new and confused

[korinavt]

I was just diagnosed with syrinx in my upper lumbar after having a lumbar mri done from severe pain that's not getting better to my suprise the radiologist found this thing and I am going in for a cervical and thoracic mri on Sunday. I have never had any severe symptoms before my the car accident but now can hardly walk can't move my neck have pain in my back and shoulders along with numbness and tingling and muscle spasms. I also have a herniated disc slight in my l4-l5 and something going on with my facets (?). I guess I am just scared and confused on what's happening. The part of the syrinx that they saw was 7mm but I am not sure how wide. You could def see it in the pictures though. I am afraid because o am only 31 have 3 young kids am not able to work and never had any symptoms before the accident. My Dr is talking surgery and I have no idea where to even start. I just need someone who has been through this to help me cope with this shock. Thanks

[selmaS]

Good luck and do keep us posted : )

[korinavt]

Yes he is the one but they want me to see a neurosurgeon in Spokane first. Got the results and I do not have chairi and my syrinx starts at t5 and ends at t12. It's 4.3 x 3.5 mm. The neck injuries are probably from bulging discs that start at c4 through c6/7. The three top ones are narrowing the canal. So I guess we see the NS next and go from there.

[selmaS]

  Oh do u mean Dr Ellenbogen ?....I think he is in Seattle.....

Glad they used the contrast....

Good luck with the results.

[korinavt]

Thanks for the welcome. I had more mri's performed today. They had to do some with out contrast but about half way through the radiologist came in and said he wanted them done with contrast. Hopefully we will have the results tomorrow. I do have severe whiplash along with a pretty bad neck and shoulder strain. A lot of my issues are in my lower back also but my syrinx ends at my t11 I believe. Will update more tomorrow. The closest specialist to me is in Seattle which is about 5 hrs away but I am not going to have anyone but a specialist work on me if I need surgery.

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Once u have ur other MRI's it will be easier for ur Drs to determine if ur syrinx is congenital or acquired from the injury due to the MVA.....

Many of us are not aware of many symptoms we have as we consider how we feel as "normal" since we have always felt that way, but it does not make it normal.

If ur syrinx is due to an injury  u may find ur neck issues are whip lash and related muscle injuries....

U may find u can have positive results going for PT...and u may find there is something more going on....

But it is best for focus on resting and relaxing as stress can add to how poorly u feel...

Do u have a Chiari specialist to help u? I know at this point u were not DX'd with Chiari, but they are the ones that specialize in Syringomyelia too....