no surgery???

[rootmac]

I'm just curious how many have been told by their doctors or neurologists that surgery, although an option, is not recommended?  I was diagnosed in 2007 with a 13 mm tonsil.  Until this week, i've been told that Chiari does not have any symptoms, that it's all in my head (duh), or that there is nothing wrong with me.  All these problems have been chalked up to having diabetic neuropathy, carpel tunnel (which i just had surgery for), fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue.  They've also suspected Lupus, M.S., and a host of others.
My family doctor finally got me an appointment with a neurologist this week, who told me that some, but not all, these symptoms that i'm experiencing is caused directly by the Chiari.  The neurosurgeon I saw when first diagnosed, basically dismissed me stating that 'in Canada, we don't do this kind of unnecessary surgery'.  Which later i discovered is a load of bull!  Apparently it's just in the province of Alberta they don't do 'unnecessary surgery!'  Very frustrating.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

As cnfinniss has mentioned in her post this is a typical response when u have an inexperienced Dr.....this happens all to often  and we get sent for a array of testing....all of the ones u mentioned and a few more : )

On the forum here we call this "the royal chiari run around"....we go to on e Dr after another getting one idea after another and none wants to admit there is a zebra among the horses...if it has stripes it's a zebra...and the Drs want to call it a horse...ugh


Ne way u do need to locate Drs in ur country that do have experience in dealing with this condition and do more testing that will help them know just how ur chiari is affecting ur overall health.-http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Chiari-Malformation/CHIARI-DRS-LIST-CANADA/show/1270605
This  is a small list, but it was compiled by the members here and they r names of their Drs...it is not a referral but a means to help u start ur research to locate the Dr that is right for u.

  "selma"

[cfinniss]

you need to see a chiari specialist the problem is that most doctors unless they are chiari specialists do not know anything about chiari.  i was miss-diagnosed for years.  my tonsils are only 7mm and already had my first decompression surgery.  there is a chiari doctors list on this site you can check and find a chiari specialist in your area.  you need a chari neurologist and a chair neurosurgeon.  or go to one of the chiari institutes which are listed on this site also.  i know how frustrating it is to be told" it is all in your head", the ironic thing is it is all in our heads literally!

cfinniss