This is my previous post on ChiariSupport...
http://www.chiarisupport.org/forum/topics/my-story-2
So I suffer with intense headaches, depression, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, OCD, nausea and bad concentration problems. For the headaches, I take a Codeine based painkiller which I'm addicted to and have been for about 20 years.
Several weeks ago I went for an MRI scan and these were the official results...
Findings
Normal appearance of both cerebral hemispheres and brain stem. No significant focal parenchymal abnormalities on MRI scans are identified. Dilatation of Virchow-Robin spaces in general and some subcortical T2-signal changes appropriate for age. Ventricular system is of normal size, shape and configuration for the patient's age. The skull base appears to have craniocervical dysgenesis and as a result of this, there is evidence of minor downward positioning of cerebellar tonsils. No evidence of demyelination. The dural venous sinuses are patent. The paranasal sinuses are clear. The orbits are normal.
Conclusion
There is minor downward positioning of cerebellar tonsils. This is often seen in Arnold Chiari Malformation type 1. The remainder of the brain is within normal limits for the patient age.
Recommendation
In correlation with clinical findings referral to Neurosurgery
To be honest, I don't quite know how to read that. It's all medical jargon to me. I don't know whether that means I need surgery or not.
I saw the Neurologist a couple of days ago and she said there's nothing wrong with me and I have been discharged from their care. This, despite her not having seen the MRI scan yet. She carried out a minor physical and mental assessment and said I had none of the warning signs of Chiari Malformation. She put my headaches down to genetic migraines because my mother suffered with bad headaches too. My headaches are at the back of my head rather than the front which is what I thought migraines were. She said I need to get off the painkillers I'm addicted to (which I'm already trying to do) and I'll see a vast improvement in my health.
I don't know what to do. I'm poor and can't afford to shop around for a second opinion. I've made an appointment with my GP to ask for advice, but the earliest appointment was for Sept 10.
(Additional information: I'm 33, male, live in London, England and I'm physically fit.)