It's very rare to find a doctor who checks all the boxes you want checked in a doctor...what's even MORE rare is to find a doctor AND his entire STAFF that, not only checks the boxes, but surpasses the expectation that we, as patients, have had to come to accept. And this is especially true when it comes to anything related to the field of pain management. Let's face it, there's not a single physician these days who's willing to truly address a patients pain because they're afraid of losing their license, due to all these new regulations that the federal government has slapped on the medical field. And, so, the journey of finding a Pain Management doctor that you, not only trust, but who's willing to talk to you about the various medications that could ease the pain & is not shy about prescribing narcotics when all else fails, begins.
Thankfully, my journey was pretty short, as it took me only 2 other "attempts" of finding what I described above. Enter: Dr. Zarrini & Dr. Issac! My case is incredibly complicated & multi-issued & often difficult for anyone to truly grasp the severity of the pain that I live with, every minute of every single day, for the past 18 MONTHS!!! As a gymnast & then dancer, I've been plagued with every Ortho issue you can think of...the latest being my cervical spine & left shoulder.
I had emergency surgery in June on my cervical spine & am in need of a total shoulder replacement. But, I wanted to do anything/everything available before pulling the trigger on the replacement gun, if you will...
I was referred to Dr Zarrini by one of my Ortho docs. When I called to make my initial appointment, Mark answered the phone, I explained a bit of my problem & he was able to get me scheduled for the following week! I don't know what your experiences are, but, for me, when trying to make an appt as a "new patient", it's like I've been tagged & pushed to the back of the bus ... and the next available is always 10-14 WEEKS out!!!
I brought all my tests, MRIs, X-rays, op reports, etc. to my appointment, filled out the necessary paperwork & took out my book I was reading & settled down, in the expectation of having to wait at least 20-30 min before being called in. Imagine my surprise when I heard my name being called before I could open the book!
Upon entering the room, a lovely nurse or tech, came in to take my vitals & about 45 seconds after she was done, Isaac walked in! He looked at everything I'd brought, asked insightful, appropriate questions & was very thoughtful in his responses to my questions. I'd been on a high dose of Percocet for several months at the time of my appt. & Isaac wanted to try something new that he said had better, longer lasting effects. Because I was there to find a pain management doctor who was going to be able to FINALLY take the edge off my misery & NOT because I was "drug seeking", I accepted his proposal &, actually, was looking forward to it! But, my pharmacist called to tell me that my insurance doesn't cover that med at all. After calling the office back & speaking with Mark who relayed the info to Issac & Dr Zarrini, they went ahead & called in the Percocet that I had been taking. My pain is "unique" & most people don't understand or try to understand how it's severity affects my every day life...but it felt as though everyone here was trying to...& not pushing their own agenda ("Opiates are no good. No Opiates for you.") that everyone else in this town is.
That being said: if you are looking for a doctor to just pull out his/her pad & write a bunch of pain meds for you, then this is not the doctor for you. (And good luck finding one of those left anyway!) If you're looking for someone to listen to your symptoms & concerns & who thinks "outside the box" in trying to find a solution to curtailing or better yet, stopping your pain, then this IS the team for you!
In addition to medication management, they offer epidurals, injections, nerve blocks, cortisone shots in the office, if it's indicated, among other things. In fact, on one of my last visits, Isaac cane back into the room as Dr Zarrini was giving me a shot to talk about a new/trial procedure that helps alleviate pain. Dr Zarrini didn't think it would help in the areas I need the help, but they gave me the info so I can show it to any prospective shoulder surgeons I meet with - and see if they think it could be a possible stop gap to get more time before I go in for that incredibly difficult & invasive surgery.
I go in every month for them to review my situation - and I've never had to wait more than 5 minutes in the waiting area & even less than that to before Isaac comes in! AND they validate parking - as long as you're in the correct parking structure!!! (BEHIND the building, the only entrance into the structure is by turning into the little back alley just south of Wilshire)
Your search is over...all you need to do now is call & make the appointment!!! read more