Old diagnosis of PTC- Are symptoms related?

[Melleedawn]

I am a 41 yo female who was told at age 17 I had pseudotumor cerebri(PTC). I had WLS in 1982 with a spinal monitor in place to monitor pressure, and lost a large amount of weight.Symptoms improved. The Gastric stapling failed and I regained weight and in 1992 symptoms returned and I was treated with diamox. I have not had a LP since then but have been told that visual field study would show any increase. My last study(about 4 months ago) was unremarkable. He said that this would be a less invasive means of watching pressure.
    For 2 months,I have had debilitating headaches.I see pain management for fibromyalgia and 2 herniations and 2 disc buldges (thorasic). Also small herniation(lumbar).Multiple bone spurs thorasic and had cervical discectomy w/fusion at 5/6 with plating. MRI(cervical)normal except for arthritis. Vision has markedly decreased in R eye over the last 2 yrs. The Opthomologist thinks it is age related/not PTC. I have been experiencing weird symptoms. I smell smoke, none is present. Worse at night, and is overwhelming and drives me crazy. I feel ice water trickling on my face or arm, or think there is a bug crawling on me but none is there. The headaches are worse with position change and are often accompanied with nausea and motion sickness type symptoms. I see lights when I close my eyes. I see spots like I had been staring at a light for a while then closed my eyes.
    The muscle in the back of my head down my neck on right side spasms and the vision is the right. I'm down 160 lbs(wt steady @ 220)Should I worry? MRI is scheduled. Any suggestions?

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

I cannot give you a clinical diagnosis over the internet, unfortunately, as this site is purely educational

Chronic headaches are common, and are defined by at least 15 days in a month with headache. Headaches are also a feature of PTC and are usually difficult to treat. I cannot tell if you still have an element of PTC or not. Periodic visual field testing is important though to detect a decrease in vision as in some cases, elevated pressure in the cerebrospinal fluid affecting vision can be treated by optic nerve fenestration, a surgical procedure to reduce pressure on the optic nerve.

A multidisciplinary approach to chronic headache is the best chance of success - a headache clinic that can treat you with a combination of not just medcications but specialized neck PT for theneck and motion/nausea component, headache psychology, injections where and when needed, and accurate diagnosis

good luck

[Melleedawn]

What is the best way to assess the situation. Any suggestions as to course of action on my part? I'm also a retired nurse, with the back problems and multiple herniations. Almost 20 yrs of hard orthopedic nursing have torn my back up. So I am , by nature a fixer. I can't fix myself and it frustrates me to no end. I have a MRI of brain scheduled for Friday and a neuro followup on Thursday. I'm afraid of being called a hypochondriac...LOL. Also, What is the deal with chiaria malformation? Is it real or a syndrome someone made up to scam people?
                        Melanie

[just_duckie]

Chiari Malformation is very real and very painfull for those of us who suffer from it.

[Melleedawn]

More info of chiari Duckie? If need e-mail me links at ***@****

[just_duckie]

http://www.pressenter.com/~wacma/info.htm

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/chiari/chiari.htm

Try these websites to start with.  I hope it helps.

[elib]

I think too many people on this board are obsessed with Lyme disease. I would just go see a neurologist. My field vision tests were fine but i still have a horrible case of PTC. Please do not ignore your symptoms.