CHIARI

[nosha]

IS IT ANYONE THAT HAD DECOMPRESSION SURGERY WHOS SYMPTOMS APPROVED? JUST TRYING TO DECIDE IF THIS IS BEST FOR ME.

[*Stormy*]

Hello and Welcome

Although I didn't see a huge improvement in all my symptoms, there was an immediate improvement in my gait which was a huge success for me. I am still dealing with a lot of other things but it has only been two months and I still feel like I am gaining more ground everyday. I also have suspicions that there may be more things going on with me that are not Chiari related. Honestly, even if nothing had got better I would have done it b/c my only option was to keep progressing to something worse. As Wolf said you have to look at your symptoms and decide if you can live with them for awhile....I could not. Just make sure you keep a close eye on them as sometimes the progression can come on rapidly. Good luck in making your decision!
Carolyn

[ChiariWolf]

Hello, it's a hard choice to let someone go fishing around in your head. As your Dr no doubt told you it's a risky buisness and to which only you can say yes or no. For that reason, I applaud your question.

For me personally, would I have it done again knowing what I do now? Absolutely!!! Does that mean all is well now? Aboslutely not. But I did go from 43+ symptoms and growing some of which proved to have been life threating down to just a few now. Chiari is still a pain perhaps even life limiting for me. But the surgery has allowed me to resume some of my hobbies and other activities that before where out of the question.

I'll say no more as I don't want to sway you one way or the other. Let your symptoms and your present quality of life or lack thereof make your determination.  

I too hope that perhaps in some way this has helped to answer the questions floating around in your mind.

Wolf

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

There r many members that have had remarkable reduction in symptoms and there r those of us that still have symptoms as we have additional related issues to contend with.
I hope u have a chiari specialist that is advising u and testing u to see if u have other issues like a syrinx, tethered cord, DDD, EDS, PTC , over crowding and CSF blockage.

The symptoms u have along with the blockage and overcrowding is what chiari drs look at to consider someone for surgery.Having chiari does not automatically mean u will have surgery, but if ur symptoms r progressing and u have OC and  a blockage, then it is advised to have surgery , NOT to lessen symptoms but stop progression and possible perm damage.

I hope this was helpful : )

I did have surgery and am happy I did as I can rest knowing I did  what I could to prevent the progression.

"selma"