I wish for a Dr that would take the time to look at my hospital reports and my scans. So just received a call from my neuro doctor telling me I only have 1 annie (the 1 coiled.) So unless the 5 nuero Dr.s are completely stupid in the hospital that took care of my rupture this one is. My husband, mother, and sister were all shown an inoperable annie. I have read my hospital report that says I have one yet this Dr is unable to find it with a CTA.... Hummm... I think enough said there since I did ask for an MRA. I have yet again asked for a referral to see a specialist in this hospitals Drs as it is the only way to see the Dr I really want to see. Lets see how long I wait for that to not happen. My CTA was done over a month ago and still arguing that I have another annie... SMH
My other annie was found during an angio. I asked for an MRA or MRI for my yearly scan and they sent me for a cta. They have my other scans and are saying that there is no annie on them which is the real problem. My husband, mom, and sister were all shown my inoperable annie. My hospital records state I have an inoperable annie. Yet this Dr wants to say that my scans from that hospital doesn't show it. Sadly this is where I am going for my 2nd opinion unfortunately they wont let me see the Dr I want there w/o this Drs referral. So I dunno what to do now...
I agree with what Sue said: Get copies of your prior films if you get nothing else--that should be enough to make the new doctor aware of what it is you're trying to tell him, clean and simple. the films should be readily available to you, and likely won't cost you a dime either. An angio is the gold standard in terms of visual acquity with aneurysms,you have had this test, get the record and show them the proof. It sounds like you could talk til your blue in the face with this group. And yeah my 1st aneurysm wasn't seen by a CTA yet was very clear on an Angio....so request the films...they'll give you a disk/CD (although you can probably request the actual film copy as well) It seems to be the only viable answer --good luck, Janet
Ok. From the beginning: I had a rupture which req'ed me to be angio'ed to find the rupture. Rupture was coiled and inoperable annie found. I have all my records including cds from original hospital. I did not like my follow up dr made me feel like I was bothering them when I called or came to appointments (2). So I found this other hospital which is well known. Asked my pc for a referral and for some reason was matched with this Dr. You do not get to pick the Dr you see for this hospital. You literally fill out a form online and request to be seen and they pick one of the Drs for you. Was told to bring my file and cds to first apt which I did. She thumbed through stopping every once and a while on a pg. I gave her my cds and she left the room to view them ( I am assuming she actually did.) Since that appt. I have seen her I think 2 more times. I had to call to request my yearly scan... My sister said I had to call several times just to get a response. I asked for an mri or mra they sent me for a cta. Results came back stating my coil was fine and no other annie seen. So I called dr office questioning the findings. Almost a month and a half later I am still arguing with them that I have an inoperable annie. They have cds and reports to compare and the called me yesterday saying I do not have one. Completely Frustrated and these cds are not easy to figure out how to maneuver through them. Massive migraine so bad I can feel my heart beat above my ears before I even touch my skin...
I am so sorry to read this post, it breaks my heart that you aren't able to get the answers you are looking for from this one neurosurgeon. Is there anyway to meet with the surgeon that did your coiling and have him show you on the images that you have so that you can show it to another for your 3rd opinion. I know that my surgeon receives discs from all around the world and will give an opinion over the phone. I don't believe he charges anything for this. He is really good at reading the scans and finds things that others do not see. My surgeon is in San Diego. Here is a link to his page at Scripps Green Hospital http://www.scripps.org/physicians/6651-rene-sanchez-mejia-md ~ it may be worth a phone call to see if he will look at your information and images. Please let me know if you have any other questions. You are in my prayers.
~ Carol
P.S. sorry I left so abruptly last night. I really wanted to join in the chat room but had a sudden on set of bad chest pain that caused me to not be able to think. Take care.