Pratha Vijaya, MD

This office was recommended to me by my doctor and I’m sorry I wasted my time. I read the Unilocal reviews before coming and I can now confirm they are correct.
The support staff are dismissive and rude. It took a while to get a call back to make an appointment. The staff do not offer any value and should be replaced or retrained in how to provide proper customer service. Since both Dr. Pratha and Alison tend to run late with their appointments, a heads up would be appropriate, especially if they are running upwards of an hour late. Doctor’s visits are not cheap and add to that the money lost when spending half a day in the waiting room instead of working. Additionally, the phone etiquette of the support staff is rude and uncaring. The overall appearance of the office and waiting room are filthy and unkept and the reggae music playing from the receptionist’s computer just gives a vibe of «I don’t care».
I actually did not even get to see Dr. Pratha because she’s booked out for months, which is another bad sign that she cannot handle her practice and needs to hire professionals to manage her office. I do not subscribe to the idea that «if a doctor is booked for months, then they must be a miracle worker.» As a consolation, I was seen by Alison but wasn’t impressed because she told me all the same information I learned from the internet already about my condition, and sold me all the same herbs I have at home for double the price.
From other reviews, I see that Dr. Pratha might be a talented doctor, but in today’s world it’s not worth the obstacles.

Very friendly staff, and Pratha is an amazing holistic doctor and always wants the best for you.

Dr. Pratha is a gifted physician who uses both an allopathic and nonallopathic approach, as needed and desired by the patient, in the treatment of medical problems. For a gastroenterologist to have this combined knowledge and skill set sets her apart.
While I am aware that there were «issues» with some of the previous office and support staff, Dr. Pratha’s current staff is stellar in my experience thus far. I have had the particular pleasure of working closely with Rachelle, one of Dr. Pratha’s nurses, and have found her to be extraordinarily responsive and knowledgeable.

Dr. Pratha was recommended to me for her more holistic approach to gastroenterology. The first appointment I made, I was put with her nurse practitioner Allison. She’s great and receptive, but was an hour late to my appointment. I made another appointment two months in advance, and the MORNING OF, they called me to cancel it. I had travelled from LA to San Diego to make the appointment so it was a huge bummer. It was urgent so luckily the squeezed me in a MONTH later. I came down from LA again. My appointment was at 9:30am but Dr. Pratha didn’t even arrive until 10:30am, then had to tend to other patients before me. They stuck me in an examination room where I proceeded to wait another hour.
Her methods were interesting and I appreciate her resistance to the usual «medication» that any other gastroenterologist would resort to. She massaged my stomach to release tension and stress, both physical and emotional. She could tell my emotional tendencies just by glancing at my blood work and by doing various examinations. She gave me herbal supplements and a special diet to try for 10 days.
Her staff is really disorganized and bad at calling back (it was a week before they got back to me about rescheduling my second appointment despite my constant calls). I saw one of the desk girls put a patient on hold because she was telling a story to her friend.
The wait was ridiculous and highly unprofessional, but her treatment is unique and almost spiritual. I give the practice 4 stars.

I brought my 19 year old, very ill daughter to see Dr. Pratha today at the recommendation of my daughter’s endocrinologist and another GI doctor. Dr. Pratha is an MD certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology who is practicing in a holistic, integrative manner. She embraced my daughter’s complex case and gave us hope. Her initial analysis and recommendations were thoughtful and made complete sense. Doctors like her are the future of medicine.

I love Dr Pratha and Alison. It is funny people complain about waiting but the reason you wait (because you can wait for a while) is because they are spending their time with each patient. They do not rush appointments. So you wait, knowing when it is your turn you will get the attention and care you need. Another reason I LOVE it here is the staff, they are so kind and loving, and share that they care, they make you feel like family. Dr Pratha has really helped me find healing in my life and looks beyond western medication and giving pills to deal with the symptom. She really hones down on what is causing whatever issue you are having and has a true mind, body, spirit approach. So if you are looking for a quick fix for a problem, maybe not a place to go… if you are looking to better your life and get rid of a problem from its roots so it doesnt come back again. well then get ready to work hard and be rewarded with health. being healthy doesnt just fall from the trees, it takes work… and it takes a team that will support you and help you get there which is what I found here. xx

Dr Vijaya was one of three GI specialists that my GP gave me a referral to. The GP noted that Dr Vijaya was more holistic in her approach than the others which I liked so I gave her office a call. The 1^st time I called, I left a voice mail. I didn’t receive a call back for several days. I called again. Same thing. I thought ‘strike 2′ and called again and someone answered the phone. This is progress (or so I thought). I told them why I needed an appt, they took my info (including phone number), insurance info and then put me on hold. While on hold I was disconnected so I called back and it went to voicemail! I left another message and SURPRISE — no one ever called me back. I’m done with them. I’m sure Dr Vijaya is a wonderful doctor but she really needs to give her office staff a serious talking to.

I would have liked to give a better review because I like Dr. Pratha herself, but I hope she realizes that having such a HORRIBLE staff is a direct reflection of herself when it comes to having a private practice. Exactly like previous reviews said, the staff is rude/​incompetent, they NEVER CALL BACK, and when they do, it’s to CANCEL the appointment you’ve been waiting to get for months. I also asked for my medical records to be faxed to me, and when they finally did so months later, they sent me the WRONG patient’s medical records! Talk about a HIPAA violation. Do not waste your time and money. The staff ruins any positive experience you could ever hope to have there.

I’ve met Dr. Pratha and think she is amazing… HER OFFICE STAFF on the other hand… I’ve been trying to get an appointment for a couple of months. THEY WON’T RETURN PHONE CALLS. I’ve had to call several times to get a hold of them to schedule an appointment. They did call me one… TO CANCEL MY APPT (which was 24 hours prior to my appointment that was so hard to get in the first place). Trying to reschedule has been a nightmare as well due to the office staff not returning phone calls. I’m done. It’s so unprofessional. It’s too bad, because I would have liked to see Dr. Pratha.

You’ll notice in my previous review, I gave Dr. Pratha’s office one star. I’ve seen Dr. Pratha continuously for several months while I had been living in San Diego, but my previous review was based on just one experience out of the several visits I’ve had with her. So, I feel it necessary to clarify that my previous review was only for Dr. Pratha’s *OFFICE STAFF*.
After all that Dr. Pratha has helped me with, it would be ungrateful and it would be entirely unfair for me leave a review up, like my previous one, without any reference to the actual physician herself.
Dr. Pratha herself is a gem, I would even go so far as to say she is a miracle worker. I mean it. 100% everything we desperately search for when in need of a good GI doctor, she has it. I’ve seen several and have been in and out of hospitals for the past few years and I haven’t come across another GI doctor that I hold up in as high regard as I do with Dr. Pratha. My body felt such a transformation while under her care. I came to her when my condition with UC was at its worst — I was even begging for an ileal pouch!
I was so lucky to have found Dr. Pratha. By listening to you closely and by taking the time to understand your body, she is able to figure out any possible mental or dietary solutions that will help wean you off of all the medications that other GI doctors are unfortunately so happy to fill you up on. She understands everyone is different and everyone reacts to certain things better than others. She worked wonders with getting my UC under control. While I was seeing her it was the healthiest my body had felt in years. She will NOT be that doctor that will just paint every patient with the same brush and blindly write them the all the same prescriptions.
My anger last time came from the incompetency and rudeness of her staff. It still surprises me that a physician so wonderful would have had to deal with such a cruddy team, but I think she’s changed a few of those people. So, let me repeat, the previous review was bc of her staff. If I still lived in San Diego I would still continue to see her. She is still every bit of what I look for when trying to find a thoughtful and smart GI doctor here in LA.

This review is way overdue! I have nothing but great things to say about everyone here. I first started seeing Dr Pratha for my Crohn’s disease about a year ago. I was 1 month pregnant and my Crohn’s was out of control, needless to say I was not in good health. Dr Pratha met with me on my first apt for about an hour, got a very detailed history of my health, previous doctors and meds. I was shocked considering most other gastroenterologists I had seen gave me about 5 min before the had numerous prescription ready to shove down my throat and send me in my way.
Dr Pratha & Allison know that there is more to healthcare than a prescription pad. They have a great knowledge of all aspects of health & medicine, naturopathic, holistic, eastern and western. and unlike most gastros I have seen they realize diet is very important and dr Pratha is not afraid to tell you. They got me set up on a great plan to get my Crohn’s under control. I have to be honest the diet was hard, the IVs were very time consuming but in the long run 100% worth it, I’m the proud mama of a beautiful & healthy baby girl! And I really do have everyone here to thank for getting me healthy. So a big thank you to Dr Pratha, Allison, Flo, Rachel & Myrna!!! Keep up the great work

I have not seen Dr. Pratha, but Alison Anthony, CNP is my primary physician and she is definitely the best I have had. Great bedside manner and very knowledgeable.
I haven’t had any issues with the office staff like other Unilocalers have, but I will change my review if warranted. Four stars because parking of the small parking lot and street parking is atrocious since its in Hillcrest.

Basically Dr. Pratha and her entire staff are beyond what is expected. They are extremely busy because they are the best and go above and beyond what any normal doctor of western medicine does or provides. She genuinely cares about the health and well being of her clients and is extremely open minded about furthering her knowledge for the sake of her clients. I send her 100s of clients a year who have tough cases and have tried almost every option. I am in the holistic field and work with clients who have gastro intestinal problems and the results Dr. Pratha get are phenomenal! She doesnt immediately try to prescribe clients a bunch of unneeded drugs that only make the problems worse she tries to find the root of the issue and give her clients the information and treatments to fix the problems not the symptoms.
I get really disappointed when I read some of the negative reviews only because I know first hand the 100s of lives dr pratha and her staff have touched.
For an office that works tirelessly and ungodly hours trying to fit in every needy (an apparently even ungrateful) client, give them above and beyond the care in which they are paying for, and truly cares and understands the needs of their patients I would say they are doing a magnificent job. Unlike any other doctor I have worked with personally and there are many.
The staff although slammed is pretty darn effective and kind.
Im beyond pleased with the results Dr. Pratha gets and will continue to send all of my clients to her and they will continue to feel better and heal because of her and her staff!

It makes me mad I have to give her 1 star. She deserves 0. Ive never been so disappointed in a doctor in my life.
Seriously… from the gossiping office staff who mocked the patients they had on hold, to the disgustingly dirty bathroom with no hand towels or toilet seat covers. it was just steps away from the front desk so it isnt like they wouldnt have known. ugh.
To the absolute egotistical attitude this doctor had while she talked to her student about me as if I didnt exist in very ridiculous generalizations about my personality and character without knowing my story and only sitting with me for 5 minutes. This was all after she made me wait for 1.5 hours (THAT IS THE LONGEST IVE WAITED FOR A DR AND IVE BEEN GOING TO SPECIALISTS SINCE I WAS 5).
She was seriously crazy cakes to talk about a patient saying things like, «because her a1 is elevated she is unable to make decisions» WTF, Lady?
While I waited I got to listen to patient after patient call in upset and the office staff would just put them on hold and talk about them!!! The only good one was Jessica. she was friendly, professional. but the entire rest of the office staff.
.gerd!!! or even they griped about the doctor and how someone really needed to make sure she showed up at the colonoscopy center at 8 am, not like last time she was late. Sounds like this doc is ALWAYS late. Id be livid if my staff talked about me in front of my patients!
But if my boss was an egotistical … ummm. yeah. like Dr. Pratha was, I woulda talked about her too. So dissapointed! Ive already met you, Dr. Pratha. in a dozen other doctors who thought they knew so much but they didnt know how to listen. I see a review below about a patient who stuck with you through years, with a child. and I can totally see you doing what she says in her review. Your attitiude and egotism must be checked and that you stood there at the end and told me how humbled you were by medicine before you turned your back on me without as much as finishing the conversation with a goodbye? Its about the patients’, Lady. Not you. I hope that student you had in there was able to hear that from me. I hope you dont turn any more students into any more doctors like you.

We brought our son who is Autistic & Developmentally Delayed to see Dr Pratha. We were in a crisis. She did her homework and helped us through a very serious gut problem. I will always be thankful for her ability to treat complicated cases such as my son’s. As time went on, my son developed Refractory Seizures. 30% of the population becomes medication intolerant. Everything is trail and error. He’s on several different Seizure Medications that appear to somewhat lessen his Seizures. The side effects are horrible and cause weight gain. We are worried about his weight gain. After meeting with several Nutricitionest, they all said we were doing everything right. However, he doesn’t motabolize food the same way people do that aren’t on Seizure meds. We walk with him everyday and so does his adult program. We don’t like seeing him over weight. Yet, Dr Pratha keeps bugging us to have his stomach reduced. My son (because of his disabilities) would never understand how to maintain those surgeries with diet after words. I consulted with his MD, Nuero Dr, Psychiatrist. All of them were socked it was becoming an issue for us. Sadly, as his mother I couldn’t take the «brow beating» anymore. We moved on. It’s hard enough to be a caretaker for your child for 30 years and fight for what little services we get and lack of support. I too like another commentor on Unilocal got the same run around for his records. It took me eight weeks to finally get the ok to come down to the office and pick them up.
I wish only the best for Dr Prath and her staff. Just wish the patient/​doctor relationship didn’t have to end this way!

I LOVE the office and Alison and Carol and Myrna at the front desk but Dr Pratha leaves much to be desired. Might have been my fault as I was not too excited about answering yet another set of the same questions. Much office tardiness, often had to wait 45 minutes to an hour. Never answered my e-​mail so I left. She said a parasite was not my problem but after getting rid of it with the Flagyl she prescribed, my digestion is WAY better. She was helpful and willing to precribe whatever I needed so I guess that is why she gets 3 points instead of 1. The office overall is great.

Dr. Pratha is amazing. Her natural, holistic approach to GI health is refreshing, as I am all about nutrition, exercise and letting the body heal itself. I walked into Dr. Pratha’s office half dead, not knowing what was wrong with me. She immediately diagnosed the problem as pancreatitis and tossed me into the hospital. When she arrived a couple hours later, she instructed the radiology tech to do a CT scan of my chest, as I had recently taken a long flight and she didn’t like the sound of my lungs. Although pulmonology is not her specialty, she saved my life with her diagnostic skills because I had pulmonary embolism and a blood clot in my leg.
Both Dr. Pratha and Allison, her practitioner sidekick, spend all the time you need with you, are the most attentive and fully present doctors I’ve ever encountered, are brilliant diagnosticians, and their staff is amazingly friendly and accommodating. You may have to wait, but I happily do so, knowing that I will receive all the time I need once I’m seen. I’d give them 10 stars if I could.

Dr. Pratha is great. I have celiac disease and needed a good GI in my new city. My gallbladder was also trying it’s hardest to get an eviction notice. My first appointment was an HOUR long! Dr. Pratha was meticulous, caring, and knowledgeable. She got me on a diet, probiotics, and supplements that took my pain from a 10 to a 0. I guarantee other doctors would just have wanted to take my gallbladder out. Dr. Pratha is a well-​rounded doctor who will use a variety of treatment options to help you feel better.
Her office is really calm and relaxing as well. The previous poster must have gone a while ago or something. The office had comfortable chairs, wood floors, and a very zen feel. The staff have been great in helping me schedule appointments, follow up with the doctors, etc. No complaints here!