Cleveland Clinic Mellen Center — Local services in Cleveland

I’ve been coming to Mellen Center going on my 6th yr after being diagnosed with my autoimmune disease. That don’t just service people with MS even though they are well known for mainly that disease. I on the other hand have NMO, it effects the eyes or spine too, but it’s more aggressive and you have more attacks if you get them that paralyzes you and makes you weaker. I’m now losing my strength in right leg and use a cane. Have ya my main attack in 2013, 2 major ones since and one minor. I have major problems that have occurred since being diagnosed, but that will happen. And back in 2013 when I was brought to Cleveland clinic before having to come to mellen center because they didn’t know what I had yet. I was thoroughly taken care of and lots of tests ran while being paralyzed which you are thinking the worse. And after a few weeks I go to my appt and found out I had NMO. My dr I was given was Dr. Bermel and his CNP Claire Hara-Cleaver. I couldn’t of asked for a better team. Granted Dr. Bermel is busy and I don’t see him as much, but I have things covered with Ms. Claire. She understanding and talks you through things and cares. Cares sloth that 2 yrs ago I had an attack and after my local hospital had me there 6 days then sent me home paralyzed from chest dwn no able to urinate and not giving me a catheter in. My bladder was at 1700cc. I almost burst my bladder. She told me to get up to Cleveland ASAP b/c you’re always in denial that you’ll get better. But she had my husband bring me having to rent a van b/c car couldn’t take and making me stay in hospital that day. Set up a room told them what’s takin place and set me up to do plasma exchange b/c if I would of waited I wouldn’t of walked again. Now I’m still walking but like I said with cane. They see many patients and have lots of things going on, but she personally helped me b/c she knew what was happening. And visited in hospital to see how I was. This place is the best and I am so glad that I was sent here from my local hospital back in 2013 just b/c they thought I had a tumor on my spine. And the experts here in Cleveland took another mri and it was a big lesion. Some people might have negative results from their care team, but I could never complain. Plus many say how expensive. I have husbands ins then I’m disabled and also second is medicare(which I pay for so not free). After husbands is used than the little Medicare covers I’m left with little to pay and I do $36,000 infusions every 6 months. But they have equipment they need lots of, staff, more qualified drs to get to the root of things. Best place I’ve been to in my 45 yrs of living, and always...

I have seen some of the world leading experts on MS, and received an MS diagnosis before and after visiting the Clevland Clinic. The diagnosis was given after reviewing my symptoms, abnormal MRIs with lesions, and multiple lumbar punctures that showed 5 bands - an inflammation.

At the Clevland Clinic, I was seen by Dr. Robert Bermel and his very nervous assistant resident. He did not read any of my medical records or review my MRIs prior to the visit, which I was asked to send prior to the visit, and I did, but was later told that Clevland misplaced it. But aside from that, the insurance fraud conducted by this institution, or the fact that my vitals weren't even checked until after I saw the "doctor" - the most offensive part of it all was Dr. Robert Bermel's dismissive nature - leaving my mother who was with me, in total shock. He recommended I see a psychologist and a physical therapist.

It was such a bad experience that I wasn't even able to talk about it until very recently. I complained to the Clevland Clinic requesting my money back. They said they'd review my case and get back to me. I suddenly got a check in the mail for a fraction of what I asked back - and a letter just saying the disagreed with me. Then, my out of state insurance said they were billed a lot of money by them without my approval because I was registered as a patient paying out of pocket.

THANK GOD I found the help that I need and now I am on Copaxone and getting the help that I need. The Cleveland Clinic is HORRIBLE. I write a review about once every few years but now I feel like I should warn people. DO...

After the honeymoon is over, don’t ever plan on seeing a doctor again. I travel from out of state, Pa to Ohio. Getting evaluated was fairly thorough and done by a Dr. that was the last time I saw a Dr. Nurse practitioners come snd go at this place like bowel movements, that is the first indicator of problems in paradise. Getting my insurance approved was problematic from the start. The clinic says it’s blue cross and blue cross blames the clinic. Well, the clinic over billed and wouldn’t provide proof and sent to collections. Long story short, they owed and paid me $738.00. I was a patient for 3 years. I have ppms. The stress this place caused me was unfathomable. The last time I traveled there, I was met by the nurse practitioner, paperwork in hand with a form stating I would be on the hook for $150,000.00 for a 6 month ocrevus infusion. I drove 21/2 hours in a snow storm just to turn around and drive home. That was the last time I used them for anything. I wouldn’t take a sick dog to this place. Any grant money this place gets should be yanked as the conditions under which research is conducted is not controlled properly or by using sound scientific methods for collection. They pressure patients to participate and become persistent if you refuse to become a subject....