update and more questions (long)

[Guest guest]

Happy Monday to all!

Thank you to everyone who has been helping me along this journey.

We'll find the answers together!

I did have a barium swallow test done on 10/5. It didn't show any

strictures but it did show a small hiatal hernia (which hasn't been

bothering me at all). I still find it hard to swallow sometimes. Its

like everything's in " slow motion. " Is there any test for this, or

is it something else " in my head " ? My pcp gave me a sample of

Aciphex to try, but this seems to be mainly for reflux, which I don't

have a problem with. She said that if I continued to have trouble,

she would refer me to a GI. Any ideas?

She did give me a prescription for Flexiril. It has helped a little

with the muscle tightness, but I understand that it is only a short-

term remedy.

A new problem I've started having (yea!)is trouble focusing. I'm a

teacher and last week I started having trouble focusing when I wrote

on the board sometimes. Then, over the weekend, I wore my contacts

for a change and while riding with my husband, it was very difficult

to focus on my surroundings. Things weren't totally out of focus or

blurry, just like something wasn't quite right.

I wore my glasses to work today and the problem continued. The best

way to describe it is like I have to concentrate on keeping my eyes

focused, especially when I'm moving (my head or in the car). I got a

headache a couple of times today from just eye strain. (Like I need

that!)

I made an appt. to see my optomitrist on Thursday. She was a former

nsg nurse, so she has heard of chiari (whew!). Hopefully she can

help, but I would appreciate any info from you all.

I know there has been a lot of talk about whether you should have or

not have surgery. When all this started for me in Feb of this year,

I was pretty ready to become a zipperhead. I went looking for 2nd

and 3rd opinions (mostly to please my family), and when they all

conflicted, I was confused as well.

I did have some good times (a few weeks) this summer; when I was not

working and able to work around my body's schedule. But, now that

I'm back at work for the year, things are coming back full force--

along with some new friends!

I'm not sure what my point is (that happens a lot w/me now), only

that I think you have to decide for yourself. I have 4 more sessions

of biofeedback (which is going OK, but its not a total treatment by

any means--just nice to sit quietly a little each day). 5 weeks from

now I will re-evaluate myself and look at my entire situation.

I am concerned that so much more seems to be starting to happen. I

can't help but to wonder if this is a progression that might be

halted by surgery. I do have one Dr. who has done numerous ACM 1

surgeries that I have seen (Dr. Bullard). He was the first I saw and

he recommended surgery. My family wanted me to get another opinion.

The 2nd and 3rd opinions I went to (all suggested by 1st nsg), did

not feel that Chiari was my problem (they thought Migraines/stress).

This satisfied me for a while, but now I'm not sure. When all this

started to happen it was totally out of the blue--

I had a visual distortion spell at work followed by a severe headache

& fatigue which led to CT scans and MRIs: ACM 1; 6-8 mm.

I wasn't looking for ACM, had never heard of it, when my pcp shared

my MRI findings with me. At that point, upon seeing Dr. Bullard and

his recommendation of surgery, I truly felt that God's hand was on me

and leading me on the right path. Everything just seemed to be

falling into place.

Then, after the 2nd and 3rd conflicting opinions, I wasn't sure. Now

I wonder if God might be nudging me back on that 1st path. It is so

hard to know what to do. I pray and I know others are praying for

me, I guess my eyes haven't been open enough.

I'm sorry this is so long, don't know where all this came from. I

really just wanted to post an update and ask about the focusing thing.

Thank you to all who take the time to listen.

My prayers are with all of you...

Kaycey

ACM 1; 6-8mm; no surgery