Paul Pickrell, MD

Were to even begin… Dr P is amazing! Every time you come in his office even when you feel extremely bad like most of us often do, he puts his paper down, ask about you and how you are. He always knows and makes great notes about your life and your last visit. He talks to YOU while looking at YOU not some computer screen or a file about you. I have been going to him for 4 – 5 years maybe longer and I am always so pleased still to this day. Everyone talks about long waits but I think maybe 2 times I had to wait a long period.
He’s the only dr I actually get excited to go see. His staff is great. All of them have been there since I started going there which I think speaks highly of him and the way the office is ran.
Keep up the great work!!!
Really is amazing. I wish all doctors cared like he does.

This man is more than a doctor to me. After nearly 10 years as a patient I consider him a friend. I travel from Cedar Park, a trip of at least 45 minutes, at least four times each year for checkups. If I have issues I must go more often. He is worth that and more. After years of searching for answers and over a dozen doctors (including two other Rheumatologists) I was referred to Dr. Pickrell by my hairdresser! I do not, and have never, tested positive for the Rheumatoid factor so no other doctors diagnosed me with RA. I had gotten to the point of asking my family doctor if I needed to see a Psychiatrist. I thought maybe it really was all in my head. Dr. P changed that at the first visit and within the first 10 minutes. We have worked closely together since then and continue to work as a team to manage my illnesses.

Oh, how I miss Dr. P! The only reason I left his wonderful care was to move out of state. I wasn’t too crazy about the drive when he moved his office a little further south, but boy oh boy, I’d happily drive it now if I could! I’ve relocated to Florida and am on my second rheumatologist in under two years and still not completely happy. Dr. Pickrell is a hard act to follow!

My expectations for a physician seem to be far too demanding it seems but finding Dr. Pickrell has helped me realize there really are doctors that can reach and exceed the outer limits. This guy is by far the best physician I have ever seen! I literally thank God everyday I was finally referred to a Rhuemotologist and then to be sent to this guy… Well, let’s just say, I must have done something right to be so blessed.
I have been sick, really really sick at times for the last 12 years. I’ve been ignored, patted on the back and misdiagnosed and handed drugs just to mask symptoms, until now. Dr. Pickerel didn’t just listen, he cared! It still makes me tear up. He did not lay all the cards on a test result, he saw me. He promised not to give up and that he would do his best to find answers to help me. I felt so bad that the first meds didn’t work when I prayed so hard they would but he wasn’t put out with me. We just re consulted and moved to the next step. I swear after just a few days this may be working. I haven’t been this excited in over a decade! I may actually beat this thing or at least not be wondering if the alternative could possibly be better.
The most important thing is though that Dr. Pickrell is the BEST! The ladies in his office have been nice to me even when I’ve screwed up more than once and have almost cried right in front of them, they have been kind and compassionate. There have been other entries noting wait time which has never happened to me, I’ve gone back and seen him very quickly. It wouldn’t matter to me though, he’s the only doc I’d wait hours to see if I had too! I can’t say enough good about this referral. I just hope you are as lucky as I have been to be able to have him as my physician!

I am not a patient of Dr. Pickrell’s, but I’m a medical student who has worked with him for 2 months. I have worked with several doctors over the past 2 years due to rotations, and no one has been as nice as Dr. Pickrell. I’m always amazed by the interactions he has with patients and how much the patients seem to love him. I’m always told by the patients that I’m working with a great guy and I agree.
On top of being nice, he’s very smart as well! Rheumatology is not a very clear-​cut field where the diagnosis is for certain the first time, but Dr. Pickrell is pretty good about weeding through that. And if he doesn’t know the first time, he still tries his hardest to determine the diagnosis.
Patients come from all over to see him, and some even come from out of state which is a testament to their trust in him. He has taught me so much that I’m even considering doing Rheumatology as a fellowship once I’m done with residency.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Pickerell for over a year now and for the most part, I’m fairly impressed. I have to say that my initial appointment almost didn’t happen due to scheduling issues with the staff, but after that, everything has gone mostly smoothly and I’ve been very happy to have Dr. Pickerell as my doctor.
It should be noted that I drive from Cedar Park, (about 45 minutes) to see Dr. Pickerell — twice a year for our appointments. Thankfully, he was able to diagnose my issues within the first appointment which was astounding, considering that I had been to many doctors before who were dumbfounded by my odd «allergy to red meat». I’ve only had one episode since and we are monitoring not only well, but in a logical and sane manner. The only other thing I can say is that the wait time to see Dr. Pickerell is quite long. One day I waited an hour in a room to see him. It is posted in his office that patients should exercise patience, (see what I did there?) as he is always running late due to the nature of his specialty. I always get a little frustrated but as soon as he gets into the room, his demeanor, beside manner and straight shooting melt that away. He’s done a really good job for me, so I’m awarding four stars here… he’s an excellent doctor and I’m glad that I choose to see him.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Pickrell for almost 10 years. Great guy and a great staff. They’ve gone above and beyond to get me the medications I needed and steered me away from the ones I didn’t. They’re extremely professional and have always been sweet and friendly. I highly recommend.

I hesitate to write a good review for Dr. Pickrell given how hard it is to get an appointment with a rheumatologist in Austin. Dr. Pickrell is my 3^rd rheumatology specialist in the last 5 years and he is the keeper. Professional, attentive, articulate, and willing not only to listen but to try to allay the patient’s concerns without being dismissive or condescending.
My medical condition is a difficult one to manage and I feel that his care has been exceptional. On top of everything else he is a very interesting and engaging person. The only disappointment that I can register is that he moved his office out to Bee Caves which is a bit out of the way for people who live in my part of town, but I happily make the drive out there because I know that I am receiving first rate care.

I was lucky enough to find Dr. Pickrell 14 years ago. Not only is he a great guy; he treats me with respect and never condescends. He’s efficient, but never makes me feel like I’m getting rushed out of the office. And best of all, his treatment plan has arrested my rheumatoid arthriits, and has enabled me to live an almost normal life despite my fibromyalgia. He better not ever retire on me!

Well, it’s been a while, time for an update. Still keeping the 5 stars.
The more complicated my health gets, the more pleased I find myself to be under Dr. Pickrell’s care. Unlike others in his specialty that I’ve seen, he always takes the time to consider my health individually, make sure I understand my options, and give me the information I need to make an informed decision. He doesn’t rush to judgement — which is what I meant in my original review about not labeling every lab test, not as another reviewer misunderstood me to mean. Certainly all my labs are reviewed with me. It’s just that autoimmune issues can be complex and not every case can be labeled quickly and easily on the basis of labs. Having seen several other rheumatologists, I feel strongly that I am getting the best care possible.
As far as the office goes: they moved a while back, which has its ups and downs. Yay: parking is no longer an exercise in ridiculousness. Boo: they’re out by the Galleria. Which I guess is only a «boo» if that’s not near to you, like it’s not for me. But there’s no real traffic to get out there, so it’s not a deal-​breaker. The office itself: last time I was there, I noticed they seemed to have made real effort to get waiting time down.
People: everyone with whom I’ve interacted has always been friendly and knowledgeable, and every time I have called with a weird question (and I know some of my questions have been supremely random), I have gotten a same-​day nurse call-​back, several times after regular office hours.
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Original review:
Love Dr. Pickrell. He has a rep for being one the best rheumatologists in town, and he deserves that. He cares, he listens, and — unlike some — doesn’t feel the need to label every weird lab result but is willing to take a wait and see approach to make sure you get the right treatment plan. The only con: prepare to sit in the waiting room for a while. Bring your laptop.