RE: Has anyone chosen to forgo surgery?

[Guest guest]

Lynda, Connie and all,

I would ask your dr for something to relieve those symptoms. There is

medication to help control your anxiety and dizziness.

To have the surgery or not to have the surgery is a very personal issue.

Because chiari has such a broad range of symptoms that cannot be measured

with an instrument – only you can make the decision on what is best for you,

not necessarily a surgeon who does not have to live in your condition. It

is based upon many issues that are not black and white answers. Knowledge

is always the best defense so I would strongly recommend you get as much

info about the surgery BEFORE it happens. Know what your getting into, and

what to expect. The best advice I can give anyone questioning surgery is to

ask yourself the following questions……

* Do you feel comfortable with the surgeon?

* Do you understand the entire process and know what to expect as

follow up care AFTER the surgery?

* Ask your surgeon exactly which symptoms he/she feels will be

relieved by the surgery. Not all symptoms will be relieved by one surgery,

and often you will experience new or return of symptoms.

* Will there be necessary follow up surgeries, and how do you feel

about that?

* Do you have a strong support system to assist you while recovering?

* Talk to your surgeon about follow up care for pain and how will

he/she support you in that process.

* Be realistic with the amount of time for recovery – depending on

situation it could take anywhere from 3 months up to a year.

* Do you realize that the surgery is NOT a solution, but a temp fix –

and that in order to get the best results, you are going to have to make

some adjustments in your lifestyle. With or without the surgery it is

suggested that adjustments be made to your life to including amount of rest,

lifting restrictions, activities, etc.

* If you opt to hold off on surgery – what can you do to help relieve

the symptoms – ie adjusting your sleeping patterns, limit your lifting,

applying heat and cold packs often, and avoiding certain activities.

* Do you have insurance that will cover the surgery and how much would

the surgery actual cost in the end?

* Lastly – I am one of those people that often things make more sense

when they are written out. Take the time to write down your expectations

and pros and cons of the surgery. Discuss these with your family or support

group. As time goes along your answers might shift sides – and make your

decision more clear as to one way or the other.

This decision to have surgery is often very hard to make as most cases do

not give you a life or death situation such as heart surgery. People lived

with this condition many years before we figured out how to do this surgery

– and will continue to live without the surgery. It comes down to the

quality of life in which you feel you can accept. Knowledge about your

condition is the best way to make the informed decision, one which only you

will be able to live with or without. :-)

I truly hope that I have not offended anyone by this post!!! With this

being such a person choice – its hard to make such a forward reply. I wish

you all the Best of Luck in evaluating your condition, and expectations.

God Bless,

in OH

Hope this has helped. I too am waiting on the fence for the point that my

quality of life can no longer be accepted. The major decision for me is

that I do not have insurance that will cover the surgeon of my choice. So

that helps to make my decision.

_____

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of

lyndacrawford4

Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:13 AM

To:

Subject: Has anyone chosen to forgo surgery?

I am just curious about those of you who may have opted to not have

surgery. What do you do to alleviate your symptoms? I do not have

headaches, like most of you. My problem is more all day long

dizziness and panic attacks.

Any suggestions?

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