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785584 tn?1273249232

Met NEW Neuro...what is dopplar test?

I met with new NL yesterday!  He seemed to know a lot about Chiari!  He seemed to care, spent time with me!  He knew about my other rare brain condition that I've had surgery for as well.
He said he really wanted a doppler study done and explained that it studies blood flow, I left and then wondered if he is doing that for the Chiari or for the angioma I had removed?  

He is increasing my topamax and suggested acupuncture as my neck is one big knot!  Which he is right, it is.  He is thinking that I should have had therapy and that this is causing all my headaches.  So he wants to first treat the neck muscles and get that loosened up first.   He said massage on neck would be good but he wanted it to be limited and his office would get back to me on where would be the best place go for that.

But he really wants that dopplar done as soon as possible he really pushed that I schedule that right away.  He told me about partaking in Chiari decompression surgery's over in China and that they use a lot of herbal treatment in post care to help with pain and swelling!  He was a very interesting man!  I left shocked....last NL I went to blew off Chiari like I was making a big deal out of nothing and this one was not like that at all.  He told me lets fix the problem and not cover it up with drugs!  THANK GOD!!!!!!!!!!!
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785584 tn?1273249232
Yes I close my eyes and they put it on your eyes and get reading through there as well.

The doc called a hour after I left to tell me that there was a high velocity of blood flow, it was flowing very fast in the brain!  He said that was a indicator that I was having a migraine and I told him I was not.  

I'm having blood vessel issues from a pervious surgery which puts me a risk for stroke.
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620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER
WOW Jen..ur eyes?

I figured some type of gel would be used...

Sorry, I am not understanding ur last paragraph-The NL called 1 hour after my test to tell me that I have a very high velocity rate of blood flow which told him I was having a migraine, I told him I was not and that I'm at risk for stroke.

"selma"
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785584 tn?1273249232
I just wanted to share my input on this after the fact....

This really reminded me of a ultrasound!  I left with gel all over my hair!  They geled my temples, back of head near my neck and did my eyes!

The NL called 1 hour after my test to tell me that I have a very high velocity rate of blood flow which told him I was having a migraine, I told him I was not and that I'm at risk for stroke.

:/
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785584 tn?1273249232
Huh?  Thanks!  I was wondering why he wanted it done ATFER the fact and what it would tell him with my pressure headaches!

I had a blood vessel all tangled up in my frontal few years back and the wall got weak and was slowly leaking, so reading about this I"m guessing he is ordering it for that more then for Chiari!

I still want the pressure off my ears taking care off!  
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997898 tn?1303734864
heffez uses it during his surgery too....just didn't remember what it was called till now!  lol!
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620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER
My NS at TCI  had one done while my surgery was going on...called doplar mapping...Dr B at TCI has developed this technique to be done during surgery.So it appears doplar is  has  many uses outside helping track rain.....

Thanks Lizzy for the in depth explanation : )
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1285653 tn?1288358629
It's NOT painful at all. Just thought you might wanna know that too. :)
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997898 tn?1303734864
i had one in wi after my surgery because of leg pain...wouldn't let me fly without it!  not a big deal...just a sonogram, basically.

A Doppler test uses ultrasonic waves to assess the movement of blood through the blood vessels. It is used as a preventative measure for conditions such as stroke. The Doppler test usually used on the major veins and arteries of the legs, arms and neck. It is also used to locate blood clots that, if they break loose, can be fatal.
.Function
During a Doppler test, a device is held over the skin. This device sends and picks up sound waves. The movement of the blood causes changes in pitch. However, when the blood is not moving, this pitch does not change. When there is something solid in the bloodstream, such as a blood clot, the sound wave will bounce off of it. This information is fed into a computer, which then prints a photo or a graph.
Types
There are four types of Doppler tests. The continuous wave Doppler checks for the changes in pitch. This type is done via a portable machine and can produce quick results. The Duplex Doppler produces a picture of not only the blood vessels but organs surrounding the test site. The Color Doppler produces a picture of the speed and direction of the blood flow. The newest test is the Power Doppler which is the most powerful. It produces photos of bloods vessels inside of organs.
Benefits
Besides blockages in the blood vessels, a Doppler test can be used to tell a pregnant mother about the health of her baby, such as the blood flow in the placenta and umbilical cord. It is also used to evaluate varicose veins, check levels of arterial plaque and monitor people have already had a stroke. Doppler tests are also commonly used for people afflicted with sickle-cell anemia.
The Test
Your physician will ask you to abstain from nicotine use for a few hours before the test since nicotine causes the constriction of blood vessels and may mar test results. A Doppler is performed by a radiologist or a sonographer. The doctor will usually ask you to remove most of your clothes for the test. The doctor will apply gel to the area of the body they are examining. The test usually lasts a half hour to an hour.
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Read more: What Is a Doppler Test? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5148019_doppler-test.html#ixzz13kvIpIjb
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785584 tn?1273249232
I should add, my decompression was 11/09 and i went to nl for pressure pain!  He agreed it's not a sinus thing and going to a ENT would be silly!  
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