tonsilar Ectpoia

[wishfulthinker13]

hello all,
I have been getting migraines since I was 11. They have always been the same until 6 months ago (im now 19)
I had a CT scan when I was 12 that came back all clear. In the last 6 months, I have had constant migraines, vertigo, passing out and constant headaches which is something I hadn't had in a long time. I was refered to a neurologist last year who I am still seeing, he has diagnosed me with chronic migraine and is about to trial botox as no medications are working. I was refered to have an MRI done a few weeks ago as the migraine and headache pain had changed, it was more of a pressure feeling, as though my brain was swelling tremendously. it came back saying I have Minimal Tonsillar ectopia of 3mm. I am not really familiar with this and what it means. I am curious though, he says this is not the cause of my migraine and I shouldn't worry but ive read and it seems kind of serious to me. how do they determined when you need surgery?

[Elisaandbucky]

Hello and welcome to this supportive community. I hope you can get some answers to your questions, so that you can begin to move away from the stress of the unknown. In addition to what Selma suggested to you above, I would recommend keeping a journal that details your symptoms (with dates, level of severity, any activities that you note that may exacerbate the pain, and any thing that you do that may bring relief to your pain). I hope you can feel a little less frightened as you do more reading and checking into this forum.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

  First, I have to  say..try  and get your  original MRI or  CT when you were  12...they  may  have told you it  was  clear  but  your  herniation may  have been present....many  Drs  feel Chiari is an incidental finding....so, educate yourself  as you  seem to  be doing...and  research  Drs....

Surgery  is not  a cure  and  may  not eliminate   all  symptoms....surgery is only done  when the CSF  flow is  obstructed....surgery  restores flow...so more testing is needed  to  determine...if there  is  an obstruction and if you have  any  related conditions.,....

  Know  you  are  not alone...and keep asking questions...