Kaiser patient, no funds for UCLA pedes NS

We have no idea how we are going to pay for our little 5 year old boy's consult and following care to come at UCLA... Is there a way to get Kaiser to refer to Dr. Lazareff?

There is no way Kaiser is going to do any sort of surgery on our son. Before leaving the Kaiser Neurologist, Dr. Nelson at Roseville, CA he made a statement to us that he wanted to WAIT and SEE him in a year. The MRI showed his tonsils at 16mm with all the classic symptoms of Malformation Chiari and he was diagnosed with M. Chiari I. Kaiser has been shrugging us off since our little boy was 18 months old and collapsed. He is toeing in severely, has terrible headaches, dizziness, feels like he is going to vomit, leg pain, neck and back pain. They misdiagnosed him more than a couple of times now. Kaiser is for the average patient.

[redkim]

I had Dr. Won with Kaiser pediatircis NS to my chiari surgery, personally I am very pleased witht he results, I feel much better.  Otherwise I don't like Kaiser, and am looking to switch insurance.  My only hesitastion is not being able to see Dr. Won.  I got the run around too even after diagnosis.  Finally I just told them what I needed and got it done that way.  I knew I wanted to see dr won, I new what tests I wanted.  Only someone who is a chiari specialist will think any of the symtoms (symptoms) are related, and this is not just standard at kaiser.

I did see my PCP on Friday and asked for an MRI fo my hip, she did tell me that there is a list for primary care doctors who order to many mri's, they have to be ordered by specialists.  I have been getting the run around on other pains as well.  Eight years of complaining of arm pain and I finally had an mri, x-ray and a referral to orthopedics.  The doctor asked me how long my arm has been hurting and laughed in disbelief when I told him 8 years (because it had taken me so long to get a referral) and my 2nd visit with him, he told me there was nothing he could do for me, he didn't know what was wrong.  

But again, I do like Dr. Won in Fontana, CA.

Good luck, I can't imagine the frustration of dealing with all that for your child.

[redkim]

Sorry for all the typos, I am in a hurry.

[blmy]

We have had the exact same run around with Kaiser in Roseville (Dr. Geraghty) and Sacramento (Dr. Lai) with my husband's Chiari at 8mm and severe symptoms that are progressing.  We are fortunate to have dual insurance that allows us to see other doctors. Kaiser's wait and see approach is jeopardizing people's lives.  We are preparing to file a grievance this month.

[mr8teacher]

I too have seen Dr. Geraghty and Dr. Lai and they both were terrible.  Neither of them listened, paid attention, and only recommended that I get put on anti-anxiety drugs.  My Chiari is also 8mm.

I am using my wife's insurance now and am going back for a 2nd visit with:

Dr. Dominique Engel
330 H St
Marysville, CA 95901
[phone]

She came highly recommended and I am very impressed after one meeting.

I too am in the process of finding a lawyer to take Kaiser to arbitration.  I had an MRI show that I have ACM at 8mm for over three years now - and needless to say, I am ticked off beyond belief.  I have done my research and am putting together a case against Kaiser in hopes that a law firm/lawyer will take my case.

Email me if you want to talk about Kaiser some more...

Thanks,

Jeff