Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.
For many we do not recognize Chiari symptoms until that one day we do something just right or wrong and pow we have been hit by the symptoms we can not ignore. Once u learn more about Chiari u may realize u have had symptoms but that u adjusted to them and considered how u felt to be "normal" and not symptoms....Chiari symptoms can and do cycle so they are many times over looked or considered the result of something else.
As for football....u must be aware of all the pro players having issues as a result of head traumas....for someone with an issue to begin with IMHO I feel it is something that should be avoided...ne contact sport...I know how u feel about this and understand the opportunity u will miss out on....but we do have a list of activities to avoid and it is on there. Now u may find some Drs that will tell u ...once u heal u can go back to playing...that in my opinion is bull...u may feel much better, but surgery is not a cure, it is a means to restore CSF flow.
It also sounds like u need to find a true Chiari specialist as I never heard of stage 2 Chiari....my Drs never indicated stages....so, u may have a Dr that is not well informed or experienced with this condition,
Have u had a CINE MRI, a MRI of the brain, cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, did they rule out ICP, POTS,syringomyelia,sleep apnea, disk issues, tethered cord, ehlers-danlos, vitamin and mineral levels?
It also appears u already knew the answer to ur question...but had hopes someone would tell u differently.....some may, I would not....we are all different in how our body's respond to this surgery so no one can tell u what u will be able to do post op until u r post op. again JMHO
First off thank you for the response. The doctor I have been going to is a specialist. He says he has performed the surgery over 100 times without ever having complications. The way he described stages or types is determined by how far/big the chiari is. Mine is just past 5mm.
As far as surgery and football. I have had a total of three doctors, including my specialist, tell me that football would be one those things you play by year. I have not had surgery and as if right now don't plan on it if things stay they way they are. They are not comfortable but by no means are disrupting everyday life.
And for all the other things you listed whether or not they have been ruled out. They have not even been mentioned to me by my specialist. I have read about them trough personal research but have not been told anything by a professional.
May I ask, were u informed if ur herniation is congenital or acquired?
That is a big factor and is the diff btwn Chiari and low lying tonsils....acquired Chiari tends to have a better response to surgery and what they can do post op....where as those with congenital Chiari tend to have multiple conditions going on...and it helps to know b4 surgery if u do and what they are as they can affect how u feel and heal post op.
I would suggest u see a few Chiari specialists and compare them..... it is a major surgery and it has risks so it is important that u have the right Dr....and the best way to know is see a couple, JMHO
I was told that it was congenital. So I guess the next thing is to go see the doctor again. Thanks for the help.
No worries....keep us posted on what u find out.