You said you had an injury and found the Chiari while treating the injury right?
Do you have any symptoms to warrant a surgery? And what kind of cyst? or do you mean syrinx?
Chiari is very odd in the fact there is a lot of people with a herniation, but very few of them become symptomatic. If your Chiari is Asymptomatic then surgery could just end up making it symptomatic. Except in the case of a syrinx where things are virtually guaranteed to go down hill if untreated.
As the other posters already said, get a second opinion from a Chiari specialist. Make sure there is a good reason to even have the surgery.
Chiari is the herniation of the cerebral tonsils which block CSF flow,which in turn cause a syrinx (cyst) to form.Many of us have surgery once an obstruction of CSF is found to prevent a syrinx (cyst).
Surgery is done to restore flow,with hopes the cyst shrinks. If left untreated could lead to permanent nerve damage.
You need a true Chiari specialist to have more testing done to rule out ALL related conditions.
We are all different and other related conditions which can affect recovery.There is no way to offer a time frame for you.Recovery can be slow and take a few months before you feel up to doing more. We need to listen to our bodies as to when we can do more.
Hi, I went to a neurologist yesterday and was told that the bottom part of my brain is seeping into my spine. That's why I have a cyst. He also stated that I have to get the decompression surgery, which I didn't want. How long is the recovery? I wanna know because most of my income comes from playing keyboard/organ at my church. Without it will cripple me financially with a laid off husband and 3 kids! I had to stop working a new job because of this. Any advice?
Selma has some great points. Prayers for you.
Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum,
I totally understand your fears and concerns with this surgery,,,,,however many of us have had it with positive results....and this is the only way to help with this condition....
You said your Chiari was acquired due to an injury, may I ask for more detail on that?.....it seems those that have acquired Chiari actually do better since they tend to not have any of the related conditions to Chiari.....
Make sure you 1- have a true Chiari specialist....
2- ask if there is a CSF obstruction
3- ask,since it was acquired, is it possible the herniation will retract?