In regards to Doctor Carleo.

In regards to Doctor Carleo.

For my first appointment, Dr. Carleo talked to me about my endometriosis and wanted to put me on a medication called Orilissa. I didn't know much about this medication, but he told me that it would put my body through menopause and I didn't have many other options. So, I said I would take the medicine and he sent it to the pharmacy. After getting home, I did some research on the medication. I am 28 years old, so going through menopause right now isn't exactly ideal. The reviews for the medication were TERRIFYING. I suffer from depression and anxiety, and the doctor knew that because he knew the medications I was taking. Orilissa should NOT be taken by people with depression or anxiety, because it dramatically increases suicidal thoughts. After I did my research, my pharmacy called and said the medication would be $700. So I'm like... okay I'm just not going to take this.

I call Macarthur and tell them about what I think, and they were really pushing Orilissa. They said they would fix the cost for me and talk to the rep and for me not to worry about it; that Orilissa would be good for me to take. At this point, I was almost convinced that I should take it, because doctors and nurses are telling me to.

Appointment four gets here, and it's over a month later because appointments two and three the doctor didn't show up. I'm in the room waiting for the doctor. I will recite, to the best of my ability, the conversation that ensues when Dr. Carleo comes in.

DOCTOR: "How are you liking the Orilissa?"

ME: "I called multiple times and told the front that I wasn't taking Orilissa because it makes me uncomfortable."

The doctor gets frustrated with me.

DOCTOR: "You're not taking it?"

"ME: No. I read the side effects..."

D: "Where did you read these?"

M: "Online. In articles. I feel uncomfortable taking the medication because it can dramatically increase depression and anxiety."

D: "It doesn't do that. Who told you that?"

M: "Also, I wasn't able to get a hold of the medicine for a while because of the cost."

D- "Did you call the front desk?"

M- "Yes, I called multiple times and the cost still didn't go down enough."

D- "Then you should have called again."

(In my head I'm thinking... I've physically come to the office twice)

Here's where it gets worse:

M- "I just want to know what my other options are besides taking the Orilissa. What about..."

D: -"Tell me you've not going to say Lupron. Are you going to say Lupron?"

M-"No... I don't even know what that is."

D: "HERE ARE YOUR OPTIONS. YOU CAN TAKE THE ORILISSA OR YOU CAN GET SURGERY. WHAT'S YOUR CHOICE?"

I am in shock now. Backing down.

D: "The Orilissa rep is here right now. I'm going to go talk to them about making it more affordable for you, then I'm going to send the prescription to your pharmacy"

He walks out.

I told the doctor I was uncomfortable with taking the medicine, and he kept PUSHING AND PUSHING. After he told me the Orilissa rep was there, it finally DAWNED on me: This guy is making money from prescribing this medicine. The doctor was looking out for his own interests and his own pocket and not mine. I could be mistaken, but I believe that what he did that day was 1000% ILLEGAL trying to push a medicine that he makes commission off of onto me when I didn't want to take it.

I went to a different OBGYN a week later. She was kind. She listened to my needs.

And then, ladies and gentlemen, this is what she said after I told her this story:

"I would have NEVER put you on Orilissa because of your medical history. That could have seriously messed with your brain and gone VERY bad." There was another solution for me besides this medicine. Thousands of women have endometriosis, and it frightens me that this doctor could potentially put another woman through what he put me through by giving me the ultimatum: "You either take the Orilissa, or you undergo surgery."

I am shaking right now writing this review. I never thought a doctor could be that negligent.

Do not ever go to this place. Do not put yourself through that.