Newly Dx

[Brandee75]

Hello everyone
I was recently diagnosed with CM. I have a 5mm herniation  (laying down) with decreased csf flow.  The first NS I saw suggested decompression surgery within the next few months. He said that my symptoms will progress and can cause permanent damage. I have a 2nd opinion schedule with Dr prevadello at osu next week. My symptoms are not severe and are on and off mild neck pain with headache, face tingles, dizziness, light headed.
Anyway I'm not sure what to think about all this, just looking for feed back and if anyone has had experience with prevadello.

Thanks for your help
Brandee

[selmaS]

  No sorry for the misunderstanading, Dr Prevadello worked with Dr Bejjani.I meant to say worked not was....ugh....

Yeah we all tend to have that brain fog....it's no fun we tend to make all sorts of mistakes typing as well as talking....as you can see from the above...lol...

Not really  it may not be as bad, but I am 5 yrs out and tend to still make some mistakes I think everyone does to some extent but we tend to have a lot of it all at once and it is a more noticeable issue....

When I first joined this forum I also felt I did not have the amount of issues that others have had, but I did and did not realize that some of the issues I had were Chiari related....in time I realized just how much was going on...true there are still others that have had a bumpier journey then mine but that does not down play what I have had to deal with...so know if you are having symptoms do not compare yourself to others with it, compare yourself to yourself  how you have changed.

  

[Brandee75]

Rod and Selma
Thank you for taking the time to reply.
No I have not been tested for any other related condition. The first NS didn't even mention further testing. Maybe that's a bad sign.  So Dr benjjani is Dr Prevadello? If so do you know why he changed his name?  

Another question I have is I have been feeling "stupid" like taking awhile to process info, can't really sit down and read an article and lose words when I'm talking.  Will the surgery help this? I feel bad about saying anything about it because I read the other post on here and my symptom are nothing in comparison to them and I feel fortunate for that, but it is a concern I have

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

We have had a few members that saw  this Dr in fact he use to post here on this site so you will be able to pull up to read some of those older threads....he asked to have his name on our list....I believe he was Dr Benjjani in Pittsburgh, PA and then went to Ohio as I know we had to do a change of address for him.

  May I ask, did he rule out related conditions? Check you for a syrinx in  the thoracic and lumbar spine in addition to the cervical spine?

Another condition to rule  out B4 u consider surgery is Ehlers-danlos....as rod mentioned above if you feel comfortable and confident with you Dr then you should head what he suggests...if you are not sure get a 2nd opinion....

Since Drs tend to put themselves on these lists  and even if it is the patients you still need to educate yourself so you will know when you meet the Dr that is right for you....

Yes a CINE MRI is done to complete a CSF flow study...they are one in the same....

I saw a few NS's b4 I decided which one I was mos confident and comfortable with....when you do find the right Dr you will know.

[Brandee75]

I had a MRI with csf flow study is that the same as cini MRI? And how can you be sure a doc is an expert? Dr prevadello is listed on chiari sites. I'm just so unsure what to do, the most frustrating thing is I feel I can't think straight which doesn't help the situation.
Thanks

[rod44]

I cant help you with the Doctor but I would strongly advise that you are 100% ready for surgery and you have confidence in your surgeon.
Surgery is not a cure and is done to control symptoms. The risk of your CM progressing and doing permanent damage is a good reason for surgery but you will need a CINI MRI to see any obstruction, and look at other related conditions you may have. The most important decision you will make is having a true CM expert. Sorry I cant help with a Doctor but I live outside the US