My Chiari Story along with questions.

[JRLagrandeur]

"Hi, I am a 45yr old female living in Calgary AB, I have Chiari 1 Malformation, On my MRI it shows my cerebellar tonsils have a pointed configuration, extending up to 13mm below the level of the foramen magnum and there is crowding of the foramen magnum with a thin jet of CSF flow is noted ventral to the brainstem. I have a neurosurgeon appt on Oct 27/17 with Dr. Mitha. It first started in 2012 being 3mths pregnant and admitted to the hospital with meningitis. My doctor told me I would continue to have the headaches until after the birth of my son. Well the headaches continued well after and began having other symptoms with vision, hearing and chest pains. So my family doctor sent me for an MRI which showed my cereballar tonsils were at 9mm and round shape. Doctor thought I was depressed and prescribed me some anti depressants, tried taking them but made me feel worse. Life moved on with my symptoms getting worse with hands and legs getting tingling feeling like they were asleep, some days my walking was staggered and slurring speech. Got another MRI done in Jan 2017 and that finally got the ball rolling, so I thought. I was seen by a neurologist to find out that I do have some issues with my nervous system in my hands and legs but he gave me 2 options, 1. take some anti depressant pills (which I refused cause I am clearly not depressed) so now he recommended a neurosurgeon. Finally getting somewhere. I have developed other systems which are hard to explain or may sound strange but I get these light shocks in my body at times, just hard to explain. and I also get tremor feelings on occasion. My jaw gets sore often and many thumping feelings in my ears. So I guess my question is does anyone know about the doctor I will be seeing (Dr. Alim Mitha of Calgary). His reviews seem good although I am not sure how familiar he is with Chiari. Also wanted to know if the meaning "only a thin jet of CSF flow: means normal or not. Thank you for having a Chiari forum. Joanne"

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.
Sorry I am not familiar with that Drs name....will have to look at Dr list for Canada to see if a former member added that name to our list...and unfortunately it is not a good sized list.....as we do not get too many from Canada that  share the names for us to list.....here is a link.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Chiari-Malformation/CHIARI-DRS-LIST-CANADA/show/1270605

May I ask, did you have a CINE MRI? What all have you had a brain, cervical spine and thoracic and lumbar spine MRI's?

[JRLagrandeur]

I had an MR cervical spine, MR Brain and CINE MRI. not the others you mentioned.

[selmaS]

Do you have a copy of the MRI report?

[JRLagrandeur]

yes I do. How can I send it to you?

[selmaS]

Post it on your profile page as a journal, I will be able to see it if it is set as public....if you do not want to set it public, set to friends and we will send friend requests.

[JRLagrandeur]

I have posted them as a journal for everyone.  Thank you.

[selmaS]

I read the MRI report....it does indicate tonsil descent .....thanks for posting ....wish I could tell you more....do you know if you have an obstruction to CSF flow?

[JRLagrandeur]

I was never told but it does say something about a thin jet of CSF flow...not sure if that means a regular flow or perhaps a thin jet means there is some issues.  Its all ok if you can't say more. I am hoping Dr. Mitha will be able to clarify on my appointment. And I will sure share with everyone here including you!

[selmaS]

I never read that type of statement regarding CSF flow....thin jet? Odd....typically those with Chiari have some obstruction posteriorly....I look forward to hearing what you learn.