Dr Alan Hakim

Written by a carer at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

My daughter is 20 years old and suffers from Ehlers Danlos and Hypermobility, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, SLE Panniculitus and Fibromyalgia. Her life has been very sad as she has had pain and ill health from birth and the battle we have had in our search for diagnosis of theses complex conditions. She suffers with many of the symptoms that these complex conditions cause from debilitating Chronic Fatigue, Brain fog, Chronic tactile, idiopathic and Joint pain and swelling, dislocations (subluxing), constant headaches that turn into Migranes frequently, Fevers and Chills, Temporomandibular Joint disorder all symtoms present, Limited mobility, acute skin sensitivity to the sun so bad that has to sit in darkened room, constant skin problems erythema rshes, Depression and anxiety the list of symptoms is endless and for the last 13 months she has been in SLE flare up. I have seen GPs and local Rheumatologists, Endocrinology, Dermatology and fought them all in my search for diagnosis and it has been the most heart breaking, frustrating journey. I have had my life turned upside down as I have watched my daughter seemingly dying in front of me the life just ebbing away and her suffering unbearable! I was sat on my lap top, again, having spent thousands of hours researching my daughters symptoms and I came across the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth in London and I rang and made an appointment to see Dr Alan Hakim, the best phone call I have ever made!!! We went to see Dr Hakim having had the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and the Hypermobility and the jury were still out at that point with regard to the SLE, Dr Hakim was phenomenal he gave my daughter the most extensive physical examination that she has ever had, he listened to us and took note of all symptoms, he took time to talk and explain to us about EDS and Hypermobility he was also as knowledgeable about her other conditions. He arranged immediate Physiotherapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with an excellent Therapist. He then assured us that if there were any problems we could message him and also that the Physiotherapist would keep him updated and any problems she would notify him also. True to his word this happened as my daughters health deteriorated as a result of the SLE flare up she was having and it was so bad her Physio put the physio sessions on hold and contacted Dr Hakim. I will advise you that my daughter is also being treated for her SLE at a specialist hospital but at this point Dr Hakim said he would write to consultant we were waiting to see he ordered bloods and contsacted our GP immediately and advised us exactly what was happening with my daughters health and that he would need to try and get the Flare up under control and diagnosed the SLE Paniculitus and prescribed 3 different medications and wrote all instructions down for us re bloods to be taken etc etc and instructed GPS accordingly. In a matter of weeks of the medications prescribed being taken my daughters life has changed, it has been like a miracle!!! Thess conditions do not go away but can be controlled and monitored DR ALAN HAKIM, has given my daughter her life back and soon she will be able to start her physio to help the EDS and hypermobility and her spirits all lifted. There are not words enough to express our gratitude to Dr Hakim, I can email him or his secretary and always get a reply he is a genuinely kind and caring man and I cannot thank him enough. I would recommend him to anybody who is or knows someone struggling with theses conditions he has given my daughter a future and now her depression is so much better, her quality of life 100% improved. I cannot make any constructive suggestions on how to improve and give greater care as Dr Alan Hakim already gives the best care, my daughter now has quality to her life thanks to him!!!

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Listening

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Written by a patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

For seven years I had been to different doctors who did not listen and consequently did not understand what was wrong with me. After my first consultation with Dr Hakim, this was the total opposite. He listened and quickly ascertained what was wrong with me. Dr Hakim explained everything meticulously, used helpful diagrams and resources, reassured and referred me to the consultants necessary to help manage the individual conditions. He remains the main doctor, managing the wide ranging complex symptoms and treatment to help with these. It is fantastic to have a medical professional who oversees the complexity of the condition and provides both the patient and GP with clear information of what is happening. He is an excellent doctor with such a compassionate nature and is truly committed to helping the patient as best he can. He is a superb doctor and I am very thankful for what he has and will continue to do for me!

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Written by a patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

I was given plenty of time, well looked after, clear easy answers to my questions and was able to email the doctor direct and had very quick replies. Would highly recommend.

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Written by a carer at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

My adult son saw Dr. Hakim after having seen many other specialists who had not been able to help him. Dr. Hakim was able to diagnose him correctly, gain his trust (he had lost faith in most doctors) and offered to co-ordinate his case with other doctors. Dr. Hakim is a great doctor who goes above and beyond what is expected in order to benefit his patients. I thoroughly recommend him.

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Listening

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Written by a patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

Dr Hakim listened to the full story of all my symptoms, asked relevant and helpful questions and did a thorough practical examination before presenting me with my diagnosis. He then listed the options that I had and the further tests that he would like to do to ensure that we had covered everything. I was given helpful advice and not spoken to condescendingly as I have been with other doctors. A brilliant doctor.

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