Dr. Donald L Sinden, DO

Dr. Sinden was our physician for 25 years. He was there when my obstetrician was M.I.A after our son was born. (They forgot I was in the maternity ward due to the remodeling) I called Dr. Sinden and he handled everything immediately. Our son fell at the SuperMall and Dr. Sinden had us drive directly to Tacoma Radiology. We walked in, were seen immediately, told not to leave until they speak to Dr. Sinden. Turns out both lower bones broken. In 12 hours Dr. Sinden had a specialist operating on Christmas Eve to fix. Not a single scar on our son. Thank you is inadequate for his great care over the years.

A little history first: I have been dealing with two issues, one insomnia since I was about 20 (I'm now 58) and an accident. Back in 2009 I fell off a 2 story building, shattering my wrists and knee. The fall combined with several wrist & knee surgeries have left me also with chronic pain issues. Insomnia: I am 58 years old and have dealt with this for majority of my life. Back in 1998 after trying all kinds of different things and just about at wits end, I finally found a Dr. (who also suffered with insomnia) that was able to put together a concoction that really worked! I believe that Dr. saved my life. He's long retired now. So, needless to say I have been on those two meds since, and rarely having a totally sleepless night. I understand the meds are not the best thing for my health, but the insomnia (I firmly believe) would have taken me out long before these meds I am on. Now I'll get to the point. Dr. Sinden wanted to take me off them, and have me try things I have tried years… ago many many times that are totally ineffective. He wouldn't listen to that. "Just go ahead, do that, we'll wean you off them." Really? Do I get to have any input when it comes to my personal health care? Not according to Dr. Sinden. The other issue I've had with him has to do with my chronic pain. Again, found a mild prescription, (tramadol) that doesn't totally take the pain away, but takes the edge off so I can function. It's not oxycodone, or anything crazy like that, I don't want to be a zombie, just functional. He wants to take me off that. Soooo I thought I'd be smart and switched to a Physicians Assist. I heard good things about in the same clinic. She has been good about listening and trying to work with me, but it appears he won't but out. She put me on a steroid (Prednisone) that is very effective. Really haven't felt this good in a long time. When I e mailed to see about a refill he interceded and said it was not a long term med. You will have to come in and discuss it. Really? ( I have been taking it for 5 days) So, I go online, first available isn't for 2 weeks. So, I write back (keep in mind now, I have only taken 10 of the pills to date, I was prescribed only 15 by Tracey to see if it would work) His response: quote "no, come in and see us and we'll talk about options....." end quote. This guy is a joke! I guess because Tracey is a p.a. and he's somehow a Dr. he won't let her do her job. He really has no business treating anybody who is dealing with chronic pain, he doesn't listen, has no empathy, and if it's not his way, he's not going to budge. Seems to want to take away meds that work, and prescribe those that don't. I understand long term use of really any med is not good, but what about quality of life? I'm 58! I would like to be able to move around for a few more years. Probably time for Donald to hang up the stethoscope. Don't choose him. Unless you are totally healthy and don't need treatment, you'll be sorry. I'm going back one more time, hopefully I will be able to see my p.a. without him getting involved, and then switching to a different clinic since I can't seem to get away from him at this one. I'm sure he'd be great to talk fishin with, but as a concerned Dr?.......not so much.

Stay away! This doc needs to retire

Everything you DON'T want in a doctor!! He doesn't care, is short with you. He doesn't listen and rolls his eyes and sighs when you try to explain. Prescribes meds that you dont need or cant take because he doesnt read your med history and he doesn't know the side effects!! And then takes away the only ones that have worked for years!! Gives you no options and would rather refer you out then help you. Only cares about one thing and doesn't look at the whole picture. VERY BAD DOCTOR. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME, HEALTH OR LIFE GOING TO HIM!!

This is an update on what the ortho surgeon said after Doing an MRI on my daughter - he said he does not have good news and that her disc cracked and the gel all leaked out and hardened on the outside and not leaving room for her nerves and no wonder she is in pain. Once again Dr. Sinden doesn't know what he is talking about and I was there when he told her she was fine and didn't need to see an ortho surgeon. This guy should NOT be in practice. How does this practice he works for justify keeping him employed? Maybe someone has to be paralyzed or die before they have to see how dangerous he is.

He should not be practicing he is dangerous. I went to him in so much pain and wanted a MRI he said no they cost to much, I finally got him to get me one and he told me my MRI shows nothing wrong with me so I asked to be referred to a neurologist and he said no but I got angry with him so he did but told me that would be the end of it and I told him when I was out pain it would be the end! He just wants to give pills or do nothing! I went to the neurologist and they had me in neck surgery within 2 weeks and said had I fallen or been in a fender bender or just even tripped right it would paralyze me or I would be dead! No apology from him or I'm sorry and he was in the surgery room which would have been against my wishes and called once I was home several times. I never went back to him. My in-laws tried him and said he was terrible. My daughter sees him against my wishes because she can't find another to take her and does not like him. She has severe back pain and head pain and he just… gives her meds and tells her she's fine until she ended up in the ER and had brain surgery and seizures and the ER Dr. Told her to get Sinden to refer her to an Ortho surgeon her back was bad and for two years he said no! Well I just went with her and he didn't remember me so i waited until he told her that because she can tip up on her toes and on her heels she is fine so that's when I spoke up and I told him who I was and what happened with me and he got real nervous. I told him he would refer her to a Ortho surgeon and he did it! I told him there is no reason for her to be in this kind of pain and not refer her a specialist! I can't believe he has a license. Please find another doctor and do not trust him with your life!