Rheumatology Center of Northern Virginia: Dr. Hesum Chegini

Dr. Chegini is wonderful. He took my symptoms and concerns seriously from the very beginning and made me feel truly heard and understood. Before seeing him, I spent months visiting multiple doctors across different specialties without receiving answers or effective symptom management. Dr. Chegini was the first physician who took the time to thoroughly evaluate my concerns and develop a treatment plan that made a real difference. Thanks to his care, my symptoms are finally under control, and I feel like I have my life back. I am incredibly grateful for his expertise, compassion, and dedication to his patients.

Dr. Chegini has been an incredible provider and has helped me get back to who I was pre-onset of RA. I have a history of autoimmune inflammatory conditions dating back 14 years. It’s complicated. At the beginning of the year, I started not to be able to use my hands. Then I could barely walk because my joints felt they were so painful and felt like they were made of hard rubber. I would wake up in tears every morning for most of the year. I’m now currently 2 weeks heavily symptom free after being diagnosed with sero-negative RA (doesn’t show up in labs). The *most critical thing* for me was that as a woman without labs showing clear RA, he believed me and the amount of pain I was in based on the description of my clinical symptoms. It’s been rare feeling like I don’t have to advocate excessively to get help. He listened and he believed me. After a careful combination of meds bolstered by diagnostic tests and labs to monitor all possible medication interactions, I feel confident in my health and treatment plan moving forward to remain in a remission state. He’s switching offices so it’s a loss that I cannot continue with Dr. Chegini. Thank you!!

I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for my rheumatologist, Dr. Chegini , whose exceptional care has made a profound difference in managing my condition. His compassion is evident in every interaction; he listens attentively, and approaches each case with empathy and understanding. Moreover, his availability sets him apart—he is remarkably responsive, often addressing concerns promptly, even beyond standard office hours, ensuring continuity of care during challenging times. Above all, his genuine concern for patients' overall well-being is inspiring; he crafts tailored treatment plans, incorporates the latest evidence-based practices, and follows up diligently to monitor progress and adjust as needed. Thank you, Doctor, for your unwavering support.

I had a great experience wih Dr. Chegini. He conducted a very thorough and thoughtful evaluation of my knee, taking into account my long-term running history and overall joint health. Dr. Chegini explained everything clearly, answered all my questions, and made sure I fully understood my knee status and next steps. I truly appreciated his attention to detail and professionalism. Highly recommend.

I don’t often write negative reviews for medical providers, but this experience felt necessary to share. My appointment with Dr. Chegini was deeply disappointing, especially given the many positive reviews I had read beforehand. I am a woman in my mid-30s who was referred to rheumatology due to persistent symptoms, a strong family history of autoimmune disease, and abnormal bloodwork — including a positive ANA of 1:640. Within just a few minutes of meeting me, Dr. Chegini suggested that my symptoms were likely related to past trauma and that, as a woman, I probably "do too much" and need to slow down and meditate. He did not appear concerned about my positive ANA and stated he would order additional labs, which felt more like an attempt to appease me than a genuine clinical concern. I left that appointment feeling dismissed and unheard. After completing the additional lab work, my ANA returned even higher at 1:1280. While I understand that a positive ANA does not definitively confirm autoimmune disease, higher titers are more strongly associated with autoimmune conditions. At my follow-up, Dr. Chegini acknowledged the higher result but did not express concern. However, he recommended starting Plaquenil — a medication commonly used to treat lupus and other autoimmune diseases — despite maintaining that he did not believe anything was wrong with me. This was confusing and concerning. Uncomfortable with the overall experience, I sought a second opinion and waited five months to see another rheumatologist. During that visit, she spent a full hour reviewing my history, symptoms, and labs in detail. She took my concerns seriously and did not dismiss them. While she agreed that Plaquenil may be appropriate pending updated labs, she also informed me that the dosage Dr. Chegini prescribed (400 mg daily) would have exceeded recommended weight-based dosing for me. Given the known risks and need for careful monitoring with this medication, that was extremely troubling to learn. I fully understand that autoimmune diseases can be complex and difficult to diagnose. However, what patients deserve — regardless of age or gender — is to be listened to and taken seriously. Unfortunately, that was not my experience in this practice. For those navigating potential autoimmune conditions, I would encourage seeking a provider who takes the time to thoroughly evaluate concerns and communicates clearly and respectfully.