Car Wreck after Chiari Surgery

[tharilyn]

I had Chiari decompression surgery a year ago and things were going so well ... nearly all symptoms were so minimal I was looking at a life without being attached to a pill bottle! I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Four months after my surgery, I was involved in a head on car wreck. Since then about 75% of my Chiari BS (limb numbness, headaches, pain, neck pain, stiffness, dizziness, vertigo, nausea, hands & feet numb...etc)  has come back. I also have Fibromyalgia (and a slew of other labels that I am not completely convinced aren't confused with simple Chiari ... most doctors sadly just don't know about it). Is there a chance that another surgery could fix what I screwed up with the car wreck? Has this happened to anyone else? The local Doctor's haven't seemed to interested in fixing things ... no new MRI's since the wreck...just a CT the day of the wreck...any suggestions?  Sure need some direction here ... I'm a single mom in Southern Indiana and am soooooooo tired of pain meds and all that goes with it!  
Thank you so much for looking at my question :)
Tharilyn

[selmaS]

I am glad and look forward  to seeing u on the chiari forum...we have a great group of people over there...very caring and supportive.

and we try to get info as best we can...lol....

Wow, I hope to get to the walk this yr.....it is in a neighboring town...I was4 months post op for the last one....not up to participating.The yr b4 there wasn't one locally.

I understand ur frustrations..I no longer have insurance and was denied disability too...y is this so diff for us?

Geeze....I wish I knew all the answers, but will enjoy sharing what I have found out : )

(((hugs)) right back to u

"selma"

[tharilyn]

Thanks Selma and Dr.Srivastava,
I think I will join the Chiari Community here ... Doc..thank you for you answer but perhaps you didnt understand my question....I AM post posterior fossa decompression surgery AND post c-1 c-2 laminectomy ... the problem is my symptoms are back following an MVA.

Selma ...it's so funny that as Chiarians we get more help from one another than from doctors. I don't mean to be harsh but my stars!!!!  I have been strung along month after month ...year after year...and my children have grown up while I am trapped in my bed. I just get so mad at the injustice!
I am the spokesperson for our local ConquerChiari Walk a thon... unfortunately as far as neuros go ... my inability to work any longer reduces my ability to travel to see anyone who could come close to being called a specialist... my doc has done quite a few decomps for chiarians and he did a great job for me ... the difficulty is getting back into see him ... welcome to the welfare medical system!!! I've been waiting for federal disability- you know, that wonderful program we all paid into while we were working...just in case something happened to you ...LOL!  I've been waiting 6 years!  I've been left with no choice but welfare...joy joy...lol!
But I do what I can when I can with the CCWAA walk and have yet another day in court with my every vigilant attorney :)
Big hugs and hope you day is as pain-less as possible as a Chiarian :)

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Hi, Thank you very much for your question. In Chiari malformations, the pressure in brain increases which manifests itself as dizziness, diplopia (blurring of vision), migraine like headaches, muscle weakness, facial pain, hearing problems, and extreme fatigue. Sometimes this malformation causes dizziness while working with hands above the shoulder level. Treatment of Chiari malformation depends on the form, severity and associated symptoms. No treatment is required in asymptomatic cases other than regular monitoring. Symptomatic patients may require surgery (posterior fossa decompression surgery). The requirement and pros and cons of surgery in your case should be discussed with your doctor as he knows the severity of problem. Hope this helps.

[selmaS]

Hi...I am a fellow Chiarian....and also decompressed a yr ago in May.

I am so sorry the drs do not feel the MVA was sufficient enuff to look closer to see what has indeed triggered ur symptoms.
May I ask was ur NS a true chiari specialist?...if not u may want to research and locate one to help u figure this all out.'
It is possible to get symptoms back as the surgery is  not a cure or fix...it only aids in slowing the progression.

Do u know if u were checked for a syrinx?....tethered cord...?...Ehlers-Danlos?

I am so sorry u r not having a response from ur dr and I hope u join the chiari forum here on MedHelp as we can offer info and support.

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Chiari-Malformation/show/257?camp=msc

"selma"