To have surgery or not?

[Eehunt]

I recently was diagnosed from a head ct, had an MRI and went to see a NS.  He said I qualified for surgery, but I could also not have surgery as long as i still had a good quality of life, and could live with my symptoms.  I would describe my symptoms as mild, mild pressure headaches, numbness in the arms, especially when I sneeze, thyroid issues (hypothyroidism )days where I feel like I'm in a fog, but nothing that has stopped me from doing anything.    The ns told me that my symptoms may get worse or they may not,  that as I get older my brain will shrink and my symptoms my disappear.  I'm going for a second opinion in the am.  My question is if I don't have surgery, how normal of a life can I have? I've seen the list if things not to do, but should I not do them even of they don't cause symptoms?  Should I wait to see if my symptoms are worse when I'm older (36 now), and risks longer recovery or permanent damage.  Am i really sicker than I feel? I don't think I feel that bad, but maybe I don't remember what it feels like to actually feel good.

[selmaS]

   Glad you  have  a  Dr  doing  more  testing.....do not forget to rule out EDS as  it can  affect how  you  feel  and heal  post  op.

  May  I ask  why  your  Dr  feels  you  will  get  worse?  Curious.

Is this  Dr  on  our  list of Drs?.....if not, please  keep us posted  on how  you  like  this Dr  and  once  you  recover  add her  to our  list.

[Eehunt]

I did have the MRI of my whole spine, the report says I am at 9mm, but no other findings and no syrinx.  The dr today was soo much more informative and has set me up for cine MRI .  She was much more vocal that she doesn't believe my symptoms will stay the same or get any better, just worse, and that surgery would be better for me now than later

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome  to  the Chiari forum.

As  the above poster  mentioned it is  a difficult decision to make....and it  could be  you need  more  info  to help you decide....

  Have you had ALL  related conditions ruled out?....Did  they do a  CINE  MRI  to check   for  a  CSF obstruction and  did  they  do MRI's of  your  complete spine? The more  info you  have  the  better  and  a 2nd  opinion  may  help.

[Nellan12]

Hi, BIG & DIFFICULT decision you need to take your time..I had my first decompression when I was 49...but not only did I have constant headaches that were really bad.. but every time I did any kind of strain, or sneezing,laughing ,coughing I had the feeling as if my brain would explode it was for just a few seconds but when it did happen I would have to hold my head with both hands...then the excruciating pain would calm down and a really bad headace would kick in!!! Now I have to go thru a 2sd decompression because the first Dr didn't notice that I also had CCI (Cranial cervical  instability) I don't know if you have a specialist yet but make sure you find a good NS who not only does brain & spine so they check everything..I first went to a chiari only doctor who only looked at the brain and nothing more that is why my headaches never went away. Good luck !! Keep us posted :)