Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
620923 tn?1452915648

CHIARI DRS LIST ~~~~CANADA

Hi I wanted to get a list started for those of you in Canada...I am not sure if these drs r indeed chiari specialists, but found their names listed on another chiari site.Please RESEARCH all drs and do not take this list as a reference.
Let us know if u saw ne of these drs and what  thought.


CANADA

Dr. Rudolph Arts
Neurologist
Barrie, Ontario
(ph) 705.721.1060

Dr. Paul Muller
Chief of Neurosurgery
St. Michael's Hospital
Toronto, Ontario
(ph) 416.864.5590

Dr Hurlbert
Neurosurgeon
Foothills Hospital
Calgary, AB, Canada

Dr. Rutka
Neurosurgeon
Sick Children's Hospital
Toronto, Ontario

Dr. Ramesh Sahjpaul
Neurological Sciences
339 Windermere Road,
London, Ontario N6A 5A5
(ph) 519.663.3706
(fax) 519.663.3753
80 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
1179332 tn?1297478990
Thanks so much for adding that to our list! There is such a need for NS experienced in Chiari in Canada!
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Dr. Hurlbert has moved to Pheonix AZ... :( Looking for a new AB specialist? Any leads?
Helpful - 0
3 Comments
Flicka thanks for the update on Dr H...that seems to be the only Dr. listed for that area that we have on our list to date......there may be others, but none of the members here have been to one or reported it to this thread.
Can you contact Dr H in AZ  and see if he is aware of others Drs  in your area?
Dr. R Arts (neurologist) and Dr. Meuller (neurosurgeon) have both retired.
Thanks for the update on these Drs.
Avatar universal
Thank you for providing a list. My wife and I have been struggling in a healthcare system in Canada that doesn't seem to work. A Neurosurgeon in Calgary is the only Doctor who recommended surgery, however, provincial restrictions don't allow him to administer. There must be an Ontario Doctor willing to do the decompression treatment required. Thanks for the list. We'll start making calls.
Helpful - 0
3 Comments
Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Finding the right Dr is key and offering surgery is not always an indocation of a which Dr to choose......Surgery should only be offered once it has been noted the CSF flow is obstructed and ALL other related and non related conditions are ruled out.

Do let us know your progress searching for a Dr....I hope you find the right one for your wife.
Thank you.
You are very welcome...please feel free to ask any questions you may have and we will try to help the best we can.
Avatar universal
Hey guys can anyone recommend a Neurosurgeon in Montreal for Chiari??
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

We do not give recommendations....we do have this list for you to use to research Drs in your area....and be advised it is very likely you will have to travel to get to a true Chiari specialist as there are far more of us then there are of them
If you do not see a Dr for the area you are seeking, it is possible we have not had a member that has been to one in that area yet.
Educate yourself on Chiari and ALL related conditions to help you research Drs.
Avatar universal
Does anyone know of a specialist in Alberta that deals with chairi?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I tried to upload but you can't do it from a phone and we just had a big storm come through this weekend and it has knocked out my wifi so I can't use my desk top. I'll have to try to figure out another way.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for your response slemaS. I wish I could show you my last MRI  and see what you think. I dont think we have many Doctors up here that know much about it but I will keep trying to find one.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
you can take a picture of your MRI or upload it to your profile page in a photo album....not sure I will be of help, but am willing to look to see if how my Dr showed me my issues I could look for those....but minute issues and details are above my abilities....I could spot a syrinx and low lying tonsils...but I can not say for sure if it would be classified Chiari as I am not sure how to detect that.....
Avatar universal
Hello... Im wondering if anyone can suggest a knowledgeable Chiari Neurologist in London Ontario? I have yet to be diagnosed but all of my research has led to Chiari. I had an MRI that is borderline but it was laying down and early in the morning so it was right after laying down for hours. I have read that gravity plays a role and my symptoms progress the longer I'm upright. I have been suffering for close to 25 years and have nearly all the symptoms listed even including Spina bifida. I would like to suggest a knowledgeable Chiari Specialist to my GP for referral. Any suggestions?
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.
The only Drs we know about are those that members shared here on this list....and it is here only for you to use to research the Drs.
You may have to travel ..many of us do, I am in the US and traveled out of state for my Dr and that was a 3 hour car ride.....
The MRI being upright is really only needed if y7our herniation is on the smaller side....but the Dr if a specialist should be able to detect Chiari as Chiari is not the herniation BUT the size of the cerebellum. The herniation happens as a result of the area being too small.
Also a CINE MRI may help as it is the CSF obstruction that needs to be detected...if you have one and then MRI's to see if you have a syrinx or any other spinal issues.
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

I am sorry we do not have more listings of Drs  in the area you need, but we can only list them as the members here find them....so in your search if and when you find a Dr please post them here once you have been to, and treated by the Dr.

  Many of us do need to travel out of our area....I went out of state  which was a 3 hour ride but well worth it and I would do it all over again.
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
WHO was your Dr and what hospital ?? Xo
Hi...I am not in Canada.....I am in the US. My surgeon was Dr. Salvatore Insinga and he is with TCI in NY....I hope that helps
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

This is a thread to list Drs for Canada.....since you are in London you may want to look at the list for the Ann Conroy Trust to check on this Dr.

Have you been tested for a CSF obstruction and ALL related conditions?

What symptoms are you having that surgery was an option?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi there, for anyone looking for a specialist in eastern Canada, I was followed by Dr. Ayman Al-Shayji out of St. John Regional Hospital. I had surgery prior to seeing Dr Al-Shayji so i cannot comment on that aspect of his practice, but i can say that he was knowledgeable about the condition. I have included a link to his RateMDs page below. I hope this helps!

https://www.ratemds.com/doctor-ratings/88752/Dr-Ayman-Al-Shayji-St.+John-NB.html

Address:
Saint John Regional Hospital
PO Box 2100
Saint John
New Brunswick
E2L 4L2

Phone: (506)-648-6650
Fax: (506)-648-6649
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Hello.  I will be having my surgery on April 10. At UH in London. Dr Wai Ng is doing my surgery.   I was trying to find out if he has done this operation before.   My nerves are setting in and want to make sure I am in the best care.  
Avatar universal
Hi there, for anyone looking for a specialist in eastern Canada, I was followed by Dr. Ayman Al-Shayji out of St. John Regional Hospital. I had surgery prior to seeing Dr Al-Shayji so i cannot comment on that aspect of his practice, but i can say that he was knowledgeable about the condition. I have included a link to his RateMDs page below. I hope this helps :)

https://www.ratemds.com/doctor-ratings/88752/Dr-Ayman-Al-Shayji-St.+John-NB.html

Address:
Saint John Regional Hospital
PO Box 2100
Saint John
New Brunswick
E2L 4L2

Phone: (506)-648-6650
Fax: (506)-648-6649
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Thanks for the update : )
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

That name is not listed on the above thread....and if someone here went to that Dr and liked them it would  or should have been added here...sorry I have no info on him.


The best thing you and your mom can do is educate yourselves on Chiari and ALL related conditions so it will make choosing the Dr to treat your mom easier.

Quickly is not something anyone anywhere in the medical profession understand....take your time to see a few Drs and make sure they are true Chiari specialists...and your mom likes them.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello! My mom has been diagnosed with Chiari and has been waiting to see a neurosurgeon that she was referred to in Ottawa for over a year now, she still doesn't even have an appointment. I am trying to do some research and get her a doc who will see her ASAP as she is not doing well, she's getting worse. I'm not going to sit by and wait. This is the doctor she is waiting to see:

Dr. Fahad Alkherayf
Civic Hospital 613-798-5555 ext. 10661

Has anyone seen him? How long did it take to see him?

Anyone have an recommendations that we can get her family doctor to refer her to? Someone who will see her quickly. Thank you. As long as it's in Ontario, we don't care where otherwise.
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  I am so sorry to hear he is worse.....Have you tried to get the Drs there to consult with a Chiari specialist here in the states?

It does sound like he has a leak, OR the area that was made larger 1- was not large enuff OR 2- was too large.

Has he had a MRI recently?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
He did not help Jim.. He is worse now then before decompression. Has dismissed him.  So back to begging for help. Not sure if Jim will survive this. Memory is worse, choking horrible, double vision, slurring and hard to understand. Sent Jim back to Neurologist that had scratched his head for two years saying complex case.  He only suggested. Geriatric shrink. No dam clue on any of this. Anne
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes Jim was told for 4 years he was leaking fluid as the reason his first cat scan showed his brain was not sitting where it should be. Now I feel so disappointed. Prokupa said his surgery was a sucess and the cause of his symptoms still causing problems. Said he figured the cause was Syringomyelia that did not shrink like he thought.
Now to find a passionate specialist that acts like he cares.  Any help for ontario is so needed.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
there is little to no doctors experienced  with chiari malformations in Ontario im finding..seems to be hit and miss if they have even heard of such a thing..
Avatar universal
Not happy with Dr Prokupa. Jim's symptoms returned so quickly after surgery. Surgery was end of Sept. He had an MRI and today Prokupa had no reason as to why Jim is so bad. Almost worst. Said he was done with his part. Suggested we go to a Neurologist that Jim saw for two years while adding new symptoms. Basically scratching his head saying complex case.  Said it was probably due to Syringomyelia.  Jim has two that apparently did not grow but did not go small like he expected. He is on the internet as a specialist. Yet dismissed Jim today.
Not sure what to think. I am in shock. What do I do, where can I find an approachable Dr that cares. Anne
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Thanks for the update, but so sorry to hear so much is going on....

Praying it is not urgent and you get the Dr and care you need...soon. <3
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Selma (and all),

I am cancelling the gym - I'll be happy to go back to my old symptoms forget weight. My neurosurgeon found a swollen optic nerve on checkup (the eye that's been hurting me for months and experienced oscillating Scotoma twice last year) so I'm seeing a neuro ophtamologist next and will fill you in... I'm not a surgery candidate but if the eye is from compression (I think I am slightly more herniated on left eye side) then saving my eye is priority. My neurosurg is retired in terms of operating so I gt get referred to Dr. Macdonald at St Mikes as his resume impressed me. Supposedly end of the year wait time :O. This flare is so chronic that I am not sure how things will turn out for me lol... Maybe urgent... Ttys :)
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Hi and thank you for the update.....and Congratulations on the Wedding!!!

There is info on Chiari and pregnancy...google the name Diane Mueller, she is a nurse and works with Dr Oro and they have co-written books  and one she has out is on Chiari and pregnancy.....

  I would listen to your body and cut back on the gym as you already noted you are heading toward  more pain.....that is the bodies way of   saying it is not ready for all that....

It is possible for one side of your body to be affected...my Dr explained that you can have more obstruction on one side so it affects one side.....

I always seem to have more issues on my left....
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Selma,

After a year break from the gym, I was very hopeful. I also barely touch booze now and my migraines literally are extinct due to that alone (I act also stopped dying hair, those two were top triggers for a decade lol)... However I piled on some weight and am back on track, and so is the neck pain and that itchy back of skull feel inside the head from flow issues I bet.

I also got married last summer and keep googling childbirth options for Chiarians. I do use my voice a lot at work and it does give me Ice pick back of head pain. I'm being stubborn and using leg machines as high as 60lb... I have to get into swimming instead or I'm setting myself up for hell.

My left eye pressure seems more prominent too... Its the gym. Unbelievable. I wish there was an easy way to check pressure without spinal tap but I still don't understand how it's only felt behind my one eye :O

My thoughts are always with you you dedicated sweet lady. The chiari.ca news are great :)



Helpful - 0
1386992 tn?1371604304
Hi Missyorkie...

Are you in Kingston Ontario by chance?
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Chiari Malformation Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
987762 tn?1671273328
Australia
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease