Physiatrists - Herrin, IL

"I would urge any one considering using Dr. Keith Burchell to use caution and to check with your GP or Specialist before allowing this Dr to make changes to your medications, and or treatments. I was referred to this Provider for increased memory loss, dizziness, and pain- post breast cancer. Dr. Burchell immediately stated that he felt most of my symptoms were related to my medications and that he did not "believe in" several conditions that had been diagnosed. Dr. Burchell stated that he would be taking me off most of my medications (one at a time), so that he could evaluate what symptoms were medication related and hopefully determine what was really a medical condition. At this point I am thinking sounds logical (while trying to ignore his odd bedside manner), and perhaps a more holistic view is what's needed...You know, treat the disease not the symptom...let your body heal itself, eat sprouts and chew vitamins, NOT A BAD THING. IF he could have made a treatment plan that incorporated these things, while safely making changes to certain side effect laden meds...I would've jumped on it! I also want to state that I am not opposed to an honest audit or discussion regarding the benefit vs. risk from any medication...but it quickly went from discussion to dictatorship and holistic to hellistic! The first med change was to be Gabapentin. I have been taking 900mg/day for 2 years. He instructed me to drop to 300mg for 3 days and then discontinue. I politely questioned the safety of such a drastic change in dosage over such a short time, he insisted that his way was safe, even though it clearly states on the Rx labeling, manufacturer guidelines, and various online medical sites, that this Rx must be carefully and gradually tapered, according to length of use & dosage, to avoid Symptoms from abrupt discontinuation which can range from mild to life threatening seizures. Seriously, look it up...it's scary! In addition to what was an increasingly strange and awkward office visit, (his wild random monologues, rapid fire questions, rants about pharmaceutical companies and demands for secrecy) Dr Burchell asked me to promise to do everything he said and quit each prescription as he instructed. Here's the creepy weird part...He then asked me to promise not to discuss how or what medication changes he makes, with my other Doctors. To recap: He made me promise to follow all of his instructions, be completely honest with him...and be dishonest to my other Doctors!!! At this point I feel like somebody is stirring the Kool-Aid, and my family is going to have to employ a Deprogrammer to bust me out of the cult! Yeah, so I totally called my regular Physician, she agreed Dr Burchell's method of tapering Gabapentin was NOT SAFE! After further discussion my Provider looked up the chart notes from my office visit with Dr Burchell. Dr Burchell had written several untruths in his notes and had even said I had told him I was experiencing hallucinations (He stated, due to use of Gabapentin). I felt gutted, and furious all at the same time! In all honesty, I struggle and agonize over the changes my body has gone through since cancer. At times I am absolutely desperate for answers concerning new and seemingly endless health issues, including memory loss, cognitive impairment, and intolerable pain. I really don't care if healing comes from a pill or a yoga pose...but I am not, nor will I ever be desperate enough to agree to follow blindly behind anyone who puts his ideals or ego above my safety. Dr Burchell is passionate about his beliefs...but like an arrow aimed in the wrong direction, he misses the mark...and in doing so, risks the lives of those involved. I am not writing this in anger (that has passed), I realize that others may have had a different experience with Dr. Burchell; and that is okay. This was my experience, and I feel as though I have a right to explain what happen to me and an obligation to let others know to be cautious and talk to their regular Provider, if they questions about Dr Burchell's treatment plans, etc."