed that I did, in fact, have an autoimmune disease and aggressively began to treat it. The regimen she prescribed didn't improve my symptoms. Instead, they got progressively worse and severe pain accompanied what had been limited to swollen and uncomfortable joints. She declared that she did not believe in pain management since it masks symptoms. Clearly, she was not understanding the rapid decline of my well-being. Because my labs were not consistent with one particular disease, she referred me to another specialist who dx fibromyalgia. She said that she misdiagnosed me, doesn't treat fibro and that there was nothing further she could do. In addition, she left curiously disparaging remarks in my chart that caused great difficulty in trying to get a referral to a new doc. Fortunately, another doc referred me to UAB. My new Rheum there was surprised by Lawson's lack of… professionalism (based on her handwritten comments in my chart), her hasty use of several expensive new treatments (that had damaging side effects) and her cavalier approach to "treating labs rather than the patient".

Dr. Lawson is my doogie houser of docs. She and her staff has always been there for me. I have been a patient for almost three years now. She always spends alot of time discussing treatment options and how life is overall. I would only recomend her to anyone in this area.

Dr. Lawson thinks outside the box. Allows both my husband and I to have input into the treatment plans she selects. Dr. Lawson is beyond professional, she is passionate and allows extra time to ensure we are all working towards the same goals, treating me like a family member, not just a patient. If you're looking for narcotics she's not your doc! We â?¤ her!

Dr.Lawson gives the impression of being extremely busy. Very talkative, but not much of substance or patient applicability.Records only submitted to my other (primary) docs after many conversations. Have never received a call back from her-her nurse/office staff sometimes will reply-after the much longer than promised 24 hours.Time in office spent with Dr.Lawson always less than 5-7 minutes.I am searching for another Rheum doc-.