Surgery or not

[Cori2389]

I am 23 years old and have a 12mm chiari malformation. I have had a pain level 7+  headache for the past three months.  I've tried migraine meds and steroids.  I've seen multiple surgeons but they all say it is up to me.  I am just looking for some advice from people in my condition what they did. Obviously I'm scared of surgery and the possibility that it will

[Cori2389]

Sorry my phone sent before i was done writing.

I am worried the surgery will cause adverse effects or not fix anything.

[Rylanesmom]

Have you had cine flow study? It is important to know if a csf blockage is causing your problems.  Also you need a full spine MRI to check for syrinx and a chiari specialist would check you for these and related conditions like PTC, eds, and tethered cord.  Nobody can tell you if surgery is right for you but 7 is a high pain level.  After finding out i had a blockage and knowing I cold it live with my symptoms I chose surgery.  For me the surgery was less pain than what I was living with and I was so scared.  It was my first surgery.  Hugs and prayers

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

First, make sure u have a CSF obstruction or syrinx, the size of the herniation is not as important as the obstruction or if u had a syrinx form.
There are also related conditions u want to make sure u do or do not have also b4 u consider surgery as they can affect how u feel and heal post op.

Many of us do not realize just how many symptoms we have until we get a dx or for that matter that many issues we live with daily and for yrs (all our lives) were in fact symptoms as we grew accustomed to them and considered them normal.

When considering surgery, which is a major surgery and does have risks,  u have to look at how ur chiari is affecting ur overall health and what symptoms u have......

  How long have u been dealing with ur HA's and other symptoms...and do u have a true chiari specialist....

Most Chiari specialists/NS will leave the decision up to u as to have surgery or not...the only time they make that choice is if it is an emergency situation.

[irislita]

Its difficult to say what u should do or not.my opinion...and its really my opinion is that the progression of my symptoms was soo quick that i didnt see any option anymore...it started to affect my legs over night and i really dont want to be in a wheelchair.dont rush urself into a decision of that surgery.sooner or later u will find ur answer