Asheville Arthritis & Ostprss - Jill Vargo

Took 2 weeks to get a person to schedule an appointment with me. Only for them to give me an appointment 2 months out. Completely unprofessional place

Dr. Arango wouldn't listen well. When she did she didn't want to diagnose and said we would keep looking. That was 8 months ago and now for the second time she has to reschedule months later. The initial visit was in March

I was referred to Doctor Vargo 16 years ago. She saved my life! I was in terrible pain and limited movement. She is so caring and so smart. She keeps me informed in my treatments. I do not know what I would do without her. If she prescribes it, I will do it, no questions asked!

"Dr." Arango did not care at all that my entire adult life has been ruined by illness. I finally was able to get insurance this year and see a rheumatologist (after a very long wait which I am sure she doesn't care about either) and she just dismissed me out of hand. She was condescending and bordering on combative when I tried to ask her what I should be doing to help myself.

She looked at some routine bloodwork I had done previously and was not interested in performing any further testing or even trying to help me find the right doctor (she did repeat the same exact tests though after some prodding for her to do SOMETHING). She tried to tell me that some joint pain comes from inflammation (which she didn't think I have. thus disqualifying me from her care) and that some joint pain were from other causes outside of her domain.

She wasn't even going to expand any further about what I should do about my joint pain (one of my many symptoms) until I asked her to. She was fine with just telling me it wasn't her problem and sending me on my way, which is utterly mindblowing to me. After I asked though, she then described the "other" causes of joint pain outside of inflammation and listed tendonitis, bursitis, and some others. P.S. Tendonitis is literally inflammation of the tendons.

Bottom line is, she did not care to help me improve my life that is wracked with suffering and repeated bouts of imposed inactivity. She should be ashamed of herself. She acted as if rheumatologists don't deal in any "obscure" diseases (they absolutely do) and that she could tell from the most routine of physical examinations (stick out your tongue and say "ahhhh") that I don't fall under her umbrella as a rheumatologist. Again, I cannot stress enough how little she cared.

All she seemed interested in was trying to be right and sending me on my way. She barely acknowledged me as a human being. I would put her in the top 3 worst doctors I have seen in my life - just under the one that screamed at me for being sick as well as the one who refused to prescribe an MRI for me and said "Hulk Hogan couldn't get an MRI if he walked in and asked for one." Meanwhile - a couple of years later, an MRI ordered by an actual doctor revealed a brain tumor that I could have known about much sooner if the previous pompous doctor didn't spend so much time living inside of her own rectal cavity. "Dr." Arango is 3rd only to those two terrible doctors.

She made me feel stupid for seeking her aid. and even more stupid for risking Covid-19 exposure to talk to a woman who clearly did not care about me at all and is only there for a paycheck. She also seemed aggressively defensive and intimidated simply because I am well spoken. She acted like it was a bother to answer my questions and she answered almost all of them poorly.

If you're there for a paycheck primarily, you're in the wrong profession. Try to give a sh*t. Arango only wants to deal with what she knows - straightforward care of a few common diseases she sees every day. If you are suffering with something that is unknown, I cannot speak to the other doctors at this facility - but do NOT see Dr. Arango. If Arango is your only choice in the area, I highly recommend you make an extended drive elsewhere if you are at all able.

Thanks so much for your "help." I'll change this after an apology and genuine willingness to care for a patient in your. well, care. I truly empathize with and feel sorry for the people your dare to call your "patients."

Going along with the last review I left months ago. I should be arguing my money back and bills diminished for this terrible experience and time wasted. Dr. Ana Arango being the first/most horrible rheumatologist I have had to deal with. No sympathy, or acknowledgment for my health concerns. Spent a year with her and was only given one set of bloodwork tests.

She claimed my positive ANA results and strong autoimmune family history meant nothing. Didn't believe my back pain until I begged for an MRI. We found i have a herniated disc. Untreated, she prescribed me medication that didn't have anything to correlate with my issues. I have had to take matters into my own hands and get my primary to refer me to other specialists to get more pieces of the puzzle.

I could have been diagnosed by now. Charging me full price visits to only see me by video calls since covid hit and still not ordering any further testing. When I asked to switch Doctors they claimed there is a "no switching policy". Even though, when they first scheduled after my referral, I chose her out of a list of random names not knowing any of them or their specialties. DON'T SEE ARANGO.

Moving to Asheville, NC four years ago from New York State, I wanted to choose a Rheumatologist who was completely current with RA treatments and current thinking. I am super grateful to have chosen Ellison Smith and have been very satisfied. He always listens to what I have to say and gives due thought to my treatment at every visit, considering any changes that might be beneficial for me. Having had superb doctors at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City since diagnosis in 2003, my care did not skip a beat when we moved here. Jeanie, Dr Smith's nurse, is also an asset to his team and I thank them both for all that they do for me.

Asheville Arthritis is a great clinic. The offices are really nice and comfortable. The staff is friendly and helpful. I have been seeing Dr. Ellison Smith for a few years. He has been a tremendous help and I feel lucky to be receiving such a high quality of care.

Dr. Jill Vargo has taken care of me for ten years. She is highly qualified, caring and keeps an efficient assistant.

I see Dr Julie Levengood and she is super nice, knowledgeable, and thorough. The staff here are also very kind. Dr Levengood's assistant Lisa M is also very nice and very helpful. I use the Healow App if I have any questions, giving an update about how I feel, or any changes another specialist may make. As long as its not too close to closing and the Dr is in, I get a response on the same day. I can also review my lab results thru the app. I am very happy with the care I am given here.