Dr. Andrew Victor Panagos, MD

I 1st became a patient of Dr Panagos in May 2008. He put me on extremely high doses of morphine and Dilaudid for 13 years. He never suggested a taper. He lied and said he was retiring in early 2020 and transitioning patients to a doctor that would continue treating with no changes to protocol. He not only isn't retiring, he also lied about the treatment protocol continuing. The new doctor, Dr Babek Arvanaghi was arrogant, condescending, rude and without ever meeting me face to face, immediately started a forced, aggressive taper. I called Dr Panagos in a panic and ultimately he admitted he wasn't retiring but no longer prescribing opioids. I begged him to taper me himself as the other doctor was refusing to suggest alternative pain management for severe, intractable, pain due to multiple serious back issues diagnosed by multiple MRIs and x-rays. He refused. I subsequently fired Dr Arvanaghi and tapered myself. I subsequently discovered that the seizures I started having when he… increased my dose by 25% to 400mg morphine, were, in fact, caused by the high doses of opioids. Dr Panagos is a pill pushing con man with a charming and east going bedside manner. Do not trust him with your health. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have spent a decade having seizures AND in pain.

Brief history: about 17 years ago I drove for 8 hours but could barely finish the drive due to throbbing electric and tearful pain shooting down my legs. I thought they were spasms and hit my legs so hard, I developed large bruises. Fast forward a few years, my internist referred me to Dr Panagos. After requisite exams, he started conservatively - physical therapy.. injections... medication... but the years rolled past and it got to the point I could not stand without collapsing (due to indescribable pain) getting out of bed. I cried due to my weakness of not being able to force myself through the pain. It was just too much.. I have herniated discs and/or exposed nerve roots at each level of my lumbar spine. I joined the Hemlock Society. I bought the book, “Final Exit.” Even with 3 adorable children, a doting husband, I could not envision my life waking up to this level of pain EVERY day for the REST of my life. It needed to end or I needed to end. I called Dr Panagos in… inconsolable tears and told him I couldn’t go on. Although it was after hours, he immediately got my neuro surgeon and anesthesiologist on the line. Some of the “top rated” physicians in the DC area agreed my current regime was not enough. Dr Panagos prescribed “long term” pain relief for me. EVERY day I thank him. I can function and I am most definitely NOT “high.” On the contrary, because my pain is under control, I can focus on technical work, my family, and me. I know these medications are getting a lot of negative press now. That concerns me. And much of the scientific research is misleading. For example, ever since Dr Panagos set my dosage over a decade ago, I have NOT had to increase. I take as prescribed. A bunch of idiots who did what they were instructed NOT to do (ie crush) has resulted in the rest of the legit pain patients wondering if they will be back to square zero or if they need to brush off the pages of Final Exit. Panagos is retiring. I understand the pressure he must be under. Across the US, pain patients are being abandoned, doses hugely reduced or eliminated, or referred to another provider because this has become too risky. “Risky???” To try to give patients pain relief. To give their life back again. To enable them to work. Bottom line is that Panagos is a brilliant physician who is being punished by the DEA for upholding his oath to patients. He saved my life. Who will replace him? (No one).

Brief history: about 17 years ago I drove for 8 hours but could barely finish the drive due to throbbing electric and tearful pain shooting down my legs. I thought they were spasms and hit my legs so hard, I developed large bruises. Fast forward a few years, my internist referred me to Dr Panagos. After requisite exams, he started conservatively - physical therapy.. injections... medication... but the years rolled past and it got to the point I could not stand without collapsing (due to indescribable pain) getting out of bed. I cried due to my weakness of not being able to force myself through the pain. It was just too much.. I have herniated discs and/or exposed nerve roots at each level of my lumbar spine. I joined the Hemlock Society. I bought the book, “Final Exit.” Even with 3 adorable children, a doting husband, I could not envision my life waking up to this level of pain EVERY day for the REST of my life. It needed to end or I needed to end. I called Dr Panagos in… inconsolable tears and told him I couldn’t go on. Although it was after hours, he immediately got my neuro surgeon and anesthesiologist on the line. Some of the “top rated” physicians in the DC area agreed my current regime was not enough. Dr Panagos prescribed “long term” pain relief for me. EVERY day I thank him. I can function and I am most definitely NOT “high.” On the contrary, because my pain is under control, I can focus on technical work, my family, and me. I know these medications are getting a lot of negative press now. That concerns me. And much of the scientific research is misleading. For example, ever since Dr Panagos set my dosage over a decade ago, I have NOT had to increase. I take as prescribed. A bunch of idiots who did what they were instructed NOT to do (ie crush) has resulted in the rest of the legit pain patients wondering if they will be back to square zero or if they need to brush off the pages of Final Exit. Panagos is retiring. I understand the pressure he must be under. Across the US, pain patients are being abandoned, doses hugely reduced or eliminated, or referred to another provider because this has become too risky. “Risky???” To try to give patients pain relief. To give their life back again. To enable them to work. Bottom line is that Panagos is a brilliant physician who is being punished by the DEA for upholding his oath to patients. He saved my life. Who will replace him? (No one).

I had a lot of faith in Dr. Panagos due to his excellent bedside manner and the extreme confidence he demonstrated in his diagnosis. That said, Dr. Panagos missed the very specific root cause of my injury in the MRI (glossing over all the specifics in the report stating everything in my MRI was "consistent with aging"). Instead we pursued a course of experimental injections. During this time I was unable to walk without pain. I subsequently saw another Doctor that immediately and correctly diagnosed my issued based on the same MRI, with this new Doctor we pursued a course of treatment that has since ended my pain.

As a first time patient of Dr. Panagos I was incredibly impressed by his professionalism, attention and level of care. His office manager, Susan was also a pleasure to deal with. I would highly recommend this doctor for quality care.

There is only one word to describe Dr. Panagos and that is OUTSTANDING!

My mother was an amputee, and had phantom pain for years. Dr. Panagos, was so compassionate and kind. He listened to all her complaints, and gave several options for care. Incredibly prompt as far as keeping us waiting in office.

After 6 years of managing my chronic pain, I received great reports from a few friends about Dr. Andrew Panagos in Bethesda. When I called for a consultation, I was viewed with skepticism because I did not have a referring doctor. Both the woman who answer the phone and the second who came to her defense, insisted that, without deviation, Dr, Panagos wouldn't see a patient without a referral as who would I expect the Dr to confer with--my referring friends. Each found this retort cleverly fun, I DID NOT. I was seeking out a new pain doctor who might take a more pro active approach to the pathology of my pain and not just continue on the status quo on the prescription pad. Patient Yeah - 1, Doctor No - 0