I just learned I have Chiari 1 Malformation with a 7mm herniation. However the MRI says borderline. It was also discovered on that MRI back in Nov 2020. However, I was not told about it. Every time I would go to my Dr and tell him the pain, weakness, etc was getting worse he would say “you have arthritis, of course it’s hurting.” Then he would claim that I was having dirty UAs every 4th visit almost like clock work. So at my last visit on June 25th, I fired him as my doctor. That evening I literally came across my MRI by total accident. It apparently was left in my husband’s car and forgotten about. I found it when digging out papers from his passenger door cubby. When I read the report and seen the ‘borderline Chiari 1 Malformation’ I was confused so I looked it up.
It explains so much over my entire life… It’s like OMG I get it now. Because reading legitimate medical articles etc on CM1 and seeing the list of symptoms and the misdiagnosis before finding CM1 for other people, that I’m also experiencing and have been for some time and others that are getting worse. But even tho everything I’ve read and everyone I’ve talked to that has already had the decompression surgery for 4-6mm herniation and similar or even some with less symptoms than I have, says that mine is much more severe than just borderline. But I can’t get doctors to even listen to me after they’ve seen the word borderline. If they see the MRI report before talking to me, they immediately dismiss me and say that the CM1 isn’t what’s causing my problems. Even a resident whom literally admitted he had only learned pretty much just the name a few weeks prior, put in my records that he didn’t believe a Borderline CM1 would cause symptoms such as pain or weakness…
So, I’m hoping someone can help me understand this better. I just don’t know much other than what I’ve read but that’s not real life experience. To anyone that’s made it this far, thank you for at least reading my ramblings and I’m sorry if it’s confusing. Please feel free to ask any and all questions needed to get a better understanding of my situation if needed.
Sincerely
Chiari SUXX