Dr. Casey Dellabarca, MD

I have dealt with intense neck and head pain the last 5 years. I just received my first mri a month ago and was sent to a neurosurgeon. My neurosurgeon sent me to him to try injections for a herniated disk before I did fusion surgery. I do suffer from migraines (have had them 25 years). Recently diagnosed with Chiari Malformation (3 weeks ago). This doctor stated the pain I was experiencing is all in my head and I needed to be treated for anxiety. Wanted to refer me to a neurologist and a psychologist for further treatment so I could be placed on meds. He did not take my situation seriously. Him and the nurse were laughing and joking in the room about the neurosurgeon’s credentials. Stated the neurologist he wanted me to see is more qualified to treat me than the neurosurgeon. This doctor ignored mri reports, surgeon reports, and other doctor reports. He did state if he injected me he could make my CM worse or possibly paralyze me. Thankful he won’t ever touch me!

I was sent to Dr. Delabarrca for pain management for back pain. After looking at my mri he thought that it didn't look bad at all, except for the arthritis in it. He didn't think a steroid shot would help me. I agreed. I explained my incredible stiffness, pain, and poor mobility. I told him I have fibromyalgia. Then I "learned" the problems depression and anxiety cause and that I wasn't going to get better without exercise. He didn't doubt that I was in pain, but suggested cannibis and pharmaceuticals for chronic pain. My medication list is already long; he could have looked it over for possible changes to it. He said there was really nothing he could do to help me, but asked what help I wanted from him, I said "nothing". We stayed kind, but the moment I learned only exercise would fix me after 5 years of back pain and that i have depression/anxiety, I was finished. Pain disrupts my life and has for 25 years! I'd love to trade places for even one day to hear how that really works.

It was a joke to say the least. Once he found out I suffer from anxiety and depression the doctor explained that people who suffer from those feeling never turn off their feeling and that we feel more deeply than others. He said yes you have arthritis in your spine but I can’t help you. I asked if I heard him right and that most of this was in my head and that if I didn’t suffer from the depression I wouldn’t be feeling the pain the way I do. He stated that he already explained himself. That with all the other issues I have he just can’t help me. No other alternative or anything. I was sent to him by my pain management doctor so he could burn the nerve ending in my back. I guess the pain I have felt for over 10 years is in my head too. So sad that people who suffer a mental illness are treated like their pain is all in their head. What did I learn from this experience? Never mention you suffer from PTSD or depression. The pains in my back have nothing to do with depression.

I saw this Doctor for just a first time visit. He started lecturing me on inappropriate questions that had nothing to do with why I was there to see him. It made me feel real uncomfortable. I brought in past MRI and Cat scan results of my problem area and he couldn't even find the results in the reports until I showed him and then he goes" Oh I guess there are abnormal MRI results". After about 30 minutes of him talking to me about things that were not related to my pain area, I asked him what can you do for the pain I am having? He stated he didn't think he could help me after all. Very strange and uncomfortable experience with this Doctor. Only plus about this visit was his staff were very kind...What a waste of my time..which is sad because it is hard for me to get out and go to the doctor in the first place with my disability.

He was nice, but a nice way of showing me out the door.ill never EVER go see him. THEY LOST MY ORIGINAL MEDICAL RECORDS.... 10-THUMBS DOWN!!!

I love this man. He is compassionate about is patience. He understands the pain and does everything he can to provide the very best care. He has been treating me for 2 years now and I wouldn't let anyone else treat me

Initially, I was weary about him and every other doctor. I felt that his recommendations were completely bogus. However, it appears that there's method to his madness... He insisted upon me meeting him half way to my recovery and I did. It is working. He has helped me so much and I'm grateful. I feel like living again. He is truly a caring doctor and has made a world of difference. His staff are very sweet, helpful, kind and quick to respond. Thank you, Dr. Dellabarca.

I was hit from behind by a car estimated traveling 50mph. That was 7 years ago. Ending my career in nursing. Since then I have been to many Dr.'s in New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma never finding help for pain, I had many steroid injections, addictive pain medication, acupuncture, constant physical therapy. Nothing worked, for more than a few days. My pain levels ranged 7 to off the charts 24-7 I was only surviving not living. I heard of Dr. Dellabarca and thought ok one last shot. I'm living now!

Dr D asked a lot of inappropriate questions. How often she sees her family, friends, previous marriage, childhood,etc. I objected the medical relevance of these questions. He ordered me out, but my wife insisted I stay. I asserted her right to be treated with dignity, respect and privacy. He said it was important to know where she was "coming from" so he could help her. Then he didn't help her. Told her the pain was all in her head! Save yourself. Don't see this man.