UPMC Lake Erie Endocrinology

I have been fighting insulin resistance since 2010 with no progress. I have taken Metformin ER three times and have had nothing but trouble with it. Dr. Anne F. Walczak was adamant that I continue to take it because it is “one of the best medications out there” for Type II diabetes and insulin resistance. Just because a medication is popular and works for a large majority of people, it does not mean it is the best choice for everyone. Some people cannot tolerate certain meds, and I happen to be one who cannot tolerate Metformin. But she insisted that I continue with a Metformin regimen and “put up” with the side effects to reap the benefits. I was completely convinced that I was a waste of her time when she said, “I don’t know what to do for you.”



Dr. Walczak further insulted me by telling me to pretend to be allergic to white breads, pastas, starches, etc. Had she taken the time to actually listen to me and review my eating habits, she would have found that carbs take up a very minimal portion of my diet. Instead, she made assumptions that I’m overweight and borderline diabetic so it must be my fault that I’m making poor eating choices (not some underlying cause that needs further investigation), and made me feel absolutely helpless in my plight to figure out why my body is unresponsive to insulin resistance medications.



I sincerely hope that the patients who walk into Dr. Walczak's office are not all met with the same discourtesy that I experienced. We, as patients, are there because we need and want help; not to be pacified and receive minimal standard of care and call that “good enough.” I was optimistic that I would be in the hands of someone who truly wanted to get to the root of my problem as badly as I do. Instead, I was incredibly disappointed. I’ve been through the ringer and refuse to be treated with disrespect any longer. I’ll be my own advocate from here on out.

They are very timely and the wait is short to get into the office as well as to see the Doctor. They call and remind you of your appointment and call when you get your blood work they call and give you the results good or bad. Good stuff.