Pain

[greatwaiting]

Hello everyone,
I was rear ended in a car accident July 20, 2010 since than my life has been nothing but, pain and doctors. I had a CT before the accident to check for a blood clot everything was fine but since the accident and 3 mri later I have been told I have a 4mm borderline chiari malformation which is the first time I have heard this and know I'm told I was born this way but I do not believe that. I unable to think, read and my memory is bad I sound drunk when I speak, I live with headaches everyday, numbness, double vision, TMJ, sunburn feeling in my hands and of course I loss alot of sleep. Please can somebody help me with information and what I should do I live in area with not alot of great doctors.

[selmaS]

  Hi...we all will tell u that u have to get a true chiari specialist, and u may have to travel to get to a dr that knows and understands chiari.

  I am adding the link to the thread for the list of drs....keep in mind it is not intended as a referral, but a means to aid u in ur research of drs that have treated chiari.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Chiari-Malformation/LIST-OF-CHIARI-SPECIALISTS/show/1293483

"selma"

[pamk5]

Hello and welcome!  I was in an accident about a month after yours.  This started my symptoms too.  Studies have show that a big percentage of CM patients become symptomatic after some type of trauma.  It is possible that the CM didnt show up on the CT or the radiologist didnt report it.  In this case I would get copies of all scans and reports.  I am not sure if it will show up on CT or not...I am sure others will sound off on this.  I know MRI is the preferred test.  It is also possible to get CM after an accident if it causes a leak of CSF fluid and low pressure.  

What I would do is get copies of everything and make an appt with a true CM specialist.  There is a difference between a NS who sees CM occasionally and a NS that specializes in this condition.  A CM doc will be able to answer your questions about the causes,etc.  There is a list here in the forum of docs that other members have used and liked.  It is meant as a place to start.  Be aware you may have to travel but your health is worth it.

Again, welcome!  I hope you find the support and answers here that you need.  

Pam

[sleepypea]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.
I know it seems like a lot to swallow, but you will come to find out that a lot of us on here found out about our Chiari Malformation after some sort of Trauma like whiplash, or a MVA.
It seems as though maybe before the Trauma our bodies were able to to compensate for a lot of the symptoms so that we didn't experience them full force and after the truama something happens and we are awaken to all the symptoms and it's like a flood gate has been open.
Although the Malformation itself is actually of the opening at the base of the skull and probably has been there since birth it is possible that the force of the accident could have caused the herniation to be more prominant or aggravated it but that is just my opinion.
I am not a Dr. and can only tell you what I would do.
I would have it checked out by a true chiari specialist not just a NS who knows about it.
There is a list here in the forum of Dr.s that specialize in this area. Other members here have been to these Dr.s and listed them on the tread and what area they are in by State.
Check it out and see if there is a dr. in your area. The list isn't meant to be a referral just Dr.s that others have seen and liked :)
Your symptoms sound so much like mine. I didn't have a lot of them until after a whiplash accident....Now that I know more about Chiari there are a lot of symptoms that I had all throughout my life but I thought they were normal and never was concerned however after the accident they became out of control and unbareable...There are days that I feel like I can't take it anymore, but somehow I find the strength to make it through and then eventually I get a few days where it isn't so bad.
As of yet I have not had surgery. I am waiting until I can get into a specialist. I would really like to been seen by the Chiari Institue in New York, but I am in Florida and at this time my Ins. will not pay for out of state treatment....Well Goodluck. You have come to right place. everyone here is wonderful and have excellent advice :)