post surgery chiari symptoms

after suffering for some time with unexplained headaches vertigo nausea etc i was finally diagnosed with chiari malformation in 1997 and had decompression surgery in the same year (left dura fossa craniectomy-removal of c1 vertebrae and shaving down of c2 and c3). many of my symptoms were alleviated with only occasional flareups and i have seemed to be alright...unfortunately, i have recently noticed some cognitive issues, difficulty remembering familiar info headaches and dizziness--have had some nausea and a few instances of seeing spots and also have problems with bright or flourescent lights. i am wondering if symptoms can or do recur after long periods of feeling okay?

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

  It is very possible that u have  some symptoms return, and I am amazed as to how long u went feeling well!!
  The one issue causing  some return of symptoms could be scar tissue....

When did u have ur last MRI to check the surgical site?

  The florescent lights for me has not gone away, it was much worse pre op then post op, but it is  a major issue for me too,

   May I ask did u have a dura patch, if so what type?

       "selma"

[mclark822]

hi selma...yes i know i am really fortunate for having gone as long as i have doing as well as i have...i have not had  an mri in the past 12 months, but will do so soon, given the recurrence of some of my symptoms--my surgeon actualy patched the area covering the skull removal with heart muscle tissue from a cadaver...the last mri i had showed some scar tissue but i really do not know at this point if it has led to the issues i'm experiencing now.

[selmaS]

  Do keep us posted on how things go.

  In the meantime, try to rest a bit more and save up energy for things and times u know u will need it.....chiari robs us  of energy that we need to pick and choose what we do......

  I pray u can keep the symptoms at bay.

     "selma"