confused about chiari

[ddjer]

I have 6-7 mm tonsillar  herniation  with ' effacement of the basal cistens, and mild side to side compression of the brainstem.' There is also a flattening of the pons, although I must admit I do not know what this means.
In my med notes it states that I do not qualify for chiari I Malformation. Can anyone explain to me exactly what that means?
I also have IIH and sinus thrombosis and I'm not sure how they all interact or are related. The IIH came first and the chiari came after an overdraining shunt.
Thank you for any information you may have.
ddjer

[selmaS]

Hi...ok so ur chiari is a result of too much CSF that forced ur cerebellum down onto ur spinal cord.
Y the drs say at a 6-7 mm is not chiari is bcuz u did nt have a chiari specialist.
I must admit I am not sure about the description u gave.....I will see what I can find for u.

What area do u live in the members here might be able to help u with locating a chiari specialist.Please research ne and all drs names to be sure they r chiari specialists and u r comfortble with them.Please see our chiari specialist thread.

I hope u continue to post here...this is a great place for info, support and sharing our experiences!
Welcome! : )
"selma"

[ddjer]

The one dr that said I didn't have chiari is a neurosurgeon but I'm not sure if he specializes in chiari or not. The chiari occurred because the first ns I had left an lp shunt in too long, it overdrained and there wasn't enough fluidaround my brain to hold it up and it started to sag. The first dr refuses to take any responsibility for this. They are blaming all my pain on iih, but I wonder if chiari has anything to do with it. Some of the pain I now have is different from before. More neck pain, shooting pain down my legs, tons of back pain and pain in my face to name a few.
I have an appointment to see a new ns Dr. John Wells in Hamilton.
I'm in Ontario by the way, so I don't always get to chose my dr. I've been blassed with a great GP and she fights tooth and nail for me.
Thanks for the warm welcome Selma, greatly appreciated!!
D

[selmaS]

U r Welcome. And I see the drs in Canada r the same as down here!!
I saw 2 diff NS...one said I did not have Chiari the other one said I did...but he could not help.....

May I ask what were ur symptoms prior to the shunt?

I have heard of intercranial hypertension and intercranial hypotension....the first is too much CSF and the body not absorbing it and the later is too little CSF and the cerebellum is forced down...just like u said happened because of the shunt.

I wonder y ur CSF levels have changed....mayb the shunt was not regulated correctly and moved the fluid too fast?

I hope u become an active part of our community and please keep us updated on ur chiari and IIH experiences.

Godspeed
"selma"

[ddjer]

I have intercranial hypertension and you are right the shunt was not regulated and the fluid moved too quickly. My biggest problem prior to the shunt, for me anyway, was headaches. Massive, sick to my stomache headaches, which I still get. I started to lose my sight and that was the reason for the shunt.I was costantly tired, confused, had memory loss, visual disturbances, ringing in my ears. I have all this now other than the tiredness ( I have insomnia from sleep apnea ). I've researched a new shunt that is programmable because I can't have a vp however if chiari is causing problems a shunt won't solve my anything.

I'm sure it will get sorted it may just take time. How are things with you?
I can't wait to be able to go through everything on this site. Theres so much to learn and read. Its fabulous!!
D

[selmaS]

I must disagree with u on a new shunt not helping it will if u continue  to produce more CSF than ur body can absorb...the chiari in ur case is a by product.U may need to treat both as sepreate issues, but the shunt may relieve the chiari's developement.

IMHO if u have a chiari dr I believe u will get to a place where u will feel alot better.Chiari  can not be cured.....but u can help reduce the symptoms.

I have all the same symptoms as u....and a few more...but everyone here is different and to that end I am sure they will also share what is going on with them.

If u have ne ?'s please feel free to PM me.

Godspeed
"selma"