Roth Alan C, MD

DO NOT go to this guy. I was referred to him by my orthopedic surgeon for a series of nerve tests called an EMG. First of all, Dr. Roth would not answer any of my questions about the test and how it worked. When I asked him to explain what was being tested (my nerve and muscle function — answers I found out on my own, not from him) and how the test measured those functions, he responded with a condescending, «Well, it takes about 6 years to learn how to do the test, so it’s pretty complicated.» When I pressed further for an explanation, he ignored me. Secondly, he lied to me about what I would feel during the test. The first part of the test he attached electrical wires to several points on my ankles and legs and proceeded to send an electric shock into my body. That part he did explain accurately, though he didn’t tell me how painful it would be. It was very painful. And as someone who suffers from back spasms due to a degenerative disc at L5-​S1, the shocks increased my low back pain significantly by causing my muscles to contract involuntarily. Dr. Roth did not once acknowledge my discomfort (which would be hard to ignore since each time he shocked me, the result was that my body bucked violently and I had a vocal outburst.) Then, for the second part of the test he told me I would feel a needle prick. Okay, I thought, that’s not bad. So he jabs me in the calf with a needle and it pricks but it’s not bad. But then, without warning me, he shoots an electrical current through the needle into my muscle. Again — this was extremely painful. Finally, the third time he stabbed my leg and then shot electricity through it caused me to sit up and yell, «What are you doing?!?» It felt like a torture experiment, and there was zero effort on his part to calm me or reassure me. When he said there were just a few more tests to go, I said «no.» I am very much a rule-​follower and a person who usually respects authority figures, so I’ve never done that before. But this was out of control and I had had enough. So he said fine and left the room.
After I got dressed, I waited to get the test results from his assistant Carmen. She told me she couldn’t give them to me; the doctor had to print them out himself. I confirmed with her that the results are instant — like an xray — and that they don’t take time time to process (like a blood test.) So I waited for him to come out of his office and asked to have a copy of my test results. He said he couldn’t give them to me; he had to print them out. I said I’d wait — «how long does it take to print them out?» I asked. Then he said he wouldn’t give them to me; I’d have to get them from my orthopedist the next day. And he walked away, once again ignoring my concerns and requests. This guy is an asshole with the bedside manner of a slab of marble.
Finally, when I got the report, he wrote in it: «The patient appeared quite angry, demanding many technical details regarding the performance of the study. In spite of answers being given, she said I did not adequately address her questions.» Well, I only wish I had taped the whole encounter so he could see that he didn’t answer any of my questions or do anything to relate to me as a a human being and not just a mound of flesh/​test subject. This was a miserable experience that I hope I can prevent other folks from enduring. Do yourself a favor and find another doctor to do this test.