neurostim doc in San Francisco area

[quilter]

1-1/2 to 2 years ago somebody PMd me with the name of a very bad neurostimulator MD in the San Francisco area. Cleaned out my Inbox a month ago, thinking I no longer need this info, but last week was contacted by a patient in that region looking for names of stim docs to avoid or consider. I'm blanking on the doctor's last name, other than recalling it sounded maybe Indian or Middle Eastern. The patient said that doctor really made a mess of the implant and caused many new problems.

Please post or PM me if you can help me help another patient. I've also contacted my former Medtronic clinical rep to see if she can get me the names of good doctors in that area who implant stims for pelvic pain. Thanks!

[Ray P.]

I would like to see that list. I live in this area.

Ray

[jon]

There are two doctors in the Bay Area doing implants for the clinical trial I am in - and it's free.

Half get the new device, as I did, and half get an approved Medtronic device.

http://www.accuratestudy.com/The_Axium_System.htm

http://www.spinalmodulation.com/patient ... imulation/

I will also start a new thread.

[egley]

Hi,

I would stay away from Rustumzadeh.

The doctor at Stanford who took mine out, said he may have damaged a never while implanting it, or it may have been in there 'crooked'.
It caused constant muscle spasms in my legs. Since removal of the neuro-stim and waiting for a year, the intensity dropped by about half, but was still a very serious problem.

What upsets me is the fact that he never checked if it was in there crooked, which required only an x-ray.
I had to return to the hospital and stayed 3 days after the implant, in some very serious pain.
He never asked for an x-ray to see if it was in there correctly.
After spending maybe 5 minutes with me, he decided it was constipation.
He told me he would have to put me in a coma before performing any surgery on me again.
Implying I just could not handle much pain.
The man thinks he is so good, it's just not possible that he made a mistake.
He's dangerous.

I was reluctant to post his name, for fear of being sued by him.
I cannot prove any of this. All the evidence is now gone.

But, hopefully some soul will be spared this dangerous man.

[quilter]

Dear Egley,

Thanks for providing the name of Dr. Rustumzadeh; I'm having a vague memory that it was maybe you who contacted me with his name 2+ years ago when I was looking for a stim doc, and now that name rings a bell as one to stay away from. I see my pain mgmt. anesthesiologist Wed and know that he's involved in this new study (his office is in Aptos). I'll try to remember to ask more about it and post, and ask about that doctor as well.

A good rule is to run quickly from arrogant doctors who are unwilling to talk to you as an equal, answer your questions in language you can understand, or admit to complications. Hope you're doing better!