surgery?

[Guest guest]

Hi, my name is Sheri. I'm 42 yrs old and was diagnosed with Chiari in April

after an " explosive " migraine of unbearable pain, profuse vomiting, vertigo and

at times inability to see. This lasted 24 hours, in and out of the ER. Since

that time I have consulted 2 nuerosurgeons and 4 nuerologists. Both

neurosurgeons agree I should have surgery sooner rather than later. All the

nuerologists agree I should take a wait and see attitude and manage the symptoms

as they occur. I find this to be a bit confusing but am beginning to understand

this is very complex and there is really no way to " fix " it. I am still trying

to accept that this is altering my life and I must find ways to cope. I have a

young child whose well being now and in the future is of my utmost concern.

Since the episode in April I have had many symptoms including dizziness, " pings "

of pain on my scalp, electrical type pain in my neck, whirling sound in my head,

a feeling of pressure in the back and top of my head, inner ear pain and

ringing, many visual disturbances, overall feeling of fatigue, but most

worrisome a loss of sensation in my left hand and fingers and left foot and toes

and all want to curl inward as if they are contracting. Despite all of this I

have not had another " explosive migraine " and am very thankful for that. I am

overall a very positive person and appreciate every day that I have with my

daughter and husband. Sometimes I am scared and the tears just come. I consulted

with Dr. Barth Green of the University of Miami and Memorial. He seems

very well respected and competent. I would appreciate any input anyone may have.

Thank you, Sheri

[Guest guest]

sailsurg@... wrote:

Both neurosurgeons agree I should have surgery sooner rather than later. All the

nuerologists agree I should take a wait and see attitude and manage the symptoms

as they occur.

Hi Sheri,

Welcome to the group! I'm sorry to hear of all your symptoms. First of all, do

you know if you have been diagnosed with a syrinx (syringomyelia) yet? If you

have been, surgery is usually more strongly recommended.

As for the Neurosurgeons reccomending surgery more than the neurologists, I

would guess that that is due to them being surgeons, and the neurologists being

medical (non-surgical) doctors. I have observed that many (not all) surgeons

versus medical physicians have long had a rivalry between them. Surgeons, think

surgery fixes things, and neurologists think that medications fix things. But if

you have had more than one neurosurgeon tell you that surgery is most likely

needed, you should probably look further into that. Take care!

Joanna/Atlanta (16 years)

Chiari 1 Malformation- 17mm

Syrinx from C1-T6 <---------dissipating as we speak!

Neurocardiogenic Syncope (Resulting from miscommunications between my brainstem

and heart). My medications are helping tremendously!

Decompression, Laminectomy, Duraplasty-7/27/01

Dura exploration and surgical debridement of staph infection-9/8/01

IV antibiotic allergic reaction (gave me 105 fever for a week and shut my bone

marrow down). -9/15/01-9/24/01

Serum Sickness from reactions/allergies to so many meds-9/25/01-9/30/01

STILL allergic to EVERYTHING, but hoping not to make any more trips to the ER

anytime soon! I have some residual problems, but I am doing very well, and life

is great!

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The first thing the angels sang is peace...

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