Guest guest Posted July 28, 2001 Report Share Posted July 28, 2001 Get a second opinion from a NS. On Sat, 28 Jul 2001 05:06:55 -0000 jdm64@... writes: > I'm new to the group and recently (about 2 months) diagnosed with > Chiari Malformation I. I just met the surgeon on Tuesday (7/24) in > what I thought was a routine visit recommended by my Neurologist. I > > had been told that he was 95% certain I wouldn't need any surgery > but > he wanted the surgeons recomendation...it seems he was 95% wrong. > The surgeon walked in explaining what he wanted to do right off the > bat...followed by 2 nurses with paperwork and models used to help in > > his explaination. I'm scheduled for surgery 8/10, 2 weeks from now > and I'm not 100% sure I'm ready for or need this. I'm a single > father of 3 teenagers ages 14, 15 & 17 working 2 jobs to pay the > bills. I asked if I could possibly postpone this for a few months > so > that I'd at least have some sick time built up, but was told that > with the symptoms I'm having (occaisional numbness & tingling in my > arms, weakness & fatigue in my legs, especially in the morning, > dizziness when I get up) that he would rather do the surgery now > than > wait. This seems to be moving awfully fast for me though! > According > to the neurologist the surgeon has done several decompression > surgeries, according to the surgeon he does at least 1 a month...The > > surgeon said I'm at 12-15 mm, the neurologist said 5 cm, confusing > me > even more....any suggestions/comments? > > Thanks, > Jim > > > Help section: http://www.yahoogroups.com/help/ > > NOTE: NCC refers to posts with No Chiari Content > > To Unsubscribe Yourself: chiari-unsubscribeYahoogroups > > WACMA Home: www.pressenter.com/~wacma > > WACMA List: www.eGroups.com/group/chiari > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 28, 2001 Report Share Posted July 28, 2001 Jim, I am also a single dad with six teenagers, believe me, I know how hard it is and how full your plate is taking care of your family. My advice to you is to get a second opinion from a Chiari expert. I had all the symptoms you listed and more for over three years before I was diagnosed with Chiari. They did get progressively worse but not rapidly. If you are unsure you are ready and are not sure this is right for you it will not hurt to take a little time to educate yourself and have someone else look at you. It is especially important that you do not feel like you are being rushed into something. I am a strong advocate of the decompression surgery, it gave me my life back, but I also believe that it is of great importance that you feel prepared and confident that this is the right thing for you. I do not know where you live but Dr. Batzdorf at UCLA performed my surgery and I cannot say enough good things about him. He specializes in Chiari and SM. There are others like him scattered around the country. I was off work for a month with the surgery but I think I had a rapid recovery. Do you have short term disability coverage through your work? I used it to supplement my sick leave. My thoughts and prayers are with you...if you need anything at all just let me know. Even if you just need to talk to another single dad. Don McNeil Pain Free in Tucson, AZ Hi I'm new to the group and recently (about 2 months) diagnosed with Chiari Malformation I. I just met the surgeon on Tuesday (7/24) in what I thought was a routine visit recommended by my Neurologist. I had been told that he was 95% certain I wouldn't need any surgery but he wanted the surgeons recomendation...it seems he was 95% wrong. The surgeon walked in explaining what he wanted to do right off the bat...followed by 2 nurses with paperwork and models used to help in his explaination. I'm scheduled for surgery 8/10, 2 weeks from now and I'm not 100% sure I'm ready for or need this. I'm a single father of 3 teenagers ages 14, 15 & 17 working 2 jobs to pay the bills. I asked if I could possibly postpone this for a few months so that I'd at least have some sick time built up, but was told that with the symptoms I'm having (occaisional numbness & tingling in my arms, weakness & fatigue in my legs, especially in the morning, dizziness when I get up) that he would rather do the surgery now than wait. This seems to be moving awfully fast for me though! According to the neurologist the surgeon has done several decompression surgeries, according to the surgeon he does at least 1 a month...The surgeon said I'm at 12-15 mm, the neurologist said 5 cm, confusing me even more....any suggestions/comments? Thanks, Jim Help section: http://www.yahoogroups.com/help/ NOTE: NCC refers to posts with No Chiari Content To Unsubscribe Yourself: chiari-unsubscribeYahoogroups WACMA Home: www.pressenter.com/~wacma WACMA List: www.eGroups.com/group/chiari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 28, 2001 Report Share Posted July 28, 2001 > Get a second opinion from a NS. > Yes. While I'm a strong advocate for the surgery also, everyone should always have AT LEAST a second opinion from someone who is very familiar with Chiari Malformations before having the surgery. It's important to do your homework. It's your life, your health, and your brain. At some point you may have to let go of your control and turn things over to a surgeon, but before you do... be sure that you are putting your life, health and brain into the hands of someone who's worthy of your trust. Chip Http://www.pressenter.com/~chip chip@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 28, 2001 Report Share Posted July 28, 2001 >I'm new to the group and recently (about 2 months) diagnosed with >Chiari Malformation I. I just met the surgeon on Tuesday (7/24) in >what I thought was a routine visit recommended by my Neurologist. Jim, I would get a second opinion if I were you. It sounds to me like there is some discrepancies in you diagnosis. A second opinion might clear things up for you. Keep Smiling, Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 7, 2002 Report Share Posted December 7, 2002 Hang in there , some operations and the medical profession does run slow, especially when it comes to insurance. I just recently had a cervical diskotectomy, and am recuperating, at a friends house, so hang tough qnd good luck with the pain. Eileen Ft. Lauderdale, FL. USA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 3, 2006 Report Share Posted April 3, 2006 Well I'm not as far ahead as a lot of you I just gt insurance and it started on the first so I just made a doctor appointment right now I go on friday I don't know what to expect its a primary doctor and their gonna refer me to a wls place who does test the primary doctor or not till they refer me I'm just real nerves right now and I'm just getting started on my road to get wls Dede Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 That is great Dede!! Congrats on making the choice to do this!! Hugs! > > Well I'm not as far ahead as a lot of you I just gt insurance and it > started on the first so I just made a doctor appointment right now I go > on friday I don't know what to expect its a primary doctor and their > gonna refer me to a wls place who does test the primary doctor or not > till they refer me I'm just real nerves right now and I'm just getting > started on my road to get wls > Dede > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2006 Report Share Posted June 3, 2006 Hi Misty and welcome to our group. I have the same problem. I lost 141 pounds in 13 months and came within 2 pounds of goal weight. I went up 12 pounds in a week and spent 4 months undergoing diagnostic tests and exploratory surgeries to rule out ovarian cancer. It was later determined that I suffered from thyroid failure. And to make matters worse I am in MENOPAUSE! Further weight loss for me is frustrating. I watch every crumb I put in my mouth and I started vigorous exercise. Everyday I do an hour of cardio -- rotating the treadmill; stairmaster; bike; ellipitical; until I am drenched in sweat PLUS daily strength training and free weight lifting with alternating body parts--one day Arms--the next day Legs and so on-- Shoulders--Abdominals--Back. I am beginning yoga and pilates to gain flexibility and stress reduction. It's hard work but no one said this would be easy! Are you truly on a plateau? Look at what you are eating. Do you know what your BMR is [your daily calorie needs.] To lose a pound of fat you must reduce your calorie intake by 3500 calories. You might be surprised at how many calories you are consuming. Also, you might need to increase your activity level to raise your metabolism. Good luck. There is no magic bullet. It's all about diet and exercise. Robyn > > I have lost 140 I'm down to around 180. I still want to go another 40 > and I have platued out. It has been a year and half and was wondering > if anyone had any suggestions on how to get the last of it off? > Misty > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2006 Report Share Posted June 3, 2006 http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/ BMR calculator > > Hi Misty and welcome to our group. > > I have the same problem. I lost 141 pounds in 13 months and came > within 2 pounds of goal weight. I went up 12 pounds in a week and > spent 4 months undergoing diagnostic tests and exploratory surgeries > to rule out ovarian cancer. > > It was later determined that I suffered from thyroid failure. And to > make matters worse I am in MENOPAUSE! Further weight loss for me is > frustrating. I watch every crumb I put in my mouth and I started > vigorous exercise. Everyday I do an hour of cardio -- rotating the > treadmill; stairmaster; bike; ellipitical; until I am drenched in > sweat PLUS daily strength training and free weight lifting with > alternating body parts--one day Arms--the next day Legs and so on-- > Shoulders--Abdominals--Back. > > I am beginning yoga and pilates to gain flexibility and stress > reduction. > > It's hard work but no one said this would be easy! > > Are you truly on a plateau? Look at what you are eating. Do you know > what your BMR is [your daily calorie needs.] To lose a pound of fat > you must reduce your calorie intake by 3500 calories. You might be > surprised at how many calories you are consuming. Also, you might > need to increase your activity level to raise your metabolism. > > Good luck. There is no magic bullet. It's all about diet and > exercise. > > Robyn > > > > > > I have lost 140 I'm down to around 180. I still want to go > another 40 > > and I have platued out. It has been a year and half and was > wondering > > if anyone had any suggestions on how to get the last of it off? > > Misty > > > > > > > > > We are a very active support group. > If the email becomes overwhelming, > please change your setting to NO EMAIL! > Please contact Group Creator > Robyn@... > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2006 Report Share Posted June 3, 2006 http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/mysparkcal.asp calorie calculator and more > > http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/ > > BMR calculator > > > > > > > Hi Misty and welcome to our group. > > > > I have the same problem. I lost 141 pounds in 13 months and came > > within 2 pounds of goal weight. I went up 12 pounds in a week and > > spent 4 months undergoing diagnostic tests and exploratory surgeries > > to rule out ovarian cancer. > > > > It was later determined that I suffered from thyroid failure. And to > > make matters worse I am in MENOPAUSE! Further weight loss for me is > > frustrating. I watch every crumb I put in my mouth and I started > > vigorous exercise. Everyday I do an hour of cardio -- rotating the > > treadmill; stairmaster; bike; ellipitical; until I am drenched in > > sweat PLUS daily strength training and free weight lifting with > > alternating body parts--one day Arms--the next day Legs and so on-- > > Shoulders--Abdominals--Back. > > > > I am beginning yoga and pilates to gain flexibility and stress > > reduction. > > > > It's hard work but no one said this would be easy! > > > > Are you truly on a plateau? Look at what you are eating. Do you know > > what your BMR is [your daily calorie needs.] To lose a pound of fat > > you must reduce your calorie intake by 3500 calories. You might be > > surprised at how many calories you are consuming. Also, you might > > need to increase your activity level to raise your metabolism. > > > > Good luck. There is no magic bullet. It's all about diet and > > exercise. > > > > Robyn > > > > > > > > > > I have lost 140 I'm down to around 180. I still want to go > > another 40 > > > and I have platued out. It has been a year and half and was > > wondering > > > if anyone had any suggestions on how to get the last of it off? > > > Misty > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > We are a very active support group. > > If the email becomes overwhelming, > > please change your setting to NO EMAIL! > > Please contact Group Creator > > Robyn@... > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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