Multiple surgeries for Chiari?? Even years later??

[Lovemygirls2]

I am scheduled to have decompression surgery for my Chiari on October 28- 3 weeks from Tuesday.  I am beginning to get a little nervous about it.  My question is this?  Are there alot of people out there who have had the decompression surgery and then maybe years down the road start to have all the symptoms all over again?  Seems like that is a common theme lately on the forum.  Just curious as to how many people out there have had either multiple surgeries for their Chiari or years later after the surgery begin to have problems again.  My husband and I were just talking last night after reading some of the posts- he said it would really stink to have to have this surgery every so many years!  I thought yeah it would!  I would also love to hear from anyone who has had the decompression surgery once- and they are still doing fine years later.  I just kind of like to know what to expect!  If possible!  :)

[Lovemygirls2]

I am glad you liked Dr. Hampf!  I was thinking about you Monday- knowing you were there the same day I was.  The only experience I have, obviously, is my own- but I will share my experience with you, and I hope it may help.  Doctor Hampf told me the same thing- the symptoms would get worse.  He told me that I would know when the surgery was needed.  He said when the pain gets to a certain point- the patient knows when it is time!  Mine was to that point when I first met him and my symptoms have continued to worsen.  Unfortunately, I feel he is right about the symptoms continuing to progress and get worse.  My symptoms started last fall- if I could rate my symptoms with a 1 being minimal and 10 being severe.....last fall they were probably a 3.  Within 8 months- May of this year symptoms had probably progressed to a 5 or 6.  By the time I went to Dr. Hampf two months ago- symptoms were probably a 7 or 8.  Now- my symptoms are pretty much an 8 always.  I am so thankful I have surgery scheduled for Tuesday of this coming week.  I tell my husband, OFTEN, that if I wasn't having the surgery soon- I wouldn't be able to make it!  I have been very prayerful about the whole decision of surgery and I feel very confident that I am doing the right thing!  I hope this in some way has helped!  I think honestly- when the time is right for you to have the surgery- you will know!  Good luck with your decisions- I hope you get your "sign" you are hoping for!

**Note to everyone on the forum- my surgery is Tuesday- October 28!  I would appreciate any prayers and happy thoughts!  Shane99 will update you guys on how I am doing after the surgery!  Thanks for all the support everyone has given!**

[5757]

Have you seen a DO or cranial osteopath?  We are checking into this type of treatment for our son before we will even consider surgery.

5757

[sissy114]

As i'm sure you read the post i sent to lovemygirls2, i saw Dr. Hamp and really liked
him. I am still so afraid but have to decide if i will have the surgery or not. I keep hoping for some kind of sign but probably hoping in vain.  I keep forgetting to ask if anyone knows if insurance co. consider this pre-existing?



Thanks!
sissy114

[sissy114]

Well, I met with Dr. Hampf yesterday and was very pleased with him.  He said the
decision is mine but thinks the symptoms will probably get worse.  I am still so afraid
to do the surgery. I hear so many people on here say they have had to go back for more
surgeries and that really scares me, since my problems seem so small compared to
others. Do you or anyone reading this know of any ways to help the pain without the
surgery?  Again i only have aching arms,neck pain and shoulder pain. I can't sleep at
night because of my arms hurting so. Dr. Hampf thinks that it will probably get worse
and since it effects the quality of my life, i should consider it. Wish i knew what to do.
Anyway, I hope things go well for you and please keep us posted.       sissy114

[Pig378]

bless your heart you will be fine. I promise you I was about the same. My shoulders, had swollen up so bad, and I couldn't even swallow anything no more, whatever, I digest it came right back up and I started tripping, I had a stroke, on my left side, I was so dysfunctional I didn't know what to do. I had to have the surgergy or I would of died and I would have been paralysis, from neck down, because I had a path in my spinal cord, that was stopping the fluid that protects the brain from doing it's job, So trust me been there done that. Trust and have faith and everything will be alright, I promise. Have the faith and believe and God, will do the rest.

[Pig378]

Hi, My name Is Trenna Nixon I had surgery a year ago for a Arnold Chiair Malformation and i still have pain, but I am trully blessed.God, took care of me and I have a living testimony, he will do the same for you.I thought that I was going to die my syptoms, were unbareable, but I close my hospital door, and I prayed and I prayed and when I went for surgery, on May.16,2007 it was me and the good lord, i stayed in ICU, for about a week, came out started my Therapy, and I've been doing good every since. Trying to find me another pain specialist doctor, becase I am a single parent and my kid's come before anything in my life including me and I didn't keep my appointments, so they dropped me but god, found me another doctor. so I am okay with that. My daughter just had surgergy, on Wednesday, and she is doing so great Listen, when I tell you God, is good all the time he really is we are very blessed. So have the surgergy and Pray day in and day out and watch what god, will do for you.I promise. God Bless you and keep you I will always have in my prayers always don't worry yoursef it will be alright I promise tell your family and your husband to pray constentlly.