Dr. Mujtaba Tapal, MB BS

I had to wait over a year to get an appointment with Dr. Tapal. When I arrived I was processed quickly by the nurse and office staff; however I waited over 30 minutes in the room. Dr. Tapal came in and told me that no one told him I was there. He had not looked at my bloodwork, tests, etc. He said he would look at it later. He did take time to ask questions. He diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia. I told him I had that diagnosis since the early 90s and was on medicine for that. I was there for the severe joint pain and the indicators from the testing. He said he would look over my bloodwork and let me know and said come back in four months. He said to get eight hours of sleep a night and to exercise 10 minutes a day. I explained how difficult sleeping was since my joints ached so much. I was very disappointed after waiting so long, in so much pain, to see that he had not even looked over the bloodwork or tests. Our health care system is broken.

I waited for over a year for this appointment. I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis 20 years ago and moved so had to find a new rheumatologist. X-ray report confirmed AS diagnosis but Dr Tapal overrode that report and said the degenerative damage was just due to “old age”. He refused to consider my medical history from previous rheumatologists. When I went for my second appointment, I was told I would see his NP because the doctor is “on leave” and they don’t know when he’ll return.

Dr. Tapal is thorough on his examination and in his explanation of his diagnosis. He is easy to relate to.

In and out without big delays. Thorough exam. Asked questions and listened. Responsive to concerns. Very prompt follow ups to my visits.

This guy was a joke. He did not take my concerns seriously. When examining he was unable to get either of his scopes to work and just said oh well. He then just prescribed a bunch of vitamins and said I'll see you in 6 months. After seeing another Rhumatologist at IU Medical I realized just how awful that visit was. She ask probing questions like a detective, ordered several tests, and seem to take a real interest in my condition. I also got a new appointment in 5 weeks. it is shameful and inhuman Dr Tapals attitude and skill as a doctor.

Dr. Tapal was very good at getting my son's gout under control. My son was having continual flares that were keeping him from work. The emergency room visits were mounting up and we got bad advice from those doctors who took my son off of his medication that controls uric acid levels. Dr. Tapal told my son to never go off of those medications even during his flares. Today he is flare free and his uric acid levels are way down. The doctor was compassionate and available during flares.