Re: Need honest opinions.....

[Guest guest]

,

A surgeon cannot " make " you do anything. Keep that in mind. If you do not

want to have surgery, and you can live (and I mean actually survive) without

it, then don't do it. Seems to me if you are going for a surgical consult,

part of you DOES want it though. Part of you wants to stop having the

seizures, and who could blame you?

19 is not too young to go into surgery. In fact if you are in otherwise

good health, 19 is a good age for it. Younger people generally heal faster

than older people do. I know that being young does not make it any easier to

go through with surgery (the emotional aspects of it). Perhaps this visit

to the surgeon will clear things up for you. Before you give him your

opinion, listen to his. Tell him the specifics of what you are going

through, and then let him talk.. use all his education and experience to

guide your decision. Ask him, " If you were in my shoes, what would YOU do,

and who would YOU go to? " and then take his referral and get a second

opinion.

And keep posting. You have support here.

Cheryl Sousa

Need honest opinions.....

O.K. I need some honest opinions on something. I

have Chiari, herniated 7mm with no syrinx. I found

this out a year ago after being in a bad car wreck. I

have been in the hospital twice because it seems when

I get overly stressed it causes me to pass out and

have a siezure. This has only happened at my place of

work. I am a manager at Mc's. I really don't

want to have surgery b/c I am only 19 years old. I am

a little over weight....so here's what I figured. If

I could lose some weight, exercise reguraly, eat

better, and learn to control my stress...that I

wouldn't have as many problems...and maybe could put

off having surgery. What does everybody think?? At

this point I don't take meds for my pain

either...which I figure is good also if I don't allow

myself to get to dependent on that for help. I go to

the nuerosurgeon tomorrow for a surgical consult...but

I am really hoping that he will agree with my theory

and let me try that out first. Waiting on some

replys...thanks for your time.

in Kentucky

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[Guest guest]

Well, my situation is different from yours in that I was born with this

little beauty. My problems began to become appearent in April 2000 and had

my op in Dec 2000. I was 27 at the time, correct weight (7st7lb - 5ft 2 " )

but my condition deteriored regardless (pre op). The stress become a factor

as a result of not being able to fuction in my work due to CM. As I became

more ill, my brain " went " so to speak. I could not think not to mention

think logically! And with this came frustration and of course stress.

i have never been on meds for pain (save just after op). Didn't suffer from

headaches pre op (that was something that has since occured since op) but as

I said my head was mush (along with other problems - tingles in fingers,

loss of touch, temp in all extremities - you know , the usual stuff).

I would do it all again if i had to. although my recovery is not 100%

complete ( yes I know that I will not be 100% again but 70% would be nice

100% of the time!) I have more energy now than before (maybe being on sick

leave at the moment has something to do with it!). Why let yourself get

worst and enjoy life less? Why not just get the op over with and start

again?

Hope all goes well for you.

take care

Jacqui

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