Hello All,
This will will be my first post. I want to first start by thanking all of you for sharing your experiences and advise . It has been most helpful. I was dx with a CM1 9mm Dec 2012. I was told by by NL that that was not causing my issues, which included 2 yr hx; HA, neck/shoulder pain, TGN, disequalibrium, dizzyness/nausea and cognitive issues. I also had an episode of TGA. My syptoms have progessed over the last 9 mo, and also inclides tingling and numbness in my hands and feet, blurry vision/floaters/stats, off and on. I am still working, but often worry with my cognitive issues that I may be nixed.
I have consulted Dr Jimenez, from the list, here in San Antonio. He recommended surgery. He did not recommend a MRI of my cervical or lumbar spine. I stongly feel that I do need intervention, but am nervous to jump right in.
Would anyone who has experience with Dr Jimenez mind sharing their story with me by private message/friending me?
Does anyone else have advice or next steps?
Sleepy, welcome! Well, I support you in deciding to move ahead with a surgical intervention- you just know when it’s time 
I also think you will know when you’ve found your surgeon. You seem hesitant, and if that’s true, you should listen to that. This surgeon not wanting to see an MRI of your C or L spine doesn’t sit well with me. How would he know if you had other pathology? Pathology that could impede the success of an otherwise perfect decompression???!!!
Having the surgery is a big decision. You owe it to yourself to feel good about the person who is going to do it. Have you considered seeking a second opinion?
Jenn
Yes, my internal med doctor sent me to a general NS, who said he would not do surgery, but he also said a lot of things that made me realize he knows very little about chiari, so I think I need a 3rd, which will mean travel and am hesitant to do so. Wondering if that is really needed, but I am concerned over the 1st NS not doing a workup on me.
Thanks for your great advice Jenn :-)
I think getting a third opinion by a true specialist will help you to feel confident in either having the surgery or waiting. Going out of town is not ideal, but it’s worth it of your able.
jenn
Check out Dr. Christopher Bogaev in San Antonio. He’s my NS. He is 1 of only 3 certified Chiari NS’s in Texas! He’s absolutely amazing. He has many Chiari patients and only recommends surgery to those he feels definitely need it.
By the way, Dr. Bogaev just did my Decompression Surgery on Monday,Sept.9th. I’m sitting in Stone Oaks Methodist Hospital right now, waiting for him to come by and let me go home to finish my recovery!
Hi TexasMom,
Glad to hear of your great experience with Dr Bogaev and how well you are feeling. I hope things go so well for me. Please keep us posted on your recovery.
TexasMom1977 said:
Check out Dr. Christopher Bogaev in San Antonio. He's my NS. He is 1 of only 3 certified Chiari NS's in Texas! He's absolutely amazing. He has many Chiari patients and only recommends surgery to those he feels definitely need it.
By the way, Dr. Bogaev just did my Decompression Surgery on Monday,Sept.9th. I'm sitting in Stone Oaks Methodist Hospital right now, waiting for him to come by and let me go home to finish my recovery!
btw Chiari community, I did not know there were Certified Chiari Specialist. This is the first I've heard. Who are they certified by?
LoL! I didn’t ask about certification… Hmmm, his main nurse is the one who told me about it. That he is pretty much to “go-to” guy for Chiari in South Texas. I love his bedside manner and his plain talk. He just tells it like he sees it and will try and help in whatever way he feels necessary. I am home now and trying to rest. The worst part for me, so far, is the neck muscle pain, which he did say was going to be pretty painful. I have a lovely row of about 50 staples, or so my boys say, (because they counted them!), up the back of my skull. I’m mainly just tired, but not in what I would call “pain”. Hope everyone is doing okay and you are able to make the decision that works best for you! Good Luck!
~Mariah
What was your opinion of Dr. Jimenez? I am set to see him on the 18th and am skeptical. I saw a quack-o in Houston and don't want to keep spending money for travel just to be run around in more circles. I am so frustrated at the whole situation.
I did, however, find a new PCP that I like and he recommended the surgery. He did not look at me like I had 2 heads or was out of my mind. He even offered to help find a NS that specializes in CMs in my area. I am hopeful that my visit to San Antonio will be a success.
Hey Weebleviii,
Dr Jimenez was very knowlegdeable and explained everything to meand my husband very well. He put me at ease and wanted to operate 8/19, but I just got cold feet and cancelled. I know much more now than I did before and have had a cine MRI, so I am ready to go back to talk some more.
Put your worries aside. I think you will like him. Let me know what you think after you see him. Good Luck!!
Weebleviii said:
What was your opinion of Dr. Jimenez? I am set to see him on the 18th and am skeptical. I saw a quack-o in Houston and don't want to keep spending money for travel just to be run around in more circles. I am so frustrated at the whole situation.
I did, however, find a new PCP that I like and he recommended the surgery. He did not look at me like I had 2 heads or was out of my mind. He even offered to help find a NS that specializes in CMs in my area. I am hopeful that my visit to San Antonio will be a success.
Hi Weebleviii,
I am keeping my finger crossed for you that your appointment tomorrow goes well. Let us know how it goes. Were you able to get an appointment with the other NS?
Weebleviii said:
What was your opinion of Dr. Jimenez? I am set to see him on the 18th and am skeptical. I saw a quack-o in Houston and don't want to keep spending money for travel just to be run around in more circles. I am so frustrated at the whole situation.
I did, however, find a new PCP that I like and he recommended the surgery. He did not look at me like I had 2 heads or was out of my mind. He even offered to help find a NS that specializes in CMs in my area. I am hopeful that my visit to San Antonio will be a success.
I met with Dr. Jimenez yesterday and we spent a few hours discussing everything. I found a NS that validated all of my symptoms. He confirmed my chiari. He answered ALL of my questions. I have been scheduled to have decompression surgery on November 4th. I am TERRIFIED!! Since I am on a blood thinner for a clotting disorder, I am at risk of hemorrhage or a blood clot. I survived 5 blood clots on my lungs once; I am not sure I can risk not taking my blood thinners. Panic is my new best friend.
My husband and I felt very comfortable with dr Jimenez. The team did a full nuero exam on me and discussed chiari for an hour in his office. The other nuerosurgeons in San Antonio did a five minute exam on me and told me that I was not a candidate for surgery and that it was probably just migraines. I am scheduled for surgery with dr Jimenez in November and am feeling ambivilant about it simply bc I can’t believe that I have gone through so much. I do have to say that I felt like dr Jimenez really listened to me and had research information that other nuerosurgeons didn’t have. As a nurse, having knowledge that is up to date and backed by research is utterly important. Chiari is not only diagnosed based on images film, but on a patients symptoms. Listening to your patient is medical 101.
That’s wonderful! I felt the same way after meeting with my NS, Dr Bogaev, also in SA! He was very thorough and definitely made me feel like he was listening. I am now 11 days post-op and have already seen a disappearance of many symptoms! Good luck to you!!!
Stregnth_for_them said:
My husband and I felt very comfortable with dr Jimenez. The team did a full nuero exam on me and discussed chiari for an hour in his office. The other nuerosurgeons in San Antonio did a five minute exam on me and told me that I was not a candidate for surgery and that it was probably just migraines. I am scheduled for surgery with dr Jimenez in November and am feeling ambivilant about it simply bc I can't believe that I have gone through so much. I do have to say that I felt like dr Jimenez really listened to me and had research information that other nuerosurgeons didn't have. As a nurse, having knowledge that is up to date and backed by research is utterly important. Chiari is not only diagnosed based on images film, but on a patients symptoms. Listening to your patient is medical 101.
Hey TexasMom,
Glad to hear you are doing well.
TexasMom1977 said:
That's wonderful! I felt the same way after meeting with my NS, Dr Bogaev, also in SA! He was very thorough and definitely made me feel like he was listening. I am now 11 days post-op and have already seen a disappearance of many symptoms! Good luck to you!!!
Stregnth_for_them said:My husband and I felt very comfortable with dr Jimenez. The team did a full nuero exam on me and discussed chiari for an hour in his office. The other nuerosurgeons in San Antonio did a five minute exam on me and told me that I was not a candidate for surgery and that it was probably just migraines. I am scheduled for surgery with dr Jimenez in November and am feeling ambivilant about it simply bc I can't believe that I have gone through so much. I do have to say that I felt like dr Jimenez really listened to me and had research information that other nuerosurgeons didn't have. As a nurse, having knowledge that is up to date and backed by research is utterly important. Chiari is not only diagnosed based on images film, but on a patients symptoms. Listening to your patient is medical 101.
Hi Weebleviii,
I am glad to hear your appt went so well. I know it's scary! Hang in there.
Weebleviii said:
I met with Dr. Jimenez yesterday and we spent a few hours discussing everything. I found a NS that validated all of my symptoms. He confirmed my chiari. He answered ALL of my questions. I have been scheduled to have decompression surgery on November 4th. I am TERRIFIED!! Since I am on a blood thinner for a clotting disorder, I am at risk of hemorrhage or a blood clot. I survived 5 blood clots on my lungs once; I am not sure I can risk not taking my blood thinners. Panic is my new best friend.
Just curious how you guys' surgeries went. My son was seen by his partner today and I am not impressed in the slightest bit but I have heard good things about Jimenez. Considering booking with him instead after the MRI of his spine. My son has a bunch of issues and a 11 mm chiari and since he is only 4, she doesn't seem to be taking his pain or other issues seriously. It seems like all of the good chiari people are in Houston. Has anybody seen Dr. George in Austin?
I absolutely love Dr. Jimenez! He did my surgery and all went as well as it could. His staff was also available to me anytime I needed them after I went home to Dallas. I pray that your family finds the right doctor. Good luck!
-M