Chiari Surgeon search in Chicago

Does anyone have a doctor that they've had success with in the Chicagoland area?  Looks like I need the decompression surgery.  Also, does anyone have an experience to share who just had the decompression surgery?  Also, could someone share their experience with having an MRI of the spinal fluid flow?  I was told that I need to have one of those.  Do most Chiari docs want MRIs of the entire spine?  I've had 3 to date, brain, cervical spine and lumbar.  I was told that I need thorasic as well.

[STL5]

I cannot help you as far as a doctor in the Chicago area  I had an MRI done of my entire spine- cervical, thoracic, and lumbar.  I also had a CT scan.  The cine MRI was a little different than the other MRIs but not any worse.  I did have the surgery in April.  I was in the hospital for 5 days.  I was off work for 10 weeks.  I am still going to physical therapy since I still have symptoms that I am dealing with- and will probably will continue to live with.  I did have someone help me the first two weeks I was home from the hospital.  Everyone is different so you would probably benefit from reading posts from others about their experiences.

[Samanthab259]

Terri Lichtor is a chairi spec in the Chicago area he is part time here in arkansas 2.

[selmaS]

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Neurological%20Disorders/DOCTORS-LIST-FOR-CHIARI-SYRINGOMYELIA/show/1062?cid=186

  Use the list to research Drs.......U may have to travel to get to a true chiari specialist.....

Please keep us posted on ur  Dr search-

   "selma"

[adventurer53]

I am still dealing with head pain 24/7, with a little numb feeling and ear pain. Always on the left side of my head. The pain radiates down the back of my head to my neck. This has been going on since the last week of January, at first coming from a spinal fluid leak, but now the Doctors think it could be nerve damage which may or may not get better. I am on gababpentin, celebrex, amitriptyline and lortab. Some of these meds are also for nerve pain from my tethered spinal cord. I am still wondering if I might have chiari, but my neuro doc at mayo said the MRI didn't show it. This has gone on so long that I am thinking about another opionion. I've checked around at Mayo, and I can't see that they have a specialist there, and if they do, it is for children. I would be willing to go anywhere in MN, WI, or IL. I see there is a Dr. in Minneapolis, but that in WI there is a clinic that specializes in chiari. Anyone out there have some history with these areas? Would appreciate your feedback. I hardly ever have head aches, except for a few times when I had CSF leaks in the past, so this constant everyday thing is taking its toll. It has also made my thinking foggy, and when I concentrate on something, the pain gets worse.

[Marybz]

I've seen Dr. Heffez in his clinic in Milwaukee, WI.  He is nice and caring.  You can send him your MRI's and he will look at them and get back to you if he feels he can help you.  You can find his website by entering his name and Chiari Clinic.  I don't remember his web address.

[Kimbe1320]

I saw the list and hoping to find more doctors out there that specialize in Chiari that are closer to home.  Would like to get a couple opinions.          

[selmaS]

  If u find ne good ones not on the list, please add them !!!

It is not always possible to find them close to home when we need them....but u never know u may have one down the street and not know it....good luck and keep us posted on ur dr search : )

  "selma"