Ratings for Dr. Wayne Downs
I have been seeing Dr. Downs for the past 5 years. I am surprised reading some of the reviews on this site. I am covered under Medicare and have never had a problem getting an appointment. Each time I go I am able to see him within 5-10 minutes. I have found him familiar with the latest research being done at the major university hospitals and the various sections of the National Institutes of Health. He has always been willing to discuss new research he finds regarding my problems and is willing to discuss the pros and cons of possible new cures I find on the internet. I would strongly recommend him to my family and friends.
Submitted Feb. 20, 2015
Seems that every time I need anything I am put on the back burner. I have active multiple sclerosis and Dr. Downs doesn't really have any recommendations for me to try to get my disease under control or slowed down. To call the practice "neurological consultants" seems like a bit of a misnomer. I don't feel as if Dr. Downs takes any active role in my health. My office visits consist of me asking about research that I have done and listening to Downs deliver the textbook "whell there is no clinical evidence" or that he hasn't heard anything about it. I usually leave his office wondering why i wasted the time and money having gotten absolutely nothing out of tbe appointment. Another issue with this practice is the timeliness of responses to our inquiries or needs. I am currently going on the 3rd week of waiting for the office to submit some paperwork for a new drug I am trying to get on. Also, if you are like me with a disease like ms that sometimes requires a timely response for issues like an acute flare up don't expect your issue (as serious as it is) to be looked at with any urgency whatsoever. It seems like this practice is solely in the business of making money and really hasn't shown me much of an interest in helping their patients improve or even maintain what health they have. I would not recommend Wayne Downs to anyone who has any type of neurological condition.
Submitted Feb. 9, 2015
Always have to wait at least an hour after my scheduled appointment to get into the second stage waiting office... Dr Downs is like most neurologists these days in that he is a drug pusher (shill for big pharma) and seems to know only what the drug reps tell him. I never got the feeling that Dr Downs actually cared about my well being. The options in Anchorage for quality neurological care are pretty dismal.
Submitted Jan. 22, 2015
This guy ordered blood work to be done by a group of idiots who did a very poor job. I wound up leaving Quest Diagnostics because they didn't seem to have it all together. To make it worse, Dr. Downs told me it would take 6 weeks to get the results back. They came back in four days. I then learned that Dr. Downs was in fact on vacation for 6 weeks. He chose to delay my treatment due to his vacation without giving any thought to a referral somewhere else. The treatment is very time-sensitive. He also charged $700.00 for 20 minutes of his time. He was not compassionate and doesn't seem to give a rats about me getting prudent treatment.
Submitted April 30, 2012
FYI = Partner Mary Downs is his sister, not his wife. Wayne is a good doc. takes time with patient and admits when the brain stumps his brain. But he is always willing to try new things (or old in new ways,) and sometimes it works.
Submitted Oct. 16, 2011
I have been a patient of Dr. Downs for many years. He listens and takes my concerns under consideration when making suggestions for my treatment. He is always responsive and prompt during any neurologic problems I might have in between appointments. Overall a very honest and concerned physician.
Submitted July 19, 2011
I accompanied my brother-in-law to every neurological visit he had (he also has Aspergers Syndrome and I'm a pre-med student, so I was the natural choice in the family). My BIL has had seizures since he was a child, and had recently moved from Florida. On the 1st visit, Dr. Downs completely changed the seizure meds. He did do it in the normal way, weaning off slowly while weaning on the new meds slowly. However, the drugs he switched my BIL to were the very old, tried-and-true seizure meds that hadn't worked for him in the past (we told him that and he had copies of his medical records). Long story short, the change in meds resulted in a manic attack that landed my BIL in the psychiatric hospital (API) for 2 months! The diagnosis when he got out: Manic attack due to the drastic change in meds and lack of sleep (also due to side effects of meds). The more research I did, the more I was questioning the though process of this doc. He wasn't BAD, but this makes me question his judgement!
Submitted June 23, 2011
OMG I was sat in his room, him across on his stool reading my paperwork for 15 minutes, then proceeded to poke me up and down my leg with needles asking me if I feel it.. like duh, NO feeling, but thanks for drawing blood all over me with the needles.. HE ordered tests UNRELATED to what chief complaint was for last 1 1/2yrs.. and now WONT answer questions or CALL me back. I found him rude and not helpfull at all, said to us.. I have NO clue why or what.. well duhhhhhhhhhhhh its written in front of you in my records.. his response to us " well you dont check the radiator for a flat tire" wtf
Submitted Dec. 27, 2010
Good at involving me in decisions. Gives me choices in treatment instead of just telling me what meds he is putting me on. Listens to my concerns. Noticed some people find him rude. I think he also has neurological conditions that could be taken as rudeness, but think his eye rolling and fidgets are neurological. I try not to judge those traits as I am seeing him for similar issues. He is blunt and opinionated but not to a point that offends me as some other patients. Been seeing him for 8 years and will continue. He orders tests to make diagnosis and rule out other conditions. Does not hesitate if he thinks an issue is beyond him and you may need another specialist.
Submitted Sept. 8, 2010
Dr. Downs will get you addicted to sleeping pills. He is always late and puts personal slams in your records. I did not realize how bad he was until I moved to Seattle and found a real Neurologist. Upon reviewing my records I found some very unprofessional notes and comments.
Submitted April 21, 2016