Michael H Verdolin, MD- Pain Consultants of San Diego

If zero stars were an option, he would not even deserve that! Felt the need to say, «Jerry Brown, Obama and all of your other buddies» for reasons unbeknownst to me. Only interested in performing invasive injection procedures and/​or implantation of electronic equipment/​hardware. The procedure rooms are about 20 feet or less from entrances to the street. Sadly, he is just another meat-​market pain doc who can’t be bothered to get to know his patients. There is no way that he could have any idea that I have an upcoming surgery because he never asked. This physician diagnosed me based on his medical assistant taking a cursory 10 minute patient history. What doctor doesn’t so much as asked their patient a single question let alone conduct a physical exam?! This doctor did exactly that with me! Very unprofessional! Record all conversations for future reference. Avoid this doctor at all costs!

Worst Doctor I have ever met. Went to a training luncheon and left me sitting there for 2 hours. When I asked to speak to the office manager he came in and told me «he would not be a good fit for me.» Some of the staff were awful… Are you kidding me? Is this guy really a Doctor?

I’m glad I called today before I drove down for my appointment. For a couple years, I’ve been getting scalp Botox injections every three months for my intractable vascular headaches from Dr. Verdolin. Even though he always seemed to be rushed, we got along — perhaps because I used to be a Naval Officer too.
This time I didn’t receive an appointment reminder phone call (which is strange), so I called myself and finally got a hold of someone who said that Dr. Verdolin doesn’t work there anymore. After reading these Unilocal reviews, I’m not surprised.

I saw this doctor in June and went back the end of July for a test procedure. I was told to keep a pain diary and send it in. I did. After two weeks I left a voice mail as that is all you can get. Finally after anout a month i spoke to a real person and was told I had not returned the diary. I told this person I had emailed it in. Oh she found it but it wasn’t entered in the computer. Then I was told the procedure would help but my insurance had not authorized it. I said I had a copy of the authorization in my hand. Oh, Rhonda would call me. Weeks went by, no call from Rhonda or anyone else. I contacted my insurance company and my primary care doctor. Both called, had trouble getting a live person but I was assured Rhonda would call me by noon Friday. That was in early Sept. Rhonda didn’t call. After Labor Day my primary care doctor’s office called to see if I had heard from Dr. verdolin’s office. I had not and said I had lost all confidence in him. I said my husband tried to get a response with email. I had left another voice mail in tears begging them to return my call if only to tell me they did not want to help me. They never called. I now have another doctor. In the meantime we had to cancel a planned trip to visit anailing relative clear across the country because the pain is so severe I can not go in an airplane. Now today, Oct. 26^th I got a recorded call to let me know they moved to La Mesa. As far as I am comcerned I would never, ever recommend this office to anyone.

TERRIBLE, DO NOT USE SERVICES, NO CALL BACKS. I left numerous voicemails for over the course two weeks on a daily basis with no call back. I even emailed and no reply. The VM states I would get a call back within 24 to 48 hours and that calls are based on severity. My mother went to the ER and can not walk as a result of her pain, she is using a wheelchair because the pain incapacitating her. How much more severe does it need to be? I work at a hospital and understand the importance of patient care, timeliness and follow through. My mother is in severe pain and these lazy idiots can’t even call me back. If I could I would rate the staff and service a ZERO star.

Without even a physical exam, I was diagnosed by Dr. Verdolin with CRPS. (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome).
Before my first nerve block I was told to make an appointment for a pre procedure physical. All they did was take my blood pressure and I had to wait almost an hour for that! After my first failed block, I had been calling for two weeks trying to reach his coordinator to schedule another procedure. After 6 weeks the coordinator called me a said it looks like it may be time for me to have another… huh???
I went for several nerve blocks/​epidurals… none with any success. Dr Verdolin finally told me there was nothing more he could do aside from implanting a nerve stimulator.
Needless to say, I ran as fast as I could. I formed a new team of doctors including a new pain management specialist. Turns out I had two separate conditions… periformis syndrome and the deep peroneal nerve was entrapped in arthritis in the foot on the same side as the periformis condition. After 2 periformis injections and 6 weeks of physical therapy on my foot, I went from constant pain, officially tested at 85% disabled to pain free, procedure free, medication free and am now perfectly fine.

I had my first lumbar epidural today for lower back pain due to a herniated disc.
This is a kind of strange review because the injection is not a pleasant experience by any means (it’s not excruciating but the pressure you feel is quite heavy and uncomfortable). No matter which doctor administers the injection, it’s not going to be pain free. But I’m so glad I went to Dr Verdolin. He thoroughly explained my condition and the procedure I was about to have beforehand and he answered all of my husband’s and my questions and concerns.
During the injection he was kind and kept me chatting, as I was very nervous! It hurt quite a bit and he made sure I knew at every point what he was doing, and how far we had to go until it was over.
When we were all done I got off the table and felt quite dizzy and nauseous, my vision got blurry and I couldn’t really hear. The nurse practitioner Monica helped to a wheelchair because I was losing my balance and not feeling well at all. Her and another practitioner (the guy who spoke to me earlier before I saw the doctor), took me to a bed and put ice packs on me (I had become all clammy) and gave me orange juice. They were both so kind and made sure I knew this is a normal reaction for some people, especially when they are super nervous. Dr Verdolin also came back twice to check on me and make sure i was feeling better. I recovered pretty quickly and was soon able to get up and see my husband who drove me home.
These procedures are never pleasant but I was lucky to have such caring and efficient professionals look after me.

I have to give one star because there’s not an option for no stars. I have to say that I’m not surprised at Holly or DH’ reviews.
I’ve went to see Dr. Verdolin to get off the pain meds. I drove my medical records to his office two weeks prior, for him to review prior to my appt. I was told that 3:30p.m. was the last appt. I could get. The day of my appt. I got a call telling me that the patient before me had cancelled and that I needed to come in early. I arrived half an hour early but still had to wait until well after my original scheduled appt. to be seen… wasted my time!
The tech. asked me a few questions however, would not wait for my full reply before he ask the next question.
I heard the tech. tell Dr. Verdolin that my problem was my low back but that’s secondary… my mid back is my real problem. Dr. Vedolin came in and within the first minute of the three minute visit, wanted to send me for an MRI scan. I told him that I can’t have an MRI, that my body is full of metal. He then settled for a CT Scan. He went on to say that he had some great meds for the nerve damage in my left thigh and left foot… neurontin (sp?) and a couple others that my previous doctor had tried with no success.
As I left the doctors office that’s when it occured to me that this Dr. hadn’t looked at any of my medical records. What if I unknowingly cooperated with him by going for the MRI? I don’t know if it meets the legal definition of incompetent but it was definately negligent on his part in my mind. I should have known when the first thing I was asked to sign was an agreement to give up my rights for civil action and agree to mediation only if there were a problem. That was afirst.
I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt and called his office the next morning. Somehow I pushed the right buttons and was connected with a voice message informing me that that was his personal cell phone and only leave a message if I were a doctor or hospital. I left a voice message anyway, informing him who I was, that he’d seen me the day before and that I left there with a very uncomfortable feeling and that I’d like to talk with him about it. That afternoon a lady called me… said that Dr. Verdolin asked her to follow up with me. My gut feeling was right… I don’t have time to waste with a Dr. that doesn’t have time for me and one that doesn’t care anymore than what he exhibited. I will be going elsewhere for my pain management… hopefully I can find a Dr. that can exhibit just a bit more due diligence.
I have twenty five reviews but only a very few that are negative… I like to give credit where it’s due and that’s why most of my reviews are favorable. Once in awhile I have a bad experience and I share it where it’s warranted.

I had a couple of visits with Dr. V he was not the best at showing empathy for my pain. I am on permanent disability for 2 separate painful diseases. I was sent to him so he could manage my pain. I went through 1 epidural that was unsuccessful and caused me more pain. His office staff is rude and seemed to only be nice to the Hispanic clients. I was treated horrible because I brought my child with me to my appointment. I’m sorry but I have no other option. The dr himself said he could do no more for me and was sending me to a surgeon for my spinal issues. I hope others get better treatment but I doubt they will unless they speak Spanish. Horrible that you get treated differently based on your ethnicity in this day. Just rediculous. I would not recommend this office to anyone.

This doctor is a Bully. He was rude to me on my first visit to him & I had to really stand up for myself. I was told that I’m too young to have pain in my 40’s & that my pain didn’t warrant pain meds. I was told my DDD disc disease & bulges on my spine weren’t enough explanation for the pain I was experiencing, even though I have arthritis pain in my back/​hips so bad. I can’t hardly move, or get out of my chair at home, or go up or down the stairs in my house. The pain I experience without meds to control it, is so intense that physically & mentally I shut down. How could a doctor be so cruel to disregard what I’m saying to him. Then he pushed his Anti-​depressants/​Anti-​seizure meds like Zoloft/​Lyrica/​Cymbalta along with a phsychiarist he supported & a sleep disorder doctor who treats sleep apnea whether you have disorder or not. He is quick to terminate you, or refuse to help you if you don’t want meds he wants to push on you & your also dispensable. I wasn’t treated as a person, or by my needs. He also only wants to push nerve block stimmulation procedures. If you don’t want to do this either, then he refuses to help you & your pushed on his PA to be given meds that he wants to push on you. I’m Amazed that this guy was ever in the Military medical community. OMG, I wish I never met this guy. My stomach aches everytime I had to go to this office. I would look elsewhere if your reading this & your considering this doctor to manage your pain. In this day & age. A doctor shouldn’t be judging a persons pain by age & saying that only elderly people have warranted pain. Not everyone is a one size fits all & not all pain is black or white, or all in your head. Don’t know why people like this ever become doctors to begin with. He was only diligent on making sure I didn’t have to much pain meds, but didn’t care if I ran out & suffered with horrible pain. I was treated like a drug addict when that was the farthest from the truth. I also personally learned that he is vendictive when he decides to terminate you. He will try to get your primary doctor to not help you either, leaving you high & dry with unbearable pain when pain meds run out. It takes time to get referals & get appointments to find another pain doctor. No concern about me as a human being in need. Bully doctor is a understatement for this guy.