Dr. Heffez - Wisconsin Chiari Center?

[ilovenewyork]

I am so impatient waiting to hear back from TCI that I also emailed the Wisconsin Chiari Center who said that Dr. Heffez would review our MRI disk and notes and get back to us within 24-48 hours!  Anyone have any experience with Dr. Heffez?  Thanks!!

[LanaB2002]

Keep us posted. I hope you hear something definitive soon.  As we all know the waiting is hard- the not knowing  torturous.       You might call Dr. H's nurse tomorrow to make sure your disk arrived- your call also serves as a reminder for staff to move your husband's case further along the qeue. They are great there but I just do this as a matter of course now because of that "squeeky wheel" thing being so true!!!  Too many times over the years I have waited for a call only to find someone "misplaced" my films, lost a report, forgot to make an appt. etc.  RIght?  Let's hear it for the polite squeeky wheel!!!

[ilovenewyork]

Thanks for the info, I'm sorry to hear you may need another surgery.  Dr. Heffez seems to have a great staff too - his nurse called and responded right away when I asked if they would review my husband's MRI. We overnighted a disk and dr. notes and it will be there by 4pm today. I really hope he sees something.

I can't believe you were misdiagnosed and symptomatic for 26 years.  It's been 7 years for my husband and it's so frustrating and disappointing.  I really hope Dr. H sees something that the other doctors and nuerologists have overlooked.  I don't think anyone has ever checked for many of the dx on Dr. H's site.

[LanaB2002]

Dr Heffez is one of the highest regarded chiari specialists in the country.  My chiari decompression surgery was done in 2002 by Dr. Heffez and I have had excellent results even though I had been misdiagnosed and symptomatic for 26 years at the time.  I also have congenital spinal stenosis that required fusion in 2002.  Dr. Heffez did that surgery as well. It is his practice to view films of potential patients quickly and then set them up for appts. if he sees in their cd's/films that they are patients that he can help.  That is terrific for those like me who live out of state. He has many patients who do.  Dr. Heffez has been a Chiari specialist for over 15 years, in the areas of research as well as surgery. I would encourage you to visit his web site if you have not already.
wichiaricenter.org and feel free to ask me any other questions.  I have continued issues with the spinal stenosis as I get older (can't stop that and don't want to!) so I just saw Dr. H in July.  I may have to have additional surg. on my neck. ugghh. but  my Chiari surgery is still holding up great!!!  I can't tell you how sick I was and after that much time the outcome can be disappointing but I had results in some areas almost immediately and others improved for up to a year.   I just think he did a wonderful job and am so thankful for his expertise.  wishing you all the best
Lana

[ilovenewyork]

thanks selma and lu7997!  

[lu7997]

I had also called there and they told me the same thing.  They were so nice on the phone I was having a horrible day with pain out of control and they talked to me for about 45min and helped calm me down.  I have no MRI films on me to send in yet so I am not sure about their responses but they are very nice from what experience I have had so far that has been the best : )  


Good luck

[selmaS]

HI...yes there r members that have gone to the Chiari center in WI or Dr Heffez,,,,,,I can't remember quite which member.....but I am sure while looking at the names I will figure it out, if she doesn't respond first.

"selma"