Korchmarev Alex MD

Dr. Korchmarev destroyed my life with his lack of experience in handling patients who’d been on medication long term. I am suffering enormously, still, four years later. Here’s what happened:
In August 2012, Dr. Korchmarev and I both decided that I would come off of 15 years of taking Effexor (originally given by my previous psychiatrist). He titrated me down over approximately 2 months and soon after termination, I had severe, debilitating reactions of anxiety and panic ²⁴⁄₇. I couldn’t eat or even engage in a conversation. According to the FDA, NIMH and psychiatrists like Dr. Alex Kopelowicz (Olive View Medical Center) and Dr. Stuart Shipko (author, «Informed Consent for SSRI Antidepressants»), I should’ve been put back on the medication right away. Within that first week I could no longer function around others and over three years later, my life is like a torture chamber: emotions flat-​lined, no creativity, cognitive and memory problems, and suicidal ideation. Continued intense anxiety, both emotional and in the form of intense neck throbbing and heart palpitations, plaque me daily. They are sometimes managed with Benzos, which make me feel ill.
Dr.Korchmarev continued to mishandle my situation by putting me on and off many medications over 2 years, all completely ineffective, such as Latuda, Vibryd, Seroquel, Wellbutrin, Trazadone, Lexapro, Geodon and Zyprexa. He also recommended TMS, which I did not do.
The intense panic and anxiety I suffered can be considered symptoms of Effexor withdrawal; Dr. Korchmarev never even told me that I might have side effects upon discontinuation, something I should’ve been informed of. Eventually I had to be prescribed klonopin, neurontin and xanax (none of which I’d ever taken in my life before these reactions occurred) to keep me from committing suicide. Although I went back onto Effexor last year in a desperate attempt to help myself, it had no effect on my recovery, even at 300 mg. Dr. Korchmarev waited way too long.
I’ve been to a pharmacologist, neurologist and 2 other psychiatrists to try and reverse the damage Dr. Korchmarev has done to me. No one could help. Today, I see a new psychiatrist who isn’t even sure how to help me. I’m in constant emotional distress and currently on disability. According to Dr. Stuart Shipko I have suffered Neurotoxicity; Dr. Korchmarev’s incompetent guidance has most likely cost me the quality of the rest of my life.

My review was removed but it does accurately define how this office does business so I think it is fair to warn prospective clients.
So Dr. Alex is on my list of providers available through Blue Cross. When I searched for «Accepting new patients» he showed up. I called the office and it was like I was trying to reach the queen of england. She rudely just kept saying «he doesn’t accept new patients, he DOES NOT ACCEPT NEW PATIENTS». Okay, fine but let me leave the Dr. a message!!! I don’t have to be a patient in order to leave a message do I? She wouldn’t take a message. She listed off 3 or 4 other Dr. s in the same building and upon review, they all had 1 star reviews. I’m sorry but this concerns my overall well-​being so I want someone GOOD. Anyways, I completely understand if the Dr. is a busy guy and he cannot accept new patients. At least maybe if I left a message he would have called me back and referred someone else. What pisses me off the most is that Dr. Alex is still listed on the Anthem Blue Cross website as he is accepting new patients, Blue Cross told me this information hasn’t been updated by him and that’s why it’s still showing. I cannot be the only person who called in and told them about that, here’s what it even says :
‘Accepting New Patients’
«This information is reported by the doctor directly and updated as reported for each plan.»

I read a review that put down my doctor because he did not accept new patients. Very unfair on the part of the reviewer. I have been a patient of Dr. Korchmarev’s for over 10 years. He has helped me deal with my ups and downs every step of the way. I guess he is not seeing new patients for the moment… but I recommend you keep checking and try again. That status changes. I also recommend people leave reviews that actually help people learn about the merits of the doctor, not about whether they were able to get an appointment or not… I mean, seriously… Maybe this reviewer would give a restaurant a bad review because they couldn’t get a reservation when they wanted… or badmouth a person if they turned them down for a date… What entitlement!

I met Dr. K when I was only 19 years old. I was desperate and have lost hope that I could find a Doctor that could truly help me. Dr. K not only properly diagnosed me where others have failed to do so, but ultimate created a treatment plan that ultimate save my life. He not only provided me with the right diagnoses, and medication, but he also helped me to accept my illness and make the best out of it. He have always been there for me in such a unconditional way believing in me as a person. I was never another chart or file in his office. I was so young when I started treatment with him that he made sure I had all the tools to live a full and happy life. He always encouraged me to make the best out of my illness rather than having my illness take the best out of me. Despite the challenges of my illness his support was essential in completing my college education. If you are looking for someone who can truly help you to live a better, satisfy, and beautiful life, despite where you are right now, see him. I could have not made it this far without his constant care, and advise. I will always be grateful I found him.

My boyfriend and I both see Dr. K. and love him! He has truly been life-​changing for both of us and I have recommended him to many friends. One of the things that I love about him is that he will explore natural options with you if you’re interested, and will walk you through the trade-​offs of various options for treatment. He’s also very solution-​oriented, so if you like feeling like you walk away with a concrete plan of action, he’s your guy. His office staff is a little «green» in the service department, but don’t let that get in the way of seeing this wonderful doctor!