Bowen Wong, MD

I was referred to Dr. Wong by my worker’s comp physician. I had been assaulted on the job and sustained injury to my left eye/​head. Besides the obvious vision problems, bruising and headaches, I had a lot of unexplained face tingling on the left side of my face. The physician who referred me to Dr. Wong was a primary care physician. He explained that tingling could be a sign of neurological damage and that I should see a neurologist. Mind you while I was having vision problems, I was not referred to a ophthalmologist or optometrist. I saw Dr. Wong over the course of a year. He had no explanation of what my problems could be. Meanwhile he never referred me to see an actual eye doctor. Seven years later, I found out after finally going to an ophthalmologist and optometrist, that I had sustained extensive injury to the eye and the muscles around the eye. this could have only been diagnosed by an ophthalmologist and optometrist! Needless to say I am angry! And feel that I was terribly under served and unserved in my case. I would not not recommend this physician. Today, the vision problems have increased. Also, the muscles around eye have weaker significantly. My face is no longer symmetrical. I just want to say to Dr. Wong and other physicians, this type of treatment and lack there of is criminal! The only reason I gave a 1 star is because a 0 can’t be rated! Obviously, I am no specialist, but I really wish I had been referred to one!

I went to see Dr. Bowen Wong because I was having a sudden attack of daily migraines starting in March 2010. I had seen my primary care doctor, who put me on Topamirate – which I actually don’t recommend.
When I had my first visit with Dr. Wong, I was kindof freaking out – thinking I had some tumor or other very serious brain thing going on, because the type of migraines I get affect my vision very seriously. I was expecting to have tons of tests done, despite knowing that this is a «normal» kind of rare migraine that I get. Instead, Dr. Wong calmly interviewed me about what had been happening, and my symptoms, and was not alarmed at all, which I found very comforting.
He was expert enough in his diagnosis to not have to order a million tests. I know that he does order them if he feels that is necessary, btw.
He spoke to me as a person, rather than an object to diagnose, which is a lovely situation. He recommended biofeedback, and made clear that he didn’t want me to be on the drugs (topamirate or whatever kind) long-​term. This was very refreshing, as this was my goal as well, and he said it first.
We agreed to try the topamirate for a few months to see what happened, as this was a change from my normal pattern of migraines (migraines were new for me since 2005). I kept a migraine log, and when I came in for my next visit, he discovered that the topamirate was not helping me at all.
This was a tremendous relief because the side effects of topamirate mess with your brain – my memory was really bad, I couldn’t think very well at all – couldn’t do what I was used to doing, which is horrifying.
I’d been working with the biofeedback person since the first visit with Dr. Wong, and that was helping me tremendously (Dr. Wong recommended a really excellent person, Dr. Avenson).
Since topamirate wasn’t working, we decided to try Butterbur extract, and I have had one migraine since starting the Butterbur (Petadolex is the general extract name), and that was right after starting it.
If you’ve experienced migraines, you may realize how amazing and wonderful this is. Especially since the side effects are almost nothing for Butterbur.
So the last time I saw Dr. Wong, last month, he said I don’t need to see him anymore unless I want to. I’d like to shout «I’m CURED!»
Please note I am still working on the biofeedback methods to deal with stress in a more healthy way, and I think that is an incredibly important component of breaking the cycle of migraines.
It’s difficult to find a doctor who will follow up with you by telephone, who cares about how you are doing, and who doesn’t want you to be on medication your whole life, or have to see him for years and years. He actually wants you to get better!
Amazing and wonderful.