Chiari 1 malformation

[Cathie9696]

Is their such thing as mild chiari malformation.  my husbands MRI just came back and said he has right sided assymetrical chiari malformation 7mm below.  His Dr. does not seem to concern however his symptoms (constand ringing in right ear, weakness in limbs, shorterm memory loss, hands swelling, dizziness etc.) have all come about  withing the last two months but slowing coming togeather over the past two years and progressively getting worse.  Whata do I do.

[ryleet]

I just had an MRI of my c spine due to rapid eye movement,  eye twitching, severe headaches, panick/anxiety attacks and fainting spells my MRI said that my cerebella tonsils were low that they weren't quite 5mm but we exactly 4.5mm my Dr. said that it was not a big deal that none of the symptoms i was having had nothing to do with that I had no idea about chiari till I asked for acopy of my MRI findings I ask to see a specialist but my Dr says that it is a normal malformation but I'm in constant pain I dnt know if it has anything to do with chiaroscuro but I can't ever find my thongs even if I just set it down I'm in so pain and feel like my head is going to mush do you have any advise for me

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

What other issues have u been having, symptoms along with a CSF obstruction and overcrowding is more important than the length of the herniation...yes, the herniation can be a problem, but it is usually bcuz of the width not the length.

  SO ur symptoms r important as to what they r and how they are affecting u.
   There are more tests that u should have....a brain MRI w/wo contrast, cervical spine, thoracic and lumbar spine MRI's...they need to rule out a syrinx which can be found newhere in the spine, some Drs only check the cervical spine. U also want to find out if u have overcrowding and a CSF obstruction, Disk issues, sleep apnea, tethered cord, ehlers-danlos, ICP.....
  
  Finding a true chiari specialist to help guide u, is what I would suggest...not all NL and NS's are educated or experienced with how chiari affects us.

   We do have a list of the members drs, the list is not a referral, but a means for u to start ur research for the right dr for u.

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Neurological%20Disorders/DOCTORS-LIST-FOR-CHIARI-SYRINGOMYELIA/show/1062?cid=186

     "selma"

[Trinav1]

So I have been having migraines and other issues for a long time  I was recently diagnosed with a 14 mm chiari 1. My neurologist  doesn't think it's a big deal what do you think

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

We do have a list of Drs here compiled by the members, it is not meant as a referral, u do need to research the Drs, but it is much easier to do with names : )

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Neurological%20Disorders/DOCTORS-LIST-FOR-CHIARI-SYRINGOMYELIA/show/1062?cid=186

Most of us do need to travel to get to the right Dr...u may have to...

   "selma"

[pljones33]

I am in my sixties and had Chiari surgery in 2003 .
Recently moved to a small community near Houston.  Does anyone have the name of a doctor here that is WELL versed on Chiari.  Tired of going to doctors that don't know anything.

Thanks

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

We do have a list of drs, u do have to research the drs on the list....it is not meant as a referral, just a means to help u get started...that said, we do have a dr in the area u asked about and I have heard good things about him, but still do research to find if he is right for u!!!
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Chiari-Malformation/LIST-OF-CHIARI-SPECIALISTS/show/1503562
Dr. Jerry Oakes  
Pediatric Neurosurgeon

The size of the herniation is not the biggest concern, if u have a CSF obstruction and over crowding is more of an issue as well as ur symptoms.

The reason the neuro's do not seem concerned is they may not be well educated on chiari...true chiari specialists do their own research...other Drs get old out dated info in med school.....

Push for answers

"selma"
UAB in Birmingham, Al