I had a bad experience visiting Dr. P. Byers. Even though ALL my PTs and doctors have diagnosed me with hyper-mobility, Dr. Byers said I don't have hyper-mobility, and therefore wouldn't consider whether I have a Dx of EDS. He never gave me a thorough exam, nor did he ask very many questions. Dr. Byers was rude, snarky, and extremely dismissive. I have extensively researched over the last several year JHS and now hEDS. I score positive in all areas and clearly have the syndrome: chronic joint subluxations and periodic dislocations, bowl issues & GERD, skin issues, my mom likely has it ... I could go on and on). My husband is an MD & PhD and we know many people in the medical profession. Although none are specialists in this area, once they learn about hEDS, they agree I likely have this syndrome. I'm confused why Dr. Byers would be so dismissive? What does he have to lose to order the genetic test? I understand there is no cure, but it would be helpful for (1) having a piece of mind knowing what "it" is, (2) having an "official" diagnosis to be able to qualify for the local support group, not just for emotional support, but to learn of helpful doctors and PTs.

Submitted Sept. 18, 2017

Civilly cruel. Do your research, there must be better than this. I left this appointment deeply traumatized. And was surprised to see my ew icky feeling about his physical exam of my body echoed in other reviews. I didn't understand the necessity of feeling my chest area several times or having to manually find my pubic bone. Yes, there was a counselor in the room, but I don't think she uttered a word during that agonizing humiliating appointment. I was instructed like others to take up swimming despite my history of passing out even lying flat. And I was reprimanded for bringing medical records for review and told this is best left for Dr's as patient involvement is intimidating and disrespectful. Social skills training needed here, this may be a bright geneticist, but I didn't witness it.

Submitted May 20, 2015

I met with Dr. Byers almost 10 years ago. I had been diagnosed in infancy with EDS type 7 (arthrochalasia) and had 2 geneticists confirm this prior to meeting him. He didn't believe me, didn't want to see the paperwork, nor wanted to take the time to do a thorough exam. He is rude, and quite arrogant, and yet his knowledge of the different types of EDS seems lacking. There are doctors out there that are on top of the research and familiar with all the types, not just VEDS - which Dr. Byers seems to be the most interested in.

Submitted Nov. 16, 2013

This doc doesn't treat his patients well or give proper consideration to health issues. He is the wrong personality type for a physician.

Submitted March 20, 2013

Excellent geneticist, consultation worthwhile if you are really worried or have a more severe presentation of EDS. Knowledge base is impressive. Our family saw Dr. Byers as out-of-state patients & left fully satisfied. There were some negative aspects of the consult, however; his staff & Dr. Byers seem overly suspicious of out-of-state patients; maybe they've been burned before by people who can't pay or are drug-seekers, but their treatment of all patients in that respect is really questionable. He does have a cutting sense of humor, but seems to be a nice person who you will get the truth from. Those looking for a diagnosis who have a very mild case may be upset. Great explanations of his exam & what he looks for in potential EDS patients. Nice guy but he's human & thin-skinned patients may get disgruntled. Some intrusive questions but his exam wasn't; I disagree with comments made below about an "inappropriate" skin exam -- this is necessary/professional w/ a counselor present.

Submitted Nov. 29, 2012

Dr. Peters did a thorough exam but he sent me home with a diagnosis of "in your head" in a very demeaning manner. I was devastated after a long wait and a drive of over 100 miles. Years later, and three awful surgeries later, I am now diagnosed with EDS-Hypermobility. I still believe that Dr. Byers is brilliant and perhaps some of us patients just had to be the first to go through the shadow of doubt as science understands that there is an overlap of previously known heritable disorders. Perhaps Byers needs to think outside the box a little in that things might not always appear exactly as expected. I would still give this doctor a chance because years have passed and I would believe that he would see things differently now and he is still one of the world's top experts on heritable connective tissue disorders.

Submitted Oct. 31, 2012

Dr. Byers was nice but highly undereducated on the symptoms of CEDS or HEDS! His exam was less than thorough and had the nerve to strike up conversation with my husband about his career! He agreed that my children (without seeing them) appear to have EDS. But he thinks that I just have Hyper Mobility! He also said that I was a carrier!!! Seriously? And funny that someone else mentioned him being inappropriate because I kinda thought the same thing when he was checking my skin. He kept rubbing and rubbing and rubbing my arms!!!! He never asked to see my scars and never asked me to demonstrate the Bieghton Scale. He recommended that I swim for exercise, which I told him causes great pain in my shoulders, and he just said to start slowly and build up. I shouldn't have been so cheap (not that it was a cheap trip) and gone to see a different doctor! My money would have been better spent elsewhere! Instead, I ended up funding his incompetent ego!

Submitted Sept. 27, 2012

I too saw Dr. Byers after being diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Type III, or the hypermobility type with some vascular features. I was very impressed and felt he went above and beyond to try and help me. He spoke with my Dr back home for a total of over 3 hrs giving her information about EDS. He was so thorough with his exam and was able to diagnose my POTS or postural orthostaic tachicardia syndrome. Keep in mind that he is a Geneticist and Professor of Pathology and Genetics at the U of WA and is one of the only Dr's in the U.S. to do Genetic Research on Ehlers-Danlos. He was full of information and recommendations that I was able to take back to my regular physician to try and set up a treatment plan. He was very honest about all we just don't know about EDS and how to go about treating it. I think he deserves a huge award for what he has done above and beyond to help all of us with collagen disorders and EDS. If you want a Sports Medicine Dr. or Physical Therapist to help yo

Submitted Aug. 1, 2008

Horrible, disrespectful and dismissive. If you are referred to this man for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and have anything *but* the Vascular Type, DON'T BOTHER. Save yourself the time, money, and self-respect. His attitude is not only unhelpful, it is outright harmful. He set my progress towards diagnosis back a full 6 months with his dismissal- 6 months that could have saved me multiple surgeries, had I received an accurate diagnosis and been warned against following *his* recommendation of using Pilates to "strengthen" my joints. (Hint: DON'T, especially not without assistance from a trained PT!)

Submitted July 31, 2007

Dr. Byers has a tendency to only be interested in Vascular type EDS. He is very dismissive of hypermobilty and classic type to the point of being condecsending, arrogant, and rude. I also recommend women taking a man in with them. He was extremely inappropriate during my "exam". I would highly recommend finding a different doctor.

Submitted July 14, 2007