lost in west texas

[joeleo88]

Hello. I'm 25 daddy and my son will be 1on the 25th of September. I work at big spring state hospital and an currently not allowed to return to work due to safety reasons. I have been suffering from my symptoms my whole life and was diagnosed only a few months ago. I have been fighting to keep my job. I was first referred to Dr abijay in Odessa after my pcp found my chiari. Dr abijay ordered an mra and another eeg and was asked to see the cardiologist because.... my symptoms are not related to the chiari.so I had all this done and my heart is fine and I don't have seizures. I wrote him out a long list of symptoms and the Only word he understood was depression. I agreed to meds if he would order the MRI for my back. He said he wont and in November I was to come back for a spinal tap!! Ugh no thanks so I have an apt with Dr brown in Odessa and the nurse said he knows how to treat it.. fingers crossed. Oh and I can't return to work unless I am treated and able to return back to work on fully duty with out complications.    Frustrated and lost. Namaste

[selmaS]

  Shots like a nerve block may  or may not help we all react/respond differently to these treatments...and u need someone that knows Chiari and knows where they can and can not inject u......

Not sure what u do at work, but Lisa is right in the we do have ADA to help....look into ur rights and see if ur employer can offer u work that would be safe for u at this point.

http://www.ada.gov/

[desertstorm2009]

Hi Joe....
I would like to add it sounds as if you should seek legal advice as your employer may be violating your rights! Consider filling out an intermittent FMLA as well. Don't let them push you around. Having Chiari doesn't make you "unsafe", and there are laws in place for your protection :-) Secondly, don't just take the word of someone and hope that a Dr knows how to treat you! Do your research and take control of the situation. There are many true specialist in this. (Read about Dr. Oro and others) This is not an easy journey as you already know and you have to be your own advocate. We are here for you :-) Good luck. Lisa

[joeleo88]

I was wondering about the shot that stops nerve pain? Would it help

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Ur story sounds so familiar....we all have search for yrs for answers to what was causing us pain.

Finding the right Dr is key...not one that says they can cure u with  surgery as there is no cure for this condition ....it is not an illness but a malformation of the skull...surgery is done to restore CSF flow and slow progression...

There are many related conditions if not found prior to surgery can cause more issues post op....

U will need time post op b4 u can return to work especially if it is physical....otherwise u subject ur self to set backs in ur recovery.

We all understand ur frustration, know u r not alone, and keep pushing for answers and the right Dr for u.