Does anyone in san antonio know a qualified Chiari malformation specialist?

[BetteH]

Can anyone in the San Antonio area help me find a neurologist who will review my MRI and help me plan a course of action?

[XenWarren]

Congratulations! If your neurologist suggests surgery, please please consider a Chiari specialist. There are also a few in Dallas.

[selmaS]

  Fantastic News!!!

  Keep us posted on how this next visit goes : )

   "selma"

[BetteH]

Hi everyone!  My insurance co. allows me to see any specialist w/o a referral but the one I called asked for one. When I let my PCP know  they gave me the runaround. This particular group is way overcrowded and totally disorganized so today I called a new Dr. and got an appt. for Friday 9/16. I was totally stunned that I can actually see a Dr. so quickly. I rarely ever go to the Dr. so I had no idea that things could be so difficult. I can no longer afford 3 week wait times or  "Please hold for the next available operator". My insurance will cover Dr. Kim so I will go to Houston if I need to.

[selmaS]

   All the better : )...I did not take time to look, but felt regardless it was worth a review.

[XenWarren]

Dr. Kim is on that list, as if one of his partners, Dr. Chen.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

We do have a list of Drs to help u with ur research, the Dr that XenWarren mentions may not be on the list, but I would encourage u to research him as well.....

This list is not a referral but a means to help u in ur research-http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Neurological%20Disorders/DOCTORS-LIST-FOR-CHIARI-SYRINGOMYELIA/show/1062?cid=186

  Does ur insurance require the referrals?If not, most NL's & NS's  will make an appointment with u with out 1.

Mayb u could appeal  to ur insurance if they do require one so u can get there with out ur PCP .

  "selma"
  

[BetteH]

Hi! Thanks for the info. I had an MRI done in August looking for back problems. The Chiari showed up on the scan of my cervical spine and it was recommended that I see a neurologist. I have not been able to get an appointment with anyone to even look at the scan because my primary care physicians office won't give me a refferral. I am very frightened by this whole experience and will travel wherever I have to.

[XenWarren]

I'm in Austin and did my Central Texas Chiari Specialist search in late August. I did not find anyone considered a specialist. A few guys in Austin who keynoted a national Chiari convention in 2010 - and an awesome pedi Chiari specialist - but no adult specialists.  I did meet with one local neurosurgeon recommended by my neurologist, but didn't feel comfortable with him.  

I ended up travelling down to Houston to meet with Dr. **** Kim, director of the Mishner Institute at UTHSC Memorial Hermann.  (During the interview, I kept thinking, "Why does this guy look familiar?" Turns out he was Congresswoman Giffords' surgeon when she was transferred to Memorial Hermann earlier this year.) He is a Chiari specialist who does about 25-30 adult decompression/laminectomy/duraplasties a year. Thank God my insurance covers him, because after ten minutes, I was in love. Obviously brillant, but also funny, personable, and humane. I'm scheduled for surgery on November 7 (knock on wood.)  If you are willing to drive a few hours, you should call his office - or you can do an online referral on his web page.

He also did an online seminar last week. I've added the link below. Once the powerpoint appears, it is about two minutes before the actual speaking begins. There is a small window (about 90 seconds) where the audio feed is lost in middle of the discussion.  

http://memorialhermann.adobeconnect.com/p98w2t7l8ho/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal