as I was reviewing my records, the results of the CSF Flow Study stated there was diminished flow both anterior and posterior, but the NS said there was no blockage. What is considered blockage. This NS said come back in a few years if the symptoms persist.
the results of the Lumbar Puncture stated elevated pressure, but the NS said there was no pressure. How is it measured and what is considered pressure? This NS said go have your eyes examined again, which I had done prior to seeing him, and the eye doctor sent records stating loss of peripheral vision possibly caused from pressure in my head, but not glaucoma related.
by the way each test was done by a different NS.
oh my gosh....... i so needed this post, it almost made me pee my pants laughing!!!!!!
I've got the LP report and it just states elevated pressure at the opening 19mm.....and this NS claims to "know" about chiari, but after he reviewed the 1st NS report, CSF flow study, and the MRI the NS said that everyone else had misdiagnosed me and there is no Chiari.
the 1st NS who did the CSF Flow Study, those results said "slightly diminished anteriorly" moderately diminished posteriorly.....and that NS emailed me and said "nothing to worry about, come and see me again in a couple of years if the symptoms persist"
My herniation is 6mm, but the previous MRI did not show any herniation.
Yes, my ophthalmologist suggested a neuro-opthalmologist......... but I now have an appointment with Dr. Luciano at the Cleveland Clinic, in June :)
Thanks again for making me laugh!
Beeba said:
Ok do you hear the music playing? You are doing the chiari shuffle. I don't want to diagnose you since I am not qualified. But you need to go to medical record where lp was done and get the report. There are normal values and yours should be reported as opening pressure. Please google normal values but for some reason below 20 is in my head ( but that could just be how old I wish I was) then you need to find out if ns you saw specialized in chiari. They all can do it but some go for extra training. Diminished is diminished for a reason and that is not normal. It should flow easily. Do you know your herniation? And do you have a syrinx? Go to another ns who is more versed - as even an unversed shouldn't say come in a few years to a person with all this and is symptomatic. Other option with the vision and optic pressure is go to a neuro- ophthalmologist. I have known them to diagnose and also swelling of 6th optic nerve. All these thing will be a very strong argument that a qualified dr should be Able to clarify. If they can't. Clap clap little spin and shuffle to the left right on out the door - now you know the chiari shuffle. If you cry in frustration as you do it - it still counts. Good luck please update with your next step.
I hope you are able to get the proper help soon! I am seeing a Neurosurgeon for the 1st time on Monday and am very nervous about it. How can you be misdiagnosed if you definatly have a 6mm herniation? I have a 7mm herniation and was diagnosed by my PCP, a Neurologist at the ER, and the radiologist. I also have daily migraines and many other neurological symptoms. I'm just curious on how all the works. Do you know? Good luck!!
A lumbar puncture is where they inject right into the spinal canal, right? Isn't that supposed to be very dangerous for those with Chiari? I read somewhere that it can make the herniation worse, as well as all of your other symptoms.
My LP was painless, but i had to go to the ER for a blood patch 2 days later.....but then after that, I was pain free for almost 3 weeks. Which to me and my PCP indicated that there was CSF pressure, and it was relieved from the LP. The symptoms returned rather quickly after that.
Beeba said:
Kmelodya, it sure can be confusing!! You have this backwards though. An lp actually pulls fluid from the spine not injecting into it. But you are correct - they can be bad for us. I did have one once diagnosed but they can do it with great caution when you have chiari They don't pull the same amount and usually done under guided ultrasound. This certainly can get all mixed up. If they didn't take an opening pressure than what was the darn point. And high is again not normal.
kmelodya said:
A lumbar puncture is where they inject right into the spinal canal, right? Isn't that supposed to be very dangerous for those with Chiari? I read somewhere that it can make the herniation worse, as well as all of your other symptoms.