Alvarez Pamela, MD

We’ve seen Dr. Alvarez for several years for my adult children. We find her compassionate and caring for epileptics. (Diagnosis wasn’t an issue for us.) She listens, too, unlike some neurologists who are fast to write prescriptions only. She is warmer than her staff; for example, when we were late for an appointment, staff immediately told us we’d have to reschedule but she saw us.

I came to Dr Alvarez with symptoms of dizziness and disc-​ordination.. She looked my MRI AND said there is nothing wrong. I had a stroke she said I didn’t, but every Dr since then comment that they saw previous stroke history from MRI. My current neurologist asked me if Alvarez did a reflex test I said no he just shook his head. I am diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Thanks for extending my time of suffering until I could finally get relief. Caveat Emptor
John In Winchester

This is the 1^st bad review I have ever written. I have Multiple Sclerosis. I went to Dr. Alvarez for MS. I wish I never did. I also wish I would have read some reviews. The front office girls were very rude, apathetic, unsympathetic, and robotic… I feel this office has no bedside manner. No accommodating people’s schedule or disease. Please do not go there.

My husband has been going to Dr. Alvarez for over 2 years for Parkinson’s Disease. we are very happy with Dr. Alvarez. she is compassionate, knowledgeable and on time with her appointments.

If you have Multiple Sclerosis, DO NOT GO HERE. She is not as knowledgeable as she is supposed to be. She needs to stick to treating headaches…
This office has severely dropped the ball with my husbands care, so much so that I am even contemplating getting an attorney. Alvarez prescribed Gilenya for my husband last year. While you take Gilenya, you are supposed to get your blood and eyes checked throughout the year to ensure your liver isn’t failing, heart is ok and your eyes are in check. They scheduled him twice. Both times in the beginning. The first time, he got it and they made an appointment for him to go back in to get the results. Fine, however they didn’t bill it as a follow-​up therefore the co-​pay came into play AND he didn’t even see Alvarez. So, the second blood work, he got it and when they called to make his appointment with them for the results he asked for them over the phone. We didn’t have money for the co-​pay and he doesn’t see the dr anyways. They refused to do that, we told them we can’t play this game — we simply can’t afford to pay $ 60 every few weeks for someone to say «you’re good» that isn’t even the dr. So he cancelled that appointment. Apparently, that meant «never treat me again». They never scheduled another bloodwork lab or anything. Now, renewal has come and they put on the insurance that he hadn’t been in in over a year (untrue, even now writing this review, it hasn’t been a year) so the insurance denied his renewal for his meds. We contacted them to find out why once we found out about the denial and they said because he hasn’t been in… seriously. So, we scheduled and waited and waited AND WAITED and over a month later, he finally got in… didn’t see Alvarez. Saw some assistant, left with his paper in his hand with questions, as usual. Oh and of course, paid the copay. So now, we are still doing the renewal dance, they are still dragging their feet not cooperating and my husband is still waiting for his renewal. Both my insurance, the company we have our insurance through AND Gilenya have all said they have never had an experience like this with a dr’s office that is so unorganized and so tough to get information and results from. Why should they care, my husband is the one in pain not them. Don’t play their game. They aren’t worth it, unless you have a headache of course.
My husband has been going here for the past two-​three years. At first, it was ok. Coming from the UCI system, any personable contact seems terrific. At first, she didn’t seem as informed as we would have liked. I was correcting her on a couple things relating to MS myself. But, we figured what the heck, he is on one of the meds, she orders the occasional MRI all will be good. Not so much.
First off, her office staff is HORRIBLE. I have never seen anything quite like this. They do not inform the dr of things they say they do, they deny prescriptions without consulting with the dr (one of my husbands rx’s were denied and they told the pharmacy they don’t prescribe stuff like that — when Alvarez originally wrote the prescription — we go in on our next appointment and Alvarez had no clue why it was denied and renewed the prescription). Their knowledge about insurance billing is sub-​standard. They really do not get it. They could give a crap about the patient, they simply do not care. They will get around to it when they want to and who cares who suffers in the meantime.
Dr. Alvarez is ok. Again, she is nice but really needs to study up on MS a little bit more. She mainly treats people with migraines, she should stick with that. And boy oh boy, don’t you let her leave that room because once she leaves for something she is GONE. The next person that comes back in is one of her assistant’s with your paper in hand shoo’ing you out wrapping it up. We still had many questions when he first went on Gilenya that we had to hit the internet for because she disappeared.

I’m writing this review from our experience with my wife visiting Dr. Alvarez. After my wife was released from the Hospital she was released with several thousands of dollars in tests results. We Called Dr Alvarez and asked that they review all the results so that there was a familiarity with my wife’s condition. We arrived and the appointment was a disappointment she did not even look at the thousands of dollars worth of tests and she spent less than 5 minutes with my wife. We left without any information or direction from her. What we did get was a bill, a hefty one for 5 minutes of nothing. We have not and will not ever return to her and recommend that you stay away from this Dr that showed little concern for her patient and great concern for her bill.

Drove to this clinic and seemed like I was in wonderland, this is all new construction in the are and seems like a brand new city. The clinic is on the first floor and entrance is at the back of the building. Parking yes you have to look for a good spot as traffic in this office was high.
I was astonished to see see a huge Neurology sign on the entrance and inside was the most sophisticated well decorated office with high ceilings.
At the desk was the most down to earth smiling and helpful young woman.
I was asked to wait in their waiting room which has couches, the softest ones that I have ever seen in a office.
It did not take long for me to be called to the doctors office and this was a very friendly young woman. I enjoyed my trip to this office and would recommend her as the best neurologist in Murrieta.
Awesome

This Doctor is not good with her diagnosis. My mom was in the hospital under Dr. Alvarez’s care, it was completely aparent my mom was having a stroke to my entire family, her one side was paralyzed, she could not talk, she was unable to close her mouth and was also in for heart problems, we had to tell this doctor she was having a stroke, but Alvarez insisted it was psychosis, and under her care within 3 days my mom had a few more strokes and a heart attack.
This doctor did not go over the MRI reports with us in depth but put on the hospital records that she discussed the results, nor did she go over the seriousness of her mistakes she made on her diagnosis.
We recently found out how bad the mri report was by a Real Neurologist in San Diego whom did go over her records from the hospital, if your family member has a serious problem neurologically DO NOT LET THIS DOCTOR examine your loved one! I have heard of other people under her care in the hospital she has screwed up us as well, look for other comments on Unilocal,they will be coming. Wow! Luckily we found a Top of the line Neurologist who can help my mom and fix the mess this doctor has made.