Disorganized and mismanaged office (which we were warned about) but chose to overlook to to try to get my wife some help. When we saw Dr Aranda she was kind and gentle and asked us to trust her and that she was going to help my wife get a better quality of living. The diagnosis list was long as was the medication list that was given. When my wife asked if she would get some sort of instruction or regimen on how to start taking everything she was told she would have to figure that out. Dr Aranda said she needed to be put on the fast track and seen every 2 weeks. We asked if the prescriptions would be sent to our pharmacy to be picked up that day and they said yes. When we got home and went, nothing was sent and was the beginning of the end for us. We were not able to get the prescriptions we needed or even have the option to pay out of pocket because both the pharmacy and insurance said they could not give it to me without the dr signature. Melinda said they would not sign the papers the pharmacy had sent on 2 separate occasions. Melinda stopped all communication through text and did not respond to messages my wife left in the patient portal. When the day of my wife's telemed appointment came she got a call from the office who said Dr Aranda was very busy and only had 15 minutes, was she capable of just saying yes or no answers. She was told not to ask any questions or speak about anything else. When Dr Aranda came on the phone she immediately started reprimanding my wife saying that she was not to write anything on the form except refills. *there is a section on the form that says "comment on any events you would like the doctor to know regarding the last 30 days" so my wife wrote that she was not able to get her prescriptions, that lab work was suppose to be revised and sent in but was not and that there was a lack of support/response from the office. That seems like a logical place to put it. She continued to yell at my wife like she was a child and told her she was not to write or tell her anything to do with the office or issues, that she didn't need to know any of that and that my wife was wasting her time. She also said that she was no longer to text Melinda. she said my wife was privileged to see her and be under her care and that who was my wife to expect people to answer her whenever she had a question. So how is she suppose to get anything if she is not allowed to say anything and no one responds? Dr Aranda continued with her rant, then my wife finally said she would no longer wanted to be a patient of Dr Aranda. We are not going to pay out of pocket, travel and spend money for my wife to get yelled at and treated horribly and in the least not even be able to get the medication that the dr is prescribing. Melinda then came on the phone to argue with my wife who was already upset and crying. My wife is not confrontational and does not stand up for herself so it was very hard for her to say anything. My wife asked Melinda why she was arguing with her when she already said she was no longer going to be a patient. Dr Aranda came back on the phone to say that my wife had a serious disease and a bad case of it and needed treatment. so knowing that, why would you treat your patient that way?! I have never heard of a doctor yelling at a patient like that. She said her office was understaffed and that she needed to lower her expectations. If you are understaffed and unable to care for your patients, don't take any more. We had heard some horror stories before going in but thought they sounded so extreme and there was no way that could be true. A lot of stress, heart ache and money we didn't have to spend proved us wrong. The dr we talked to in the office and the dr who was on the phone seemed like 2 different people. Also they had my wife sign a piece of paper saying she would not talk about dr Aranda or her staff on social media . My wife thought it was a weird thing to sign and even showed me asking if this seemed normal. Now we understand why. If you are a reputable dr who treats your patients with respect and care, wouldn't you WANT your patients to talk about you online? Wouldn't you want them to write reviews about the care they are receiving? Perhaps they know there would be too many negative reviews. If you are like my wife and at the end of a long journey and living in horrible pain every day and having nothing left to fight with, the thought of others going through this is heart breaking. It's just not right. To my understanding her staff are also patients, which is a nice sentiment, but if they cannot do simple clerical tasks such as opening attachments, getting an email address correct and are too overwhelmed to help patients, maybe they need to hire someone who can. Others have had good experiences with her and for their sake hopefully that continues and they never see this side of her. read more

I cannot say enough great things about Dr. Aranda and Miss Melinda. I was a former patient of Dr Tennant's who Dr. Aranda inherited. Dr. Tennant changed my life for the better, and frankly I was terrified when he retired. However, after finally seeing Dr. Aranda and working with Miss Melinda, my life has changed again for the better. I don't mean that I feel a little bit better, I mean that I am actually getting healthier, starting to see improvements, and have hope of reaching the goal of physical recovery that I set for myself over 10 years ago. Dr. Aranda has been the first doctor (pain management or otherwise) that has not only treated my pain, but looked at and treated my overall health - which to my surprise, was worse than I thought. After ordering a score of bloodwork markers, we found out that I was on the verge of other chronic diseases, and at higher risk for deadly diseases and events. What's worse than severe intractable chronic pain? Cancer and / or a heart attack and severe intractable chronic pain. Or the worst possible case, dying before knowing what it feels like to live without pain again. Fortunately everything the bloodwork showed that I was at risk of developing, is reversible. She told me that I must immediately change my diet, prescribed non-narcotic, non-sedative medications meant to supplement the pain medications, and also prescribed medications that new science is saying can actually heal certain conditions that cause pain. She is not afraid to treat severe pain with pain medications when the patient needs them, but she will also treat other systems that deteriorate when a person suffers from chronic pain. I have never met another doctor willing to go to the lengths that Dr. Aranda has for me. With all that being said, I had to put my trust in her and adhere to her instructions explicitly. I had to push myself and go through some periods fear, doubt, and side effects. As wonderful of a physician as she is, she cannot do this for anyone. She gives her patients the tools and instructions to better their lives, yet it is up to them to comply and put forth the effort to achieve this. If you are seeing her or trying to get into her clinic only to use the pain medication and nothing else, please look to another clinic. She and her staff work entirely too hard and too long for patients to use her simply for pain medication. I know for a fact that she and her staff work longer hours per day and days per week that most other doctors. There are too many other people that need their help who are willing to put in the work to live a life with less pain and less pain medicine. Thank you Dr. Aranda and Miss Melinda for changing my life for the better. I will continue to help you help me by following your instructions and putting forth the effort required to one day live a life free from intractable chronic pain. read more

Dr. Tennant is/was a lifesaver. He continues to do research & to look for solutions in pain management in order to better & more effectively treat adhesive arachnoiditis. But if one dares to utter his name during an appointment with Dr. Aranda, she will immediately lash out at you & threaten to drop you from her practice. IF IT WASN'T FOR DR. TENNANT, THIS PHYSICIAN WOULD NOT HAVE A PRACTICE!! Don't bite the hand that feeds you, lady. On a side note, she dropped most of her office staff (so there's no longer a Melinda to coordinate anything), and she does provide medications to improve intractable pain in those patients who suffer from it. Unfortunately, she makes promises about treatments & therapies, not to mention prescriptions, that never come to fruition. There is more interest in marketing & building her practice than there is in listening to what her patients have to say (at the initial appointment, she's pretty convincing & dripping with niceness in order to get you to be her patient, but that façade starts to wane with each subsequent appointment) - a total 180 in listening skills when compared to Dr. T. She also gets EXTREMELY obnoxious to her patients, going so far as to making them sign a document that forbids them from discussing her on social media. Good thing I didn't sign it or I wouldn't legally be able to write this review. Think on that before choosing this doctor. Seriously. She just wants people to shut up & do what she says. Counter even one syllable & she will rip you a new one (she does this once she believes she's got you hooked on her protocol). After all, she went to Stanford, so she's way smarter than anyone sitting across the desk from her (yes, that's sarcastically stated, because that's exactly what she says to those who dare to question her or her perceived authority over you). If you can find a different doctor to treat you effectively, spare yourself the BS, unkept promises, belittling, & non-existent prescriptions...I suggest trying every other option first. If possible, reach out to Dr. T to learn the names of other physicians he's been recommending for years. I'd do a face plant emoji on this review, but that wouldn't be very professional...much like Dr. Aranda herself. read more

Dr.Aranda's expert care has been nothing short of miraculous for me. I have multiple health conditions including Hyermobile EDS, syringomyelia, torn disc, DDD, Adhesive Arachnoiditis, TBI, post-West Nile, and many other difficult co-morbidities. Because of auto-immune issues I often have unusual reactions to medications. The supportive hormone therapies and pain control measures have allowed me a quality of life I didn't feel was possible for me once again. Two years ago every visit with my new granddaughter felt like it could be the last, and now I am able to plan for the future and do so many things I used to enjoy again, including work! Muscle spasms and cramps were difficult for me, and I was taking benzodiazepines for cramps and Ambien for sleep. Dr. Aranda has skillfully helped me to come off both medications through the use of natural non-prescription medications and good sleep hygiene. I'm also feeling so much better from the hormone therapy and solid pain control measures that I'm remembering things I used to know to help with a healthier lifestyle for my husband and I. Thank you so much, Dr. Aranda!! read more

Dr Aranda is an awesome doctor who takes on the worst pain cases out there, when no one else will. She's terribly busy, with a lot of very very sick patients, so she cuts to the heart of the issue and addresses it with proven treatments, which she continually adjusts as needed. Which can sometimes take quite a bit of time to show results, but then when it does, whoo hoo, after almost 2 years under her care, I have some semblance of my life back. I don't waste her time with my sob story as it's her medical expertise I need, not her mental support. Since most of us who see her have pretty much similar diagnoses, she gets what we're going through, and knows what to do. Without Dr Aranda's care, I wouldn't be alive today. If you're not serious about getting better, don't waste her time. There's too many other pain patients out there needing her expertise waiting to see her. If you're looking for someone to listen to your story of suffering, see a counselor. I don't believe it's an exaggeration to say Dr Aranda saved my life. read more

Dr. Aranda is a refreshing change in the medical field. I honestly can't say enough positive things about her. Dr. Aranda's intelligence and expertise within the arena of rare diseases is much needed in this country. She has a thorough and comprehensive approach to wellness and encourages you be proactive in your health care. Dr. Aranda doesn't try to fit everyone in a standard "one size fits all", but rather tailors treatment plans to bring health, wellness, and healing while keeping you in the family. In addition, I'm very impressed with how detailed she is in regards to how my body may or may not be responding to my treatment plan each visit. Upon my first appointment (Jan 2019) my marriage was nearly broken by the various strains that comes with having multiple rare diseases. I'm thrilled to say my husband and I are in a much better place, and I haven't used my walker since March. : ) Dr. Aranda is a life changer and truly cares for her patients. I (hubby too) feel incredibly blessed to be under Dr. Aranda's care. read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Aranda' s for over a year and a half now. She is a really excellent doctor, gentle/ kind and wants the best for her patients. She is not afraid to prescribe medications when they are needed for pain, but she also will look for other ways to get her patients well - stem cell, hormone replacement, growth hormone etc. In the beginning it might be difficult, finding what works for you to get your pain under control doesn't always happen right away. You have to be willing to make changes and to trust her guidance. It did not happen for me over night-but if you work with her, she will work with you and have your best interest at heart! She has many different options for her patients to try, I.e. ketamine injections, ketamine infusions, stem cell (now offering it thru the nose which is wonderful because this will allow direct access to your brain and spinal cord which many of us need to heal). Dr. Aranda is truly an excellent doctor, take a chance with her and it will be worth it! read more

Dr. Aranda's staff is lovely. Melinda and Brandi were very nice and wonderful, but I had a horrible experience with the doctor. I suffer from severe chronic head pain, she gave me my Dilaudid, which I normally take, but did not give me enough and told me to only use it for my flares. I absolutely cannot use it just for flares, I barely survived my time without anything for the pain. The Fentanyl patches she prescribed didn't work, I have a very large tolerance for medication, and since they didn't work, I was forced to use the Dilaudid which was supposed to be "just for flares." It took an entire week to get a hold of her, messaged through the portal 3 times, emailed once, and only was able to get in contact after texting a personal cell number because we could not get a hold of her for anything. Her staff is great, the doctor not so much. I do not recommend seeing her. read more

I have been seeing Dr. Margaret for less a little than a year now and I must say that she has done wonders for my well-being. I was in such intense pain and she was able to give me the medication that has alleviated a lot of my pain. I am not fully pain free as I am fully aware that I never will be, however being able to function and live a normal life is what I was craving and she has helped me with that. She is very kind, patient and attentive and takes her time when you are in her care. I really do not know where I would be "pain wise" had it not been for her. Thank you so much Dr. Margaret for the quality of life that I am now able to live! read more

Dr Aranda is inspirational. She is a very knowledgeable, impressive pain doctor/Anesthesiologist. She understands that people suffer from afflictions so vile, you would never wish them on your enemy. She is cautious, responsible, thorough, and takes her work very seriously. Her examinations, documentation, and assessments are very meticulous. She is attentive, caring, and really understands the workings of the human body and hence, where things go wrong. She finds ways to help people reduce and manage life plaguing pain. G-d bless her for saving and improving the lives of people. read more

Dr. Aranda has kept my intractable pain under control with multi-modal treatments including pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical types. She takes a lot of time with me to diagnose multiple causes of pain and to determine the best way to treat it and keep me working. As an anesthesiologist, she's more knowledgeable in her field than any other pain doctor I've seen in the past 40+ years. She also cares deeply about her patients and about her work. Without her, I would be not be able to continue working and I'm grateful. read more

I have been seeing Dr Aranda for about two years, and she is a wonderful doctor. She truly cares about her patients and works to treat not only your specific condition, but to improve your well being overall. Without her expertise, I would likely have returned to being confined to my bed most of the day, every day. My family and I all appreciate the work she is doing and the dedication she has for her patients. read more

I have been seen Dr. Aranda for six months now. She has given me my life back! Before I started going to her, I was begging for death. Now I have hope of living a long life. For the first time in a decade I am without nerve pain. She has always spoken to me with kindness and understanding because she knows what it's like to be the patient that doctors dismiss. She truly is a life saver! read more

Dr. Aranda is a great listener. She took the time to answer any and all of my questions, and I never feel rushed during my appointment. In addition, she and her staff were highly professional and kept me updated during and after my appointment. Overall very attentive, friendly, and easy to contact. Beyond excellent doctor! read more

She no longer has a license to practice medicine, as she lost it for the inappropriate dispensing of ketamine, fentanyl and hydromorphone and grossly negligent care. Read from page 22 on to learn more: https://www2.mbc.ca.gov/BreezePDL/document.aspx?path=%5CDIDOCS%5C20230622%5CDMRAAAJD1%5C&did=AAAJD230622213622835.DID read more

Margaret is facing punishment by the California Medical Board- they have recommended she no longer practice medicine- the medical board moved to have her license revoked. The reason she had so many 4+ star reviews was that she made patients post a good review as part of her treatment instructions. read more

I highly recommend Dr. Aranda! Making an appointment with her was effortless. She has a great team, and she is very hands on herself. She was very attentive during our appointment, listened to my questions and concerns and took the time to explain everything! read more

Would love to speak to you, We are helping Karen. Thank you for helping too. I read about you and see your a real caring healer and we need your help! We feel you could assist us as we find Karen and keep her healthy and safe. read more

Great Dr who gets it. Not rushed in or out. Dr Aranda takes the time to get to know her patients and tries her best to actually treat them and get them to a better life. Highly recommended. read more