asking for a friend....

[n40066]

at almost one year post surgery, has anyone had notable swelling in their neck?  it can be seen from the front.  my friend had a rather large syrinx as well and has continued tingling in her legs/feet to the point of it being painful.  her mri and other tests all say nothing is wrong.  that is sooo obviously not true!  if i recall correctly, can't a syrinx be "hidden" on an mri?  she still gets the horrid headaches too.  she is getting the standard response from the drs she has seen....you're depressed.  really?  that's the best you got???  wow.  suggestions please, folks.  something we can have her tell her drs. to look for.  btw, she has been to see a specailist, but how many surgerys hes done, i don't know.
thanks all!

[selmaS]

Hi Lizzy...was she checked for a thyroid issue?

AS for the tingling...could be a disk issue too!..and or a vitamin and mineral deficiency.....

Not sure about a syrinx being hidden..TC yes...but I am  not sure about a syrinx.

I keep thinking I am missing something to ad to this...oh well I will add it if I remember .....

Good luck to ur friend


"selma"

[neava]

hi

has your friend had a spinal MRI, done???
this my sound unusual but Chiari can cause spinal cysts, for all you know there could be one in there, best to rule things out,
also ill agree with selma go get vitamins check

[soccero]

hi,
From talking to Elizabeth and hearing what u guys r talking about I am preaty sure I no who u r talking about. I no that she goes to see dr. Campbell at Alfred I dupot hospital for children in Delaware. And had a 16 mm syrinx before surgery( can it refill?) and yes I have been checked for thyroid and vitamens and have had every test under the sun. My lAst spine MRI wasn't since a month after surgery tho.
Molly

[soccero]

alright I blew my cover there by swithching tences in the middle of my post my stupid chiari brain! So u guessed it it's me.
Molly

[selmaS]

...have u been checked for autoimmune thyroid issues? It is a diff test.

And is this about u?

Didn't u have a 6 month post op MRI?...I thought that was routine?...could just be my dr....

"selma"

[soccero]

I had an MRI but not of my spine and it wasn't even by my surgent so I dnt think he was planning on a 6 month MRI and I think he auto immune has been ruled out.
Molly

[selmaS]

Well a spine MRI should be doe to rule out a syrinx as u can have one in the thoracic and lumbar areas of the spine...most r found in the cervical spine, but they r not limited there.

Really?...u don't have ne auto immune disorders.....hmmm

[rod44]

Hi Molly & Elizabeth, A Syrinx is usually well defined on MRI, a 16mm Syrinx is very large so it would be hard to believe that they would miss it, sometimes they do resolve after surgery but you would need an MRI to clarify that. So I guess an MRI should be done one way or the other.

The swelling could be from any number of things, as Selma said the most likely thing is a thyroid issues. Lymph nodes or other gland problem could also be responcable.


Ray

[soccero]

They didn't miss it it was still there just smaller. Not gone but about 40-50% smaller they said. But that was one month post op can it refill ?
Molly

[*Stormy*]

I tried to read through the posts so I'm not sure if I missed it...

Have you had another MRI recently to check your syrinx? Or is that the issue at hand?

Have you had all your hormone levels tested (adrenals and pituitary gland) that can really send things out of wack too.

I still have very painful tingling too in my feet, it never has or does go away...so that is why I am checking into the hormone issues...some of that can cause it too.

Have you ever seen a Rheumatologist or Physiatrist? Those are some places I have gone or will be going too.

I am just going as many ways as I can to get some answers...I have to admit that I haven't got much yet but I hope to and then I can spread it to others.

Carolyn

[selmaS]

Hi...sorry, but yes they can refill and bcome larger than b4...I have a friend that has happened to.....so u really do need to get this MRI'd ASAP....to see what is going on.

[selmaS]

If the facial swelling is mild, it may be hard to detect. To assist the health care provider in diagnosing the cause, it is important to note the following:

Pain, and where it hurts
How long the swelling has lasted
What makes it better or worse
If you have other symptoms
Causes

Allergic reaction (such as allergic rhinitis, hay fever, or a bee sting)
Angioedema
Blood transfusion reaction
Cellulitis
Conjunctivitis with swelling around the eye(s)
Drug reactions, including those due to aspirin, penicillin, sulfa, glucocorticoids, and others
Head, nose, or jaw surgery
Injury or trauma to the face (such as a burn)
Malnutrition (when severe)
Obesity
Sinusitis
Stye with swelling around the infected eye
Tooth abscess
Home Care

Apply cold compresses to reduce swelling from an injury. Raise the head of the bed (or use extra pillows) to help reduce facial swelling.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

You should call your health care provider if you have:

Sudden, painful, or severe facial swelling
Facial swelling that lasts a while, particularly if it is getting worse over time
Difficulty breathing
Fever, tenderness, or redness, which suggests infection
What to Expect at Your Office Visit

If facial swelling is caused by burns, or respiratory distress is present, emergency measures must be taken first. Then the medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting facial swelling in detail may include the following:

How long has the facial swelling lasted?
When did it begin?
What makes it worse?
What makes it better?
What is your height and weight?
How is your diet?
Has there been exposure to something to which the person may be allergic (an antigen)?
What medication are you taking?
Have you had recent facial injury?
Have you had a recent test or surgical procedure?
What other symptoms are also present? Especially, is there:
Facial pain
Sneezing
Difficulty breathing
Hives or rash
Eye redness
Fever
Diagnostic tests will be determined by other accompanying symptoms and results of the physical examination.

[n40066]

hope that helps, molly!  by the way...you make a lousy detective!  lol!!!!