Amanda Selwyn Barker, MD | Kaiser Permanente

Dr Barker is a very nice person and listened to my medical issues. For being a trained PMR physician ( Pain management aka Psychiatrist) she would not prescribe a first line medication ( Hydrocodone))for my two strokes and severe neuropathy on my entire right side. She only RX Gabapentin which does not do a thing. I went to her because I have Kaiser insurance. I went back to my old doctor in Reno who couldn’t believe what I told him. He has been in practice over 30 yrs and was an Army doctor too. He RX my pain medicine without a problem. I was in Pharmaceutical Industry (25 yrs) and worked for Mallinckrodt which is largest manufacturer of pain medicine in U. S. Was at National meeting several years ago and CEO ( PharmD too), took me on private tour. The medicine goes out different times a day via Armored trucks from drive in vaults ( more secure than a bank) to various distribution centers across U. S. That is all I will say about that. I am a retired Los Angeles Police Officer too and worked in Pharma 20 yrs after that. I was a Regional Trainer and certified SME ( Subject Matter Expert). I use to tell Docs, “ I went from arresting drug dealers, to being a drug dealer.” Always broke the ice..? One of the highest compliments I ever received was from one of my Pain doctors who are all anestegiologist. Said that I knew more about pain medicine than most Family practice docs. I said that is probably because they train with pain Doc for two weeks during their residency and that’s it. I eat, sleep and breath this stuff 24/7 for 10 yrs. Always learning too. I was also Regional Trainer for our Company. A friend of mine who is a PMR ( Pain Management & Rehabilitation) Doc up in Bay Area and Professor at Medical School couldn’t believe my story. Said that so many new docs afraid of RX pain med due to possible law suits if patients abuse medication and OD. My old doctor is treating me now and even though this pain drives me nuts at times, I have learned to live with it. Take my daughter’s Beagle puppy for daily walks and him yanking the leash on my bad arm helps, I think. My prayer is I wake up one day, pain free. You have to play the cards you are dealt and I have had an amazing life, with a great family too…

Dr. Barker showed genuine concern and diligence with a pain issue I experienced that ended up being due to a cervical disk herniation. She demonstrated expertise in managing pain medications, physical therapy, acupuncture. She demonstrated the highest in professionalism over a 9 month period and continues to be my primary contact for resolution of the issue. She is proactive in managing my case including generating the necessary referrals for diagnostic tests as well as other specialists to get to the root issue of my problem. She is responsive to Emails and phone calls and takes extra time to talk on the phone to discuss issues. By far, she is the best doctor I have encountered at Kaiser and among the best physicians I've ever encountered. Her staff is also extremely helpful, especially nurse Lua who accurately communicated messages to Dr. Barker and helps me navigate through the Kaiser referral and records management processes.