Questions for Dr. Heffez

[sheila53213]

I'm drawing a blank here as to what I should specifically ask Dr. Heffez when I see him next week. Can anyone help me out as to what specifically I should be asking. My diagnosis came out of nowhere and I am still not at terms with it. I just want to be fully prepared when I go into my appt with him. I don't know if he will suggest surgery or not, but I rather cover all bases then leave one left unattended. So any help will be greatly appreciated.

[skeetelmore65]

Hello Dr.Heffez,
      I am a friend of Selmas and we had discussed Chiari Malformation and I was told by my most recent Neurologist in Sept. that he didn't think I had a CM, but I failed to tell him that I was already dx with it because I had no clue that I had it already dx by another doctor(NS). The NS didn't discuss it with me at the time that I was dx and I don't understand why. I did have a lapse in my Ins. so I didn't get to see him until Sept.of that same year, but I did see another NS in the same office building and they did trigger point injections and failed to tell me of the CM. I am so upset @ it. How could a NS not tell this to you? How could they just have left it in the paperwork shuffle and not tell you the importance of knowing @ this? I just happened to run acrosss it while preparing for a Disability Hearing yesterday. I am so disgusted and so hurt @ it. I suffer so badly in my neck/shoulder/arms. I now have progressed to having numbness in both legs and my hands have Carpel Tunnel, in which just a year ago were fine(EMG). This just doesn't add up.How do you get carpel tunnel in one year and haven't worked since '04?
I just need to know what I need to do? I have Medicaid and the last Neurologist told me that there is nothing more he can do for me and sent me to a NS in which he told me that there is nothing he could do for me either. I didn't even know @ the Chiari Malformation then. I have a chance to switch INS. to Cigna and wonder if it would help me get dx instead of getting the boot because of INS
Is there anything I can do. Maybe I can find a good CM doctor. I mean a good NS w/expertise in this field?
Sawy for being so down...Pain takes a lot out of ya
I will make it...THE GOOD LORD WILL SEE TO IT..it just hurts that a person doesn't seem that important sometimes anymore...and the dollar just keeps disapearing too....K

[n40066]

hi shelia!

if you are having only the decompression he told me the surgery takes about 3 hrs.  he uses only bovine patches and staples instead of stitches.  
ask him what the associated risks of the surgery are
what he anticipates to be your recovery time
the cost
how about follow up?
what symptoms can you expect to go away?  lessen?
what restrictions will you have post op?

some of these i forgot to ask and some are specific to each individual...
hope this helps!
elizabeth

[selmaS]

Hi Sheila...I copy and pasted this response bcuz there is a thread just down the page a bit...U may want to look at it for other replies.

Well.....until he gives u his dx and suggestions it can be diff to have all the questions ready u will want to ask....so,

I suggest u have someone go along to take notes...bcuz we can bcome deer in headlights and forget to write things down....

Ask how to contact the dr afterward in regards to questions u thinks of after u get home.

U wan to know how they do surgery if it is suggested....endoscopy.... bony decompression or PFD...w/ duraplasty...and what kind of patch.

Will he check u for tethered cord...Ehlers Danlos....and other related conditions.

What % of benefits does he feel this will offer.

If no surgery then what treatment options r available..... pain management.....will he monitor u...how often.....

After surgery...how often will he monitor u.....

Is everyone in the OR covered by ur insurance and do they get all the info when u sign up w/ the drs office.....how much do u need to do extra?

How long after surgery do u need to remain in the area?

I am sure someone else will give a few more ideas.


Good Luck
"selma"