Elevated ANA and chiari

[Stephiec79]

Hi everyone. I got some bloodwork results back today. I guess my ANA was positive, but it's non-specific and in a speckled pattern (whatever that means). My question is: is there any correlation between auto-immune markers and chiari?
Thank you!
Steph

[selmaS]

  Unfortunately I am not aware of Chiari specialists in ur area....and what and whom u need is a true Chiari specialist......

We do have a list of Drs that the members here have been to and liked and we have one for the US, UK, Canada,Australia....but I know we do not have a  Dr in the Bahamas,....http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=186

U may be able to find one here that will consult with ur Drs there...it is worth a try. Please be advised the list of Drs is not a referral nor an endorsement...just a means as a starting place to research Drs.

Mayb u will start a list of Drs in the Bahamas?

[Noted_Touch]

Thank you for your kind and thorough response to my post.  It is indeed comforting to find persons who know about Chiari and its related illnesses.  Yesterday was the first time that I had ever heard about the term or such a diagnosis.  

As per my diagnosis of Cervical Plexopathy.  This was done at Jackson Memorial Hospital and I have copies of the film and reports of MRI's that were completed in The Bahamas prior to my diagnosis - where the neurologist only said I had a pinched nerve and months later when I could not walk or think coherently because he had given me a drug in which I had a reaction to, I was diagnosed with Cervical Plexopathy.  I was told that both my previous MRI (2000) and the 2001) showed Cervical Plexopathy.  I received epidurals to alleviate the pain for the Cervical Plexopathy.  

I am a 'reseacher' - so I have all data related to my illness for the past two decades.  Now, what do I do from here?  How to I get the help that I need to cope and to screen for other correlated illnesses and complications?  I really need to walk through this with support.  I really appreciate all the help that I can get.

Kind regards.  

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

May I ask how they arrived at ur Cervical Plexopathy DX? What testing was done? If u had a MRI, request a copy of it as it may show ur Chiari on it and ur Drs now will be able to compare. Plus, always ask for copies and reports of ALL testing...MRI,CTs, and blood panels.....it will help u know what is going on and able to go for a 2nd opinion more readily as u will not have to wait for a copy. Drs will charge for a copy of ur medical info, so get it on ur own from the facility that does the study, they will supply u with it at no xtra charge.

I would strongly suggest u get checked for related conditions especially POTS and ehlers-danlos....since u mention a circulation type issue and u have bulging disks...both conditions could be at play. U should have ALL related and non related conditions ruled out, and take ur time to find a NS as not all NS;s are well informed and experienced to do the decompression surgery for Chiari.

We do have a list of Drs in the Health Pages for u to use to research them, the list is not meant to be a referral nor an endorsement.

I hope u find this helpful.

[Noted_Touch]

I have just been diagnosed with Chiari yesterday after taking a full body MRI.  My symptoms were varied - including periods where I am unable to walk.  I did have  a high levels of Uric acid - one year ago - which we attributed  to gout  my not walking - and another occasion with the swelling of my wrist - which we also attributed to gout..  I was diagnosed and treated for Cervical Plexopathy in 2001 and it is shocking to discover at this point that I have Chiari which may have been the same diagnosis for Cervical Plexopathy.  I thought I had varicose veins because symptoms of my not being able to put down my legs after playing the organ for extended period seemed to indicate vein problems - but there are no evidence of protruding veins.  Support hose does help the pain in my legs though.  I have diffused disc bulges from between all my vertebrae from C-2 to C-6.  I am very concerned.  What should I do since this diagnosis.  I will be looking for suggestions.  I suffer from chronic headaches and mayo-facial pain.  

[selmaS]

  Hi....I know there is a Chiari specialist in TN.....not sure who u r seeing....but do take a look at the list of Drs we have in the Health Pages....use it to research Drs.....I have no idea if the Dr listed will rule out ALL related conditions, but I know quite a few members have been to him and liked him.

As for the ANA and ESR levels, so many of us do have auto immune and  connective tissue disorders which may affect these levels.

Ur PCP may be able to send u to a endo to see if u have ne issues there with auto immune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto's.

[LOUGIE]

Selma,
Thank you for replying to me. I have had just about every test you can think of at one time or another. I am so frustrated. I am trying to get an appointment at Mayo in Rochester, but Rheum. has rejected me, so my PCP is in the process of requesting that I be seen by Internal Med. for evaluation. I simply don't know what or where I will turn if I get rejected again. My ANA was extremely high as well as my ESR but my ANA was non specific so therefore the Drs. here in Ark, and TN. don't know what to do with me. My daughters are having symptoms that are exactly my mine. If anyone could help me I will be eternally grateful.  Thank U