Chiari and Syringomyelia - Anyone Had the Shunt Surgery Only?

[brendatis]

The doctor who originally diagnosed me said that since my problems seemed to be related more to the syringomyelia, I might be able to have only the shunt inserted and not have the decompression surgery.  I have a lot of pain where the syrinx is.  My tingling and numbness problems have gotten better but I know this needs to be taken care of.  Has anyone out there who has both problems had the shunt surgery only?  Did this help?  Trying to know all my options before I meet with my neurosurgeon next month.  Thanks!

[selmaS]

  This is y it is best to research ur Dr...and know as much as u can...and be tested for as many conditions that have similar symptoms so u r not treated incorrectly.

But there is no way to know how ur body will respond or react to the drugs and meds used....sometimes we develop allergies to meds we have taken successfully b4.....

U r not alone...we r all scared.

But we r here for u : )

   "selma"

[brendatis]

Thanks, Selma.  Guess I'm trying to avoid the decompression surgery if at all possible.  About 6-7 years ago my dad had a similar surgery for trigeminal neuralgia.  What should have been a stay of less than a week turned into a 3 week stay and he almost died.    Of course he was given medicines he was allergic to and that was 80% of his problem.  But I'm literally scared to death of thinking of having to have surgery!

[selmaS]

  Hi...I do not have both, but going to give u my 2 cents worth from what I have read....most chiari Drs will opt to do the decompression as it can take care of 2 issues at once...

By decompressing, and restoring the CSF flow.....most syrinx's shrink and u can avoid the shunt surgery.

But if u have the shunt first, it will only affect the CSF in the cyst and not what is causing the herniation and will not help that area at all, so if u have over crowding u will have to go back for  the PFD as well.

There is never a way to guarantee that if u have one u will never need the other....some that do not have a syrinx develop ICP post op from the PFD and then require a shunt to address the CSF pressure.

  Just some info  u may want to consider

      "selma"