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Chiari Malformation Community
This patient support community is for discussions relating to Arnold Chiari Malformation and Living with Chiari Malformation.
can decompression surgery ease depression?
by dana_8142, Jul 11, 2008 02:34PM
Since about 2001 my health has been on a downward spiral, but docs didn't seem to have time for me b/c I had no insurance, every time I went to the hospital I was told I was having a panic attack, treated with valium, and sent home. From 2001 til about 2004 I was treated on and off for anxiety/panic attacks/depression/ and bipolar disorder. I have been on paxil, lexapro, adevan, depakote, welbuterin, valium, and xanax. None of those drugs helped me, and at times I felt worse on them.
In 2005 I obtained health insurance. And I was just about to begin getting to the bottom of this, when I found out I was pregnant. So I put everything on hold, and had my son. During my pregnancy I felt better than ever. But as soon as I had him, I was depressed all over again. by 2007 I was regularly visiting docs again trying to get help. Finally I insisted on an MRI and even threatened discrimination if I was not given one(I had been begging for help for too long...Docs kept telling me I had mental disorders, but I know my body, something was wrong!)
So they gave me an MRI, and found a Type II Chiari Malformaiton with Syringolmelia and a Syrinx in my neck.
So, here's my real problem - I think the Chiari Malformation is causing my mental/emotional distress. But I can't take meds for it b/c I always feel worse. My theory is that meds put chemicals into a person's body to compinsate for what the brain is not producing (which is what causes the mental anguish), but my brain IS producing what it needs to, my mental anguish comes from pressure on my brain - so my brain is already producing what it needs and the meds just add more to my body causing me to go haywire.
But I need something - so should I have decompression surgery to try to ease my mental/emotional problems?
Please help... I am getting more and more depressed everyday. The depression lasts longer each time, and occurs more often, I don't want to continue living this way, I need help.
In 2005 I obtained health insurance. And I was just about to begin getting to the bottom of this, when I found out I was pregnant. So I put everything on hold, and had my son. During my pregnancy I felt better than ever. But as soon as I had him, I was depressed all over again. by 2007 I was regularly visiting docs again trying to get help. Finally I insisted on an MRI and even threatened discrimination if I was not given one(I had been begging for help for too long...Docs kept telling me I had mental disorders, but I know my body, something was wrong!)
So they gave me an MRI, and found a Type II Chiari Malformaiton with Syringolmelia and a Syrinx in my neck.
So, here's my real problem - I think the Chiari Malformation is causing my mental/emotional distress. But I can't take meds for it b/c I always feel worse. My theory is that meds put chemicals into a person's body to compinsate for what the brain is not producing (which is what causes the mental anguish), but my brain IS producing what it needs to, my mental anguish comes from pressure on my brain - so my brain is already producing what it needs and the meds just add more to my body causing me to go haywire.
But I need something - so should I have decompression surgery to try to ease my mental/emotional problems?
Please help... I am getting more and more depressed everyday. The depression lasts longer each time, and occurs more often, I don't want to continue living this way, I need help.
Member Comments (1)
by razzle5150, Jul 13, 2008 02:07PM
To: depression
well of course it can cause depression . Shortly after I ws diax Dr. put me on Lexapro . which helped alot and anybody in our condition with pain 24/7 is going to have some kind of depression . Have you discussed surgery with your dr. Roz
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