how to soothe neck pain

[jellybean12391]

I have type 1, 6.8 mm, and my worse symptom is always neck pain. Today, my neck popped in a weird way and it hurts to just hold my head up. What are some at home remedies or exercises I can try to make the pain lessen?

[The_Marine_Corp_Brat]

Unfortunately some NS and NL alike whether specialists or not decide if the herniation is not greater than 10 mm that is is not significant enough to be considered Chiari malformation. I was told this by a NL in my area. He told me I barely made the cut off for most specialists to even consider looking at me as a "true Chiari patient" and not a hypochondriac. Get a second opinion! Selma is right you need a CINE MRI and a second opinion! They do not have any specialists in my area and I have sent my information off to several that I found on the list of Dr."s they have on here. Check it out there may be one on here that is close to you that actually is a true specialist! :) I have the same problem with pain and nothing ever really makes it go away totally, but I made a rice heating bag that I warm up in the microwave for moist heat, it doesn't smell the greatest so I add potpourri to mine (it helps some with the starchy smell) and use that on my back and will alternate it with ice on a rare occasion (ice and I don't get along :) except for my HA's) if the heat alone doesn't seem to be enough. I used fleece like for sweatpants and left the soft side out! sewed the square up except for a hole big enough for the rice and potpourri (turn it inside out the way the seams aren't showing Lol!) put the stuff in sew it up and warm it up! It's awesome! Make it as big or small as you want!! Hope this helps sweetie!!! I will be praying for you!

[jellybean12391]

I have not had a CINE. Yes, they were referring to the size of the herniation. Which I thought was ridiculous. He also told me I probably just have a headache problem.

[selmaS]

  A CINE MRI is done in 2 parts, the first is similar to a reg MRI the 2nd  part is done with a contrast dye added and a clip or leads added to record ur BP during the test and it is recorded in real time...as a video and not still pics as the reg MRI is this is to watch the flow of CSF...Some call it a flow study...but that is what it does watches as the CSF moves to see if the tonsils pulsate with the beat of the heart beat.

  What did they mean u barely have Chiari...were they refering to the size of ur herniation? If so, this Dr was not a true chiari specialist bcuz Chiari is not the herniation, but the malformation of the skull....the herniation is a result of the small area.

I really think u need a 2nd opinion.

[jellybean12391]

I went to the Heartland clinic at UW, he was a specialist. I haven't been tested for anything else, I was told I "barely have a Chiari".

The Topamax, over night, affected my vision. I went to the clinic, I was old o have my eyes checked because that kind of decrease COULD NOT happen over night. I proceeded to have my eyes examined, they told me there was no way it wasn't the medicine and to stop taking it.

I'm not sure. What is the difference?

[selmaS]

  Hi...make sure the NS is a true Chiari specialist and u r tested for all related issues....

As for the TOPAMAX...what type of reaction as it does have a strange effect when u start on them and takes approx 2 weeks to adjust.

Have u had a CINE MRI?

[jellybean12391]

I've been to a neurosurgeon, he said that I don't NEED surgery, yet, and they're slacking on my neurologist referral. They started me on Topamax 25 mg, which I immediately had a reaction to, so I've not been taking it. But the pain has been persistent and sometimes, like today, its so bad I don't want to move.