Truthfully, I think the autism is the most significant issue he has, and I don't doube that it's connected with the ACM, but we might never know for sure. I know that neuroscientists are working on determining any physical differences in the brain that may be influencing autism, but so far, no one has ever put Chiari and autism in the same sentence. It's really frustrating because the kids who have had significant-enough Chiari symptoms who have subsequently had surgery have had impressive improvements in their autism issues. Since Drew has no prominent classic ACM symptoms, he might never be considered for surgery, so we may never know whether it would help him or not. Frustrating, to say the least...

As for you... I'm sorry about your MS. It sounds like it's not rapidly progressing, though. That's definitely good news. My hubby's cousin's hubby has an advanced case of it. He uses a motorized wheelchair all the time now.

Curious situation with your sister. No MS lesions, that anyone knows of? No Chiari, for sure? Even a tiny herniation can result in severe symptoms for some, so she should be checked very closely. That's where Drew is really lucky. His herniation is considered fairly large, so it would seem that he'd have a lot of problems with it, but so far, that hasn't been the case. Thank God.

Sleep well tonight. I'm thinkin' about thinkin' about headin' to bed myself.


LIZARD

I am lucky with the MS, although I did take the bull by the horns and go on a NON-mainstream medication that is working VERY well for me (fortunately). I was in much worse shape for a few years, before I found this option.

It it is odd about my sister. She's had plenty of MRI's, and the only thing that's shown up is the syringomyelia. Apparently she definitely does not have Chiari either. We're from Canada, but her and her husband relocated to Chicago a few years ago, and she went to one of the best specialists in the country before she finally got the dx.

Her worst symptom is swallowing, although it might not be related to the syringomyelia either. She has terrible fatigue, TMJ, and a number of other symptoms that are so similar to MS though. Time will tell, I guess.

Autism can be a struggle, eh? I have a number of friends who have kids with this condition, some fairly effected, and others not so much. Interesting that you are connecting this to the Chiari; I haven't really had enough experience with this to have considered that. Do you have any information on this condition and Chiari, by chance?

Cherie

Once I found out about the ACM, I couldn't help it. It was especially hard to dismiss after reading so much about the cerebellum's involvement. If it's small or lacking in Purkinje cells (the cells mainly responsible for the cerebellum's composition), it could certainly be implicated if the tonsils are herniated, huh? I think so.

Someone I know from the autism forums I'm on also has a daughter who has both, and she has a website that gets into this. I'll see if I can find the addy and send it later.

The autism has been difficult to deal with, but we're also really fortunate that Drew isn't on any meds for behaviors and progesses well. The hardest thing is trying to get info from him about things when I can't tell if he doesn't understand what he's being asked or if he just can't articulate the answer in a way that's understood. It's a real learning experience; no question about that. At least I got to go to the ASA annual conference here in Prov back in July, and it helped tremendously to talk with the adults who were there about their experiences. One even said he was a lot like Drew at Drew's age (he's 44 and married now! ), and it took me several minutes to realize he had autism. He also gave me a much-needed pat on the back for what I'm doing.

Hey, I gotta make breakie for this gang, so must go. More later!


LIZARD