Dr. Tobias Moeller-Bertram, MD

I recently moved to SoCal & because I have chronic health issues, I asked for pain mgmt. The 1st doctor I saw I really liked & thought that's who I was going to see. Boy, was I wrong! That was the ONLY time I saw that doctor (which was a shame, because I actually liked him & he listened to me). COE heard patients through there like cattle. I thought the chiropractic doctor was just going to check out the bones in my spine & the next thing I knew, she was using some metal device like a paper punch, only I was the paper & the next day, I felt like I'd got hit by a truck! They don't tell you that you have to come EVERY WEEK!!! I don't have time for that! They billed my insurance for a RT ride, PLUS an "apt" just to "make out a schedule for a month" (this could be done over the phone). Dr. Moeller-Bertram cut 90 PILLS from 2nd time the wrote for my pain meds, w/o even discussing it with me & in fact, had just dictated the week before that I was "well adjusted on all my current meds &… dosages". The 1st doctor I saw had no issue with the amount I take every day & have for the past 5 yrs (I only take 1 pain med & have taken it for 10 yrs). They prescribed gabapentin (Neurontin). I told them that I wasn't going to take it because it made me so dizzy the day after that I was a serious risk for falling, so what do they do? Called in a REFILL, but neglected to send over my sleeping med & even though my pharmacy repeatedly faxed the request, I had to go to my PCP for it. In addition, they don't tell you that you're in an "experimental program" & can share your info with anyone they choose & there's nothing you can do about it. If you don't like, or don't agree with any part of their "program", that's it. I don't subscribe to "putting energy back into your body", castor oil & "mushroom therapy". Their main "goal" is to take you off your pain meds (their claim that they're "pain mgmt" is a misnomer). That would be OK if you have some type of sports/work-related injury that's temporary. For a chronic disease that won't go away, let alone ever "get better", this is not even realistic. Mushroom, castor oil & "energy" isn't a viable solution. They think that if they "put your body back to the way it's supposed to work", you'll be "cured". I'm over 50 with RA (rheumatoid arthritis), my body will NEVER "work the way it was designed to", no matter how hard anyone tries! If you're wanting true pain mgmt, this is NOT where you want to be!

I saw Dr. Toby two and a half years ago and he did radio frequency ablation on my lower spine. I am still almost pain free and will have him repeat this procedure when I feel I need it again. He was courteous, professional and a life saver for me as I cannot take narcotics and I was in so much pain.

Wonderful bedside manner, made room to see me by giving up his lunch hour. You certainly don't find that often.

I'm 87 and my Doctor, still says there is a lot that can be done for my pain. Gives a young chick like me hope! Thank you Toby good Luck !

There are so many great things that I can say about Dr. Toby. I found him accidentally while searching online on alternative ways to treat my Fibromyalgia. And, after participating in several of his research studies, I am beyond thrilled to find out that he is transitioning into private practice with Coastal Pain Medical Group. There aren't many Dr.'s in San Diego who have first-hand knowledge about FM, certainly not the way that Dr. Toby does. He's very down-to-earth and very easy to talk to. He actually listens to his patients, and he's very thorough in his explanations. He's always made sure that I understood what was happening/what I was having done and that I was comfortable. I am beyond confident in his capabilities and trust him completely. His expertise includes FM and PTSD, but I wouldn't want to pigeon-hole him, so I would definitely recommend him to anyone who is living with a pain condition. My apologies if this sounds a bit 'inflated', but this guy is the 'bee's knees',… and I'm all about giving credit to those who deserve it.