Univ of Miami

[Debi813]

Went to the Univ of Miami to see the Neuro that works with Dr Barth Green.  I was able to see Dr Alameda.  I had a MRI that lasted one hour and I believe it measured the cranial pressure.  Just so everyone knows, they are a Univ and not a Hosp so they can not give IV;s and meds in the IV's to help with anxiety.  I met with Dr Alameda and he went over my old images that I had taken in March of last year and stated that he could see a blockage, but that the images were not that good so he could not tell how bad the blockage was.  It felt good to talk to a DR that knows what I am going thru. He will be going over the MRI;s that I took at the Univ of Miami last week.   He stated that he would get together with Dr Green and i should have the results in about 2 weeks.  
He sent me home with chiari malformation as my primary dx.  Its official, I have Chiari.

[linnielou232]

I am so happy you finally found out what is going on, and I agree.  Educating your family is a good way to help them understand what is going on.  Some say they don't tell their family, but for me.  I wanted everyone to know what was going on.  It's not just you that is going through this.  Your family has to deal with it also and it is a life altering issue not just for us, but for our loved ones also.  I wish you the best, but your heading in the right direction.  

[Debi813]

It has taken me a year to get an official dx.  

Now to educate my family...

[linnielou232]

I am happy that you finally got a dx'd.  This is the hardest part and most flustrating at least for me it was.  Now you can get on to the next part.  Deciding surgery.  Wish you the best in the decision.  Sound's like you have good doctors with you.  Let us know what and when you decide.

[Debi813]

Dr Alpherin also did the first part of my MRI .  It was a little over an hour and I was having panic attacks so we stopped.  The people that work there were super.  I can say that there is a prob with communication there, but that seems to be the norm at the Univ Med ctrs.  I know that Dr Alameda stated that they are trying to get a research center up but it is taking longer than expected.  I am sure that I will have to go back.  Thanx for the post Samantha.

[Samanthab259]

Hi. My ns sent me there also all the way from Ark. Dr.Noam Alpherin completed my mri. It was suppose to be a hour ended up being four. UofM has a mri machine that is called Phase contrast that also measures  cranial pressure. I had my results back in about 4 weeks. My ns used it to help determine if  another surgery was needed  & what all needed to be done. I enjoyed my trip & would love to go back. I didnt have to pay for the mri since it was a study research on chiari. Hope everything goes well.

[selmaS]

  Hi..glad u finally got ur DX....and I have heard a lot of good things about Dr Green from others that have been to see him....I was not aware of his associate....so it is good to know there is another NS down there that is aware of chiari.

Thanks for the update and do keep us posted when u get the results : )

     "selma"