went to ns

[angelways]

I went to another ns today,he said surgery was my decision,but he would do it if i wanted,he said the ringing in my ears isnt from chiari,that i need to see a ear dr.said my neck swelling isn't from chiari,need to have my glands checked. he said if we do surgery he would take a little more than a fingers length of skull out ,and take out the first disk in the top of my spine out,,didnt say what he'd replace the skull with,i wonder if they put it back? he said you dont move the cerebellum up,you're just making more room for it,but wont it continue to go downwards? i can never think to ask these questions while i'm at the dr.s,forgot to take my list with me.he also said the brain stem was a little bent but it shouldnt hurt anything.??? i dont know what to do,i can still walk,talk,and function,no normally all the time,but i'm afraid if i have the surgery it will screw me up worse than what i am! i added my mri pics on hee so if anyone knows how to read them please give me your thoughts! i dont know what to do :{

[sleepypea]

That is pretty much the exact same thing I was told my NS...Sounds like we went to the same guy...lol...Or at least NS's who attended the same Med school.
I am in the same position as you, just playing the waiting game. I know a door will open and an opportunity will arise for me to get in with the right Dr.when the time is right. I get so frusterated some days but other days I know i'm doing the right thing. I agree with Pam and Selma When You find the right Dr. you will just know....I have not found that Dr. as of yet, but I'm believing for him :)
Good Luck

~Stacie

[selmaS]

I have to agree with Pam...find a true chiari specialist b4 u make a decision...I would not have this surgery with one that is familiar with it...I had to have one that is all he does....

U want to have surgery when u know the time is right for u, u do not want to wait sooooo long that u go in as an ER patient with no chance to have a choice or  have a higher risk for perm damage.

Most NS's even a chiari specialist will leave the decision up to u, but, they do not offer unless they feel the benefits out weight the risks.....and there r risks with all major surgeries.

U have to look at how is this affecting ur life and ur health.....what r ur symptoms, what is chiari doing to u?

"selma"

[pamk5]

I left an NS that told me the same thing.... we can do surgery if you want it.  What really worried me was when he said you have surgery you are cured and that I wasnt gonna have that much pain afterwards to need a pain pump?? Granted I havent had surgery but from what I have read the first couple days hurt like hell.  We Chiarians know thats just not true.  What I would be really afraid of is complications if he isnt a specialist.  I did get to a true specialist and I ask him about complications like brain slump and how you prevent it and his answer was "you do it right the first time".   You only get one chance to have a first surgery and then it is a surgical correction.  Please take the opportunity to get another opinion.  I dont think any of us "WANT" brain surgery.  

Try to relax and breath the answer will come.

Pam

[angelways]

he is just a ns,,but he said he has done chiari beofre. fingerlength means from the middle of the back of my head down to the top of my neck.
but should i wait to do surgery when i just cant stand it anymore or do it now while i'm strong enough for a better recovery???

[selmaS]

Hi...take a look at this pic-http://www.medhelp.org/user_photos/show/178385?personal_page_id=197028&photo_collection_id=1369

It may help u understand what they plan to do...I am not sure if this NS u just saw is a true chiari specialist...and I am not sure what he meant by a fingers length ......

U will know when u need to have surgery....and when u have the right dr.

"selma"