does MRI show "crowding"??

[alexiwildchild]

hey everyone! well, i was curious to see if the MRI's I sent to TCI and Dr. Oro will show crowding, or is there some other kind of scan that they do to see this??  I know that is part of the problem, as well as the herniation, and flow blockage....just curious if they would be able to see this on regular MRI's I sent them.

As you know I sent my MRI's/paperwork to both places recently because my doctor here was unsure of how to measure Chiari, so he wasn't sure if I had it or not---UGH!  I heard back from a lady at TCI a bit ago, wanting to schedule a consulation appt and further testing.  I asked her if that meant they thought I have Chiari, and she said well, they wouldn't set something up if they didn't think they could be of some help---and would tell me to seek help elsewhere cuz they couldn't do anything for me.  So I am guessing that they thought I may have it??? I'm really anxious to hear back from Dr. Oro's office since they are closer and we could drive up there.  I wonder if his office will tell me yes or no to whether I have Chiari or not from the MRI's???  What do you guys think, or what were your experiences with this (TCI schedueling, or Dr Oro's appt)??

Thank you :)

[tbissell]

KEEP ME INFORMED DO YOU HAVE MY EMAIL

[selmaS]

I am happy fo ru and can't wait to hear ur decesion. And then what u find out at the drs.

"selma"

[alexiwildchild]

hey selma! well, my recent one did have w/wout contrast. i think i sent them that one, as well as the 08 one that didn't---because that is the one that stated i had the 6mm.  the new one is where the discrepancy all came from (the radiologist's opinion anyway)..so i figured i'd send them both lol.

i'm just really surprised they were able to get me up there that quickly...maybe cuz i have insurance?? LOL? idk!!

[selmaS]

Yeah, it seems since u were not told to get that testing that u don't have TC......

yes, they should be able to see the overcrowding......did u have with and without contrast?

"selma"

[alexiwildchild]

well, i did fill out the tethered cord form, dunno what the score was, but lots of NO's for answers, and i don't really have any bladder/bowel problems. just occasional irregularity, but nothing bad--just don't eat as good of food as i should. she didn't say anything about that test either.

yeah, it seems like a long 2 years of just that---waiting for answers that never seem to come lol.  hopefully this time it won't be a bust like all the many docs i've seen so far.

oh yeah...i forgot to ask about the crowding thing---are the specialists able to see crowding on the regular brain MRI's?  

[selmaS]

Did u fill out the tethered cord form for TCI?.....how did u score?...bcuz she didn't mention the urodynamics testing I guess u r not having bladder or bowel issues.

SO, yeah it is alot of testing, but it is what they use to determine what is going on .

I hope Dr Oro's office can get back to u soon also.....I know it is hard to wait, but that is all we do.....

[alexiwildchild]

wow...that's a lot of testing to do! i'm sure my insurance company (if they cover it) is gonna freak out.  the lady said that she would contact my ins co for me to see what benefits i have once i have the appt scheduled.  since i didn't schedule yet, i need to call my ins co and see what they cover with all this craziness. i just spoke with a lady at Dr. Oro's and they said they have received my packet and it can take 3-5 weeks, but she said someone should be in touch with me soon.  so hopefully it's not another 3 weeks from now. but i guess i have to wait it out---been over 2 years anyway lol!

well, my recent brain MRI was end of June, so they shouldn't need another one of those I wouldn't think...but all the others...never had done---my NS here didn't see the need of a spinal flow one---ugh, i should have known then.

[selmaS]

I also had to have these tests done...it depends on how long ago u had the ones u sent....I had to have the ones that were 6 months or older redone. They also like to look at things very closly. But Yeah, it sounds like the list I was given.

They r looking for ne disk issues or scoliosis ect with the x-rays.Wow that is really fast....make sure ur insurance wil cover it.....

[alexiwildchild]

hey selma! thnx for the reply--hope all is well with your recovery still :)

well that's good info for me to go by---she wasn't too specific with a yes or no if i had it, so i was like ?  lol.  well, she said they wanted to do cervical, thoracic, lumbar MRI's, some CT scans, and a few X-rays---i was like whoa...i know the ones are for checking for the cord/syrinx, but the x-rays and scans? what's that all about??  the lady i talked to was even trying to schedule my consult for like the 25th of this month---too soon for me lol.  i thought that was strange.

well, i sent my stuff out 2 weeks ago (tomorrow). so i was surprised i heard back from TCI first--but maybe cuz they have more docs?  i may call back to dr.oro's in a bit to make sure they received my stuff--they were on lunch earlier.  but i know it can take a while to hear back from them--or that's what i think i read.

[selmaS]

TCI will only call u if they see something they r comfortable they can help u with.
AS to TCI or Dr Oro that is ur choice.....granted Dr Oro is closer and I am sure if u get a call u will want to go there. I went to TCI bcuz that was closer to me then Dr Oro,

How long since u sent ur info?......most get a call, but if u just sent it and they r setting u up already u must have the overcrowding and blockages u believe u have.

What aditional testing did TCI suggest u have?

"selma"