Melissa Houser, MD

Waited 50 minutes past appointment to see her for my second appointment. She never sent the request for lab work after the previous appointment. I told her about the changes in swallowing, worsened slurred speech, difficulty breathing, dizziness, muscle weakness, dropping things, etc. She didn't even have me swallow, listen to me breathing or even check oxygen levels. She handed me free samples of her latest drug explaining it was for membranes, but couldn't tell me what I had or even how my symptoms were related to membranes. She didn't tell me how to take the medicine. She literally asked me what I wanted her to do for me. I told her that with the rapid deterioration I was scared of where I'd be in 6 months or even if I'd be around in 2 years. Her response, "you'll be around, it just won't be the life you envisioned." I asked for a referral to the head trauma specialist and she replied that she didn't know who to refer me to. Then she got up and left. I asked her of she was going to… look up who to refer me to, she called out over her shoulder, "I've gotta go. I have other patients." So I waited for a bit but her assistant was no where to be seen. I didn't know when the follow up would be or even if there would be one or who to go to next. Finally I just left with two weeks of samples for the latest drug, no clue how or when to take it. Today I walked away sad that I wasted a $50 copay on a doctor whose bedside manner was grossly lacking and who couldn't even manage to make a referral to someone who could help. Basically if her patients don't have parkinsonism, she has no insight into how to help anyone with a different movement disorder--yet she's the movent disorder specialist at Scripps? I always give doctors two chances in case they were off their game in the first appointment. She lacks empathy and lacks the curiosity in understanding other disorders outside her specialty of Parkinson's. Grossly unimpressed. If you need some samples, give me a call.

Very Thorough, great communication, simple explanations. Great bedside manner. One of the best at Scripps.

She made my husband feel so welcome and cared for. She knows what she's doing, I wouldn't want him going anywhere else.

Would not send my child back. Over the top with unneeded testing and doesn't let parents decide on care

She have no time or care for her patient. It seems her projects are more important and to busy to work with patients. Staff are very slow to respond to a request or they never call you back.

I saw dr houser as a patient after seeing 2 neurologists prior to seeing her. She was VERY smart, kind & caring, listened to me & my concerns...not rushed & uncaring as most were! Her nurse, Lisa, was SO sweet, kind & professional also. She calmed me down prior to my seeing dr houser, so i was in a good state of mind when i met and talked with dr houser. I recommend both dr houser & her nurse lisa to any/all patients with a movement disorder/ parkiinson's as i have, or anything! Thank God for Scripps Clinic, Dr Houser & Lisa... They are my angels & a key to a better worry-free life!

Does not spend enough time with you and didn't even physically examine me just right away suggested 200 units of Botox without examining the severity of my condition. Has the same Botox dosage for all the patients no matter the severity of the medical condition. Cannot get an appointment with her at all easily. You have to wait 3 months to see her and 3 weeks to see her Assistant. Cannot call and talk to her at all, you get a call back from the secretary or Medical Assistant. Very hesitant to do Botox treatment with her. Her patients look the same all the time I go to the clinic and I don't notice a difference in any of them. Not impressed at all.

Dr. Houser is a terrific movement disorders specialist who I am deeply impressed with. She was able to diagnose a very rare movement disorder that I had been living with for 10 years without diagnosis-- in 10 minutes! She is a dream come true. She diagnosed my disease, and offered a few choices of treatment. I am so impressed with her. She is a busy doctor, and I follow up with her for treatment and with a Nurse Practioner between treatment. They are both thorough and highly skilled.