@hikinglo -- It is a lot to learn, but there is potentially a lot to be gained.
Thank you Jyoti. It will take me awhile to digest, but I sincerely appreciate your wisdom/experience.
@hikinglo -- It is a lot to learn, but there is potentially a lot to be gained.
the whole thing left me confused.
I just tried but instead it wants to send me replacement pads. not the collar.....
Does anyone know the name of the doctor in Spain?
When I was at my worst with my other neurological problems (which also involved the brainstem), I found that using my arms made everything so much more painful. Have others found this at all?
My arms are weak anyway due to nerve damage caused probably 35 years ago. It flares up and causes problems from time to time. Lots of rib problems....but I have learned how to control most of them. A bad cough is a nightmare and causes a lot of pain.
I remember when Dr. Bologenese began. The Institute in NYC has had problems off and on throughout the years. I haven't heard anything recently. There is a doctor in Spain who will read MRI's sent to him.
I found my original neurologist (now dead) b/c he had done volunteer work in Central America and read the MRI and immediately diagnosed the problem. My neurosurgeon was originally from S. Africa and it was common there also. This then gets back to the lack of folic acid in the mother's diet during pregnancy and proven years later when a number of babies were born without brains....anencephaly, This is more commonly known as a neural tube defect and caused by the mother's diet in the first 3 mos. when the embryo/fetus is developing. At most, a rudimentary brain stem develops and the child dies either immediately or a few days later.
Many of us have neural tube defects....and I found that taking folic acid probably slowed the problem itself. I'm from a very large family, the first child, and none of my brothers and sisters seemed to have this problem. It can also be totally genetic.
Does anyone know the name of the doctor in Spain? It seems to me that people have sent their MRI's in for reading and diagnosis. You then need a neurosurgeon who is capable of making the needed repair. I've long lost contact and most of the original surgeons have retired anyway....but it was very helpful in relieving neck pain and some of the other symptoms. Takes a very skilled surgeon....or at least it did then. I'm now 75, so my days of surgery are over, although I do have seven stents, have had GI surgery and will need more stents in the not-so-distant future. Fight for your health....it's worth it. Learn all that you can and take someone with you for consultations. I don't give all of my symptoms...it would put anyone off. At least during the first visit. The neurosurgeon will always want to read the MRI's and other tests himself. Please take them with you.
I found the brainstem surgery much easier than the first I had done....cutting into the spinal cord itself. Extremely painful and the problem return a very few mos. later. That's when I found the new neurosugeon, and he was an incredibly careful man.
Doctors respond to "I really need your help." Sure, I may disagree with some thing, but politeness (even when we don't feel like it) leads a doctor to do more for us. P.A.'s can be a help or hindrance....but I don't ever argue with them. Some are actually better than the doctors with explanations, etc. My neurologist also acted as my internist since I had so many problems. It's all complicated.
The death of my neurologist of over 35 years has been a real blow. He'll be hard to replace, but someone has to be found. More is known about all of this than all those years ago. The MRI had only just been developed. Progress is made whether you realize it or not.
I would definitely try a collar since it's used so much after surgery today. Good luck in your search. Yours, Lenora
Hello @hikinglo. May I ask where you live, or approximately where?
Small towns are probably not going to be able to provide you with the type(s) of MRI's that a neurologist will need. Usually you'll find that cities, university medical schools especially, provide the newest and most up to date technology.
At the moment there is a severe shortage of neurologists in the U.S. These doctors are the top tier of the medical world, but because of the extra training, we're getting fewer and fewer each year. Many are retiring, or even dying. It's a terrible shame.
I just made an appt. with a new neurologist, have to take all of my old records (like 3 files worth) with me, but the appointment isn't until January 8th (around then). So what you're experiencing isn't unusual....they just don't have the time slots available as many of their patients take a very long time to deal with. Always there is the chance of a hospital emergency, at which time I would possibly reschedule. Be first in line, if possible.
I'm surprised you didn't have more tests while in the hospital, especially if a stroke was suspected. I'm afraid that at the moment we're seeing the medical system at its worst due to COVID and the ensuing burnout.
With all Dr.'s you can count on November through the end of February to be the worst time for an appt. This is a yearly event, but you'll soon learn when to make your appointments. I make one at the time I've left another. Many specialists will see patients as early as 5:00-5:30 a.m. I'm usually first in line for them...neurosurgeons, especially. I wish you good appointments. Yours, Lenora