Charimalformation

[Eve2]

hi, I am a 43 yr. old who was diagnosed and treated for Chiari Malformation with a 13mm shift, 9yrs ago.I underwent  decompression surgery with  complete PFD with lamenectomy and duraplasty. I have had over the years symptoms which include: dropping, diffculting hearing, headaches off/on, neck pain and balance issues when looking up. I have just delt with most of these and adapted my life to the symptoms. Memory has been a ongoing issue comming up with a answer to a question immediatly has been a problem although the answer comes it is delayed long enough to be obvious this has gotten worse over time. I have found no evidence in literature explaining if this is a symptom of Chiari's or decompression Sx I was wondering if there is a link as well as spacial issues.... I am a Surgical First Asst. in the O.R and finding that I need to concentrate on my hand off's and sometimes have issues passing when surgeon may change sides during proceedure and we are on the same side. This has become more obvious to ME over the last 10wks and would like to know what might be going on . Any advice or info would be a help. Thank you for your time.

[Eve2]

Dear Selma,  first thank you for getting back to me in such a timely manner!   The balance issues have been going on since before I had the surgery and have stayed I mostly adapted to this symptom ( Fake it till you make it ) is my motto!!!  My word recall and or comming up with a answer has gotten worse over the last 6-10 weeks along with me noticing problems with my hand off of instruments passing them I get confused as to which hand I should give ( right or left) the instrument too>>>> this as you must know, comes without even thinking after training , these cognitive movements become second nature. so I am concerned that there is a delay not a noticable one to anyone else just me ( but still a concern) The dropping episode 's have gotten very frequent my coffee cup,has hit the deck more times then I get a sip of coffee. Concerned with tactile movements. Oh, and I have been very tired exhausted but I have been under alot of stress being in school with 7yr.old twins  ( this may explain tired) but exhausted I shouldnt feel. What is ICP and POTS???? Thank you again for your time and info Shannoneve

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Since ur surgery was 9 yrs ago, u could have a few diff things that could be going on....one, u may have developed scar tissue and it could be obstructing CSF again....u could have also developed a syrinx, ....and some develop conditions like ICP, POTS post op....

When was ur last MRI?

How soon post op did these issues begin?