Can a restriction in the flow CSF cause Fibromyalgia symptoms?

[waski]

Hi, I am at a medical crossroads and was wondering if someone could answer a question about fibromyalgia syndrome. A brief history: I am a 36 yr. old male and have been suffering with chronic pain of some kind since elementary school. As a young boy it was headaches and muskuloskeletal pain. As a teenager it was headaches, upper back and neck pain. As an adult it is headaches, excruciating stiffness and burning pain in my trapezius, neck, and upper back, muscle weakness and fatigue, blurry vision, memory problems, dizziness, balance problems, nausea, sleep apnea(plus many more). I have been tested for hypothyroid, lyme, rheumatoid arthritis, and a slew of other chronic conditions all testing "normal" A cervical MRI shows a rather small or narrow cervical spine bet. 9-10 mm. With disc protrusions C4-5 2.4mm, C5-6 2.9mm, C6-7 2.1mm. The conclusion on my MRI report is" Small central broad based protrusions of the discs at C4-5, C5-6,and C6-7 causing narrowing of the CSF space anterior and posterior to the cord at these levels." I want to leave no stone unturned in finding a diagnosis. I heard there is a type of MRI called a CINE that can map the flow of CSF through the spine. Could a disruption in this flow cause fibromyalgia type symptoms? Also would it be wise to check for chiari malformation via MRI? Thanks very much and sorry so long winded but this illness is so multifacetted .
Sincerely,
Warren Naujalis

[patsy10]

I can't answer your question but can give you my experience.  I had spinal fusion for herniated disk C5-6.  I have all those symptoms you describe and have the fibro tender points.  It all started after surgery.  Anyway, 6 months post-op brain and c spine MRI both show Chiari 1 malformation.  It wasn't there before surgery.  I can tell you that if you have chiari it shows up on MRI.

[waski]

Hi, Thanks for the response. Do you plan to have surgery for the Chiari malformation? Are you considering legal action for this matter?
Thanks
Warren

[patsy10]

No to both.  The neuro's say the Chiari isn't causing all my symptoms.  I have read differently though.  I have lots of neuro symptoms as well as fibro symptoms...numbness, tingling, twitching etc...There are no abnormalities on numerous neuro tests except the chiari.    I have read the degree of Chiari does not always correlate with the symptoms.  The surgery is HUGE!, I mean huge and very risky  I would not do it unless I was incapacitated.  No legal action either.  They say it's not causing my symptoms so there's no way to prove it.