Opthamologist appt today...

[Jennyfoo]

My eyes are still dilated, very blurry, so please forgive spelling mistakes. Lol! 

Basically, she said my right optic nerve looks a little inflamed, but it is within "normal" range. The left is ok, but also pushing the limits of "normal". The right compared to the left is where the inflammation is noticeable. I've never had that test done before, so they don't have my own norm to compare to. 

She said that if both looked bad and/or were out of the "normal" range, she'd recommend surgery ASAP.  She seemed quite knowledgable about Chiari, and told me that increased intracranial pressure leads to optic nerve swelling.  She even had a neurosurgeon she said she could refer me to. Very nice. 

So I guess I have more proof that I do indeed have problems from the Chiari malformation. It's nice to get that kind of validation. 

TTFN,
Jenn

*Just recently dx with "borderline" Chiari Malformation(3-5mm), severe nearly daily headaches, dizzyness, parasthesia, tons of symptoms. Also have Ankylosing Spondylitis(RA-type arthritis that affects mostly spine).

[selmaS]

Hi Jenn...a chiari dr will acknowledge a herniation smaller than 5mm in being able to affect u...where most other NS's feel the herniation must be larger than 5 mm b4 it could be considered.

Do be sure the dr u see is a true chiari specialist.....

I really dislike the term borderline chiari....if u have chiari u have chiari....the symptoms and it's affect on u may be minimal, but there is no border line...ur skull is either too small or it's not....lol....

Many with chiari do have RA and issues as a result involving the spine.

Keep us posted on this NS and if u go

"selma"

[dkdean]

Glad that you had your feelings validated!!!!  I also have tons of vision problems that are apparently CM related (and had been told by my first neuro-optha that I was hallucinating and the problems were not really there).  The optha I am seeing now knows CM....and it makes all the difference!!!!