[zaria]

Helloe everyone, this is my first post.

I have had leg pain in my right leg from the knee down. I had a pelvic MRI done where a "peripheral nerve sheath" tumor was discovered on the L5 nerve root. The Neurologist thinks it is a schwannoma and he wanst me to see a neurosurgeon.

Has anyone had experience with this? How risky is surgery on the L5 nerve? Can anyone recommend a Neurosurgeon that is experienced with such surgeries?

Any comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[ewizabeth]

Welcome to NeuroTalk Zaria!

Are you close to a major city? Or near a Mayo Clinic? If I needed a neurosurgeon that would be where I would start. It sounds like you're willing to travel and I can understand that, especially if this is a complicated surgery only done by a few doctors.

When I was in the process of being diagnosed with MS I had an appointment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

At the time, I was actually able to call and speak to a nurse. Good luck in finding an excellent surgeon and with the surgery and recovery as well. Take care.

[zaria]

Hi Wiz, thanks for the support. I am in Chicago and I am seeing a neurosurgeon at Northwestern. I am also hoping to see someone at Johns Hopkins.

I have had a number of people recommend Mayo. Did you simply call their neurosurgery department and ask them for an appointment?

[ewizabeth]

If you're in Chicago then you have a lot of good doctors to choose from.

Back when I called Mayo Clinic, I asked for the neurology department. I got an assistant of one of the doctors and she took some notes and asked questions. She sent me a detailed questionnaire that I filled out and I got an appointment. I think the assistants will field questions to the doctors, then determine the urgency for treatment and get back to you with a reply. That was eight years ago so it's likely updated and streamlined by now. I would call them, it can't hurt and it might help.

Check back here if you get a reply or an appt. And try not to worry too much. You're living in the midst of medical excellence in Chicago. That's where my neurologist is. I travel a long distance for my appointments and it's worth it!

Take care.