Cerebellar tonsillar ectopia on MRI?

[sarahsmile4me]

Got my results from MRI and it states that it is "normal MRI of brain" but shows that there is a "cerebellar tonsillar ectopia of 2-3 mm" and age-related disc dessication?  Migraines of great intensity since 1999, loss of balance, I fall all the time, did the day I got MRI results before they came over.  My neck hurts so bad I can hardly function and I have a strange sensation that feels like a rubber band popping and then a burning sensation that spreads from area where rubber band sensation occured to the top of my skull.  Can't speak or move while the sensation is there and it leaves me with a headache 90% of the time.  This occurs in my neck and I've had those sensations since I was seven or eight years old, I am now thirty.  I lose sensation in my hands and feet at times, and have pins and needles sensations a lot.  I also shake ALWAYS, a noticeable shake, and have since childhood.  
My GP told me that I need to follow up with neurologist....is this something I am going to be laughed out of their office about???  I am reading different things and it seems like my symptoms are pretty bad, considering how mild of a malformation it is.  Also, they didn't do a contrast MRI because I have asthma...would the contrast MRI show more???  Please help me.  I am hurting and I work with children, it is so hard to go in and lift them and keep my head up during the time that we are working on curriculum and crafting...I am in danger of losing my job as it is.  I also have two children of my own, ages 7 and 9, and it is affecting my life with them as well.   Is there anything I can do besides take my migraine meds and anti-inflammatory drugs????  Anyone who knows anything, I welcome all advice and input.  Thank you so much for reading my post.
God bless everyone who has this problem....my thoughts and prayers are with you.

[selmaS]

  We had that same Ice up here as well...so I know what u mean...and we expect more snow tonight into Sat...should prove interesting as they r calling for snow next week too...and the weather does affect how we feel.

The best way to deal with the kids is left them crawl onto ur lap if possible from a sitting position...that way u r not lifting them from the floor....

Just remember to listen to ur body, rest when u need to.

  "selma"

[sarahsmile4me]

Thanks for the warm welcome, and I am very grateful for the information that you have provided me.  It's been a long time coming that I finally got to this point of just beginning to find out information....and I'm sure I have a long road ahead of me.  I appreciate everything.  I will try and lay off picking the kids up, it's going to be difficult since I have to change their diapers! (yuk! dirty job, but someone's gotta do it...)
I have been resting these last couple of days.  Old Man Winter brought us a nice nasty ice storm so school has been out and luckily I have been able to rest some.  
I am going to check out these links now, but thank you once again, and nice to meet you.  I am glad that you are here, but sad for the reasons that bring you as well.
sarah

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

  I have to first mention do not get hung up on if ur chiari is "mild" especially if u r having the symptoms u r...too many drs use the length of herniation to determine the severity of the condition when in fact it is the obstruction of CSF and overcrowding along with symptoms that dictates how mild or severe ur condition is.

  Once u have a dx of chiari u should go to a true chiari specialist for further testing...as they will know the correct tests to do....

There r several other conditions drs will want to rule out...MS, Lupus, lymes...then chiari related issues like a syrinx, bulging disks, tethered cord, Ehlers-Danlos, sleep apnea,....

As for ur question if u may get laughed out of the office...it is possible that the NL may not take ur chiari dx seriously as many look at the herniation size...and urs is in their terms which is all outdated not chiari...some drs do consider it to be chiari 0 not chiari I...and y it is even more important for u to get to a true chiari specialist ....
2 reasons...the first dr may have measured from the wrong location on the MRI to determine the herniation, and many will not continue to look at chiari with  a 2 to 3 mm herniation as they have the wrong info.-http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Chiari-Malformation/LIST-OF-CHIARI-SPECIALISTS/show/1293483
The link I added is for our list of drs compiled by our members of their drs names, u do have to research all the drs, as this list is not a referral it is a means to help u with ur research.

  Next Contrast- yes, contrast does show more...it lights up the smallest areas veins and  allows the dr to see ne obstructions or abnormalities.

U should avoid lifting the children as this straining can affect ur herniation and how u feel.

We do have a list of anti inflammatory foods to help as well as using meds for this purpose, but what we do and how we do things is just as important...listen to ur body, stop when u have to , and rest as much as u can.-http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Neurological%20Disorders/Activities-to-avoid-with-Chiari-and-Syringomyelia/show/986?cid=186
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Neurological%20Disorders/Anti-inflammatory-Foods/show/1023?cid=186

We r happy to have u join us, but not happy for the reasons that bring u : )

"selma"

[MichelleF1983]

I just had a MRI and was told it was normal but the CT showed something but the radiologist stated under impression slight benign appearing cerebellar tonsillar ectopia

[MichelleF1983]

I'm starting to feel crazy because I'm having numbness and tingling on my right side of my body and really bad headaches act showed a spot on my brain and the MRI didn't show it but the impression was slight cerebellar tonsillar ectopia but the doctors are not taking me serious about how I'm feeling nothing is showing up in blood work or imaging results so what am I to do now but everyone points me to the psychiatrist office

[Ryanbrad]

Hey michele were you helped coz i have the same issue..kindly get back  mary.***@****

[selmaS]

@Ryanbrad  this member may no longer be active you can send a PM- private message to see if you can contact that way. You can also create a new post and ask a general question that current members can offer insight to.