Page 25 - FINAL San Diego Woman interactive
P. 25
Women of Distinction
so we can carefully monitor their progress as believe that the Concierge method of treating Dr. Inamdar has never been a physician
they receive treatment.” our patients is the best and safest way to assure who believes that the medical profession
One of the points that was made during that as doctors we do no harm.” should exist simply to fix problems. “We need
our interview I viewed as an extremely im- “My philosophy has always been that I to focus on wellness, before it gets to the point
portant aspect of Achieve’s policy. Dr. Inamdar would practice medicine the way it should where you're sick. Even when you are sick, yes,
does not believe in putting any patient on be practiced. So, it has to be comprehen- you need to correct what's wrong, but you
medication during their first visit. “We need to sive integrative and collaborative care with also need to focus on your strengths. What is
have a comprehensive picture of the health cutting-edge technology. We believe in CAM, something that you're good at? What is it that
and wellness of our patient, before we start which is complementary and alternative you enjoy, because even if it gives you a brief
them on a medication which in reality may medicine. It does not have to be either/or. 10 minutes of happiness or joy, it is worth it.”
not even be necessary.” Since Dr. Inamdar’s You could be doing yoga, getting acupunc- After hearing about Achieve and their
practice includes both adults and children, she concierge approach I must say I could not un-
takes this very seriously. “I have seen children derstand why this is not the blueprint for the
prescribed medication for ADHD after they future of all medical care. Starting with the fact
fill out a quick 10-minute questionnaire, this that if you call for an appointment, the con-
does not happen on my watch. I don’t believe cept of waiting two months to see a specialist
in putting anybody on medication during or sometimes even a general practitioner
their first visit unless I have documented past goes out the door. “When a patient needs
history and lab work.” our services, we can get them in within a few
In addition, Achieve, also performs micro- days, there is no six-week wait to see one of
nutrient testing working closely with Dr. Ryan our doctors. We have a concierge coordinator
McNally, an ND PA, and Medical Director of who handles all intake paperwork including
Aspire Regenerative. He is Yale trained, and an contacting other physicians to obtain medical
expert in micronutrient testing. This testing records and working with insurance carriers,
provides a comprehensive nutrient analysis of when needed. At Achieve we do not leave
a patient’s dietary intake. This way, functional those duties up to a patient, we take control of
deficiencies can be measured at the cellular the situation so the patient can concentrate on
level. This testing can analyze how well the just one thing, getting better.”
body processes vitamins, minerals, amino/fat- Since there are many things that can be
ty acids, antioxidants, and metabolites while at the root of an illness, whether medical or
meeting the body's need for micronutrients psychological Dr. Inamdar prefers to have
and enabling the production of enzymes, a complete and thorough picture of the
hormones, and other substances essential for patient’s health before prescribing any type
proper growth, and development. Evidence of treatment. “We need to obtain a full liver,
has proven that nutrient deficiencies can be kidney, thyroid, B12, and folic acid panel. We
directly responsible for chronic diseases and a do a buccal swab (cheek swab) for pharmaco-
patient’s overall health. genetic testing. This may not provide a defin-
Not only does Achieve provide extensive ture and having your blood drawn or having itive answer, but it gives us insight into what
testing and analysis to improve medical out- your immunity levels fixed while getting the medication will or will not work for a patient.
comes, they also provide unprecedented care latest and the greatest of neuro pharmacolo- This was a factor I was not aware of but
to their patients. The staff of Achieve go above gy. I think for so many years it was either you makes complete sense. “There are reasons
and beyond to provide a full-service approach had a holistic approach or a Western Medi- why we do this. We want to study both the
for their patients. If a patient has fears of cine approach. My goal is to make patients pharmacodynamic and the pharmacokinetic
leaving their home or has other issues that will and physicians alike realize that there needs information that we can learn from the buccal
not allow them to come into their offices, they to be a bridge.” swab. Pharmacokinetics tells us how a body
bring the treatment to them. This is unheard As Dr. Inamdar states, “If you have processes a drug. Pharmacodynamics takes into
of in this day and age, but not at Achieve. “No appendicitis, you need to go to the hospital account the complex interactions between the
two patients are alike, that is why we take the and have surgery. At that point, getting an drug, the human body, and then the pathogen
time to get to know each one. Often, we find infusion of vitamin D will not help you. On that might be causing an issue for the patient.
a client may be averse to medications, so we the same note, if you have chronic anxiety or Issues such as how’s my dopamine receptor.
use other methods to meet their needs to sleep issues, we need to focus on that aspect It allows us to find out how your COMT gene
achieve a positive outcome. Sometimes that is as well and improve your sleep hygiene. We is reacting. Your COMT gene, often referred to
a combination of TMS sessions, diet, personal need to work on digital detox, turning off all as the warrior gene, is directly responsible for
training and counseling.” electronics periodically. It is important that bringing your heartbeat down to normal levels
One issue that Dr. Inamdar has encountered people realize there are safer and better ways and restoring a sense of balance both to your
in her practice is that patients aren’t always to heal themselves.” physiological and your psychological self. In
aware of the medications they are given or the Dr. Inamdar is a strong believer that doing other words, It helps you ride the wave.
correct usage of these sometime harmful drugs. something as simple as going for a barefoot From these tests the physician can tell
“I had a patient recently who was prescribed walk on the beach with waves washing over whether you are a Val/Val genotype, which is
Prozac from a psychiatrist, Fluoxetine, which your feet, will leave you feeling a greater sense associated with better cognitive and psycho-
is the same medicine, from her primary care of calm than relying on medication. “After an logical tolerance of stressful situations or a
doctor and then got Sarafem, which is Prozac, hour of doing this most problems, most life Met/Met genotype, which is associated with
but in a fancy pink box from their OB GYN. issues, seem to improve, and we feel better. It nervousness, worry and fear. Val/Val geno-
This poor woman was being overdosed out of might not solve everything. But you will get at types are dopamine cravers. A person with
no fault of her own. This is why at Achieve we least some respite.” this gene has less dopamine in their prefrontal
25