Hi. I'm online and happy to answer your question today.

Good Evening Alexis. I'm sorry to hear about all the difficulties you have been going through over the years. I think you would make a great Neurosurgeon....as long as you don't mind 14 years of additional training after Highschool ;)

Ok. Well, it sounds like you have spent a number of years trying to get to the bottom of what is going on. I am sure that your previous doctors have thought of, and ruled out, all of the common and easily treatable conditions that could be causing your issues. Would you say this is a correct statement?

Great. What are you studying?

Chemistry is a lot of fun...and still a good major to get all the premed required courses under your belt. But, we digress :) They have also better evaluated your Chiari malformation and figured out that doesn't seem to be the entire issue at this point....

Well, what is the next step you can take?

I think it might be time for you to take a very difficult, and bold, step to see if you can get some relief. It seems obvious to me that your current doctors have reached the bottom of their bag of tricks and, yet, you are still having these problems. Is this something that I'm going to be able to figure out using "chat" as my only diagnostic tool? Of course not....I'm good, but not THAT good lol! I do, however, think I can point you in the right direction.

It sounds like you have been receiving good care from very qualified physicians without any significant lasting improvement in your condition. At this point I think the best thing you can do would be to gather up copies of all your medical records and travel to a large University Teaching hospital. At an institution like that you could be evaluated and treated by a team of sub-specialists who are at the cutting edge of their respective fields. The best thing about these large teaching hospitals is that consultations are available with Professors and leaders in their field by just walking a few steps down the hall.

The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota is an excellent example of just such a place as this. That being said there are many excellent teaching hospitals all across the country and I am sure that there is one near you.

Does this make sense to you? I realize that during the school year this would be very difficult for you but summer is just around the corner and now might be a great time to go down this road. What do you have to loose at this point?

Also, if financing is an issue, many of these University Hospitals have programs in place to help with the bills, either with deep discounts or outright free care if you are seen by some of the doctors in training along with the Professors.

Let me see if I can help you. What large city are you near/in?

Well, there are excellent teaching hospitals in both Cities.

Do you have a preference?

Ok. let me check....

I know Northwestern Hospital, which is one of the primary teaching institutions for University of Chicago Medical School is a world class place. Here is their contact info:

http://www.nmh.org/nm/about-us

A friend of mine trained there many years ago I know for a fact that they have a program to help people like yourself who have complex medical issues and financial issues. You should give them a call at the number listed at the webpage and I'm sure there will be someone you can talk to about a consultation.

When you call tell the operator that you want information on help with getting care as an uninsured patient who has a complex issue and needs help. They will point you in the right direction.

My pleasure. Good Night and best of luck to you :-)

It was a pleasure to assist you with your question. Please let me know if I can do anything else to help you in the future. Positive Feedback and/or Bonus is welcomed and appreciated.

Let me know if there is anything else you would like to discuss pertaining to this issue.

:-)