???? Traction

[susie524]

Hi everyone/anyone,

I am newly diagnosed with Chiari Malformation as of 2 weeks ago. I presented myself to a known neurologist that works here at the hospital where I work, let me back up...prior to that I had presented myself to the e.r with extreme pressure / headache . They did some blood work and a C.T. scan w/o contrast... basically everything was benign.
The pressure in my head continued so I sought the help of my local chiropractor. he said my neck was out and did a treatment.. during the treatment he pulled my head and neck at which time I had severe pain that radiated from the back of my head up and over and was severe to right above my right eyebrow...this did not help matters... 2 days later I saw the neurologist who did and mri which showed the Chiari malformation... he said that is in noty life threatening and started my on a course of steroifs(medrol dose pack) suggested claritin 2 x day for 10 days and nasal rinses for the same duration.... The MRI showed mild sinus but he stated he had hoped it would have been more of a sinus  issue than what it was .Needless to say I did the course of treatment and still had the symptoms although I need to say the pressure in my head was much less than it had been and I'm sure it was the steroids ... Anyways I went back to neurologist yesterday and he has re-ordered the steroids which I started today and ordered cervical traction , massage, ultrasound and heat.... I'm frightend that this will make things worse!!!! Has anyone ever had the cervical traction for there Chiari??? Please advise....

[selmaS]

No need to apologize....I understand how u feel and wanting to feel better...drs always think it is anxiety...and if he is not a chiari specialist and has not done further testing how can he say u have mild chiari?...drs...ugh

What part of PA r u in?...I am in Eastern Pa and no drs here...

"selma"

[susie524]

Hi Elizabeth,
I'm glad that the traction actually provided you with some relief...I've been really nervous about it and I guess it's because of the experience I had with the chiropractor... How long after diagnosis, traction and  steroids did you have your surgery? I'm praying that it doesn't come to that and I'm sure that all of you felt/feel the same way. The steroids greatly increase my appetite! especially for sweet things and I'm already battling a weight issue! YIKES!!! lol.... Thanks for tips about the massage I will definitely let the therapist know that... On my prescription for the therapy the neurologist wrote Cerv Radic for diagnosis...
I'm sure thats means cervical radiculopathy...you better believe I will be informing them of the Chiari.... that all makes me even more nervous...  I won't be back online until tomorrow so I'll chat again then and update everyone on the use of traction.... Wishing everyone a comfortable evening!!!! Take Care, Sue

[susie524]

First let me apologize for not reading the entire message and not answering your questions....sorry about that... No I do not think he is a chiare specialist...I think i need to find one in this area though.  Yesterday when he entered the office(mind you this was only the second time I saw him) and he instructed me to return if the symptoms persisted after my first appt; so that is what I did...anyways he walked in flipped open my chart and said you leave me no choice what do you want me do ? Surgery? I looked at him and said no I don't want you to do surgery I WANT RELIEF from this pressure in my head!!!! ...Mostly I get the severe pressure, severe headache and when it's really bad if I turn to quickly I get dizzy...I literally can not lay on the back of my head, it is painful! I also get intermittent tingling feelings that start in my legs and rush up to my head (lasts just a few seconds) and occasional nausea but no episodes of vomiting...Thank goodness because I just can't imagine throwing up with all that pressure in my head.... UgHHH!!!! After I told him about the occasional bouts of the tingling he said well "I really think now that you know you have a mild chiari your just thinking about it and it makes you nervous." I would have never gone to him if I wasn;t getting the severe pressure in my head! That was the reason for my visit in the first place... Is there someone from this area that you know of or that you would recommend???

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Is this dr a chiari specialist?...he may have some experience with it and some with chiari also have cerviocranial instability.....which can be like a big pumpkin on a small pointed stick...at some point the pumpkin slides down....well if ur head slides down it is  onto ur spinal cord and brain stem...causing pressure...many times drs will look to see if the release of this helps....my NS tried...not all of us  get relief from this if it is not the issue.

Do try to find a chiari specialist to get more testing done...u want to know if u have the instability and if u have overcrowding and a CSF blockage.

Besides the pressure what else do u have symptoms wise?

Happy to have u join our little family here, so sorry for the reason u had to seek us out.

"selma"

[n40066]

the only thing that helped relieve the pain for me pre surgery, was traction.  others will not agree, i'm sure, but for me, it relieved the pressure.  be careful with the massage.  have them do only the shoulders and down, avoiding the neck area...for the vast majority of us, this makes things worse.  not all of us have the same reaction to treatments....steroids did nothing for me but put on pounds, but glad they are giving you some relief!
good luck!  the thing that helped me the most in my journey was this forum.  hope it helps you too!!
elizabeth