Welcome to the Chiari and Syringomyelia Forum...

[selmaS]

Please read this message before you post!

This is a good place for info and comfort.

If you are here, then you, or someone close to you, has probably been diagnosed with Chiari, or a related condition, such as Syringomyelia. Or you are trying to diagnose yourself.

We are not doctors or health-care professionals. We are not qualified to give you better advice than your Doctor. This is simply a gathering of like-minded people sharing their experience and what we have discovered and hopefully putting things in “Plain English”.

Most of us either have Chiari or are close to someone who does.

With that said, I'll try and give you a little primer on what's going on;
Chiari is a congenital malformation of the brain - you were born with it and over the years it's gotten larger.

Basically, a part of your cerebellum (lower-back part of the brain) is expanding out below your skull into your spinal column. This is called a cerebellar tonsil herniation. The doctor might have put a number with this - such as “5mm”. This is how far below the skull in millimeters the herniation has reached.

Chiari can cause problems with sensory perception, balance/coordination, memory/concentration, severe headaches/pressure in the skull and other issues.

If it gets large enough it can start causing problems in the spine - blockages of spinal fluid called syringomyelia (or syrinx). This can cause other serious issues - including paralysis if not taken care of.

Chiari isn't really considered life-threatening, but it is life-changing. There is no cure for this, but there are steps that can be taken to lessen the symptoms. Talk to your doctors. Surgery is often needed, but some people prefer to try other ways first.

Make sure you have a Chiari Specialist as a neurosurgeon and neurologist. This is the most important thing you can do at this point! Not all neurosurgeons or neurologists are specialists at this. Make sure yours is.

We know what you are going through - to a point. Everyone is, of course, different. A lot of us have had, or need the operation - or are parents or loved ones of Chiarians

If you need to talk, a lot of us check these boards daily or at least several times a week.


HOW TO NAVIGATE ON MEDHELP:

HEALTH PAGES- each forum has health pages with info on the condition/conditions related to the forum.These pages are located to the right of the screen, scroll down.You may add to/update the health pages to share info.

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PROFILE PAGE- Using the toolbar on the top header click on my medhelp you can type in a mood and change it as your mood changes, change your profile as needed which gives other medhelp members the ability to learn more about you and  the reasons you are here. Also info on where you live, city and state or just general location...pics-you can post for public viewing or to members you've invited/accepted as a friend.
There are additional tabs for baby pages, recording medicines ect.

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HEALTH TRACKERS- found on profile page to help keep records you can e-mail directly to your dr. or print and take along on dr visits.

SHORTCUTS-  found in  the toolbar in the header allows you to move from one forum to another without returning to "home" or profile page.

report this- in box on threads- if you feel someone is  not following the rules for medhelp membership ,you can click on report this and moderators will review the post and determine if action needs to be taken.You can also contact any CL(community leader) with a PM(private message)
There is also on the bottom of your home page a link to "contact us" as well as medhelp suggestions forum.

If you find you are still having problems navigating, post a question and other members or CL will answer in the thread.

Below is a link to the Health pages with acronyms and computer short hand.
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Neurological-Disorders/Acronyms-and-computer-short-hand/create/509?cid=186&;edit=1

We are happy to Welcome you to our Community!
CL
selmaS
"selma"

[selmaS]

To keep this thread from getting cluttered and bogged down, please post any questions on the forum – Just click on the Green Button above this and type out any questions, and they’ll be answered in a timely fashion.

Thank you,
CL
selmaS
"selma"

[selmaS]

If you have questions regarding features of this MedHelp site please copy and paste the link below and see Facts info.




http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/MedHelp/MedHelp---Communities-and-Forums/show/619?cid=88

[muffioso]

my beloved granny just had her surgery today and it went great she is on her way to a speedy recovery and will be home sweet home getting plenty of rest in a couple of days

[muffioso]

my granny has been running a fever off and on while she was in the hospital so they are keeping her longer than expected

[muffioso]

my granny had to get two more stitches today because it was leaking so she will be in the hospital longer

[bubbles0309]

i will say a prayer for your granny i know what its like i was in the hospital for 3months str8 uh...i would hate anyone to go through what i went through, godbless u and ur family....hope yours isnt a wild ride like mine. im sure she will get through this just fine :)