Anyone have any suggestions for Kaiser Permanente patients?

Once Kaiser and I absolutely hate it! The only way I even got into nurology was through the migraine clinic. Now they are telling me that I can only see a NP and not an MD because I am there for head aches. I want help, I want more Personalized care and I want to feel normal again. Everytime I call in to talks to my dr, which is a NP she has to get a recommendation from a doctor that I have never seen before. Each time it’s usually a different doctor and the whole process is delayed because of it going through the call center then to the NP then to the doctor then back to the np and then. Ack to the call center and finally back to me. Does anyone have any suggestions about how to get around these road blocks? They are still saying that my Chiari is too small to cause symptoms?! I’m so frustrated… Suggestions??

I have Kaiser too and I hate it. They tell me I'm fine but I've had two other neurosurgeons diagnose me with chiari and recommend surgery. We may just have to drop our insurance with them. Where are you located?

I am located in San Diego. I have not been able to consult any other doctors regarding my CM. As far as dropping them I am on my parent ins plan and have no other choice. I gave up on the NP i was seeing because all she kept doing was trying different anti depressants for my migraines and they were just causing uncomfortable side effects. So until i find a better doctor at Kaiser i havr to deal with the migraines and nausea. Hopefully you have better luck than i do…

I hear there is a good neurosurgeon in Kaiser, Los Angeles. He is supposed to be familiar with Chiari. Can I ask what your mm of chiari is? The name of the NS is Dr. Fauzy Mahomar. You could ask to see him I guess. I wish I could help. Kaiser makes me so angry!

I was told from the NP that it is 3-6…i will definitely look up that doctor. Thank you!

I was told 3-4mm by my kaiser neurologist. I saw an outside surgeon he said I was 8-9mm!

Sounds like both our doctors just made an educated guess! Geeze glad you’re able to get a second opinion. I noticed on your page that you said your child was just diagnosed? It made me think about my two children, as i have another family member with CM and never thought to have my cgildren checked.

Yes, my daughter was dx'd before I was. I was dx'd with Fibromyalgia, then the following year she was dx'd. I was just officially dx'd a couple weeks ago! I've known for a while though. She is 4 and had her surgery at 3 years old.