Falling apart

[nmk727]

I came home from work today and feel like I'm losing it. I've had a headache for the past 4 days. I know that many of you have it much worse, but I'm not used to headaches. Back pain I can deal with. I started having back pain when I was about 5 years old, and I've developed a tolerance for it. But I can't handle these headaches. Most of today was spent at work staring at a screen, bending and lifting boxes. I know I shouldn't be lifting these boxes since most are 20 lbs or more, but I have to work. Does anything help with the aches?

[selmaS]

  Yes, a CINE MRI is also known as a flow study this looks for an obstruction to the CSF flow.....It is a brain MRI.....done in 2 parts....the first is very typical of a regular MRI....u come out of the tube and they inject contrast dye and add a clip to ur finger or leads to monitor ur BP during this portion of the test....instead of still pics, it is a moving video of the CSF...they watch to see if it pulsates  along with ur BP and see where the obstructions are.

Yes, u can let them know when u sign in for the testing u want both the MRI and the report as u will be getting other opinions...and they will send u the report.

I get all my blood labs as well, sometimes b4 my PCP gets them and it is good as I have them for him to copy and review for my appointment....

The NL is good to give u a dx, once u have it tho u will have to look for a NS.

But as I said do get several opinions, and rule out all related issues.

[nmk727]

I've never heard of a CINE MRI. Do they do something special during that MRI? I just had an MRI of my brain done this last time after getting lumbar, thoracic, and cervical MRIs done. I have a copy of the MRI of the brain, but don't have the report. Actually I didn't even know I could get a copy of the report without first seeing the doctor that sent me for the MRI. The neurologist I saw was really helpful and seemed to know what she was doing, so I'm anxious to see her again and get her oppinion.

[selmaS]

  Well for MRI's there is the CINE MRI for CSF flow, and MRI of the brain, cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine.....

A neuro exam is done to check u for joint hyper mobility one factor for EDS, and with EDS we r prone to reject foreign matter so it is best to get this dx b4 surgery as surgery we get dura patches, stitches and all sorts of things that can affect how we heal....with EDS our skin is more likely to tear, so glue and sterri strips r used not stitches or staples, and ur pericardium is used instead of a patch made from a cadaver, bovine or synthetic material....We also tend to have issues with meds, we may be able to take a pain med one time and then the next have an allergic reaction....so, it is helpful for Drs to be aware of this b4 u have surgery and a patch in place and stitches tearing out and CSF leaks ....

It is very important to have this checked....I can not stress this enuff.

Did u get copies of ur MRI and the report? IF not call the facility that did the study and request them.....

I am glad to hear they r looking at crowding, that is very important too.

[nmk727]

As far as I know I just have the chiari and a syrinx. Just had an MRI of my head done. Won't see the neuro to get the results of that til January. Is there different types of MRIs that can be done? I'm nervous that the one I just had done won't show much detail of what's going on with me. The neuro said that she wanted to check for crowding. I'm really nervous about getting these results.

[selmaS]

  My job was in an office but for a retail store, and I had to work on the sales floor too, train all new hires, interview all new hires, orientate new hires, payroll, and schedules, so I was in front of a computer a lot too, and it was very stressful as well....

It all depends, if u have related conditions or not and how ur body responds to surgery if u r a surgical candidate....I have other conditions as well as my chiari...and much older then u....I worked up until I was dx'd at age 48 not knowing what was going on...but push thru it....my surgery was a few months b4 my 50th bday....so, it is harder the older u r and the more u have going on....so to say most who have symptoms wind up not working is not accurate....as I had symptoms that whole time.

The thing is find out what else u may have b4 u consider surgery so u can go back to work....

Hey whine all u need to we all understand here <3

[nmk727]

Do most people who have symptoms from chiari wind up not working? I've been thinking about it for a while. My job relies on lifting, bending, and staring at screens. Not sure how I can avoid the triggers with this job. I've kept this job because I don't know what else to do. I have to earn an income somehow. Office job looking at a screen would probably also be a trigger for me. Sorry for whining.

[selmaS]

  Hi...not really...the best thing is to avoid triggers and lifting is a trigger....all u can do is try and relax ...rest up....u have to listen to ur body and it is telly u or should I say shouting at u not to lift....