I went to Dr Wicher for prolotherapy on my right wrist and to obtain a prescription for Rapamycin…read more This office is run solely by Dr. Wicher and her receptionist--no assistant or nurse, which is rare for any medical office.
The first two treatments of prolotherapy March 10 and Apr 14 went without incident, but on the third May 20, unlike the 20+ treatments over the years I received from another doctor who always used a thin-gauge needle with no local anesthetic, Dr Wicher used a thick gauge needle that looked like the type used for blood draws. I trusted her judgment, which was a mistake, as the injection caused intense pain, tingling, numbness in my fingers, and damage to the tendon. I found out later she used a local anesthetic which she did not in the first treatment. The pain and weakness in my wrist is WORSE than before the treatments began, and persists to this day, to the extent that I it affects my daily life (I have trouble driving and cannot open a jar lid with a jar opening tool.)
In my previous visit Apr 14, I received a prescription for 12 capsules of 6mg compounded Rapamycin. Before the botched prolotherapy treatment I brought up studies that showed that the compounded form has a bioavailability of only 30%. Dr Wicher did not dispute and agreed to send a new prescription to my pharmacy for Sirolimus, the generic form of Rapamycin.
When I got home my pinkie/ring fingers were numb and unusable so I called the office to report expecting a follow up call, but I never received one.
Three days later after multiple calls the receptionist told me the doctor emailed me:
1. Lia said you were having some numbness in your wrist? Is this still present? It could have been from the anesthetic but should wear off
2. Rapamycin: I am not comfortable ordering the non-compounded drug for you unless you obtain additional labs(CMP, CBC and regular lipid testing). You gave me some labs from April. When I did your initial consult, I did a focused prolozone one based on what you were coming in for. I would need to obtain further information before proceeding with this drug.
I responded by asking her why she needed new labs when she had already given me a prescription based on the lab work the month before,
Her response: "Since the actual drug is a bit more potent than the compounded one is why I want these labs. "
This was puzzling. She chose to prescribe the compounded version because the potency is low as to be ineffective? She had already prescribed compounded Rapamycin a month ago, and then agreed to the generic. So why did she change her mind? The only reason I can think of is that, after my report of numbness, she grew concerned about liability and reversed course--not because of clinical concerns, but professional ones.
There were more issues. Attached is Customized Client Schedule I received after my exam. Notice that recommendation 2 Dihydroberberine does not contain exact doses, but only a recommendation for the product she sells in her office. Recommendation 1 is also for a product she sells in her office.
Also notice the hand written recommendation for "Caster Oil Packs-see handout". I was not given the handout and had to ask the receptionist for help. She added "wool flannel" to the sheet. Also note the prescription for Rapacycin 6mg.
Another issue occurred during my first appointment in which my blood pressure reading was high, over 150/90, indicating Stage 2 Hypertension. I was given absolutely no guidance on how to address this concern.
I cannot recommend this practice:
* Overworked: The doctor is spread thin, as she has no assistants.
* Poor communication: She doesn't respond to emails or calls in a timely manner (5 days to respond to second email).
* Neglected critical signs: Like failing to address my Stage 2 Hypertension
* Vague instructions: Handout was missing, instructions unclear, product dosages unspecified.
* Conflict of interest: She recommended supplements that she sells in her office, I assume at a profit.
* Competence concerns: Offers a broad menu of therapies, but may lack depth in some.
Based on my experience, if you are considering prolotherapy, only consider practices that specialize in orthopedics and have extensive experience with prolotherapy.
I no longer trust Dr Wicher. I canceled my next appointment, and will no longer be seeing this ND.
