Chiari Malformation type 1

Posted by anorwalk @anorwalk, Jun 19, 2013

Hi,

I've been reading all the post on chiari and wondered if anyone has a good out come of the surgery. I have been to 4 neurologist and 1 surgeon and keep getting different answers. 3 drs say I don't need surgery and the last one said that i really need it or could be paralyzed by any straining. I have a headache all the time and can barely function. Balance problems, numbness and burning in my hands and legs My hurn. Is only 5mm. Any advise? Thank you.

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I called it off again! I'm scared and my whole family is against it,so I'll look for a second opinion before I do surgery! Just don t feel right, ya know!? Thank you for your thoughts,please pray for me! I'll keep y all posted

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@sweetthing111059

I had chiari surgery back in 2005. But for some reason I started looking spinal fluid and to go back in and ride something. The only problems I have is real bad headaches at the base of the skull where the Chiari is. I just think I use the wrong doctor because when I tried to tell him what was happening he wanted to send me to a nut doctor thinking its all in my head. I know I have the pain in nor crazy. But think god my pain management dr isrunning all kind of test to find out just what is going on he is determined to find my problems. Make sure u find a doctor willing to sit down and talk to you.any thing I can help with please let me know I know how painful. They are.

Deb

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My neurologist just keeps saying it's Chiari and wants to do surgery! I've concealed 3 times cause my gut feeling tells no! I can deal with the headaches, and neck pain, it's the nerve pain that s killing me every hour of my life! I don't want to wake up anymore,and I don't know what to do! If anyone put there can help me !! I need to know if you had surgery for Chiari surgery, did the nerve pain go away! I don't want a whole in my head for nothing! Please God someone give me a answer!

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Is there anyone out there that had the Chiari surgery, did it help yr nerve pain?? Please repely??

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@resawaller

My neurologist just keeps saying it's Chiari and wants to do surgery! I've concealed 3 times cause my gut feeling tells no! I can deal with the headaches, and neck pain, it's the nerve pain that s killing me every hour of my life! I don't want to wake up anymore,and I don't know what to do! If anyone put there can help me !! I need to know if you had surgery for Chiari surgery, did the nerve pain go away! I don't want a whole in my head for nothing! Please God someone give me a answer!

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Sorry this is a challenge trying to make a decision about this surgery @resawaller. Hoping @duke77 @nancy82415 @sweetthing111059 will have some additional input to share with you about the chiari surgery.

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Thank you for your repely, I will get in touch with the others and i.pray it will help me! I've been in pain so long the depression is getting to me,and my husband don't get it, and makes me angry on top of the pain! Know what I mean! I'll pray for you, please do the same for me!

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@lisalucier

Sorry this is a challenge trying to make a decision about this surgery @resawaller. Hoping @duke77 @nancy82415 @sweetthing111059 will have some additional input to share with you about the chiari surgery.

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@resawaller I did not have to make the decision to have surgery. My Chiari and Syrinx were so large I was told it was not a matter of IF but WHEN I would end up in a wheelchair. Would of lost all use of my extremities. So there was no decision to be made. Surgery was my only option. Surgery needed to be done - sooner rather than later. So less than three weeks after talking to the surgeon I was scheduled for surgery.

I did not have headaches, but I was dealing with so much pressure inside my head that I never knew I had. Before surgery I was working 40 hrs a week and coming home exhausted. I was depressed as I just not was feeling right and could not put my finger on to what was wrong. I had to push myself each and everyday. I could not find joy or happiness in anything. Fun things were a chore. I was not myself. I was having balance issues. I would need to brace myself when I sneezed as it felt like my head was going to explode. I was absolutely miserable. I NEVER want to feel that way again. I will do everything in my power to not let that happen.

I was at the point where I felt I could no longer live like this. Surgery was the best thing that happened to me. As soon as I was coherent after surgery I noticed a difference. I was light headed in a good way. This is when I realized I was going thru life, for who knows how long, with such pressure in my head. I did a 180 in how I felt. I was feeling the best that I have felt in years and continue to be four years later. I now celebrate two birthdays. The day I was born and the day I had surgery!

I was the rare patient that I had no pain after surgery. All I had was an airhead headache due to the opening of my dura and was nauseous. I was warned a couple of times, before surgery, that I would be in pain. Yes, the will give me pain meds, but it would not completely take the pain away. Even knowing this I was ready to have the surgery.

If ever I would need surgery again, I would do it in a heartbeat. Even knowing that I probably would have pain the next time. Just like a parent having that first child, sleeping thru the night and is always happy. Then they have that second child who is the total opposite.

I pushed myself to not think about what was actually going to be done in surgery. I wasn’t going to be doing the surgery. I prayed and asked for prayers from my family, friends and church members. I asked that they pray that I would be at peace before, during and after surgery. All the prayers were answered.

My advice would be to listen to your heart and your doctor. My family members were not walking in my shoes so they had no clue what I was dealing with day in and day out. My family was scared for me, but they knew this was serious and I would not get any better if I did nothing. I would only get worse. Surgery is done to stop the progression of the condition. My 88 yr old mother was crying when I said my good byes before surgery. She was worried and scared, but I told her that I wasn’t worried or scared and she should not be either. GOD was with me. I imagined myself in surgery with GOD on one side of the surgeon and my deceased Dad on the other side and holding my hand. I had so much faith and trust in both GOD and my neurosurgeon, that I had no reason to worry.

May GOD be with you during this difficult time. May you find strength and comfort.

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@spoiledheather

Has anyone on here had surgery for chiari malformation??

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I have what do you want to know ?

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@mkell13

I now have ringing in my ears, dizziness, and i even passed out twice. I have facial drooping so bad i cant see out of my left eye while my right eye vision is blurry. When i go to the ER they immediately start me on stroke protocol . I have numbness in my right foot. Nausea/vomiting. My pain is so tense it is a severe pressure in my head. My blood pressure gets very high at 210/147. I constantly have my head hurt 24/7. Im told t
My bp is high from the pain. Ive had 3 neurologist tell me i have a chairi and it went from 2-3 mm to 3-4 mm since 3 years ago. My problem is i just saw another neurologist and she says its all from migraines. I went telling myself i will do whatever even surgery but i feel im going backwards from 3 years ago since now its just migraines again. I was put on medical leave due to not being able to do my job as a nurse. I just want my life back and i am so confused whether i should try yet another dr. I feel so defeated.

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Try one two three and more Drs. until you find the answers that will give you quality of life!

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@spoiledheather

Has anyone on here had surgery for chiari malformation??

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yes had surgery in 1999

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@resawaller

Thank you for your repely, I will get in touch with the others and i.pray it will help me! I've been in pain so long the depression is getting to me,and my husband don't get it, and makes me angry on top of the pain! Know what I mean! I'll pray for you, please do the same for me!

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@resawaller was wondering what you ever decided in regards to your Chiari? Did you ever have surgery? How are you feeling now?

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