New Mexico Pain and Spine Institute - Pain Management in Albuquerque, New Mexico

“I never leave bad reviews for people like this unless it's absolutely necessary. I met with Sara Sanchez after being referred by the er and didn't get to finish my appointment with her because the symptoms That were presenting pointed towards pressure on my spinal cord so I was sent back to the emergency room and then referred back to her to get an epidural and any further treatment I would need. When I met with her the second time she told me she was basically doing me a favor by meeting with me even though the first appointment nothing got done because she had to send me to the er due to the symptoms being an emergency. I am only 29 years old and I have had back issues for 19 years after a bad gymnastics accident at 10 and 3 car accidents at 15 (I was not driving) All my friends had just started driving. Doctors had me on and off opiates up until 23 when I got completely sober off of any kind of substance but opiates was the main issue especially after a surgery I had at 20 years old. This last month has been One of the scariest and most painful experiences of my entire life andthe first time I've had to take any kind of opiate in over five years they've had me on fentanyl and OxyContin and it's been very scary for me Because I really don't wanna get addicted to this shit again. the ER and myself have been asking for an epidural she proceeded to only send me to the psychologist And did nothing else to help me I'm now having to wait for a referral for the Spin Specialist facility out here and I'm going to have to continue to take opiates until I don't know when. I just don't understand how someone who is a doctor looking at multiple referrals for an epidural and listening to her patient talk about how scared she is to be on pain killer again And not even refer me to physical therapy or anything at all. I appreciate the psychology aspect because it is important to learn how to cope with extreme pain and I have learned a lot of coping skills consider considering I've had chronic pain for 19 years But then I received a call today after I had complained about her saying that the psychologist no longer has any appointments available. I don't know if I've ever even Given a one star But this place earned it At least with my experience. I was told by one of the EMTs on one of my two ambulance rides I've had to do in the last month because I was convulsing from the amount of pain I was in and not able to get to the hospital by myself that this was a great facility so maybe I just got a really bad doctor or maybe she just Really messed up I don't know but I wanted to warn other people if my experience.”

— Avalon Valore

“DO NOT GO HERE! Dr. Therese Maestas-Very dry, non caring attitude towards her patients. The only words she really knows how to say is ok. I'm keeping the name of the patient and the relationship private. When (the patient) was was telling the nurse what medications she was on, (the patient) mentioned Zantac 360 OTC. The nurse kept saying 360 was to high of a dose. Zantac 360 OTC is 20mg! (Patient) had there 4th ablation in mid December. Previous 3 were successful. The new doctor who performed it, not Dr. Maestas, hurt (the patient) tremendously. He gave (the patient) a mild sedative but when the pain became to unbearable for (the patient) he did nothing. Apparently its up to the Dr if they want to give more sedation or just torture the patient. The nurses had to hold (the patients) legs down. (The patient) has been out of work since. Admitted to the ER (2xs) and Hospital (1xs) because of pain being so intense (the patients) blood pressure skyrocketed 214/105. I contacted Dr. Maestas to let her know that (the patient) was in the ER once again. All she said is she needs a copy of the MRI. MRI was finally completed. Our visit today. Although, (the patient) is unable to move their neck up, down, side to side. She said there was no reason why they shouldn't be able to return to work or do physical therapy at home. Completely ignored the fact that physical therapy stopped seeing (the patient) because any minor stimulation was excruciating, would cause a cold sensation in there face, cause there blood pressure to sky rocket, and would keep them from sleeping because of the tremendous pain. This doctor told (the patient) to do there own physical therapy at home. Are you serious! PT wont touch (the patient) but you want her to do her own PT at home??This doctor never referred (the patient) to Neuro. The ER and (the patients) family physician had to do that. Neuro is at least 6 months out. (The patient) let her know. She said there is nothing she can do to help (the patient) and Dr Maestes stated she doesn't think the epidural shots (that all of other doctors and providers have recommended) wouldn't help them.) As far as I am concerned they are covering there butts because they know that they have damaged (the patients) neck so bad. I told (the patient) they should never return to this facility. Sincerely, A very concerned relative!!”

— Christine Szewczyk

“I strongly do not recommend this place. Dr Toledo is the worst Dr I've ever been to, she was so rude and unprofessional she didn't want to examine me , she looked on her computer and found previous doctors notes from over 18 years ago and plagiarized from their diagnosis totally dismissing a new injury that I had she wrote word for word from the previous doctor I had been to. The place will be ruined with people like her.”

— D B

“No problems with the medical providers, they were helpful and knowledgeable. The billing department has been an unnecessary headache. I not only have presbyterian medical but a second insurance as well that covers any additional co-pays. I have worked hard to maintain my credit and am now receiving a letter from a credit bureau for a 50 copay. I have spoken to the appointment counter to remind them they have the billing Information they need in order to submit the bill and also written the Information on 3 monthly bills where they ask for the secondary billing information.. They still have not taken the time to submit it. I now have the stress of straightening this out with the collection agency. A doctor is no good without a supporting and competent office staff. I won't be returning to them for care.”

— Elizabeth Cloyd