Matthew W. Arnold, MD

Wonderful neurologist. He was very helpful and did not rush my fathers appointment and really took the time with him to discuss his physical issues. My father and I had many questions and Dr. Arnold gave us his full attention. We will keep him on our referral list.

Dr Arnold saved me from another doctor (I use that term loosely) where I received a bad diagnosis and very poor patient care. After the other doctor gave me a diagnosis that would result in brain surgery and a painful recovery, I was sobbing on the phone with my aunt who then suggested I try Dr. Arnold since she had a wonderful experience with him. He saved me from having unnecessary surgery, experimental testing, and physical pain.
I would recommend Dr. Arnold to anyone who asks for a Neurologist. His office is kind of far from my home (I live in the San Ramon Valley), but it’s worth the drive for someone who knows how to treat patients and will work to find the best solution to your problem. I trust him completely and I’ve never felt better. With his treatment, my headaches and vision issues have resolved themselves without surgery or further tests. Dr. Arnold is the best!

He works with me very closely and has helped me with my epilepsy. «Seizure freedom!» he says, and I am getting there thanks to him. Truly great doctor.

Very helpful.
Has been wonderful with helping me with my epilepsy.

i went to Dr. Arnold as a 2^nd opinion for a suspected nervous system disorder called rsd aka crps. The pros were, he was friendly, mainly listened, not much of an ego (almost rare for male neurologists), he is my grandma’s neurologist and she likes him, he was recommended by both my physician and the head of the ucsf rheumatology dept., as a self-​paid patient the one-​hour evaluation appt. was less than $ 100. Cons: the actual diagnostic evaluation was about 5 minutes long, he responded, «i have no explanation for that» after i asked why my left hand was becoming worse (the most affected body region), he told me he thought i was predisposed to OCD which was contributing to my high pain levels (you are a neurologist, not a mental health professional), the only medication he prescribed me had no generic (cymbalta), the appt. as a whole was unhelpful as he neither confirmed or disagreed to whether i had crps, that maybe it is just a non-​descript nerve disorder.
as with most doctor appts., i recorded it, transcribed it and sought counsel from family and friends, of which some are doctors as well as work in the medical industry. they confirmed my intuition that he was not only unhelpful in my diagnostic path, but a little out of line with the mental health assumption.
this was about two months ago. since then, i have been working with a helpful and professional pain specialist (dr. arnold appeared a non-​fan of the p. s. when i brought her up in the appt) as well as discovered a nervous system-​based chronic pain support group. both these agents as well as my f&f have encouraged me to seek ganglion nerve blocks, which are important to have as soon to the trauma as possible for higher likelihood of remission as well as ganglion nerve blocks is thought to be a diagnostic tool as well. there are also many cutting edge discoveries every month. i just wish dr. arnold stressed things that anybody new to possibly serious conditions a little more to me., esp. from a neurologist point of view, as that is what he is. at least some helpful material to take home and read, or respected websites to look into. i drove home empty-​handed and disappointed, at that appt. and the overall broken healthcare system. sigh.

We swear it was divine intervention that my husband was assigned Dr. Arnold as his neurologist in the emergency room at Alta Bates.
He has been a true partner in my hubby’s journey with Multiple Sclerosis.
It was new year’s eve and Dr. Arnold was in the process of leaving to go home at 9:30pm when he got the request for a neuro consult. He very easily could have pawned my husband off but he didn’t. Dr. Arnold came to ER and conducted a very thorough exam then admitted him for a what turned out to be a 5-​day stay.
Afterwards, we’ve kept on with him as my husband neurologist.
3 reasons we love Dr. Arnold:
1) patience — my husband and I googled and exhaustively searched the Internet during the hospital stay so we pummeled Dr. Arnold with a zillion questions during his rounds. He answered every one question without appearing annoyed, rushed or condescending.
2) knowledgeable — we opted for a 2^nd opinion at the Mayo Clinic. The well-​known MS specialist at Mayo commented that Dr. Arnold conducted one of the most thorough and detailed MS diagnosis that he’s seen — «he did exactly what I would have done».
3) just plain nice — no air of superiority and condescension. My husband saw one of the Dr. Arnold’s partners during hospital rotation and he just wasn’t likeable. Other Unilocalers have commented on this partner so I won’t bother. When you’re facing a life long disease, you want some compassion with brains.
While Dr. Arnold gets *5* stars, I did deduct one for his incompetent staff. Making appts, dealing with insurance and refilling meds is just a double hassle because the receptionist and other admin staff are either really busy or really stupid. They continually screw up request, transpose numbers on insurance claims and never follow up so you’re the one that is always calling and calling and calling to make sure things are getting done.