Dr. Shabbir Hussain Merchant, MB BS

He told me I don't have Parkinson's Disease. He was wrong and I have Parkinson's Disease. I saw Dr Merchant because he is a Movement Disorder Specialist. I had been pretty sure for a few months that I had PD. My general Neurologist had suspected PD but wanted me to see an MDS to confirm as I was pretty young. I saw Dr Merchant and he diagnosed me with Functional Neurological Disorder and referred me to a Neuropsychologist. He said he was sure I did not have PD. He did not offer a DaTscan to rule out PD. I had to ask for a DaTscan. He could not give me specific reasons why he thought I did not have PD. I got a DaTscan at a different hospital and saw a different MDS. The DaTscan confirmed I had Parkinsonism and the new MDS diagnosed me with PD. I have started PD meds which have helped greatly. Had I followed Dr Merchant's advice, I would have waited months to see a Neuropsychologist who wouldn't have been able to help me.

Doctor Merchant was dismissive and refused to speak to me directly but chose to speak to my husband instead. He also did not understand my progressive terminal illness and diagnosed me with a psychiatric illness which did nothing to help but actually caused future doctors to question my diagnosis. Doctors like Dr. Shabbir Merchant are unaware the harm they bring to patients like myself. If they are unaware of a rare disease they should just say so. I would never recommend this doctor to anyone. It is scary there are doctors like him out there and they can make decisions about your health care.