Is there any other option but surgery when you have both? I see the neurosurgeon on Monday. I nervous because of the stress this will put on my husband. He gets sick when he stressed out. Please help.
Depends on size of syrinx. In general, a syrinx >5mm in diameter + Chiari >5mm of cerebellar ectopia= surgery. No medicine will alter the anatomy and there is a high risk of permanent neurological damage in an untreated syrinx.
Thank you. My chiari is 8mm. The syrinx not sure. Having specific MRI tomorrow to get could view.
Hope , how was your appt.?
Jenn
I go back Monday after having another MRI. I will see when he wants to do surgery. The syrinx the biggest concern.
Let us know how the appt goes. How are you feeling about all of this? I know your hubby gets sick, but how are your symptoms?
Jenn
I am doing ok. Head and neck hurt by end of work day I am exhausted. My husband has accept everything. Will see how he does with me not at home. He is doing good.
Hi Hope,
If it helps any, I have Chiari and had a large syrinx that was already causing neurological damage. I was decompressed three years ago, my syrinx collapsed quickly so no shunt was necessary, and I have been doing very well. Most of my neurological damage has resolved over time so that main scare is gone.
Some people do have a very hard time but I am writing this to reassure you that there are many people who have very good surgical outcomes, especially if they do not have any other complicating conditions.
I will be glad to talk more with you if you want. Send me a friend invite and we can talk if you want. I am also in NC.
Kate
How long were you out of work?
I was not working at the time but had I been I would say I could have gone back, taking it real easy, in 8 weeks. So much depends on what exactly they end up doing in surgery and if you have any complications and how well you do on the pain meds, etc. It is different for everyone.
Are you getting more than one surgical consult? That is really important if you can do it.
Kate
Went for follow up today. He is sending me to a headache doctor. He wants to see if that works. He stated he would do the surgery if I wanted but try this. He stated that the fluid is moving like it should. I will give it the three months. I just want to stop hurting.
Hope, I don’t think there anything wrong with trying other things. That being said, if you feel like you’ve had enough find a different NS and get another opinion. There is no harm in that either. I want you to feel better too 
Jenn
Hi Hope,
Do you know how big your syrinx is? I am glad that your doctor says the fluid is moving like it should but if that is the case, has he explained to you what has caused the syrinx to develop? I agree that it will never hurt to try non surgical approaches first as long as that syrinx isn’t continuing to get larger. Did he mention any change in the size of the syrinx? I am sorry you are having so much pain 
Kate
That is the question, Kate. What caused the syrinx?
No one knows. It is very small. He wants to make sure the surgery is a success. I will try the other first since this diagnosis all happened so quick. Just wish pain and stiffness go away.
Hi Kate,
How long did it take after surgery for your neurological problems to resolve and how do you know your syrinx has shrunk?
Thanks, Lisa
Kate said:
I was not working at the time but had I been I would say I could have gone back, taking it real easy, in 8 weeks. So much depends on what exactly they end up doing in surgery and if you have any complications and how well you do on the pain meds, etc. It is different for everyone.
Are you getting more than one surgical consult? That is really important if you can do it.
Kate
What works best for sitting at work and kikoi at computer all day?
That should say looking at computer.
Try your best to keep the screen closest to eye level (prop it up with books )and watch your posture!!! And try to keep shoulders down. These aren’t big guns but they do help. Also try arnica gel and or magnesium oil on your neck and shoulders. Get a good chelated magnesium supplement and vitamin d. Try to keep stress down- just take it slow and keep your hopes up (where they belong!)
Hugs, jenn
Lisaree,
Sorry I didn’t respond sooner but I was out of town. My neurological symptoms, mainly caused by damage to my spinal cord as a result of the syrinx, took almost 3 years to fully resolve. Of course, the bulk of the improvement was in the first 18 months but I continued to see improvement all the way up to 3 years which was very encouraging. It is amazing what the brain and the nerves can do in terms of repair and compensating for damaged nerves.
I knew that my syrinx had collapsed because the NS did an CINE MRI at 3 months and the syrinx was much smaller and flattened. This indicated that the spinal fluid flow had been adequately restored and was successful in allowing the syrinx to drain and relieve all those damaged nerves it had been pressing on. The MRI will pretty clearly show if your syrinx has been successfully dealt with.
Kate