Any suggestions for a NJ neurologist?

[annamaria]

I am now looking for a (central) NJ neurologist that can fill the medical gap before and after surgery ... I'm contemplating surgery at John Hopinks (Baltimore), but live in NJ.  So far I don't have a neurologist that I can use as a source of guidance and all the research work I have done so far is on my own ... this only because it is difficult to identify someone who is knowledgeable and caring ...If anyone happens to have any specific  recommendations, it would be much appreciated.

Annamaria

[leapyrtwins]

Are you looking for a neurologist? or a neurotologist?

They are two different types of doctors.  Neurotologists commonly treat ANs.

Jan

[annamaria]

Jan,

at this time I am looking for a brain neurologist to act as an overall advocate, consultant, physician -- somebody to use/consult after surgery to manage my recovery, etc. Later I may need/want a neurotologists ... I am still earlier in the stage and need someone that is a brain specialist, but a generalist at the same time, to guide me along the way to fine-ture a best-strategy and then manage my overall recovery post-surgery...

Annamaria

[leapyrtwins]

Gotcha.  Guess I'm just unclear on what you are trying to do. 

I don't really understand the need for an overall advocate (that's typically the AN patient) and IMO a consultant should be a doc or docs who can actually treat your AN.  I'm not sure that a doc who doesn't treat ANs can really be a good consultant since you are trying to decide how to treat something that he/she typically doesn't treat.  That would have been like me asking my ENT - who couldn't refer me fast enough to a neurotologist - what I should do about my AN.  He didn't treat them and had no idea what I should do.   

As far as someone to manager your overall recovery post-op, again that's typically the doc who treats your AN.  Post op appts aren't that numerous - unless you have problems - and I would think you'd want to see the doc who treated you.   In addition, there's not always a lot to "manage" in AN recovery once you are out of the hospital.

I'm not sure how things are in NJ, but here in Illinois brain neurologists don't treat ANs.  They are treated by neurosurgeons and neurotologists (in the case of surgery) and radiation oncologists and neurotologists (in the case of radiation).

Although AN surgery is brain surgery, because the tumor resides in the IAC, docs who treat them tend to neurotologists.

Jan

[Tod]

Annamarie,

I agree with Jan on this. While my case is atypical, I have had, and continue to have, more contact with my neurosurgeon than my neurotologist. I'm not sure I would want a neurologist involved overseeing things. Humans being what they are, I prefer to have the person responsible for my aftercare be someone personally invested in the work.

Unless you find someone that is already heavily experienced in the role you are looking for, I would focus on the specialists. Neurotology is a subspecialty of Otolarynology focusing on ANs. A neurotologist would probably be a better advocate for your needs since they possess a greater understanding. Of course, this is not to downplay the role of the neurosurgeon either since by the nature of their specialization they are probably more familiar with a more general range of brain surgery issues.

However, you do need to pursue the course of action and care with which  you are most comfortable.

Tod

[Tod]

On the other hand, looking at your NJ, post I have better understanding of what you are trying to do than I did before. This may well be a desirable strategy and it will be interesting if you can find one who feels they are qualified and willing to help.

What about your PCP? Is it possible for them to establish a relationship with whatever surgical team you end up with so your PCP has someone to consult with that knows your case? Likely your PCP does not have the specialty skills, but that would probably be true of a neurologist, but your PCP knows you already.

I think you are trying to accomplish the right thing for yourself. I had wondered how I would best manage my care if I had gone to HEI or elsewhere and that ended up being part of the calculus for staying local. Clearly, you don't have that option, especially if there is only one neurotologist in NJ.

Best of luck.

Tod

[annamaria]

Thanks.

My basic issue (and the reason to asking if anyone knew of NJ N/NS/NO specialists -- I mean, a RECOMMENDATION from first-hand knowledge ... I can certainly consult any sort of Medical Directories to get dozens of names, but they are out of the blue...) -- is because I plan to get surgery out-of-state AND THEN have to secure LOCAL medical support from knowledgeable docs ... I can't take a 3+ hour trip every time I (may) have a post-op issue... Also, I would rather avoid NYC, since that a stressfull 2-hours-in 2-hours-out trip to the city with lots of noise, people, movement, traffic, issues ... ...

If no one in the Forum has any knowledge of NJ, np: I'll have to work the selection process from the ground, which I am in the process of doing. 

So far I've been W&W since April 2010; but I plan action next 3 months ...

Annamaria

[annamaria]

Btw & for general information, here is a set of directories for brain specialists from the National Brain Tumor Society

= = = = = = = =

Physician Listings: American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology
http://www.theabcn.org

Physician Listings: American Board of Medical Specialties
http://www.abms.org

Physician Listings: American Medical Association Physician Finder
http://www.ama-assn.org/aps/amahg.htm

Physician Listings:American Society of Clinical Oncology
http://www.cancer.net/patient/All%20About%20Cancer/Newly%20Diagnosed/Find%20an%20Oncologist/Find%20an%20Oncologist%20Database

Physician Listings: Neurosurgeon Finder
http://www.neurosurgerytoday.org/findaneuro

Physician Listings: National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health: Find a Doctor
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/directories.html

[leapyrtwins]

Annamaria -

have you considered deciding who will do your surgery and then asking him/her to recommend someone in NJ for your followup? 

Lots of docs know lots of docs - the medical world is full of connections.

Just an idea,

Jan