treatment without surgery- a little long

[Guest guest]

Hi! I am 35 years old and was diagnosed in Dec 2006 with Chiari 1

when I went in for surgery to fuse c5 and c6. When my sugeon first

told me what he had found I was terrified! He also explained to me

that most of the symptoms I had been having were probably NOT caused

by the herniated disc but from CM1, we would have to see how

successful surgery was on my neck. When I started really digging in

and investigating on the internet I realized that my entire life was

being explained to me. I have had a 'seizure disorder', migrains,

heart palpatations, shortness of breath, etc,etc,etc my entire life

and nobody ever diagnosed the Chiari. I remember being a kid and

always telling my parents that " I just didn't feel right " My

neurologist when I was in junior high actually found the Chiari,

pointed it out to my parents, but then said that it was a

malformation but she didn't know much more than that but didn't feel

like it was a source of problems.

My question is this: Is there any other treatment for symptoms other

than the decompression surgery? I have no idea if surgery would be

recommended or not, I don't have health insurance so since my neck

surgery I haven't been to see a neurologist. I feel somewhat

hopeless right now because I really want to start my family, and more

importantly I really want to wake up just one time and feel good

and 'right'. Is it all or nothing? Does the surgery take away

symptoms or just keep them from getting worse? Is there anything

that can be done to improve the quality of your life without the

surgery?

I'm new here and I really appreciate any feedback you can give me!

Thanks!