Ebean - I totally feel you. I also have been dealing with my headaches for nearly 10 years. Docs told me it's migraine, you have too much stress, suck it up it's not that bad, it's all in your head. Well, guess what, my MRI said 8mm herniation! I also have more than just headaches. I am going to a Neurosurgeon Thursday to see if they can help. I know how you are feeling! All I want is to be capable of being the Mother & Wife & Daughter & Friend I want to be. My symptoms physically stop me from doing so much. I can't even play catch with my boys because bending over to pickup the ball makes me dizzy & gives me the pressurized headache. Just remember, even if they say no to the surgery, there are other docs out there. You may need to travel to find one, but I'm sure it would be worth it. I'll let you know in a few days, I live in Jacksonville, Fl and am going to Orlando. I couldn't find any docs experienced here in Jax. Hang in there, I know it is hard and I know there are times you just want to give up because you have been dealing with this for so long and so many times you have had to go back to square one. But we cannot giveup hope. I will pray for you.

I am going to a surgeon in Charlotte on Monday. His name is Dr. Asher. I hope he agrees with me and says lets do the surgery! I am still trying to find all the information I can on Chiari and this I think is the longest week of my life. Please keep me in your mind and prayers. Pray I get this surgery I am so tired of this and I am ready for it to be over. I will keep you posted on how things go Monday. Good luck to everyone and you are all in my prayers.

I picked up a copy of my MRI Friday and read the report. I still don't know what alot of this means. My main concern is that I won't be a candidate for the surgery. One thing I read that did sound firmiliar was that my tonsils were distended 10mm. Can anyone give me an idea where that is on the scale of chiari? Would you think someone with that would get the surgery? Man I am sucha worry wart. I am going to see the surgeon tomorrow and I just can't wait. I was wondering if anyone had an update on their situation. I would love to hear how things are going and what others are going through. Its nice to know Im not the only one.

Dr. Micheal Rosner is the Chiari expert in NC

http://www.cfids.org/archives/1999/1999-3-article03.asp

I have good news. I went to see Dr. Asher in Charlotte yesterday. He didn't offer any other option other than surgery. We have already gotten it scheduled for November 27th. I am so excited and feel as though a huge weight has been lifted. I was worried he wouldn't do the surgery and I was going to have to deal with this forever. I would love to hear from anyone who has had this surgery done before. Hope everyone is doing well and you are all in my prayers. I hope you find peace and rest soon.

So glad that some of you all have had good fortune to find good neuro-surgeons. I had Chiari surgery done in June of 2000. I've posted about the road there, and a little about the experiance after. I can remember what its like waiting for that surgery date *shivers*. The biggest piece of advice I can offer, is to make sure you have a good strong support system in place, especially for the first few weeks post op. That recommendation isnt just for the patients, but for spouses and those all important kiddos as well.

Even a successful Chiari result is stressful for the first month, especially.

God Bless you all!!!

Group Hug!!!!



Dawn

I do not think it as CM1.

My son was hit in the head with a baseball last week and has a concussion. He had a CT scan the day it happened and we were told that it was normal. He is still having headaches, dizziness and nausea. He had an MRI yesterday. This afternoon the neurologist called to tell me that he has Chiari. We have an appointment with the neurologist tomorrow afternoon. I am trying to do research but am getting overwhelmed. Can anyone suggest the questions that I should be asking?

try - **

i would do as much research as you possibly can and ask every possible question you can think of - take some paper and pen and write things down aswell - dont be affraid to ask!

good luck - i hope it goes well!

Hey, I am going to preface this by saying I am not a doctor but I just recently went through the whole "MRI" thing where my doctor sat down and explained my MRI's and pointed out the actual Chiari. I would say it is kind of hard to see by these MRI's but it seems like she might have a slight Chiari. What my neurologist said is if you draw a straight line from the bottom of one side of the skull to the other, if anything hangs below that line, it could be chiari. Of course, the best thing to do is go to another doctor and get another opinion. Hope this helps!