Needing advice badly

I've been on this site for a month or so and read most of the questions and concerns and love the feedback that is given. I need some advice.

I've sent information to Dr. Batzdorf at UCLA to see if he thinks I'm a candidate for surgery. It's been 6 weeks and I've provided anything that they have requested. This morning I received another call from his nurse and she is requesting more notes and says Dr needs a more recent MRI. I have State issued Medi-Cal and my PCP knows nothing on Chiari and hasn't been proactive on getting me refferals. I do have an appointment with her tomorrow. How can I get her to send me for an MRI?

Background: I'm 45, just diagnosed with Chiari after a car accident last July. a 15mm Tonsil was revealed in the MRI.

You need to take control of your health and the care you get. Tell your doctor, it's not a waste of time, they want to see where everything is now. Obviously this doctor cares enough to double check things.

DO you mind if I ask, how long did it take you to get medi-cal and is that similar to medic-aid from disability.

Medi-cal is basically Obama care for low income.

scarred_z_head said:

You need to take control of your health and the care you get. Tell your doctor, it's not a waste of time, they want to see where everything is now. Obviously this doctor cares enough to double check things.

DO you mind if I ask, how long did it take you to get medi-cal and is that similar to medic-aid from disability.

Hey Mtsolo! I have to say I had surgery done by Dr. Batzdorf and Dr. Holly in June and they are wonderful brilliant Dr.s! You know what I would do is just lay it all out for your PCP and let her know that you need an mri for Dr. Batzdorf so that way you can get the treatment you need for chiari. Let her know if your not treated this can progress. Most PCP haven’t read up on chiari since medical school. I would explain to your PCP what chiari is and that your brain has herniated out of your skull and is now possibly crowding your brain stem and spinal cord. Also you could have csf blockage that can cause multiple symptoms and you need an updated mri. Hopefully they’re just not educated on chiari and will be understanding. My PCP had no idea what chiari was and I also had to explain it to her so I understand as do many others here. Best of luck to you tomorrow let us know how it goes take care!

I was utterly surprised at my appointment. She sat with me, I gave her everything I had researched on Chiari, gave her the little bit of medical notes I already had, asked her for a Cervical MRI as per Dr. B's nurses request. She then went on to or a Brain MRI as well! Waiting on approval for the MRI's but it's a start.

I’m glad she is willing to work with you.

That is awesome. I hope everything goes smoothly!

i'm so excited. Today I received the approval for the MRI's. I called and I'm scheduled to have a Brain Stem MRI and a Cervical Spine MRI on Saturday. Monday, I can send the updated MRI's and other medical notes that Dr. Batzdorf requested and hopefully soon after that I will have an appointment to see him

I just received the best phone call ever! Dr. Batzdorf's nurse called and he wants me to go in tomorrow to see him, even though I haven't had the 2nd MRI he requested!!! Things are looking up :)

Appointment was cancelled because I didn't have the right insurance. Now I have to change selected plan and try again. It's going to take a month to 45 days. :(

Oh man, that sucks. I am so sorry that happened.

I had an MRI this weekend. My Pcp called to give me the results. My first MRI was in October 2014 and showed a 15mm tonsil. My PCP called and shared that there wasnt much difference in this second MRI and that is shows a 2.1cm tonsil,