Inland Pain Medicine - Palm Desert, California

Wendy

Awful experience. I’ve had lower back pain for many years and recently it’s just become unbearable so I decided to finally get some help for it. After a VERY brief examination by Dr. Anderson and past medical history talk, I was basically told that I am just overweight and no treatment will help long term because of my weight. I tried to explain to the doctor that I understood I needed to lose weight but I was struggling with my habits while also tolerating the pain. He just continued to go on and on about obesity rates and his opinion on the matter. I really just felt like I was judged from the minute he walked into the room. I was passed off as - here is another fat person who is complaining of pain. I couldn’t talk and defend myself or give him any response back, there was no dialogue between us, it was just a lecture from him on why I’m overweight. He knew nothing about me or even inquired about what I’ve been through. I got emotional and just left the office. I don’t feel comfortable being treated by this provider and I won’t be making any future appts. Old male physicians who aren’t keeping up with current trends/treatments and false judgment's are not the type of physician I wish to see or be treated by.

Bonnie Taylor

Don't waste your time.
Terrible experience! I had been told by others that there were many options to getting pain relief before going in, that's why I agreed to go for help. He treated me horrible from the moment I met him. VERY argumentative person. Did not have my records pertaining to my issues, other than the roughly 10 pages I completed for them prior to my appointment, which he never even looked at. He treated me like I was seeking drugs, which I most definitely was not. I felt victimized and got upset with his poor attitude. Lectured me about my awful insurance and how I had 'no idea' about how lousy it was (I did as I had already been thinking about changing it this year during Oct), I just looked at him and said I'm done. We'll, then he goes out to a computer and gets my records and says my back issues are acute, surgery is indicated. Nothing he can do to help. Okay, I'm a full grown woman and I'm not stupid. No chaos is nice. This guy needs to retire. He did absolutely nothing to help me.

Philip Triantafyllou

I’ve never felt more like a cash cow for the medical industry than at Inland Pain Medicine. From the older, cranky guy in glasses at the front desk to the 2-minute “telehealth” appointment with Dr. Anderson… what a joke. I’m not exaggerating when I say 2 minutes, I checked my phone to see how long the call was. So, in those 2 minutes – for which Dr. Anderson will be paid at least over $100 – he couldn’t tell me the necessary frequency of my appointments or drug tests and didn’t bother finding out. He just told me to call back and ask someone else. And, of course, a short 30 minutes later, billing is calling for my co-pay.

My experience started almost positively 2 years ago with Dr. Eola… I think she was a doctor, maybe a nurse, but she actually seemed to care and showed an interest in finding solutions for my chronic cervical spine pain. Then poof, she was gone by my next appointment, and it’s been a revolving door of nurses since. The last nurse before my “telehealth” appointment with Dr. Anderson had at least established that I only need to check in every other month for my prescription. Now, with her gone, I have no idea what to do, and I’m out of medication with no interest in returning to Inland Pain Medicine. The medication was helpful, but I can live without it if it means dealing with IPM.

Oh, and about the crank at the front desk… I live an hour from their office, and I had to drive down there when I could steal away from running my restaurant. I tried to squeeze in visits, often arriving about 5-10 minutes before they closed for lunch or the day, as that was when I could make it. It takes very little time to provide a urine sample, yet, without fail, the cranky guy with glasses would give me a hard time, trying to push me off to another day. But, driving 2 hours round trip? Hell no, I wasn’t having it. I finally let him have it the last time I was there.

So, there you have it. You asked for a review, and you got it. To sum up, this office epitomizes the worst of the American medical system, where patients are just numbers to stack their schedule and extract as much as possible from the insurance racket. We exist to line their pockets, not to stay healthy or pain-free.

Stuart Armor

Around 2012 I was told I hurt a part of my lower back that was too close to parts of my spine that it couldn't be fixed with an operation without the possibility of paralysis. A pain doctor (OVER PRESCRIBED) and put me on 60 mgs of oxycontin, 40mgs of oxycodone for breakthrough pain and 1 - 100 microgram strips of fentynal on each arm. In 2015 I weaned off of everything after I asked for an MRI. "The fracture, or whatever it was had healed. A few months later I saw Dr. Anderson. I knew after the first appointment he was the ONLY pain doctor I could trust. He knew and explained what high doses of opiates did to the rest of your body and mind. I had been on some kind of opiate for most of my life and my body was addicted to them. Dr. Anderson helped save my life. I will only go to "INLAND PAIN MEDICINE" and I only trust Dr. Anderson and his staff. He doesn't give out drugs like candy and Dr. Anderson explains in detail where his patients pain is coming from, and treats it accordingly.

Lori Lynn

My mother went to see Dr. Anderson. He was rude and insulting. She was truly offended with his behavior. Such disgusting and unprofessional behavior should not be tolerated. I was furious when she told me how this person treated her. Why do we need these places anyway? Can’t doctors prescribe pain medication anymore?

Rosa Garcia

At first I was very disappointed to have been referred to this provider. I was in excruciating pain, I had to make my first appointment at the Beaumont facility otherwise I would have to wait almost 2 months for my evaluation. Then I had to wait another 2 months for the procedure appointment. The day of my appointment I walked in very anxious, I did share my aprehensión with the PA, he did listen and asked me not to worry, and relax. He said that I was in very good hands in a very friendly way that helped me to calm down. The Dr came in, what really impressed me was that he took his time to ask questions about my condition. Then he proceeded to explain the procedure step by step. He never suggested I should go ahead with the treatment, he gave me the option to wait. I decided to go ahead, and I don’t regret it. The procedure was very smooth as he had explained it, some discomfort but not painful. If the need arises definitely I’ll go back to him. Only inconvenience, time waiting to get an appointment, for me was worthing the waiting.

Jim Menning

I've been seeing Dr. Anderson for several years. He's extremely knowledgeable at treating pain and shows a tremendous amount of compassion. Not only does he diagnose your problem, but he thoroughly explains the best approach in treating your condition. He's an intelligent guy and fairly easy to develop a nice rapport with.
I highly recommend Dr. Anderson...

Harry Martin

BEWARE: While happy with my RFA by Dr. Hesseltine, his PA, Mahood, was the most incredibly rude PA I've come across. When I had trouble hearing him as he drove, he said I was deaf (when I am in the other ear). Further, he questioned why I even had the treatment. (Are you a doctor?) Then, he told me to come in 3 months to evaluate. At that point, he did a curt goodbye and hung up. I have called the office 3 times, which went unanswered -- and hung up on me automatically. THIS WAS HORRIBLE SERVICE!!!