# Finally going to Arizona + IR angiogram questions

**URL:** <https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543>\
**Category:** General\
**Tags:** treatment, symptoms, internal-jugular-vei\
**Created:** [June 22, 2025, 1:37am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543 "2025-06-22T01:37:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![birdie1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@birdie1](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/birdie1)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 10:11pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543/21 "2025-06-26T22:11:07Z")

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Hi Kit\_Cat, I had a venogram with Dr Mehta a couple months ago prior to my surgery. I also spoke to someone on this site that had a venogram the same day. We both agreed Dr Mehta and his staff is awesome! They really take care of you and a good experience! You are sedated, but they slightly wake you up to make certain movements of your head, but no pain involved. Look up his website if you want to research further.  
I had a venogram a year ago at a large hospital that was horrible, not sedated, painful and they were unable to advance the catheter so the procedure was not completed. So, there is no comparison to Dr Mehta, you will be in good hands!

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**Author:** ![Kit\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/cc9497/32.png) [@Kit\_Cat](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Kit_Cat)\
**Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 7:45pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543/22 "2025-07-04T19:45:20Z")

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Hi @birdie1 thank you so much for sharing your experience! It’s honestly such a relief to read first-hand experiences with Dr. Mehta and to hear that they went so well is very reassuring. I’m so sorry your venogram at the large hospital was painful - it sounds like a scary experience in comparison. Thanks again for sharing and the reassurance!

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**Author:** ![Jules](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/jules/32/404_2.png) [@Jules](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Jules)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2025, 11:53am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543/23 "2025-07-05T11:53:54Z")

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What date is your angiogram @Kit_Cat ? 🤗

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**Author:** ![Kit\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/cc9497/32.png) [@Kit\_Cat](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Kit_Cat)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2025, 3:40pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543/24 "2025-07-05T15:40:06Z")

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It is July 22 - just a few weeks away! 😊

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**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2025, 4:05am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543/25 "2025-07-06T04:05:43Z")

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It’s on my calendar, @Kit_Cat. I’ll be praying it produces helpful results & you have no pain or any odd symptoms afterward.

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**Author:** ![Kit\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/cc9497/32.png) [@Kit\_Cat](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Kit_Cat)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2025, 1:29pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543/26 "2025-07-06T13:29:15Z")

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Thank you! Thats so kind and I appreciate it!

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**Author:** ![Jules](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/jules/32/404_2.png) [@Jules](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Jules)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2025, 3:55pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543/27 "2025-07-06T15:55:33Z")

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🙏 all goes well, not too long now 🤗

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**Author:** ![Bmmac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5daacb/32.png) [@Bmmac](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Bmmac)\
**Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 12:01am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543/28 "2025-07-31T00:01:48Z")

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Hi there

Have veneogram with Metha in August

Sounds like you had mild sedation were you able to lift your head on your own to do the turns required?

Any hints for recovery post the procedure?

Thx 🥰

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**Author:** ![Kit\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/cc9497/32.png) [@Kit\_Cat](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Kit_Cat)\
**Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 12:42am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543/29 "2025-07-31T00:42:18Z")

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Oh awesome, I hope it goes well! He and his staff are very nice.

I actually didn’t lift my head at all. I was lying down and had my head on a pillow, but they just asked me to turn my head, left or right. I was pretty unaware of the procedure except for the burning sensation I mentioned and then I could acknowledge them when they said my name and requested I turn my head left or right, etc.

Recovery wasn’t difficult at all! I only had to stay at the facility for maybe an hour (if that) after the procedure. I have some bruising, but nothing bad at all. I just took a nap afterwards and then the next few days had a fairly bad headache, but nothing super unusual.

I hope yours goes very well!

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**Author:** ![birdie1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@birdie1](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/birdie1)\
**Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 1:38pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543/30 "2025-07-31T13:38:23Z")

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Hello, I was quite sedated but they do inform you to turn your head and you are able to do it, but so sleepy. I did not experience any burning like kit cat. I looked up my discharge papers and they do not want you to lift anything over 10 lbs for 48 hours. I flew home the following day after the procedure. I did not experience any negative symptoms, small incision in groin area, I did have some bruising and they recommend no baths for 10 days. I feel I had personalized care, and they were so organized. Staff is wonderful, no waiting in exam or waiting room, really it was a very good experience. I hope you also have a great experience and they find the information you need.

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**Author:** ![Bmmac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5daacb/32.png) [@Bmmac](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Bmmac)\
**Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 3:10pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543/31 "2025-07-31T15:10:55Z")

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Thanks not looking forward to headache.

You had surgery with Nakaji?

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**Author:** ![Bmmac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5daacb/32.png) [@Bmmac](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Bmmac)\
**Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 3:11pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543/32 "2025-07-31T15:11:47Z")

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Thank you. Did you surgery with Nakaji. I think he is not one to jump into surgery lightly

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**Author:** ![Kit\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/cc9497/32.png) [@Kit\_Cat](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Kit_Cat)\
**Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 3:34pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543/33 "2025-07-31T15:34:09Z")

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No - he said based on my pressure gradients, I would not benefit from surgery. Dr. Costantino and Dr. Hepworth said I would benefit from surgery, but Dr. Nakaji did not think I would. Dr. Nakaji pointed out that the compression is visible on my CTA, but the pressure gradients appear normal. So I am left somewhat confused - I respect Dr. Nakaji’s opinion because he is a specialist and don’t take what he says lightly.

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**Author:** ![Bmmac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5daacb/32.png) [@Bmmac](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Bmmac)\
**Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 8:00pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543/34 "2025-07-31T20:00:11Z")

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Have you had surgery with Constantino or Hepworth? If they thought you needed it then I would question that the venogram was done correctly??? Did Constantino ask for a new one?

This is confusing!!

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**Author:** ![Kit\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/cc9497/32.png) [@Kit\_Cat](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Kit_Cat)\
**Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 8:46pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543/35 "2025-07-31T20:46:03Z")

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No, I haven’t had surgery with any of them! It is confusing though!

Dr. H. has me on his surgery schedule (I’m still deciding if I want to move forward with him). He hasn’t seen the results yet, but we discussed the procedure earlier when I met with him and he didn’t seem too pushy about it because he had reviewed my CTA and I had a Doppler Ultrasound done with him that indicated compression.

Dr. Constantino - I told him I had the procedure done, but didn’t have the results yet, and it sounded like my pressure gradients were within normal range. He didn’t seem to think the results from the venogram would be very helpful regardless of the results (but he hasn’t seen them yet). He seemed to really go over the CTA in different areas and my symptoms.

Dr. Nakaji showed me the compressions on my scans from the saggital view and how while it looks like there is compression, the pressure gradients indicated that I was getting adequate blood flow. He felt I would benefit more from working with a neurologist.

But yes, it is very confusing and I don’t know what to think. I have a follow up with Dr. C. And Dr. H. and will get their thoughts.

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**Author:** ![birdie1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@birdie1](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/birdie1)\
**Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 8:49pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543/36 "2025-07-31T20:49:20Z")

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I did have my left side done by Dr Nakaji and scheduled for the right in Sept. My Neurologist wants more imaging done in a few weeks (CT and US) to get another baseline. But Dr Nakaji did not request further imaging. It seems my condition is straightforward- severe ijv compression and extensive collateral veins.

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**Author:** ![Bmmac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5daacb/32.png) [@Bmmac](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Bmmac)\
**Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 10:10pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543/37 "2025-07-31T22:10:08Z")

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Awesome sounds like it has gone well. Was you C1 involved or just styloid. Have your symptoms improved ?

What symptoms left? He seems very precise….and thinks outside the box

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**Author:** ![birdie1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@birdie1](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/birdie1)\
**Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 11:41pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543/38 "2025-07-31T23:41:29Z")

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Left side decompression, styloidectomy and C1 tuberclectomy. Next options he gave me was balloon/stent on left or proceed with right side. so I chose proceed with right side. I dont know if i would ever consider balloon or stent. Unfortunately many symptoms persist, but some symptoms have changed most of my IIH is now right sided. bilateral tinnitus, prior to surgery only on left. I am anxious to get new imaging to see if there is changes

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**Author:** ![Bmmac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5daacb/32.png) [@Bmmac](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Bmmac)\
**Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 11:58pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543/39 "2025-07-31T23:58:56Z")

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Well it is hard to know how to proceed. So C1 shaved to tubercle. The balloon is to open left but I had the impression that balloon only used to open IJV then removed? Were you a trauma patient?

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**Author:** ![Bmmac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5daacb/32.png) [@Bmmac](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Bmmac)\
**Post date:** [August 1, 2025, 12:13am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/finally-going-to-arizona-ir-angiogram-questions/19543/40 "2025-08-01T00:13:27Z")

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Did he seem hopeful on the other side??

Not likely is my guess….he is not one to go oit on a limb

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