Dr. Max Tillman Caudill, MD

I came to Dr. Caudill with new and very worrying symptoms of a previously diagnosed condition. I didn’t know what to make of him at first, because he seemed nice enough but also interrupts whenever you take too long to answer a question, which was off-putting. He wrapped up the session by asking some questions about my mental health, which I assume are routine, but something told me then where this was heading. He asked if I had a history of abuse and, when I said yes, asked for details. I thought this was a little weird and definitely a boundary violation, but I just politely declined to expand and our session ended shortly after. He ordered some bloodwork and x-rays – the bloodwork tested for Celiac disease, which was ruled out numerous times when I had to doctor-hop pre-diagnosis as a child. He called to inform me that my x-rays came back negative as well – including for my previously diagnosed condition – which I expected. However, rather than coming up with a new plan of attack to… get me some answers, his plan was to “sideline” himself while I got my depression, anxiety, and PTSD “under control.” The first issue here is that, after confirming that I have both depression and anxiety, I assured him that my mental health is the best it’s been in a while and that my symptoms also have nothing to do with my stress levels. The more obvious issue is that he thought himself qualified to diagnose me with PTSD after asking me two questions about abuse. My therapist will be pleased to know that I received a diagnosis from a qualified professional! Looking at the other reviews, I’m not surprised to see that mental illness is his cop-out. The other issue, though, is that he gave up after two tests came back negative and decided to have me wait out the symptoms that have hindered my daily activities and schoolwork for two months. I guess he thought I was just making it up, or else wasn’t interested enough to press for answers. I was hoping Dr. Caudill would be a good doctor with somewhat impersonal bedside manner, but instead he gave up, pinned my symptoms on my mental health, and overstepped several personal and professional boundaries by speaking beyond his qualifications. He has also left me back at square one trying to find a doctor who will believe me and actually treat my worsening symptoms.

I suffered from episodic severe right upper quadrant abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting. These attacks occurred every few weeks and would last for several hours and then stop. After many normal tests including CAT Scan, Upper and Lower Endoscopy, Ultrasound, and Barium Swallow, Dr. Caudill suggested a HIDA Scan. I refused because of all of the normal tests that I had already gone through. For the next year, the episodic attacks continued. Then my pain became constant. After several days of constant pain, I agreed to the HIDA scan. Debbie at Dr. Caudill's office schedule the tests. The HIDA scan was abnormal, and when I saw Dr. Caudill, he ordered an appointment with a surgeon to have my gallbladder out. Debbie got me a surgical appointment for the next day. I saw the surgeon, and he said, “I’m taking your gallbladder out tomorrow and I am considering it an emergency surgery.” This was even though I had a severe case of shingles all across my right upper abdomen, side,… and back. The surgery was a success. I still have after effects of the shingles pain, but I am now free from the unbearable abdominal pain that my gallbladder was causing. I am grateful to Dr. Caudill, and Debbie, and to all of his staff. These wonderful people saved my life!

I have had Ulcerative Colitis since 1986. I have been treated by three Gastroenterologist since 1986. I had severe issues under the first two doctors, even though the first doctor was one of the most respected gastroenterologist in Nashville, and taught at Vanderbilt. After the first doctor retired, I saw a Dr. in Franklin, TN. My issues became so bad, this Dr. recommended infusions of a very expensive drug. I missed work frequently under this doctor's care. I then went to Dr. Caudill in 2011. The first day, I met with him, we had a good conversation as to what treatments worked best with my disease in the past, and what did not work. He listened to my suggestions, where the previous doctor would not listen. Upon performing a colonoscopy, he recommended medications that worked in the past, and added an additional medication. He took me off of these infusions immediately. Since I have been seeing Dr. Caudill. I very rarely have any issues with my disease, and have never missed work due… to my disease. Dr. Caudill will also call me personally over the phone and provide me with the results of any tests that were sent to a lab. Very rarely do you find this in a doctor. I would highly recommend Dr. Caudill to anyone, and have recommended him to several people over the years.

Dr Max caught a fast-growing cancer in my husband. He is a hero at our house!

I went to see Dr. Caudill because I was having horrible GI issues that affected me daily. After waiting for over an hour to even go into the room, he walks in and within 30 seconds he started asking extremely personal questions and making assumptions then smirked and said "when you see it you got it", in reference to some kind of mental disability. He handed me a prescription pad which I thought would be some medical relief, but instead was a book title for Codependency. I looked around the room looking for his degree in Psychiatry. I felt worse about myself after I visited him than I did before I went in. I am so relieved to see that more people have had this same type of experience! Unless you have any issues OTHER than GI, do NOT go see this doctor!

If I could I would give him 100 stars. He was very attentive to my needs and went far beyond normal to help me. He is a excellent physician.

Max has been a GI specialist for 30+ years and he knows his stuff. He is very personable and runs his own practice with a very competent staff. I've had a bad case of GERD since long before I met him and I now wouldn't go to anybody else.

I was having continuous problems with cramps and continuous diarrhea whenever I would eat. He put me in the hospital overnight to run tests at the request of my internal medicine doctor. The next afternoon he came in and abruptly told me that most of my problems were most likely mental and I needed to see another doctor. Then he smiled and said let me know if I can help. The problem persisted so I called back for another app't . He refused to see me. I later saw another gastro. doctor who gave me meds. to halt the diarrhea and received a colonoscopy very early the next am. He pinpointed the problem and prescribed medication; I was much better within days! I am appalled at how I was dismissed by Dr. Caudell. Shameful!

Dr. Caudill in my opinion is the best GI specialist! After going to another GI specialist, he was by far the most patient with my husband and has the best bedside manner. After ongoing and worsening problems that my spouse was experiencing, he was happy to work my husband in for an appointment. Amanda was great at the front desk in assisting us with our scheduling needs! Our wait time wasn't long at all. I too work in the medical field and understand how hard it is to find a good physician so I definitely don't mind bragging on a good one when I find one! He treated my husband as if he was the only patient he had at that time. He listened to every concern and made sure he addressed all of his issues before we left his office. We were definitely put "at ease" when we left. I hope we don't have to make a follow up appointment but if we do, rest assured he will take good care of us! I will recommend him to anyone!

I love Dr. Caudil. I've seen him as a patient and worked with his office professionally for years. Every patient I have ever sent to him has had nothing but wonderful feedback. He is always a pleasure and so accommodating. A+ doctor