I would highly recommend Dr Ahmed Raslan, at Oregon Health and Science University. (OHSU) I have always found him to be honest about what he can and can not do to help me. Due to my TN being caused by a never before seen bone deformity, he is really willing to think outside of the box, when it comes to treatment.
I have had many people say to me they would not trust a neurosurgeon that just finished their residency. Dr Raslan has done his training under Dr Kim Burchiel, who is considered one of the nation's leading TN neurosurgeons, and will not hesitate to consult with Dr Burchiel on a case.
Yes, you do need your doctor to refer you, as they do not take patient self referral. If your doctor goes to the OHSU neurosurgery webpage, I believe they have a referral number listed, that your doctor can call. I know when my primary care doctor called, they faxed her some paperwork that she had to fill out about me, my TN medical history, what treatments I had tried before, etc.,
I first met Dr Raslan, when as a fifth year resident, he assisted on the MVD I had done at the Portland Veteran's hospital. Honestly, there is no one else I trust when it comes to neurosurgery, and my TN. He has always been honest, and straight forward with me.
I would feel kind of weird if I were to get a second opinion from Jorge Eller if he is working with Dr. Hauck since they work together.
Hauck apparently didn't seem to find anything when he looked at my MRI scan but Dr. Estevez said that I have superior cerebellar artery in contact with the trigeminal nerve near the brain stem.
He also said that its not certain that the pain in my eye and head is not certain decompressing it will help but it sometimes does.
So, between 2 doctors, I am hearing 2 different things.
I have already seen 2 other neurologists and they said it was just facial pain.
Oh heavens talk about irony. Yes, they work together. If you come to OHSU I would talk to Dr Raslan. I recently learned he was already practicing medicine in Egypt, but when he moved to the United States he was forced to do his residency over, so he has been practicing much longer than I realized.
hummingbird said:
Thank you for your responses regarding doctors.
I would feel kind of weird if I were to get a second opinion from Jorge Eller if he is working with Dr. Hauck since they work together.
Hauck apparently didn't seem to find anything when he looked at my MRI scan but Dr. Estevez said that I have superior cerebellar artery in contact with the trigeminal nerve near the brain stem.
He also said that its not certain that the pain in my eye and head is not certain decompressing it will help but it sometimes does.
So, between 2 doctors, I am hearing 2 different things.
I have already seen 2 other neurologists and they said it was just facial pain.
I am still shaking my head over the irony about you seeing Dr Hauck. I have heard nothing about him. Dr. Eller has operated on me, but yeah, I can understand your dilemma. The practice at Peacehealth Springfield is new, so chances are there may not many that have seen either surgeon. I had Dr Eller when he was at the Portland Veterans Hospital.
saraiderin said:
I sent you a message along with my friend's request. It will answer your question.
hummingbird said:
No one has said anything about Dr. Burchiel.
Is there a reason for that?
One thing that I am not happy about is that he is not in network with our insurance plan.
I will be finding out how much this is going to cost before seeing him.