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severe neck pain yrs after chiari decompression surgery
I had decompression surgery in 07 for chiari malformation type 1. I started having severe neck pain 6 days ago. I cannot get in any position to get relief. I have tried heat then ice laying in the floor etc... Is this normal? I'm about to give up.
Thank-you for the info that u posted it has made me believe that I am not out of my mind & there is really something going on back there (spine & back of head). I am seeing my surgeon in 2 weeks so I will make a note of those conditions u mentioned & ask him if I could b suffering from them.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum,
I have to ask, did your Drs rule out ALL related conditions? CCI cervio cranial instability can worsen post op of the decompression surgery for Chiari.
This would cause some of the discomfort and strength or weakness issues with your neck.
One related condition that CCI is directly connected to is Ehlers-Danlos..and more then not that have Chiari also have EDS..
Another question is do you know what all was done during your surgery?
Most times a posterior fossa decompression includes opening the dura and placing a dura patch, they chip away some bone on C1 and C2.....
If too much bone is chipped away it can cause a condition called cerebral ptosis or brain slump.
With the remaining symptoms any or all of the above could be a possible issue for you. If your original Dr was not a true Chiari specialist you may want to research Drs to find one experienced with these post op issues to help you.
I had surgery for chiari malformation in 06. I also have a syrnix in the middle of my spine that causes me numbness & sometimes a burning pain. After the surgery I would like to say that I was HA free but that would b a lie, they were less sever & not everyday as before but still there. In the last yr I have developed neck pain that is almost intolerable, some days I can not lift my head off the pillow because it feels like my neck will not support my head. I also have developed a curvature in my neck which basically has me hanging my head down all the time because I can not physically lift it(my head). I have spoken to my Doc. & he has recommended I c the specialist that performed the surgery, I am on a wait list now. Anyone else have any similar experiences ?
COMMUNITY LEADER
I am doing much better since having surgery but I do have flare ups of symptoms that are due to related conditions .....the worst of my Chiari symptoms have not returned....
It really depends on what is hurting me as to what will work.....I use a heating pad for some of my low back pains, and I try NSAIDS and if they do not work I do have some stronger pain meds for bad flares but I can count on one hand how many times in the last few yrs I needed them.....
Thanks again.
Are you in pain from this? What helps you? I still haven't heard from my Dr. office.
Are you in pain from this? What helps you? I still haven't heard from my Dr. office.
Hi
The nurse finally called me back Thursday and Dr sent me for MRI. I haven't heard from my Dr yet he was off Friday.
I did get a written copy of results from Hospital Friday. I hope he calls me tomorrow to explain results. Maybe you can give me some insight.
At C3-C4 mild left facet disease which results in mild left foraminal narrowing.
Also a small central disc protrusion
At C4-C5 mild right facet disease which results in mild right foraminal narrowing
At C6=C7 small central disc protrusion no significant canal or foraminal narrowing.
All I know is my pain isn't any better it is worse.
Thanks
The nurse finally called me back Thursday and Dr sent me for MRI. I haven't heard from my Dr yet he was off Friday.
I did get a written copy of results from Hospital Friday. I hope he calls me tomorrow to explain results. Maybe you can give me some insight.
At C3-C4 mild left facet disease which results in mild left foraminal narrowing.
Also a small central disc protrusion
At C4-C5 mild right facet disease which results in mild right foraminal narrowing
At C6=C7 small central disc protrusion no significant canal or foraminal narrowing.
All I know is my pain isn't any better it is worse.
Thanks
COMMUNITY LEADER
Ur family is invited to join us here as well ...they may find just how many have had issues post op and that surgery is not a cure....
Hang in there we all know how frustrating this all can be .
Hello
Thank all of you for posting. I called my DR today and had to leave a message
and am still waiting for a response! It is wonderful to have someone to talk to about what I'm going through. My family just don't understand. It's like you had the surgery so aren't you cured!!! So I try to keep the pain to myself but this is awful.
Thank all of you for posting. I called my DR today and had to leave a message
and am still waiting for a response! It is wonderful to have someone to talk to about what I'm going through. My family just don't understand. It's like you had the surgery so aren't you cured!!! So I try to keep the pain to myself but this is awful.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Ur Dr should want a new MRI to make sure all is ok....
It could be a related condition rearing it's head...not something u can tell until u have some testing.
And it could be scar tissue that has formed and now causing a CSF obstruction....
I would try not to lift ur GS , have him crawl onto ur lap while u r sitting and then get up so u r not lifting him from the ground...
Let us know what ur Dr has to say.....
Hello
I haven't had a MRI in 3 years.I haven't had a fall I do lift my grandson alot he is 2 . They did not rule out any related conditions before surgery. This started about 6 days ago out of the blue and is very very painful. I haven't been able to bend over without pain for years but this pain is different. Sometimes my left arm and hand feels numb. I usually can tolerate pain but this is really so painful and there is no position I can get in for any relief.
I haven't had a MRI in 3 years.I haven't had a fall I do lift my grandson alot he is 2 . They did not rule out any related conditions before surgery. This started about 6 days ago out of the blue and is very very painful. I haven't been able to bend over without pain for years but this pain is different. Sometimes my left arm and hand feels numb. I usually can tolerate pain but this is really so painful and there is no position I can get in for any relief.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.
I am glad to see u will be contacting ur Dr as that is the best way to deal with this....May I ask when were u checked last...MRI etc?...
And did u have a fall or possible injury that may have triggered this?
Last, did they rule out ALL related conditions b4 u had surgery?
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It is not my for~ta but it sounds like u have a few disks that could be bulging and one area that may also have stenosis...which is a narrowing...this can cause issues for CSF flow....
Many times with these reports people only look to the findings instead of reading the whole report as some important info can be found in the body of the report and not in the findings....so, please do not take my thoughts on a few lines of info as fact as I am not a medical professional....but I do have a few bulging disks myself with some stenosis...and that seems familiar from the info u supplied....