Update on neurosurgeon appointment

March 14, 2008

Good Morning all, hope you are all well today!

Well on Wednesday I was seen by a chiari specialist neurosurgeon who

was a lovely man and took time out to explain what was causing my

symptoms.

He explained that it was quite complex as with Chiari malformations

the herniation generally depicts a pull down motion such as they hang

like an icicle but with mine it's rounded which signifies pressure

from above the tonsils. Don't know whether this is significant or

not. I was in too much pain to question.

Secondly he diagnosed me as having spondylosis of the neck which

basically in a nutshell is wear and tear of the discs. A healthy disc

is meant to show as pale white on an mri scan due to the hydrogen (I

think that's what he said) whereas in my discs they are black as

there is no fluid surrounding them. If I was older then they would

consider replacing the damaged discs but due to my young age (ha ha)

this isn't an option as most artificial joints and such are only

designed to last 10 - 15 years which would mean I would have to have

surgery as least twice maybe 3 times.

He is referring me to a pain management team as this is the only

option. I have to learn to manage the pain and prevent myself from

doing things which cause the pain and symptoms to worsen. He said

also that I may need to have steroid injections in my neck.

Not the outcome we'd anticipated but the good news is that I don't

need to have decompression surgery which is a huge relief, and I at

least know I'm not imagining my symptoms.

I anyone has any information regarding this or has any pearls of

wisdom then please let me know. I do appreciate any replies from

messages previously posted.

Thanks for listening and advising.

Take care, wishing you all pain free days if possible.

Lots of love to one and all

Sue (sufferer in the UK)

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