- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Northwestern Nasal & Sinus
Rating Details »
Category: Ear Nose & Throat [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Near North Side, River East676 N St Clair St
Ste 1575
(between Erie St & Huron St)
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 266-6673
- Hours:
Mon-Fri. 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
9 reviews for Northwestern Nasal & Sinus
I've been going to Northwestern Nasal & Sinus since April. Yep, right after I got my cute little kitty that made me wheeze and itch. Awww, but he is such a cutie...umm when he isn't tackling me at 2am when I'm on my way to the bathroom or batting at me when I'm in my armchair and not giving him the attention he demands.
Oh....back to my review of NW N&S. So I went here after doing some research on both NW N&S and allergy shots. The offices are very spa like. I love that trend in doctor's offices now. Not so sterile and stuffy like they used to be back in the day. When I made my appointment they had me go to their website and print out a bunch of paperwork to fill out and have ready for my appointment. So I basically walked in, handed over my paperwork and insurance card and that was it.
I spoke with Dr. Carothers and went over all my allergies and the issue of my newly acquired fur ball and he gave me my options. Yes...one of them was to get rid of kitty. :( But he was playing it straight and I appreciated that so in the end I went with the option that I originally came in for...allergy shots.
I had blood drawn that same day, came back a week later and got my results and the paperwork of all the nasty little things that make me itchy, sneezy and wheezy and I started on my shots that same day. 3 shots a week is what I go through to keep my little bundle of joy but it is so worth it.
The process is pretty easy. I go in once a week, sign in, sit in the shot waiting area for all of 2 minutes or so, they call me, I get my shots and I leave. Badda bing, badda boom. Well I actually spend a little bit more time chit chatting with the girls in the office. They are all so sweet.
Allergy shots are working really well and...I don't puff up or grab for the inhaler any more when my kitty rubs up against me. :D Thanks NW N&S!
Agreed on all of Luke's points. A few years back I visited there about a half a dozen times. I never came away feeling better and they would simply shove a camera up my nose and give me a different prescription to try. So the last time they tried to shove a camera up my nose they deemed it a "procedure" and billed me $300 plus dollars. No one told, asked or otherwise informed me this time was a procedure that is out of the ordinary and might not be covered by insurance. So unless you want to burn through some cash find another place to go.
I have been suffering from sinus and septum problems my entire life. This past year, a colleague recommended that I go to the Northwestern Nasal Sinus Center. Since February, I have been seeing Dr. Carothers, and I am having sinus surgery on August 6th (I suppose I should wait until AFTER the surgery to write my review; there will definitely be an update!).
Since I started coming to the Center, I have been impressed with the service. The receptionists are friendly, the people who take the CAT-Scans of your sinus cavities are friendly and funny, Dr. Carothers always remembers that I am a singer and care very much about the resonating cavities in my face. I am also very impressed by how Dr. Carothers is able to explain everything to me clearly without making me feel stupid. Today he spoke to me very earnestly and openly about the surgical procedure and recovery, and assuaged all of my fears and anxieties. I am confident that I have made the right decision, and only wonder why I couldn't have done this years ago!
I'm still amazed by the fact that when I arrived, I was seen within 5 minutes. I went in for some tests for my asthma and ended up going through probably the most thorough tests ever. Jihan, the RN, that I worked with was very patient and explained each test in detail. That helped me understand what each test was for and how each one would benefit me.
I even ended up taking an allergy skin tests and discovered 7 additional allergies that I had no idea about that add to my asthma. I appreciate the quality and the time that they took to properly help me. I highly recommend for anyone else out there with asthma or sinus issues to see them for help!
Admittedly I always think it's kinda odd when people review their Doctors. I'm not sure why, but there is something a bit off when you're reading about some girls latest trip to the OBGYN.
Anyhow, Yelp is still a community of referrals and I'd be severely lacking in due diligence if I didn't recommend with two very enthusiastic thumbs up Dr. McMahan at Northwestern Nasal Sinus Center. Their offices are state of the art and very comfy and he always gets me in same-day when I'm sick which is the biggest plus in my book. Tracey at the front desk is an absolute doll... I call her with my allergy woes and she's the sweetest and most accommodating every single time.
If you're an allergy or sinus sufferer in Chicago, Dr. McMahan should be your guy!
Warning, warning, warning!!! This place is genius, at least when it comes to billing into the stratosphere and prescribing medication(s) that are so new (read expensive, expensive, expensive) that you need prior authorization from your insurance carrier. I've seen Dr. McMahan twice in the past two years (I know, shame on me!) for a serious sinus infection. Both times I was immediately sent for their in-house CAT Scan then seen by the doctor and sent home with a cursory explanation/diagnosis ("you have a sinus infection." DOH!) and a list of prescriptions that would choke a horse. BTW, I have stellar insurance through my wife who is a medical professional at Northwestern but this is just unconscionable and obscene and probably why the whole health care/insurance industries are so out of hand. For the follow-up visit I was once again immediately shuffled into their in-house CAT Scan department for a second dose of radiation. Then seen by doctor McMONEY, oops, I mean Dr. McMahan who patiently explained the infection was abated.
Bottom line here folks is you better have top-notch insurance, be sure to ask for samples of the nearly experimental drugs he's shilling for the pharmaceutical reps that feed his staff every day (breakfast, lunch and dinner if they're available) and make sure you, at least, request generics or even the over-the-counter medications that are now readily available.
Lastly, how was this diagnosed and treated prior to them/him having access to in-house X-Rays? Well, I think we all know the answer, which was $2000.00 less per patient visit! STAY CLEAR & SEEK ALTERNATIVES IF POSSIBLE!!!
Comment from John M. of
Northwestern Nasal & Sinus
5/2/2009
This is another example of a patient's insurance co-pays…
More »
This is by far the best-run and friendliest Dr's office I've been to, pretty much ever. I've never had to wait more than maybe 10 mins tops for a scheduled appt., and have always been able to get a same day appt. for emergencies. Dr. McMahan takes the time to get to know exactly what's going on with each patient and genuinely wants to find the right solution for whatever your particular problems are--unlike many Drs nowadays who will just throw antibiotics at you and send you on your way.
I just had surgery on Monday and he called me, at home, from his home Monday evening to make sure I didn't have any questions and was feeling okay. He was also kind enough to take time out of his day to field a phone call from my father in FL prior to my surgery to answer his questions about the procedure.
All the techs, PAs and admin gals are cheerful, friendly and helpful.
If you have allergies, sinus issues, or any other ear-nose-throat related issue I strongly encourage you to visit this practice. After over 10 years of horrible chronic problems I am finally on the road to recovery and only wish I would have gone to them sooner.
***UPDATE- 1/4/09***
It has now been over a year since my surgery and I HAVE NOT HAD ONE SINUS INFECTION SINCE. For me, this is nothing short of some Miracle Worker, gettin' Helen Keller to talk type experience. I am no longer constantly sick, tired, and rundown from chronic infection nor do I have to pump myself full of antibiotics just to survive. The words "life changing experience" get bandied about quite a lot these days, but this truly was one for me. Major snaps to Dr. McMahan and his staff.
A few years ago, my GP (affiliated with Northwestern MH) wanted me tested for sleep apnea. I went to the NMH sleep center and was told I had "very mild" sleep apnea, so I was not given any kind of medication nor any kind of CPAP machine, or frankly, any other recommendations for my condition except, "lose some weight, and it should improve if not go away altogether".
Fast forward to now, a few years later - with me, at least 60 lbs lighter, eating extremely well (organic, little junk food, etc) and constantly, constantly fatigued, exhausted, barely able to function on a normal day and just wanting to sleep my weekends away. I knew my snoring had worsened and decided it was time to go to get a second opinion about my sleep apnea, and my seemingly chronic nasal/ear infections and issues.
This time, I decided, I'd go to a specialist instead of just calling up NMH and asking for a doctor like I always do. I found Northwestern Nasal & Sinus and was able to get an appointment promptly. They started out with having me fill out an extensive medical history and current symptoms listing. I talked with Dr. McMahan at length about my medical history chart and current issues.
He checked out my ears, nose and throat, and did a CT scan. Then my records from the previous sleep study arrived from NMH, and he sat me down, asking me who had told me my sleep apnea was only "mild". As it turns out, right there in black and white facts on my record, was that my apnea was in fact *severe*. He prescribed an CPAP machine, which I had in less than 24 hours (I'll be upgrading to an APAP shortly) -- and I cannot tell you what a difference this machine is making in my life. Instead of being constantly exhausted, cranky, sleeping poorly -- and all the issues that brings on -- I feel like a person again. Chances are fairly high that I may need further work done, but when I go for follow-up in a couple weeks, we'll see how the machine is doing. So, some important lessons learned. Most importantly: if you get a sleep apnea test, make sure your doctor thoroughly reviews the results with you, no matter how "mild" they say the results are. So, some important lessons learned. Most importantly: if you get a sleep apnea test, make sure your doctor thoroughly reviews the results with you, no matter how "mild" they say the results are.
I was a bit surprised to see the review here where it says the other primary doctor at this office was trying to "sell surgery". The doctor I saw, Dr McMahan, did discuss surgical options, but he also stated that surgery would be the last choice after trying a variety of other options first. He was willing to listen to my concerns about taking medications simply "for medication's sake", and so he was selective about who he recommended for my follow-up visit with a different doctor for a pulmonary evaluation (related to asthma) and to have a thorough physical. (The doctor I saw for that was located in NMH.)
To my surprise, today in the mail, I received a copy of the letter NN&S had sent to the GP I had visited. NN&S listed my full list of symptoms and examination results, and a printout of my CT scans, so not only did the GP have those notes, but I do, too. (I've spent a good amount of time online, researching my various issues. It's very educational.)
I was shocked to find that NMH had mis-diagnosed me, because sleep apnea - especially severe sleep apnea - is something that can be life-threatening, not to mention all the physical issues it can lead to. I think of my physical quality of life for the past few years and how much better it could've been if I had been properly diagnosed to begin with, and I'm thankful to have a doctor who seems to know what they're doing now! Again - I can't tell you *what a major difference* it's made in my physical well-being to already have had the CPAP machine for under two weeks!
This is one of the best and most professional doctors offices that I have ever set foot in. I work in healthcare so I have very high expectations and they are constantly exceeded when I visit or call Dr. McMahan's office. I suffered from chronic sinusitis since childhood, getting infections almost monthly. Sinus surgery with Dr. McMahan was the best decision I ever made. I felt comfortable with him right from the start and the office staff and nurses, especially Mary, the sweetest nurse in the world, are always kind and accomodating. I am usually seen within 5 minutes and can always get right in when I a sick. While I still get the occasional sinus infection, it is FAR BETTER than before surgery. I highly recommend this office for any allergy/sinus care. It has made a significant difference in my life.
