newly diagnosized with 12mm chiari 1

[juju70]

I have newly been diagnosized with a 12 mm chiari. Before the diagnosis, i suffered a lot of body pain and constant headaches, but for the past two weeks my symptoms has somewhat reduced. The headaches are still there but not intense as before and the body pains just somewhat almost diappeared the last two weeks. I haven't had any surgery and i have not considered having one yet. My question is, what happens if i don't get surgery? Can one cope the rest of ones life with chiari without surgery? Is there anyone here living with chiari without having had surgery?can you share your experiences with me? How you manage your day to life with the pains.

[Shane99]

I agree with Selma and Redkim - it all depends on the individual. Some people need surgery, others don't.

Get more MRI's and keep a close watch on any growth of the herniation (which is fairly big - around 8mm they start talking about surgery - mine was 20mm when diagnosed) and keep track of related symptoms like Syringomyelia.

In many ways a syrinx is the quickest reason to have surgery. Understand that your brain and skull are malformed - your brain is being squeezed, but until it becomes too tight and starts damaging cells, that part is more or less okay, but a syrinx can cause sudden serious and potentially permenant problems.

[redkim]

One of the main reasons to have surgery is to avoid getting SM (syringromyelia - sp).  Which is a cyst in your spine that is something Chiari can cause.  That was my only reason to have surgery.  My symptoms were increasing in severety and frequency and I still weighed my options.  

SM can cause your spine and nerves to become permanently damaged, leading to paralysis...I am not trying to scare you, but please research CM very well.  You will want an MRI of your thorasic and lumbar area to check for other related conditions.

Welcome to the board and good luck with everything!

Kim

[selmaS]

Hi And welcome to th Chiari forum.

I had surgery, but went many yrs undx'd and nothing helped me.....but , I did recognize that the symptoms can and do cycle...so could be y u r feeling a bit better.

I know we had a few that did not want to have surgery, but they have not been on the forum lately.I will see if I can get one to comment on ur thread.

Good Luck to u

"selma"