1 /5 Lisa Dupree: I arrived 30 minutes early for my first visit to establish myself as a patient of Dr. Youngs and became overwhelmed by the strong fragrance from the multiple air fresheners they use in the office. I have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, and fragrance is a bad trigger for my symptoms. I was able to wait outside to be called back into a room. Once inside a back room, I waited for quite a while until finally the automatic lights turned off. By this time, I had a rash on both arms and hives on part of my face. It was over an hour past my appointment time (appt time was 10 and it was now a little past 11), and I decided that I shouldnt subject myself to the air freshener any longer. I asked for a refund in the financial office. While in there, the Dr. Young came in, and I apologized for the inconvenience but said I needed to leave because of the very strong fragrance in the air. I showed him my arms and said that I was becoming rashy and needed to leave the building. With a mocking smile he asked me how I knew I had mast cell disease and who diagnosed me and why wasnt I on more medications than I listed on my paperwork. Clearly, he is unfamiliar with MCAS, and frankly I understand as it is a rare or underdiagnosed disorder. However, the manner in which I was treated is unacceptable. He acted as though he didnt believe me because Im not currently taking prescribed medications (many patients can control symptoms with OTC antihistamines, a special diet, and avoidance of triggers). I have never been treated like this by a medical professional. It was shocking and extremely upsetting. I found this man to be very unprofessional.
