In 2007, I was bit by a tick. I went undiagnosed with Lyme disease and coinfections for over 11 years. (Specifically, neuroborreliosis.) I can't begin to describe the pain and disability I experienced. Think of your worst charlie horse and make it last 24/7 for over 5 years "traveling" to one part of your body to another every few months and then these muscle spasms/dystonia continuing at least a few hours daily for the next 6 years... This pain was just one aspect of what I was going through. My cognition, balance, vision, hearing, fine motor skills and more were also affected. Outside of going to Drs., I was homebound from 2007 to 2013. In the beginning, I was taken seriously, but my doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with me, and the only thing they did was prescribe medications - LOTS of them including fenanyl. Thank God I never became addicted to them, but I was definitely VERY medicated, and as time went on I, developed more and more physical tolerance to them. My symptoms outside the pain also grew worse over the years, and doctors still had no idea what was causing them. Eventually, I was treated as though I was drug seeking, having psychiatric issues, etc., and I was "blown off." In 2017, a friend of a friend told me of Dr. Gudesblatt at South Shore Neurological Associates in Islip. He was the first doctor who took ALL of my concerns seriously and searched for an answer as to what was causing my symptoms rather than just treat the pain. Although it was hard dealing with office staff sometimes (as others have described here on Yelp!), Gudesblatt did more than a full workup, and he also listened to me. In mid-2018, upon my request, he sent my bloodwork to IgeneX, and that is when I was formally diagnosed. Within less than a week, he began treating the Lyme disease, and I then began seeing an "Lyme-literate" infectious disease specialist. I honestly don't know where I'd be today if it hadn't been for Dr. Gudesblatt. He never blew me off even when he couldn't find answers, he continued to do workups and documented all of my symptoms, and he listened to me which eventually led to my diagnosis... read more

The doctors are good, but the staff are horrible. I have left so many phone calls and messages in the portal, and I never get a call back. Waiting for them to send a prescription for IVIG infusion and they haven't done it. Even the message from the doctor wasn't sure what the holdup is. Now my case is closed from Kabo infusions. What a horrible experience. Just look at all the Google reviews! I hope that NYU Langone can get this place in shape! So, if you are thinking of using this practice? Think twice! read more

Sadly, this practice, several locations are terrible to work with. Hours to get a live person on the phone. When in the office for testing the staff behind the desk, appear to be like circus freaks. Seriously, there was an office staff member behind the glass of the testing area in the Patchogue office that her nails were about two inches long. Certainly not what you would think appropriate in a medical office setting. The Drs, do not seem to take interest in any one patient, seems the larger the patient list the better, but all I can say is that for over three years I've been asking for help with my mom's memory and the Dr has ignored me. Sadly my loved one has declined now and the Dr is declining to see, help or even treat my mom. The office secretary Jennifer Conti she is awful. I can only hope she is treated the way she has treated me and my family. It's weird that I can honestly say I think she takes pleasure in making things more difficult than they already are. No compassion, not an ounce of understanding or she is just pure awful. I would not recommend this drs office for anything or anyone. Doo your research and fine better. The portal is meant to communicate between the Dr. and the patient, only JENNIFER CONTI is so rude, and she obviously twists and makes it even harder to get an answer or appointment in the office. DO NOT USE THIS PRACTICE, NYU YOU ARE FAILING AND IT'S THE OFFICE STAFF TAKE YOUR LOVED ONES ELSEWHERE THIS PLACE IS TERRIBLE NOT THE BEST CARE AT ALL read more

Two years ago I sought help from Dr. Gudesblatt post Covid. I suffered 4 rounds and needed his help medically. He is a true expert in his field of neurology. He ordered a number of tests for me which half I was able to get completed and the other half his office administration was terrible and never return phone calls when trying to schedule the remaining. So I never finished my testings and treated with other doctors instead. Two years later, I had a slip and fall during the winter. I sought his help again. I called just to get a test to make sure I was not hurt. I was out of state at the time but wanted to see him upon returning. It took me over a month from my slip and fall to get an appointment with a PA. I have been told that the doctor is booking more than a year out. Also, that cancellations are rare. Crystal who is the front desk manager apparently, told me that I was the one being rude today when I spoke to her today after multiple phone calls and messages through the NYU portal. Instead of saying, she understood my frustration and try to fix the matter. She laughed at me which made me even more angry and when I called her out on it, she denied laughing at me and then told me I was the one being rude. Truthfully, I do not want to go back to this practice, but Dr. Gudesblatt is an expert. He is the only reason I am returning, the office staff is terrible. I do NOT recommend his staff, it's unfortunate as he's excellent and truly helped me. read more

Unfortunately I feel the need to change my review from 5 stars to 2. This is NOT because of Dr. Zarif. It is because of his office staff and phone staff. I have tried reaching them many times and the phone receptionist put me on hold. Each time I waited over 40 minutes! The last time I called I waited an hour and 47 minutes because it was important. When someone finally picked up, she was extremely rude to me and it was a horrible experience! I an actually switching doctors because of the lack or competence shown by the office staff on multiple occasions. This is a shame because Dr. Zarif is an exceptional neurologist. I just cant deal with his staff anymore. read more

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What's not to love?: 1. Waiting in the phone queue for a half hour to make an appointment. 2. Being given an appointment 2 days hence only to find out you've been added to a pile of overbooked live and virtual patients.  3. Prefilling scads of online paperwork prior to appointment.  4. Sitting for over an hour after  appointment time while listening to a line of patients complain at the desk about severe wait times. 5. Being brought to an exam room for a second wait only to be told they have no time frame on when the doctor would actually come in. 6. Leaving without seeing a doctor AND  losing 2 hrs of your life you'll never see again. read more

I am a patient of Dr. Gudesblatt at South Shore Neurologic Associates. I cannot recommend this doctor and practice more than 5 stars but I would if I could. Dr. Gudesblatt is a kind, caring, professional physician and he is brilliant. He diagnosed me with a one in a million disease and has been treating me for it for 10 years. You may wait a little but it is definitely worth the wait to see him. Take my advice and get an appointment with Dr. Gudesblatt if you are having neurological issues. read more

This place is revolving door of doctors. I've had 4 different doctors in a year. Getting a prescription is like pulling teeth. They are way under staffed. Every time I call I am # 11-14 in line on hold Every month I spend 60-120 minutes on hold and then I get a different answer every time I call. Hire some more help. read more

I like my practitioner but good luck reaching anyone at the office with a question. No one ever answers the phone and you will never receive a call back even though you leave a voicemail. I had to drive to the office once just to talk to someone about an issue with a prescription. And there are always people working the desk but I guess answering phone calls is beyond their job description. I hoped this would change when NYU took over but nope! read more

The office staff has always given my husband a hard time. It's at the point where I make his appointments for him because he is too annoyed to deal with their rudeness over the phone. If I don't call, he won't go. Today, he showed up for an appointment that I had made, and he was told that he didn't have an appointment scheduled. I know that it was scheduled because I scheduled it. Clearly, someone doesn't know what they're doing. There was no way that they could squeeze him in, so now he's out of luck until his next appointment. Meanwhile, he was slotted for the last appointment of the day and he arrived early. They very well could have seen him, but no one was willing. Dr. Guttesbladt was great to him back in the day, but the office staff and the nurse practitioners are judgmental, rude, and unprofessional. If I had a dollar for every time they've said something outlandish, I would have MANY dollars. If we had another place to go for his care, we would. This is not the first time something like this has happened. From now on, I will be getting the name of whom I speak to when I make appointments. Also, don't even bother trying to get a refill on a prescription without a visit. It's next to impossible. For people with neurological issues, you would think there would be some compassion and care. I'm giving them one star for their overly nice building. read more

it's hell to get your med renewals from South Shore Neurologic. You wait forever to get through on the phone lines-forget Mondays all together. You can be on the same meds and those are just as difficult as your new meds. it's been a week of phone calls for regular meds. if you weren't sick enough already, this med process will get you there. Also, it isn't clear to whom you can even go to report these problems. read more

Save yourself the time and effort. No one cares. Good luck just trying to get an appointment! They should really stop taking new patients. Hopefully their EXISTING patients will get better care? Dr. Vaillancourt is the worst. He is like a deer caught in the headlights. There seems to be a lack of empathy on any level. He had seen my father a couple of times. Who has Parkinson's. They had just recently moved out from Manhattan. In both visits along with his list of medications. Never once did he reach out to his original Neurologist to compare any notes or even communicate. It's not just the Dr. himself. It's a combination of him, the office and this terrible system we have as a whole. That said, Doctors who are NO LONGER interested in their field of expertise, should do themselves and their patients a favor and retire. I could not imagine what it would be like for those people who do not have children and or Patient advocates? Because it seems that some of these doctors just don't care. This one is one of them. read more

I am an RN and took the day off as well as my son took the day off for his appointment with nurse practitioner Jennifer Vasquez. We received multiple reminders and confirmed them. Upon arriving and filling out all the new paperwork for the change to NYU Langone my son was told his appointment was cancelled due to her being in a meeting. A meeting, not an emergency. This is so wrong as my son has been suffering and really needed to see her to get some tests run. She should have called him herself instead of handing the dirty work to the front desk. On a side note, Dr Anand has always been wonderful. read more

Best neurological group on Long Island. Hands down , from the multible neurosurgeons to there accelerated group of neurologist. Top notch care from the receptionist to the doctor and testing! read more

Dr. Zarif is a great doctor but sadly I have to address the office situation. You can NOT get someone from his office on the phone. You cannot get any human on the phone. When you do they say someone will get back to you and they don't. I have been trying to get a prescription for blood work for 10 days. Dr. Zarif is not listed in the company directory which is comical. Four hours total, over six business days, and still no resolution. It has been this way for a while but I am thinking of leaving the practice to another doctor because NOTHING should be this hard. Surprised NYU Langone hasn't seen all the reviews - they are stupid if they don't fix this problem. So many reviews say the same thing. Recommended a friend to Dr. Zarif - he tried for weeks to get an appointment, calling on his lunch hour. Gave up. Dr. Zarif is great though so not a reflection on him - it is too much stress dealing with this office - have many other NYU doctors all professional with the phones answered. So sad. read more

This practice is amazing. From first phone call to patient service to check out. Highly recommend

If it were not for Dr Guttesblatt I would never go back to this practice. As everybody is complaining about in these reviews the phone service is the worst I have ever experienced. When I go there I expect to wait one to two hours to see Dr Guttesblatt which I do because I think he's a wonderful doctor. But prior to that....trying to get the appointment is a shit show. I can wait on the phone for an hour at least which I have done several times to be told "he doesn't have any available appointments for the next six months." I am currently trying to reach the billing department because I have been double billed. Every time I call I get a recording & I left four messages so far and no one has called me back. I think it may be time to find a new neurologist. read more

NP Laura Buck is truly a wonderful caring professional I have been very fortunate to have her as my provider. the islip office is clean convenient and has lots of parking. read more

First time appointment today at South Shore Neurologic Associates in Islip. The staff were all great - very warm & welcoming, thorough and efficient. Dr. Anand is wonderful! Very personable, makes you feel comfortable and relaxed right away, explains things in terms easy to follow and understand, is very attentive and listens to what you have to say / ask, and does not make you feel rushed. In a perfect world, Dr. Anand would be my doctor for everything Great experience and highly recommend. read more

I've been at this practice since my MS diagnosis 8 years ago and I am very happy with them. Dr. Gudesblatt is an odd duck but a great doctor and his nurse practitioners Barbara and Marijean are also awesome. The Nursing staff are like having a group of friends taking care of you (I have to go monthly for my meds). They will track me down to make sure I come to those appointments. There are long waits to see the doctors/NPs as others have said - I deal with it by planning to be there for a long time because I think the level of care I receive is worth it. They spend the time they need with you and don't have you in and out. read more

I have been sitting in the waiting room for an hour and a half and I haven't even been called in yet. I have asked twice how much longer, and they give you the "look". My time is valuable too. My husband has been sitting in the car all this time. If he was running late, they could have called me. I could have rescheduled or come in later. No one here cares about me or my time. I find it to be disgraceful read more

Do not go if you are epileptic.. these Drs make toddlers look like geniuses. I got an EEG. when getting the results, I was told "it looks like mini seizures.. not sure what kind." These fools couldn't even read an EEG. I mentioned I hated the side effects of keppra, they said "well.. we don't know what else to do so see you in 5 months!". I thought to myself "fuck it" and went to NYU instead after. By the time these chuds called me to tell me there's now appt availability, I already got another 48 hr EEG, a weeklong inpatient video EEG, a better diagnosis, and new meds from NYU. While all south shore could do is be hur dur stupid ding nuts. And to make this story even richer.. I decided to give this place a second chance. Maybe I was being too harsh. Going to the city is quite annoying. So, I called, asked if I could change Drs first (all my appts were with Serena or Selina, whatever her name was. Wasn't even a real Dr, the strangest thing) they said no they don't do that, ok strrange but whatever made an appt and went. I said I was having more epileptic episodes. They went on to say "oh sorry, I can't do anything for you. I can give you a discount". My jaw hit the floor. Long island doctors are a nightmare, but these clowns take the cake. read more

Been going there for years and they have always been impossible to communicate with. Difficult to get an appointment and impossible to call in a script. Very frustrating read more

One star is very generous for my situation and if negative stars was an option I would choose that. I have been a patient of South Shore Neurology for 10+ years and being treated for migraines. I see Dr. Xien who is an amazing doctor and if he could only control the office practices and staff, then maybe it would function better. I never call their office for anything other than to schedule my annual visits and obtain refill medication. On the morning of 2/21/19 I called urgently with an emergency situation. I followed their automation and left a message for the doctor with my situation. I then hit zero and asked to speak with someone. I had been suffering from the worst migraines I have had in 10 years and had taken more than the prescribed amount of medication in a 24 hour period to try and alleviate the headache because I was desperate to have some relief. I still wasn't feeling good and was concerned that perhaps too much medication would be dangerous so I explained the situation and asked for them to please call me back with answers and what my next step should be. The person advised that the doctor was on hospital rounds and they would get in touch with him and call me back. She said "do you need to go to the hospital"? I stated I don't know that is why I am calling you and I reemphasized the urgency of a return call. Even if they couldn't get a hold of my doctor, the practice has many neurologists in the office and any of them could have answered the simple questions I had and could have assisted me. No return call that day or the next day after I called 2 additional times and left more unreturned messages. By this time I was able to self medicate and get rid of the severe migraine but was absolutely disgusted that this practice doesn't care at all about their patients. I called their office asking for the chief manager so I could discuss my frustration and try and get an answer to my question and find out why they couldn't have the decency to return urgent emergency phone calls. I was transferred to Charles Burke COO who stated he has been with them for 10 years. I spent about 20 minutes venting to him and he assured me he would look into the matter and call me back. Well, that didn't happen for 2 days and he wasn't the one to call me back. Their Senior clinical manager called me stating she had just received the info and was going to first look into the matter. As I am on the phone with her going over the story yet again and expressing my frustration, she completely understood and the craziest part is that she said that the doctor responded to their office with the answers to my urgent matter within a couple of hours. So they had the info all along as the doctor clearly cared and did his job, but the office did NOTHING. This clinical manager was the most honest of everyone and agreed it is a problem and acknowledged that they do have office issues and would be speaking with the management team. I asked for a return call on what the outcome is with their other managers and what is being done to rectify this and prevent it from happening to patients going forward. Still waiting for return phone call a week later so likely will never hear the outcome. However, I did demand to speak to Dr. Xien directly and he did call me back and apologized up and down and also agreed that they have office issues that need to be addressed. He's a true professional. If the COO didn't care enough to look into the matter himself and call me back, why would any of the office staff assist either? Management and leadership starts from the very top and at this practice they are lacking those skills. They run the practice like a mill and I don't feel that they give a crap about their patients care. The office needs to hire good senior management or really take a look at the ones that are currently their including the COO and train them on proper conduct and customer care. I am still very frustrated and disgusted with their office. read more

If there was a zero i would rate it that way. Worst office support team ever. Nobody returns calls!! Doctor assistants are never available. Do not waste your time!!!! read more

I have an extremely painful neurological condition that yields constant pain that is almost intolerable. The doctor and practitioners that I've seen appear to be professional and competent, but the time interval between the diagnostic and testing and follow-up sequence goes on for weeks because calls to initiate the next step are all sent to voice mail, and it takes two or three days just to speak to a secretary. The whole system seems to be flawed, I'm months into this ordeal with no meaningful treatment in sight. I'm almost at my breaking point. read more

Don't ever go to SOUTH SHORE NEUROLOGIC ASSOCIATES P.C. All they care about is money. There billing department doesn't know there elbow from there ass. They have billed me for procedures that should have been covered by my insurance, which they NEVER advised me that would be extra and not covered by my insurance. To top it off, when I called them, they told "YOU SHOULD KNOW WHAT YOUR INSURANCE COVERS." Regardless to say that I had to pay the fees. I didn't even get a sorry from them. Now, I arrive for appointment for them to tell me that they DON'T accept my new insurance. I called ahead before I switched my insurance to make sure ALL my doctors accepted my new insurance. Again, the billing department told me that they ACCEPT my new insurance. However, when I arrived they said that they DON'T accept it. SOUTH SHORE NEUROLOGIC ASSOCIATES P.C. SHOULD TRAIN THEIR EMPLOYEES ON HOW TO PROVIDE CORRECT INFORMATION TO THEIR PATIENTS!! read more

Waited to see Dr. Gudesplatt. He was great but have not seen him since the primary consult. I have seen Mr. Clifford a nurse practitioner. He is extremely nice and informed. If it was not for these two I would not have returned. My primary issue is the front staff as well as their telephone service. First, their telephone service is extremely annoying. If you call after hours it does not give you a chance to leave a message. Furthermore, they close down for an hour 12:30 to 1:30 everyday for lunch. This makes it extremely difficult to place a call when you are a working adult. This makes trying to get a refill very difficult. The main issue though is the front staff... I am writing this not because of one bad experience though the last one was the last straw. When I called in the morning I asked if they could place a 90 day supply for which the receptionist said they could not do that because it was against the law. I replied by stating that they had just done it the last time I was there. Then she, without apologizing or acknowledging her misleading comment, stated that it was because I missed my last appointment. That appointment I called and had to cancel with 24 hours notice. I then later called to confirm because I was under time constraints and was again treated rudely. read more

The absolute least competatent doctors and unirganized staff. Don't waste your time here. This place umis a catastrophic medical accident waiting to happen. I feel like calling 7 On Your Side. read more

I brought my child in to see Dr. Pflaster not only did I wait over an hour to see him. He was the rudest doctor I have every come across. I don't know how he is booked with appointments. I have also been calling for results for two weeks and have not gotten a call back. I don't know how doctors like this stay in business. read more

Horrible. If you want a place were your Dr. tells you, you are one of 10000 patients and he can not be involved. Run there. Sent me for tests there were irrelevant to my problem. Did not diagnosis my problem. Off to another doctor in another practice. in 30 minutes I had my answer. read more

The Whole Staff at South Shore Home Health are Professional, Courteous and Empathic of our needs. My Wife and I both go there for treatment. Jennifer and Kristin are top notch in our book !! They take a potentially stressful day and and make it much more bearing and comfortable. Thanks again Jennifer for making my infusion virtually painless. If we could have given 6 Gold Stars we would have, but it only goes up to 5 Lol. All the Best SSHH !! PEACE !!!! read more

I see NP Marijean Bushe she is fantastic, Dr.Geudesblatt he is a great neurologist, he knows his stuff but be aware he does have a habit of talking a lot and not about your medical issues. The receptionist all suck. I've been going to South shore Neurologic for 13 yrs now and there front desk reception has always sucked. I don't know who hires them but maybe they should be replaced. read more

Dr. Anand, Nurse Buck and staff are excellent. They care!

Horrible front desk staff my appointment was at 11:45 and 2. Hours later still waiting ,after I confronted them they had the nastiest attitude as if it's my fault ... no I'm sorry no nothing basically either you wait or you reschedule They made me so upset I was holding my tears read more

Horrible! They don't know how to schedule and keep you waiting for hours. After a series of test somebody who appeared to be a receptionist or secretary called to give me the diagnosis. "Oh, yeah, you have ________________." A secretary! This was a serious diagnosis, and they don't have the decency to have a nurse call me! Beware. read more

Client of Dr. Guddesblatt, while he is wonderful, the front line staff is not. Trying to get a hold of an actual person takes forever. Been calling a matter for a week and I am always,,,"number 7" in the queue, although my "call is very important" to them. Noone ever picks up the phone and if they do they are so quick to transfer you before you even finish stating your issue. Scheduling department is all you are given the option to call in to even though what you really need is the front desk. Not an option on the call in list. Dear office management,,,GET IT TOGETHER! Some of the front line staff are courteous and apologetic as to why thier colleagues didn't get back to you but others could not be bothered and transfer you call right away to a continuously ringing line that is never answered. As someone who has MS. and stress is not good for you...don't ever call this office as it is bad for your health and may cause a flare up of symptoms. I understand MS is a difficult and frustrating disease, the customer service provided by this office does not help. read more

Dr. Raza has to be one of the worst doctor's I have ever seen. I just changed Neurologists to another doctor at SSN because of his inability to keep up with records, paperwork and for the recent medical advice of (and I'm paraphrasing here) "If you think the medication I prescribed for you is too large of a dose, why haven't you cut it it down to half the dose?". My response? "Because I AM not a doctor and I tend to not mess around with my prescribed dosages unless I consult the prescribing physician first!" I called back later and guess what? He never updated my new dosage in their computers. Worst of all, with his loud, booming voice; he is near impossible to understand over the phone. He also likes to talk over you without you finishing your sentences. He has misdiagnosed my condition twice and a lesser man would have taken up a malpractice suit. Which I still may, dependent on my appointment with my new Neuro and how badly he may have messed up the transition between the two. I just got a call from their records department because they were missing both of my MRI's and one of the lumbar punctures he had ordered for me. Don't make my mistake; he is not to be trusted. Speaking of which. after accidentally saying the "F" word over the phone in reference to the doctors ____-ups, Stephanie, the records department girl would have nothing to do with me and hung up on me twice telling me that my complaints were not her department. So instead of connecting me to the correct department, she connected me to another lady in the records department. Who once again hung up on me instead of transferring me to the correct departments. This place has no intention of making you feel better. They really only care about your timely payments and co-pays, but that last part is my own opinion. read more

Refused medical help to a patient with an appointment when she arrived because she had corona virus 2 months ago- even though she is virus free. The office manager knew this information and made the appointment for her. They even called the police on the poor patient. Illegal practices!! read more

Horrible tele-health experience for my 90 yr old mom. after waiting for 45 min for the 2 pm call, the RN Marijean Buhse asked my mom questions, did a simple exam moving eyes, head, etc mentioned that NO WHERE IN THE RECORDS DOES IT MENTION VERTIGO, THAT IS THE REASON SHE WENT TO SEE SSNA IN THE FIRST PLACE, but the overall shocking part is she left her audio microphone on after she ended the call and I heard her talk derogatory about my mom, her condition, laughing, cackling, to a stranger in the room. Doesn't this violate HIPAA rules? I will file a complaint so this does not ever happen to anyone! I would not give 1 star but had no choice. This happened yesterday August 18th, I had called Dr and office manager immediately. No call from the RN for an apology. And no call back from her physican. Truly upsetting. read more