Symptoms have reoccured

[tattie35]

I ma 34 years old and had decompression surgery for Chiari, but lately it seems that my symptoms have reooccured ....is this possible? The headaches tingling in arms dizziness hard to swollow at times....I have read that people have had to have two and three surgeries and I am scared that this is going to be my case. Can anyone please let me know if you have heard or known someone that has went though this a second time?

[BigJim_in_NY]

Copied and pasted from another reply:

"I have a cervical disc prolapse that is ever so slightly pressing on my spinal cord. I highly doubt this was directly caused by the Chiari but I assume it could be due to some other bone defect given our smaller than normal posterior fossa's. It is likey just a by product of aging.

If I recall correctly it was C4/C5 but may have been C5/C6. It is my opinion, and let me state again, my non-professional non-doctor opinion, that a cervical disc prolapse compressing the spinal cord can cause some symptoms that mimick Chiari and Syringomyelia."

Essentially if DDD (which I have too) gets bad enough it may cause other issues that could be mistaken for Chiari depending upon where in the spine the issue(s) is (are) occuring. It is interesting you mention anxiety and depression. In the few years leading up to my diagnoses I had very bad anxiety and depression. This was something that had never happened before.

I had Chiari symptoms return and suffered another bout of anxiety and depression but it only lasted a few days, not for months at a time. I attribute this bout of anxiety and depression to dealing with the recurrence of symptoms. It was a VERY difficult and emotional few days but right now I am okay. Perhaps you are feeling the same?

[tattie35]

Thank you for your response..My first surgery was March 5th 09 and at the time thigs seemed to be going well... then all of the sudden the tingling in my arms started pressure at the back of my head... severe nasuea...and it scares me

I had my surgery at the Cleveland Clinic by doctor Di which he is a Chiari specialist he has performed many surgeries...

Another question can Chiari cause Anxiety and depression? because that is what I have been having lately. And yes I have DDD does that have to do with denerative disk?

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Unfortunately , surgery for chiari is a means to slow progression ...it is  not a cure and yes, u may need further surgeries for chiari itself or related issues/conditions.
May I ask how long since ur first surgery...have u had a recent MRI....do u know if DDD and bulging disks were ruled out,. how about a syrinx, or tethered cord?...these issues can cause some of the same symptoms, and do need to be ruled out.,

That said, it is also possible to have a failed surgery....not to scare u, but we have had members go in for a re-do within a yr of the first surgery.,

Sorry, about the questions, but it will better help us give u some direction......was ur first NS a chiari specialist?...if so, when have u seen him/her last?

"selma"

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Hi, Thank you for your question. In recurrent Chiari malformations, the pressure in brain increases which manifests itself as dizziness, diplopia (blurring of vision), migraine like headaches, muscle weakness, facial pain, hearing problems, and extreme fatigue. Sometimes this malformation causes dizziness while working with hands above the shoulder level. Treatment of Chiari malformation depends on the form, severity and associated symptoms. No treatment is required in asymptomatic cases other than regular monitoring. Symptomatic patients may require surgery (posterior fossa decompression surgery). The requirement and pros and cons of surgery in your case should be discussed with your doctor as he knows the severity of problem. Hope this helps.