i am a 29 yr old female and was just diagnosed with borderline chiari malformation. I am freaking out!!! my gp says my symptoms do not co-inside with what the mri said..At first he gave me an apt w a neourolgist amd after the mri sd cancel the neurologist....u need a neour surgeonn. I have had headaches all my life. I was in 3 car accidents in the past 3 yrs. one was pretty bad whiplash. anyway, i got menengitis last oct and was very sick. Ever since then my symtoms have been soo bad i keep goin to my gp and telling him there is something wrong{thats why he ordered the mri}. I am an alcoholic in recovery and pain meds for the rest of my life is just not an option. i am scared and feel very alone! i havent seen the surgeon yet but i wonder should i seek help at the chiari institute instead?? how serious is this?