MS or Chiari

[LauraSue49]

Was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and Arnold Chiari in 2000.  Had just had a minimal problem with my vision.  Had MRI showing  several lesions on brain and spinal cord though never had any issues. Had spinal tap which even after following all instruction had severe headache for  5 days,  Spinal reading was cfs-5 bands present, 0 bands present in serum.  Was told Had MS took interferon drug for 6 years.  During taking Interferon had severe emotional problem, unbelievable pain throughout my body, simple partial seizures every 21 days, never having seizures before. Highly allergic to seizure meds.  Have tried 15 different meds but most have same components.
After being off Interferon for 3 ½ years many some issues have cleared up.  Have severe pain in the base of my neck radiating down arm.  If I sleep on my back both hands fall asleep and pain worsens.  Have to sleep on right side to get sleep.  My voice is very hoarse and throat sore everyday.  Went to family practitioner no sign of infection, etc.  The back of my head feels like some has hit me with a baseball bat everyday.  Have problems swallowing and seems like food is not going down easily.
A year ago had a plate in my neck @ c 5/6 had MRI and have been told not the problem.
Could Arnold Chiari show levels quoted on previous spinal cord results? Or symptoms claimed?

[Abhijeet Ghosh]

Dear lauraSue49,
Many thanks for posting the question through my forum.
The symptoms are mainly pertaining to MS and  maybe getting complicated due to the Arnold Chairi malformation.TO make the matter worse, you already have a surgery for the C5-C6.
I will begin with the surgery for C5-C6. Since a surgery is already done, so chances of it's failure are less(already a plate has been fixed in that level).So the numbness,etc should not be related to this issue, unless there is a problem to another disc level.
Also the Signs/Symptoms, which you have mentioned, doesn't appears to be related to the Arnold Chairi malformation.
It's only the MS, that we h ave to be careful about.Symptoms like paresthesia, hypoasthesia, hoarseness of voice, unwanted eye movements, fatigue, chronic pain, etc are very common.
I am worried that MS is not controlled in your scenario as the symptoms you have mentioned co-related with MS. Need you to consult a Neurologist at the earliest.
Please feel free to discuss more with me.
Regards..

[LauraSue49]

Wrote on Jan 07, 2010 08:19PM Multiple Sclerosis and Arnold Chiari.  The issues have gotten unbearable. If I sleep on my back both hands fall asleep and pain worsens.  Have to sleep on right side to get sleep.  My voice is very hoarse and throat sore everyday.  Went to family practitioner no sign of infection, etc.  The back of my head feels like some has hit me with a baseball bat everyday.  Have problems swallowing and seems like food is not going down easily.   Had recent (2-11-10) MRI and CFS (Cerebral Flow Study).  It is as follows:

"CSF Flow Study at the Cranial Vertebral Junction Region:

There is again identified elongation and tapering of the cerebellar tonsils extending well below the foramen magnum. Both the medulla and cerebellar tonsil completely fill in the foramen magnum. CSF flow study fails to demonstrate CSF flow around the cerebellar tonsil, or posterior to the cerebellar tonsil, or evidence of flow in the inferior vermain region. CSF flow is noted in the ventral aspect of the upper cervical spinal region, and posterior cervical spinal region, but just up to the cerebellar tonsil. CSF flow is noted along the ventral aspect of the medulla and pons. CSF flow also extends up through the cervical spinal canal through the obex region up to the fourth ventricle. There is no evidence for pistoning of the cerebellar tonsil in the foramen magnum region.

Impression:

Findings of a Chiari Type I Hindbrain Malformation.

Restricted or no flow around the inferiorly herniated cerebellar tonsil."

Desperately looking for answers.
LauraSue49