Cervical stenosis

[taylapj]

Hi!! I have disc prolapse at c3-4/c4-5(fairly large in size) scoliosis, chiari malformation type 1 (3mm) cervical stenosis, nerve root and spinal cord impingement, the pain I'm in in daily, I can still work part time but have to rest every opportunity I get,  ... My nl has called me in in 2weeks to discuss these results.  I've been having physio since beginning of august and I don't feel ANY change, would I be crazy in pushing for surgery ??? Seems to me there's alot going on there that's adding symptoms to my life, that and I have zero energy ever!!

[selmaS]

Please keep me posted on what ur NL says....

And as far as sleeping...do try diff pillows and try to elevate the head of ur bed..we do this when we have reflux, but also helps with chiari as well as it helps us get into diff positions that can help take stress off other areas.....body pillows help too!!

"selma"

[taylapj]

Thanks Selma, yes i am so frustrated, may even ask my GP for some kind of muscle relaxant on Thursday when i go there for Physio because i am so tierd, i literally dred going to bed now because i can not get comfy, laying on my side gives me chest pains, and laying on my back with my head of the pillow feels like my head is sore, like bruised?!! and laying on my front is a big no no!

I have been called back to my NL next Wednesday, not sure why, i live in hope that perhaps this time they may take things seriously .... but i'll push for Cine yes.

[selmaS]

All ur symptoms r what most if not all with chiari and chiari related issues deal with...I can relate to how frustrating it is...just to find a dr that validates all the symptoms.....

And finally getting treatment that works....unfortunately...by working  that does not imply u will be rid of all the pain and discomfort....

Push for the CINE MRI as u do need to know if u have a CSF blockage and overcrowding.....

Use relaxation techniques to help calm down the pain.

"selma"

[taylapj]

Thanks for your reply Selma,

My symptoms are; [ in no order ]

Headaches and Pain in the head especially at the back, behind my ears, and on top on my scalp
Tingling on my scalp
'burning' sensation in my arms
Pins n Needles in my left hand / fore arm
Daily electric shock pains
Vertigo - Worse in the morning or when i am laying down
constant fullness in my ears and some times my hearing goes very low then i get this ringing noise for a while untill my hearing comes back to normal
Nausea
Weakness in my legs - always they feel heavy
major fatigue - so tierd all the time, i seem to wake up twice in the nights because im so uncomfortable with neck stiffness
Neck spasms maybe twice a week, where i cant move my neck it hurts so much
Back ache
Pain in my ankle and toes [ like a sharp pain that lingers for a while]
My knees seem to buckle at any time, not all the time


No one has mentioned anything about a blockage as yet, i haven't had a CINE or MRI with contrast, but to me with all that's going on in my neck its highly likely that there's gotta be a blockage of some kind because the space that's normal isn't there at the moment. I am just SOOOOOO fed up with always being in some form of discomfort or pain, it's really really affecting my life.....

[selmaS]

Hi..many with chiari have bulging disks, scoliosis and stinosis....I have all of the above as well and  am a candidate for surgery for the slipped disk.....I think it would depend on what symptoms u r dealing with as a result...or if u r experiencing a CSF blockage as a result.

Look into a good orthopedist that also has knowledge of chiari.....

"selma"