????? for decompression surgery

[daveK]

having surgery nov 22nd for posterior fossa decompression due to chiari malformation..anyone else have this done???????
this would make for 7 surgeries on my neck...anterior and posterior c2-c7 fusions.......................like info please???????????????

[razzle51]

(((((((((7 surgeries))))))))))) Wow . What else is going on with your neck? I had decompression surgery once and that alls I have planned to do. If your surgeries were all decompressions I would be looking for a new dr.

[daveK]

to razzle51
thanks for the response....my surgeon is very hesitant about doing this surgery...he's done the previous 6 surgeries...one of the 10 best in the country....trust him with my life..
my history
11/6/02 anterior cervical fusion with plate c4-c7..result of working(had own home improvement business)
3/5/03 car accident...rear ended
8/4/03 removal of 1st plate & installation of 2nd plate with anterior fusion c2-c3 (from accident)
4/12/04 removal of 2nd plate....due to swallowing problems
4/24/04 emergency surgery..abcess formed entire length of neck
1/5/05 posterior fusion c2-c7
7/18/05 anterior refusion c2-c3 ...body disolved 2 of fusions...saw it as foreign material reasorbed it

[LIZARD]

((((((((((((((DaveK))))))))))))))))). :(

Wow...you have been through an awful lot, my friend. I'm so sorry. :( I'm curious, though...How many MRIs did you get before all of this was done? I'm wondering if that's why you're having so much trouble now (??).

Is your nsg well-versed in ACM? If not, you need another opinion, and right away. All nsgs are not created equally! Some know much more about certain conditions/procedures than they do about others. You might consider checking for a referral. Some sites that can help:

www.ASAP.org
www.Chiarione.org
www.conquerchiari.org
www.WACMA.com


Good luck...and please let us know,

LIZARD :)

[daveK]

LIZARD......thank you for your concern...its nice to know ther are others out there that can talk too. this is the 2nd mri that has shown the chiari malformation...1st one in 2002 showed 7mm drop...surgeon said we would deal with it if becmes an issue....started having problems a month ago..like all of a sudden i was having neck pains,pain in both arms and hands,headaches in back of head,tingling in feet and pain. when i sneeze pain starts in back of head and travels down both arms.when i lookup(cant look up to much do to fusion) get pain across back of neck.
mri showed apparent signal alteration seen in the cervical spinal cord extending from thec2-c4 levels.this could represent myelomalacic changes but could also represent a syrinx, especially in view of the chiari malformation which is present.
2nd the surgeon is well versed ..has done a few of these...very conservative surgeon...explained the risks.....but i trust him
ps.....sorry for the long story....feel free to ask anything you want
43 years old healthier as an ox been married for ten years now with 6 sons...3 from earliar marriage

[razzle51]

thats a pretty good size herniation . I wouldnt mess around . TCI is right up your alley . get another opinion.

[daveK]

what do you mean by TCI ?
davek

[LIZARD]

what do you mean by TCI ?
davek

TCI is The Chiari Institute:

http://www.northshorelij.com/body.cfm?ID=6407


LIZARD :)

[daveK]

thanks LIZARD....dahhhhhhhhh..can't think straight right now..
davek

[LIZARD]

thanks LIZARD....dahhhhhhhhh..can't think straight right now..
davek

I understand. ;) Been there myself.


LIZARD :)

[krashleen]

HI Dave, looks like everyone has got you up to speed.

I had my decompression surgery late April 2006, and posterior fusion to c4.

Its pretty uncomfortable, but I think the fusion part is more uncomfortable than the actual decompression. I pretty much got over the pain in the head part (surgery related)in around a month, but the fusion makes it tougher.

Wow, 22NOV. Thats soon! Keep us informed as to how you do, k?

And Liz and Roz had great ideas, get a second opinion from a Chiari versed NSG.

[razzle51]

Kathy where have you been . Been missing you on ASAP.

[krashleen]

Family, wedding, hospital for mother of the bride. Dog sitting for my son and his fiancee.

[daveK]

hey krashleen..davek here.....thanks for the info.........my surgeon is very familiar with chiari...great neurosurgeon...very conservative...it can take months for new patients too see him.....i would not trust anyone else but him to do that kind of surgery on me...........will keep you guys posted....thanks for the thoughts..after the surgery it will be 3-4 days or so that i will send a message that everthing went great...i always bounce back from these things...have been thru quite a bit ,but my wife has been with me a 110%

[razzle51]

dave yu are right there where TCI is .

[daveK]

thanks razzle51..............davek

[IndySasha]

:eek: I am seeing my neuro on Tuesday... will find out what the mri/mra showed.plus what the LP showed if anything .. Is there anything special I should ask her? I know I am going to have to address the "pain" issue... like right now... nothing I have taken is working.. I am ready to just scream!!!!

I am really hoping for a dx of CM1 all my symptoms fit right down the line.
Not to sure I would have the surgury.. { scared big time} PLUS.. I have no insurance and would have to have it done here in Indianapolis as I am on a health assistance program..

Thought I saw an earlier post from someone here in Indy.. cant seem to find it now.. too spacey from the meds!!

Anyway... thanks all!!!

{{{{{{{{ huggsies }}}}}}}}
Indy