Thanks Cash, I'm sure I will have more questions, just hope I can remember them before Tuesday, haha. (PS I think I added you, not very computer savy!) I think at this point, not knowing whether I'll need surgery (18mm) but expecting it, I need to hear people's recovery stories. I'd love to hear from you.
Tone, I too, was just days away from turning 49 when I was dx a few months ago. I felt a slight tingling beside my mouth and had the chiari headaches when I went to the doctor a year ago. My Chiari was missed by the radiologist on my first MRI but a year later they saw an 18mm herniation!
Heather
A lot of Chiarians find out they have it because they were actually getting an MRI for something else. I'm only 22 but they found mine because they actually thought I could have a tumor. Others get them done just because they were in a bad wreck or something like that. Some Chiarians dont show many symptoms at all so they dont find out until later on down the road when something else happens.
It's very rare for a family doctor to immediately think that they should look for Chiari right off the bat because most symptoms can be caused by so many other issues.
So it just really matters when you get that MRI done and if it's noticable enough for them to catch. They actually said my radiologist had an extremely good eye to see it!!!
Wow, thank you all. I am so grateful I found this site. I am in the Seattle area and was pleased to find the mention of Dr. Ellenbogen. Just wish I could get in sooner. July 18th was the first appointment available! Guess it will give me time to compile more questions. Just curious, I am 49 on the 30th and it seems to be a bit rare that this has only been discovered now. Is ther any info here on the age of diagnosis of other on the blog?
Hi and welcome, I am 4 mo post op and my brain fog is gone and I can think again but I still have word retrieval issues but now my family and I understand and we go with it but it is still frustrating. Some people may have improved after surgery on it we are all different. Good luck with you NS let us know what other questions you have as I wish I would have used this before my surgery I would have been much more prepared!
Hi
That's been 'me' my entire life. Never thought much of it until now, now that I have Chiari :( How does your brain react after surgery? Do we all of a sudden become much more alert and less forgetful? Do we recover to that extent? See my NS in two days -- I'm full of questions and uncertainties right now!
Heather
Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.
Yes, cognitive issues like word recall is typical of chiari....or the brain compression we deal with as a result of chiari.
We also will insert the inappropriate word or two....and just plain forget what we were doing or the point we were trying to make.....so if u find urself putting the milk away in the dishwasher...do not be too alarmed....just laugh...but not too hard as it can hurt : )
Glad to have u join us, sorry for the reasons that bring u.
"selma"