Yes!! Do tons of research...because educating yourself is the best thing you can do at this point.
www.chiarione.org is a great place to start.
Also, the Chiari Institute in NY has some wonderful educational videos for patients on their website. When you can, take some time to watch these.
Also, asap.org has a forum for those with Chiari and/or Syringomyelia.
Do as much reading as you feel up to, and then if you have any questions, let one of us know.
My daughter had surgery for Chiari and Syringomyelia in October of last year. We are so thankful that she had this option. Chiari is not life-threatening, but can be life-altering!
Rebecca
Look it up. That is really the best advice I can give to you. My husband and I never heard of it either. But he found out that he had it in May and had the surgery for it in April 2008. He is doing great and don't have anymore headaches.
During the surgery the Dr took out 1/3 to 1/4 part of the skull out that connects to the C1 Vertabrae and made more room for his Cerebral Tonsils. He is doing so much better. I have a pic of his incision in my pictures. Anymore questions let me know and I will do my best to answer.