weight restrictions

[lacinda68]

Newly diag. with Chiari, still trying to understand everything. With work I have to have 50lbs of force and lift 20lbs constantly. This may not sound like much but I get lightheaded and it is painful. Would the dr. consider lifting restrictions.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Tracy, when someone can return to work post op all depends on how that person responds to surgery and if they have other related issues/conditions going on as well.

It sounds like u have a syrinx also known as syringomyelia....it is a cyst like cavity that fills with CSF and can grow larger until it compresses the nerves causing numbness and other issues.

I was also denied LTD 2x's after I was terminated from work....the new law ERISA  (GOV.)  makes it a federal case so to fight it u need to one - find an attny that is familiar with this law, and if they do, it is a Federal case and will cost u more to fight then u will win....

Find a true Chiari specialist and see if u have ne related condition...but if u have a syrinx, u have a CSF obstruction......surgery is usually the best option for this issue, it is not a cure, just a means to allow CSF flow and slow progression.

Know u r not alone in this journey, we r here to offer insight and share what we have learned along the way : )

[dog16]

Hi, my name is Tracy.I got diagnosed with chiari Type 1 in June 2012.I;m 42 years old with 2 kids.Mine is 10mm in length & I have appearances of ?cyst at my C2-C3.Awaiting to see a neurosurgeon.Talked to him on the phone on Sept. 15,2012.He said surgery would help me & I could go back to work after a few mths. of recovery.I've worked as an LPN for 21 years.The past 2 years I've worked in agoney.Thought my neck pain,shoulder &rt. upper back pain was from all the lifing from work.Been off work since May 3rd, when my head was too heavy for my neck,arms & legs felt like jelly,shooting pains up the sides of my head,pressure at the back of my head.Went to my family Dr. He sent me for a CT scan to see if I had a brain tumor.Came back showing ? malformation. Then sent for MRI that confirmed.Just wondering if I should go ahead with the surgery.Will I be able to go back to work with all the lifting,working 12 shifts.During the past 6 mths. I can't do anyting.Can't stand no longer than 30 mins.Applied for LTD through work insurance & was turned down because not enough medical info.I didnt go to the Dr.everytime I was sick.I'm appealing it now.Just don't know what to do anymore.It's nice to be able to talk to other chiari's to help in this.

[selmaS]

  It is sad that we have to be well informed so we can be our own advocates...bcuz if we didn't there r too many Drs willing to do surgery that do not have the knowledge or experience to be doing it and we can have more issues as a result....so arm urself the best u can.

7 mm is the length that ur cerebral tonsils r below the foramen magmum...where they do not belong...

Next u need a CINE MRI to see if u have a CSF obstruction...over crowding, and ne other related conditions. It is really important u rule these out b4 u consider surgery.

And always get a few opinions too, do not settle on first Dr that offers surgery,....take ur time and get the best for u.

[lacinda68]

I went back to the nueroligst today and she has put me on a restriction of weights until i see the neurosurgeon. I am 7mm not sure exactly what that means so confused with everything she says she is unsure if it is protruding on any nerves etc....it is very hard to see in the mri and that the surgeon might be able to tell more. So I guess I am starting to realize that this is a life changing expirence. I love what I do and feel like it is being taken from me but I am sure I will adjust as I find out more and reading what others have to offer here in this forum. I have started reading a book, it is sad to say that I may end up knowing more than those that will be treating me and I feel better knowing that there is others that have the same realizations.

[selmaS]

  Some of the symptoms I noticed well b4 I was dx'd was my eyes..my vision would not adjust looking from the comp screen to the paper I was getting info from....and upper body strength just got weaker and weaker...I always did physical work, using hand trucks at work...equal to ne workout at a gym...so, it did not make sense, it was not like use it or lose it...I was using it and losing it at the same time...plus I had the HA's and light headed issues too .....so it is very frustrating...so getting a dx is only half the battle as u have learned, next is finding the right drs to help u.

I am glad u were able to find info here that was helpful to u...and it is good to have others that know just what we r going thru <3

[lacinda68]

Thank you for your reply, As you know finding the diagnosis was a relief but at the same time created more concerns and what not. What I have found the most frustrating is that you can seem to find answers and that the drs. don't have a lot of info. But having the support from you and others from the community is helpful and appreciated. With these answers I feel better about talking to the drs. regarding this issue. I know that lifting really has a affect on  me so knowing that I should have restrictions is comforting. Thanks for your support and encouragement.

[lacinda68]

Well Selma, I am still feeling a little lost. Most everything I have learned so far has came from the internet...........The Neur. didn't seem to have a lot to discuss about it and then a week later with a regular scheduled appt. with my general dr. I was able to put together a question list and he said he didn't know much about Chairi..........The post I have read here has been most helpful and I appreciate all the comments.

I have had the MRI and not much was said it was pointed out to me and then referred to a nuero. surgeon. I know when i lift a small amount of weight i get lightheaded and increase pain and headaches and was courious regarding if this was impacting my issues. I will continue to use the tracker (just trying to get started with it) and read post and etc......Knowing with this site that being able to get information from others that are living the same kind of life will help support me emotionally. I will look over the list you provided and see what is in our area. Thanks

[linnielou232]

I know I had a physical job when beng dx'd with Chairi and had surgery and now and then the NS told me nothing over 10 to 15 pounds should we lift because it does cause the hernination to lower.  Lifting puts the pressure on our hernination.  I sadly have to say after 2 yrs after surgery I still can not do any physical work due to having Chairi.  I pray that you will find the right spec. to help you get the retrictions that you need.  Thinking of you and wishing you the best.
Linda :)

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum,

Yes, we r told that lifting and straining will cause our symptoms to worsen or flare so A Dr that  knows Chiari will deff suggest  lifting restrictions.....

Have u had a  CINE MRI or MRI's of ur cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine to rule out disk issues, syrinx, tethered cord ?
U also need to know if u have an obstruction of CSF  or over crowding...that is what the CINE MRI is for this is more important then how long the herniation is...that and the symptoms u have.

Please use our list of Drs to research  Drs to find the best one for u...keep in mind the list is not a referral, and not all on the list may be true Chiari specialists but they have treated a member here, and the member liked the Dr and how they were treated so they added the name....u need to educate urself as much as u can so u can select the best Dr for u.

I just bumped the list up, but if u can not locate it u can look to the Health Pages - http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=186