Will you look at my MRI and gimme your opinion?

[QuartzDice]

Hi there, I just found out about CM a week ago and truely feel I may very well have one. I have been sick for 10 years, so since 18. SOOOOOOO tired its not even funny. Cant go out, dont want to go out, not even for fun things cuz my body just wants to shut down wherever I am. Headaches with the most painful pressure behind my eyes. Sometimes I will sit and push my eyes in because I feel a second of relief. They are so painful, they also run along the base of my skull, and my jawline. Neck and shoulder pain.... the best way I can explain it is very "nervey"... I always say, like an ice cream headache or a cavity being drilled type of supersensitive concentrated pain throughout my neck and shoulders. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and tmj but maybe my 2006 MRI was overlooked. I guess I am wondering if you will look at the picture of my MRI I uploaded and tell me if you think I should look into this further. I do plan to see a doctor about it in the near future, but I just kind of wanted the opionion of people who have lived with this and know a lot about it. Thanks much!!! :)  I

[selmaS]

  I know what u mean.....working reg hrs can be difficult....I got a job in retail and was able to function better bcuz of the changing shifts.....early in the AM one day and then not till noon the next, it gave me time to recharge...lol...I was able to work there for 15 yrs....my days off were spent resting...but I was able to keep my job until I went for surgery....

  It can be very frustrating to not know why we feel like this and then when we do no one seems to understand.....but we do here : )

[QuartzDice]

Thank you so much for responding. I felt I had a chiari but I also felt that maybe it wasnt as crowded. because whats odd for me is my symptoms are all mostly pain and fatigue related vs what seems to be even more prevalent for most people which is symptoms of memory loss, cognitive issues, balance issues and loss of feeling. I do have all that but not to the degree that I have the pain and fatigue, that is definately the worst of my problems. I suppose everyone is different. I am just so depressed because Im 28 and the past 10 years Ive had 10 or more jobs and could never hold any of them down for more than like 3 months tops. Everyone feels Im lazy and has even said it to my face. I just wish so bad that they could enter my body for one day and realize im NOT lazy, im incapable! :(

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

As Annie mentioned we r not Drs, and it is hard for us to say...looking at ur MRI ur tonsils do look herniated, but it does not look as crowded as most others, a CINE MRI is what u will want to check CSF flow and as Annie mentioned u want to rule out ALL  related conditions such as syringomyelia, tethered cord, ICP, POTS, sleep apnea, ehlers-danlos....

Many of us r mis-Dx'd with fibro and later find out it is the EDS or Chiari causing many of the tender point pains and not fibro,

Use the Health pages here for more info and our Drs list to research Drs...u will want a true Chiari specialist to help guide u.

[AnnieDear]

It depends on your insurance, or if you have insurance, I suppose. You could probably go to your primary care physician and request an MRI for the headaches, pressure, and pain. Then the PCP could send you to either a neurologist or a neurosurgeon. I actually saw a neurosurgeon first, so that's an option, too, if you can find one who has treated Chiari and will see you. You can make an appointment for possible Chiari? I don't know how that would work.

I was diagnosed after an auto accident. I had the MRI after a second trip to the ER for excruciating pain and reduced cognitive & motor function. I went to an orthopedic specialist first, but he said that the Chiari and syrinx didn't cause symptoms. I found a neurosurgeon locally and sent them my MRI records and they called back and said I needed to be seen ASAP. I stayed with them for 6 months, then that NS said I was too complicated and needed to see a specialist at the research hospital 3 hours south of us. So that's where I went and ultimately had decompression surgery. All of our stories are different, but most are long and twisty ;)

Good luck!
Annie

[QuartzDice]

great advice. thanks much for responding! i hreatly appreciate it! So a neurosurgeon is who i should probably start off with seeing to get a current mri and have check for a diagnoses? I did find an actual Chiari Center near my town but when I read the intro it said for a couseltation I would need to send a current MRI and fill out some questionaire. I guess Im just wondering what type of doctor is the best to start with when you have yet to be diagnosed. What about a neurologist? or would it be more practical to do the neurosurgeon instead?

[AnnieDear]

Again, not a doctor. Just a Chiarian and a mom ;)

Based on that image alone (it's hard to get a good idea looking at one image from a series), I think it does look like you could have a herniation. Your doctor will need to check the images and make sure there's room for CSF flow (or the radiologist will note it in the MRI report). You'll also want to look for a syrinx in your spine and check for other related conditions. Helpers-Danlos, POTS and others. There's a thread on here where another member asked about related conditions and Selma did a good job with them.

Most important advice: don't freak. Stress makes symptoms worse. Listen to the neurosurgeon and get a second opinion. Make sure you see a true Chiari specialist. You've been living with these symptoms a long time. It stinks, but you got hang a little longer to start getting help. Or find another neuro with a closer appointment date and save the one your already scheduled with as a second opinion?

Best wishes,
Annie

[QuartzDice]

Hi its me again, I realize that that picture may not be large enough. I made a new one a little bigger and also drew a line to help visualize better. Try this link if you would like to see that pic instead. Thanks:

http://i50.tinypic.com/ejeyo6.jpg