I was complaining to my doctor in 2009 about my dizziness and headaches and received alot of tests. The tests eventually revealed that I had an aneurism that was going to rupture. Because it was attached to two blood vessels they were unable to coil it. So I had open brain surgery and had it clipped. That was the life saving part, but I continue to have the same problems including sleep apnea. Trouble swallowing and numerous other health issues that are symptomatic of chiari, A most recent ct scan showed that my tonsils extend 7mm beyond the foramen magnum. There is encrphalomalacia near the area of the anuerism. My current neurologist thinks it is not of concern and has nothing to do with the headaches.I need a doctor that will take this seriously. It is affecting my married life and I’m forced to take disability by my employer. So I also need to present evidence to the pension board. I cant do MRI’d because of the clip. My life has been totally turned upside down. I live NW Chicago so if there is a specialist recommended I REALLY appreciate it
Shawn,
Look under the Doctor Tab. There is some info on doctors in Illinois. Also there is a Chiari center in Wisconsin but you should be able to find a ns that specializes in a big city like Chicago. If you find one a good tip is to Google their name and Chiari together. Sometimes personal stories will pop up in the search results.You can also go to The World Arnold Chiari Malformation Association Site and they have a doctors list in the Onsite Information page. Good Luck I wish I could help you more. I live in Mass....................................Wendy
Dr. Konstitien Slavin, he is a head of UIC NS department and heads tje Chiari group. I too had an anuresym a Basilar artery caused from my herniation. The herniation caused not only blockage from spinal fluid flow but also blood flow in the arteries and viens creating anuresyms. I had to undergo emergency surgery. Then decompression later but who knows what would have happened. I found Dr Slavin from myNS in IN, hr had seen Dr Slavin speak at aconference. Slavin has excellent bedside mannors and a great staff. He is a stereotactic NS, which means he specializes in surgeries that are very complicated and that others willnot attempt. Hope this help. Praying for ur family.
Thank You. I have been to so many doctors that dont even want to talk about it...."A lot of people have it"...blah blah blah
Are you sure that you can't have an MRI??
Wondering if the clip is made of titanium....
I have two plates in my head & an implant in my ear...all made with titanium. I've had 2 MRI's of my head/neck. I guess I've just assuming that most (or all) implants would be made of titanium or other 'safe' material (for MRI's).
Thank you. My neurosurgeon, that clipped my anuerism, (actually his assisstant nurse) said they wont touch the chiari. I have a gut feeling they were blowing it off. She probably went to the vending machine to get some chips and returned to say no. I was never given an explanation why it wouldn't be looked into. How about the truth, like "the insurance companies tell us what to do and save money by medicating everyone" OR "we'll do something if you're dying...other than that, just deal with it"
edock said:
Dr. Konstitien Slavin, he is a head of UIC NS department and heads tje Chiari group. I too had an anuresym a Basilar artery caused from my herniation. The herniation caused not only blockage from spinal fluid flow but also blood flow in the arteries and viens creating anuresyms. I had to undergo emergency surgery. Then decompression later but who knows what would have happened. I found Dr Slavin from myNS in IN, hr had seen Dr Slavin speak at aconference. Slavin has excellent bedside mannors and a great staff. He is a stereotactic NS, which means he specializes in surgeries that are very complicated and that others willnot attempt. Hope this help. Praying for ur family.
Thanks Wendy
wendyanne said:
Shawn,
Look under the Doctor Tab. There is some info on doctors in Illinois. Also there is a Chiari center in Wisconsin but you should be able to find a ns that specializes in a big city like Chicago. If you find one a good tip is to Google their name and Chiari together. Sometimes personal stories will pop up in the search results.You can also go to The World Arnold Chiari Malformation Association Site and they have a doctors list in the Onsite Information page. Good Luck I wish I could help you more. I live in Mass....................................Wendy