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Dionisio Fernandes, MD

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Dionisio Fernandes, MD
Allergy Consultants Medical
(5 Reviews)
> Get Phone Number & Directions
13851 E. 14th Street Suite 205 San Leandro, CA 94578
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Consumer Feedback

(5 Reviews)
Service
4 star average for Service
Environment
4.5 star average for Environment
Expertise
4.5 star average for Expertise
Staff
3 star average for Staff
Recommended
3.5 star average for Recommended
Was this doctor's staff friendly?
Yes, they went above and beyond
Would you recommend this doctor to others?
I Already Have
Does this doctor use current and safe equipment?
Yes
Was this doctor friendly?
Yes
Were the restrooms well-stocked at this provider's office?
Yes
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.231.65
June 12, 2014
The following incident happened last year but I've thought about what happened, and felt it would be a great disservice to the Castro Valley community if I didn't notify others that Dr. Fernandes LIED to me after I told him I had no insurance, and pressured me into purchasing a medication that cost hundreds of dollars (because no generic exists yet), despite having been told by all my previous doctors that I no longer needed to use this medication. The medication is called Advair, it is a steroid inhaler used to strengthen the lungs over a long period of time and is for people who need help getting their asthma under control.

I grew up in Colorado where the air is very thin and asthma was very bothersome for me growing up. Since I moved to California, it came as close as possible to disappearing. The only thing I've needed is a Ventolin inhaler for emergencies.

One day I was having severe breathing issues because my roommate's cat somehow got into my bedroom and spread its hair on my bed, including my pillow. I had an emergency Ventolin inhaler that I used to get from Haight-Ashbury Free Clinics when I lived and worked in the city and was part of the sliding scale health care system.

Well right when the cat incident happened my inhaler was actually on its last leg, and I was between jobs so I didn't have insurance but I needed a new one. I made an appointment with Dr. Fernandes because I read he was good for walk-ins and affordable for people without insurance. They gave me a nebulizer that was very well-priced and the nurses are very nice and I am grateful for that.

The problems came after my nebulizer when Dr. Fernandes came in to talk about my asthma and related allergies. I told him I just needed a prescription for Ventolin maybe twice a year and I TOLD HIM that I had no insurance. I explained my history and all the inhaler treatments I have used. He tells me that I NEED o use Advair, a corticosteroid inhaler that has many known bad side effects and should only be used by people who really need help controlling their asthma This inhaler is NOT for short-term treatment. I told him I have used it before as a teenager, but when I moved to the low altitude of California my asthma really cleared up. It was almost like he wasn't hearing any of this, and kept talking to me like I had very serious asthma problems that weren't being treated properly, despite only needing 4 inhaler refills in 8 years.

He starts PUSHING the Advair prescription on me and telling me that he will write me a Rx for Ventolin, but I should only be using it twice a month at the most and that it is very dangerous to use it more often than that. I'm sorry but no doctor in my entire life has ever told me this, I consulted doctors from three different asthma specialists after I met Dr. Fernandes and they too said his information was blatantly incorrect. I leave his office very flustered and go to the pharmacy to fill the prescriptions.

The Advair without insurance is SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS!!! I told him I did not have insurance and I needed something affordable and he pushes this on me? This is why people throw around conspiracy theories about how doctors get payoffs from the pharmaceutical companies. What Dr. Fernandes did was absolutely inexcusable and reprehensible and if you visit him with issues regarding your asthma, DO NOT LET HIM WRITE YOU A RX FOR ADVAIR!!
by Chris xxx.xxx.45.217
May 26, 2013
Did this provider answer all of your questions?
Some were answered
Was this provider's staff friendly?
Friendly Enough
Did you leave the office feeling satisfied with your visit?
Yes
Was this provider's office easy to locate?
Fairly Easy
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.179.224
July 11, 2012
Did this asthma - allergy specialist use current and safe equipment?
Fairly Current
Did this provider listen to your input and concerns?
Yes
Was this provider's office easy to locate?
Fairly Easy
by Anonymous
February 23, 2012
They are an absolute expert in the field. I would never feel unsafe or apprehensive in their care. They explained all the risks and benefits of my treatment options. Everything was explained in detail, all my questions were answered, and I felt a lot better about choosing a treatment plan. Whenever I make an appointment, I'm always confident that they're going to be ready for me at my scheduled time. At other places I've been to, it's always bothered me when they postpone my appointment, but they've never done that here. The restrooms at this provider's office were clean and well-maintained. You could tell that they cleaned them regularly.
by ruth figueroa
April 15, 2011
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Map and Directions
13851 E. 14th Street Suite 205, San Leandro, CA 94578