My doctor literally told me that my Chiari Malformation 1 was "oh that's NOTHING". I have pretty severe symptoms that fit exactly with a CM. At what point is surgery an option. Is that a good or bad idea?
Is there any holistic treatments people have found to have improved symptoms?
My awesome kids got me tempurpedic side sleeper pillow--ABSOLUTE HEAVEN. That seems to have helped if not alleviated the severe headaches that I got when I lay down at night.
Ideas, resources?
Good heavens! Chiari 1 which is ASYMPTOMATIC, just seen on an MRI, is no reason for surgery. If, however, you have symptoms, the only thing which slows the progression of those symptoms is surgery. At least, this is what the three different NS I consulted told me.
If you have symptoms, if you believe them to be consistent with Chiari symptoms, get yourself to a different neurosurgeon. Surgery isn't a cure, but it is really the only thing which addresses the cause of your symptoms.
Sorry to be offering medical advice, but . . . .