Dr. Natalia Balytsky, MD

Front desk cancelled day of appointment then accused me of canceling.

I went to Dr Balytsky to save travel time on the road, as I had been previously seen in Walnut Creek for several years and I live close to Fairfield. Upon first meeting her, she was extremely cold and very rude. She kept asking me why I was there to see her and what do I want from her. What??? I explained to her why I changed doctor’s offices and that I just needed a regular follow up and refill on my pain meds. She went off on me about how she does NOT believe in the use of any pain meds and she refused to write me a script for anything. I would have to stop my pain meds cold turkey and just use ice and heat. Is this woman nuts? Nobody should ever attempt to go off of pain meds cold turkey. And you shouldn’t treat patients in legitimate pain like they are street junkies. I’ve had a triple discectomy in my cervical spine and live with rods and screws in my neck with nerve damage, radiculopathy, as well as both shoulders requiring upcoming surgeries for a list of reasons. I’m in PAIN.… I’ve been off work for 3 years now because of it. This woman could not care less about anyone’s pain. She’s in the WRONG line of work.

I do not have so bad words that I can describe for it, but this is a more ethical and very kind of doctor than that. It does not care about the patient.

I do not have so bad words that I can describe for it, but this is a more ethical and very kind of doctor than that. It does not care about the patient.

Rude and lacking empathy

She comes across as very rude, abrupt, cold, short, and shows no empathy for her patients. Avoid this doctor! She doesn't have your best interest at heart.

Rude, condescending & lack empathy. Very short when examining my injury. Despite feeling pain due to tendonitis, still prescribed that I keep taking ibuprofen and return to work. Avoid if you value your health!

Worst doctor ever

She has no regards as to how her patient is feeling, she lacks social communication and never gives an answer to why she does something. Will put you back on full duty knowing that your pain level is already unbearable if you can avoide her she is rude, cold and doesn't care how you feel she just will say ice it or heat it and it should help as it helps alot if my patients jot knowing that every patient is different with it comes to pain

I went to see Dr. Balytsky this week, after being referred from SF City and County’s Workers’ Comp. Division. My long-standing physician, an excellent and innovative pain specialist, was removed from the City’s approved network and I was referred to Dr. Balytsky for care. As background, I sustained a traumatic back injury while performing my job as a Firefighter/Paramedic with the SFFD (30 years of service). In 2006, I underwent a three-level discectomy and fusion that included inserting rods and screws in my back. I have been on two pain medications for many years. I am not a patient with drug-seeking behavior; in fact, my usage of pain medications has steadily decreased over time. When I met Dr. Batytsky, she was extremely rude and her comment to me regarding my situation was, “You should never have had the surgery” (I can’t undo what has already been done, not to mention the surgeon who performed the surgery is world-famous and stated that I would be in a wheelchair if I did… not have the surgery). She then said that she would not prescribe me any pain medication, because “I don’t want to risk my license” (regarding one of the meds), and “I’m not licensed to prescribe that” (regarding the other). Dr. Balytsky is an Anesthesiologist, but also considers herself a pain specialist. To offer nothing to her patients to alleviate pain, traditional or otherwise, is ridiculous. I asked about treating acute, breakthrough pain, and she would not give me anything for even that. Cutting me off all meds cold-turkey is extremely dangerous and published literature has shown that users have experienced severe withdrawal symptoms when not tapered off the medications under a doctor’s care. Reading her reviews on this site, it is apparent that it was not uncommon for her to OVER-PRESCRIBE meds to her patients in the past. Perhaps that was before she took a job with Workers’ Comp. In this capacity, it is obvious she only cares about saving money for the City of SF; she clearly shows no concern for her patients. Dr. Balytsky’s has zero concern for the well-being of the patients entrusted to her care. It is unconscionable how she treats her patients. The Hippocratic Oath requires physicians to uphold specific ethical standards, to help patients and not cause harm. Somewhere along the way, Dr. Balytsky has forgotten this basic principle. Stay away from this physician if you value your health, and that of your family.