All of us have experienced at one time or another how doctors hint at things but never really say exactly what it is. Earlier this evening my Chris and I were having a discussion with a person with who I can not remember (talk about a bad memory day). Anyhow we got talking about my last doctors visit, when I asked the doc if there was still some possibility of compression on the brain stem. He answered sarcastically along the lines of "you are still having problems or that is why you are not better". Believe me the sarcasm does not and did not bother me, as I do it to him and in my eyes I am building more rapport with him.
So my questions are as follows:
- Can the brain stem be physically compressed? If so, can it return to a normal shape/measurement?
- With what is above, is there a test that can measure a compressed brain stem and compare it to normal dimensions?
- Finally has anybody heard about anything like this?
Now before some people get up in arms, I know that CM can and does different things to different people. I also know that it is not the size of the herniation but whether or nor CSF flow is blocked and/or impeded. Closing this paragraph with I know that the brain stem can have some compression with CM, but after the surgery it should return to normal functionality. I guess I am closing this paragraph with a question of with brain stem compression, can it physically be compress to the point of no return so to speak?
As many of you know, I am a little over 2 years post op and still having many symptoms. Some of which have progressively gotten worse like the severity of my headaches and various eye issues. With these statements I still would have had the surgery done if I was placed in a similar situation. I also am not out to scare people from having the surgery. The surgery is a personal and difficult decision to make no matter who you are. I will share all if anyone wants to ask me about my experience.
In losing to express a little more about my doctor/ patient relationship, it was at this visit where as he was getting up to leave the room, I grabbed his stethoscope and placed it one the back of my neck. I then proceeded to ask him if he heard the grinding (it sounds like bone on bone to me) through the stethoscope. He told me it was loud and clear and referred me to another doctor who works in an orthopedic office and it will be that docs referral as if I have another surgery on my back and neck. As for the sarcasm that he used, yes it is inappropriate when dealing with something like CM or any other serious medical condition. However, it allows me to be myself and it also lets me know he is human and can think.