My story maybe hope for some

[KellyC1990]

Post op 2yrs. I'm a 22 year old female from Vancouver island Canada. At 19 years old I was diagnosed with chiari type 1 and syringomyelia the syrinx grew the entire length of my spine and it was ready to burst and caused permanent nerve damage, my chiari was so severe I was told j was in my death bed. I suffered from severe headaches the entire right side of my body became paralyzed I lost complete control of my vocal chords as well as the muscles all along my esophagus eating was impossible, I would bleed out of my ears and my hands and feet would turn blue. 3 months after being diagnosed I went in for a decompression surgery. The surgery was a success but during my stay in the hospital I became addicted to morphine and painkillers. I currently am no longer. I had to re learn to walk, talk, and eat. I became very depressed bed ridden most of the time. I'm still working on my depression but my body has almost fully recovered I still live with pain but this pain is nothing compared what it used to be so it is very bare able. I exercise and run everyday I'm almost back to what I was at 17. I am aware that I'm very fortunate to live in Canada where the surgery and seeing the doctors was paid. I'm so lucky to have met the doctor that I did, Dr Hentschel. Not as many had the luck I did but I wish with all my heart that this might bring hope to people and that the decompression surgery does work.. In the right hands of the right person. Take control push those doctors to listen to you, if you won't speak up for yourself who will? No one. I'm lucky but I did have to push to see specialist. Pce and love

[KellyC1990]

Thank you :)

[frankie_rush]

I am glad to hear you are doing better.  I do know you what you went through.  I had the same experience of having to learn to walk and talk and eat.  I had my surgery in July 2012.  I am glad that I had it.  I didn't have any pain with headaches, but had other issues of balance, and getting choked righ in the middle of swallowing and slurred speech and blurred vision.  It took me almost to the beginning of 6 months to learn how to walk.  I will give the praise to the man upstairs cause he is the one that mad it happen.  Her just gave me the stubborn will to not give up until I was done.  The Patrica Neal Center in Knoxville, Tn.  They was my therapist and the best.  I do go to the gym but do it within my limits.  But I am back to normal as one can get .

[AnnieDear]

You sure did go through a lot! It's fantastic that you're able to share your experience now and even more awesome that you are doing better. Good luck for continuing success :)

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Thank u for sharing ur experience and the outcome...wow u have had quite the journey!!

I hope u add ur Drs name to our list for Canada if he is not already on there....as I am sure it will be very helpful as is ur post : )