Dr. Melanie M. Novak, MD - Pain Management in West Branch, Michigan

“I am fairly new patient of Dr. Novak's and I have read the other reviews posted here and am perplexed by them. The office and Dr. Novak's policy says "NO NARCOTICS on 1st visit!" I have been dealing with extreme L3-5 pain for years (it felt as if someone wrapped barbed wire around dental floss and was flossing my spine, every time I'd take a step, my leg felt as if I was filleted and hot coals were poured in) I have been getting injections from Dr. Novak and am finally getting relief! I have been told by neurosurgeons I will never get better, and Dr. Novak agrees, "but we can make life a bit easier" and she is doing that! We discuss what she can do and how it may help! I refuse (at this point) to have my spinal canal "roto-rootered" nor do I want a spinal cord stimulator! I can't take any of the gabapentin (Neurontin), Lyrica etc due to adverse reactions, she listened and is not forcing me to "try" them again! Thank you Dr. Novak! She is allowing ME to DECIDE to decide how often I am getting injections..wow, how liberating to have a doctor finally listen and work with you! So I am perplexed to the other comments and treatment versus my experience... I have been through doctors as described by some posts and even worse; however, Dr. Novak is NOT ONE OF THOSE! After years of living with level 9 pain, and a year with Dr. Novak, who found the nerve culprit (that my previous doctor said I needed screws in my hips) I am walking with less pain (7-8) I pray all those people will find their right doctor to treat them as they deserve as I found in Dr. Novak! Many Blessings to all!”

— Spunky

“I was recommended to Dr. Novak by a reputable neurologist (that had only been working with her a short time). I did not do my research and instead took the recommendation. I'm now suffering with pain, loss of sensation and dexterity, and limited use of my right hand due to a botched nerve root injection. The anti-inflammatory should have been injected into the muscle around the nerve root but instead ended up in my spinal canal. When I woke from the procedure with level 9 pain in my left arm and no use of my right hand (initially) she sent me home with pain killers instead of calling an ambulance. I went straight to ER where I spent 4 days on morphine... and don't know that I'll ever be the same.”

— Chris Shelton

“Dr.Novak is not a good pain specialist. She made everything seemed like I was the bad guy when I was NOT! Many others pointed that out to me as I told them what happened.. It was injections day. I was going to get injections in my lower neck. I was waiting in the room. My lower back was hurting me more than my neck. The nurse told me she could asked Novak about getting injections in my lower back. I told the nurse if she couldn't do it, I will do it in the neck. I was waiting in a gown in room. Novak comes walking in, she tells me, "I'm a complicated patient" Also was fed up with my notes that I gave to her that morning of my symptoms and complained how I saw a neurosurgeon, neurologist. etc. -- IT WAS A SIMPLE YES OR NO QUESTION ABOUT MY LOWER BACK. I did not know my health insurance would not cover it. She couldn't do it. She had absolutely NO reason for her to lose her cool and calling me complicated. I did NOT do anything wrong but had a question asked!! She changed her mind about giving me injections on that same day. She was concerned the injections would set off the numbness. She thought I had fibromyalgia. I really do not think I do not. Due to the numbness was increasing, I was afraid it might get bad that I may become paralyzed. It's just a uneasy feeling when the numbness is not going away and it increases. It stays there. IN HER NOTES TO MY DOCTOR, she made it seemed like I was a mental in the head. Telling my doctor I may have a degree of conversion disorder that if injections do not work, I would need to see a psychiatrist. 1. A patient can be worried about their health & the symptoms that they are experiencing which it can make it difficult to focus & feel like everything is alright when it is not. 2. If injections do not work out, go see a psychiatrist? That is upsetting. I still would need treatment for my pain and numbness. It sounds like I'm a guinea pig to her. It's awful when specialists run their mouths without knowing how patients truly feel. Their pain and symptoms can make things harder for them to cope with their life. ONLY IF SPECIALISTS KNOW WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH.”

— Honey Queen

“Went for low back and neck. Was getting shots in lower back while waiting for neck mri to come back, luckily I said something to nurse, the dr was going to put shots in my neck without even knowing what was wrong yet. Went back for follow up she didn't want anything but "numbers for the insurance company" on pain level. Then went on to say she could do shots in my head to help with the headaches but my neck needed surgery. Ummm the same neck she almost shot up last time? Still hadn't told my WHY. My regular doctor has scheduled me in Saginaw with a different doctor.”

— Barbara Bryant