I was finally able to get my first appointment with a NS! One week from tomorrow I will be going to Cincinnati to see Dr. Tobler at Mayfield Clinic. I first have to have a cine mri done and then that afternoon meet with him for results. I am a little anxious about my visit, will he recommend surgery or not? Also on my radiology report it says I have two buldged discs in c4 and c5 and c5 and c6, could a syrinx cause these? Also would a syrinx show up on a cervical mri? Has anyone had experience with Mayfield clinic or Dr. Tobler? I'm just curious to know what to expect. I hope everyone is having a good week!
A syrinx doesn't usually cause Cervical Bulging Discs. If you have a Cervical MRI & have a Cervical Syrinx, it will show up. The Mayfield Clinic is a really great facility but I personally don't know any doctors there. What kind of Chiari symptoms are you having? I also had several cervical disc problems pre surgical, but I did not have a syrinx. Please let us know after you see the NS how you are doing. also make sure you take someone with you & maybe even a little tape recorder. The NS will go over so much information it can be very overwhelming.
Also, a syrinx is usually the result, not the cause. They happen when the CSF takes an alternate route down the center canal of your spinal cord because it's normal route is blocked for whatever reason. They show up very clearly on MRI's so if that's what you had done, I'm sure it would be on the report. Bulging discs can certainly cause problems but that would depend on how bad they are bulging I guess.
That's awesome about your appointment :) I'm sure it will answer a lot of questions. Make sure you get all your questions answered before you leave there too! Good luck <3
My mri's did not show a syrinx so I should be good there then. My symptoms have ranged from irritable bowel, vomitting, headaches, numbness in my hands and legs on and off, dizziness, and fatigue. Also over the summer I have lost all feeling in the middle of my back, for over a year I used to feel what I called electrical shocks in my back and then tingling on and off, but now I realize it is just numb. I can feel pressure on it, but if I pinch my skin on my back it causes no pain..only pressure. I often get a pressure feeling around my head as well, and my ears sometimes hurt. I used to think I had ear infections but every time I went they said my ears were fine. My newest symptom is a get a sharp high pitch ringing in my left ear, it doesn't last long..maybe only a minute, but it happens at least a few times a day..seems to go along with the pressure I have in my head. I also shake sometimes like muscle spasms. I had some brain wave testing and it did come back that it appeared that I have seizure activity..I'm not sure if this is what causes the shaking or not. I am really not sure how many of these symptoms at all are related to Chiari or not but I've been through years of testing for multiple things..they thought I had chrones disease, and then celiac, but when I had my last colonoscopy they thought I didn't have either one of these things now..just irritable bowel.. who knows? It has been quite an adventure, but God has blessed me with two little girls who I adore and a loving and supportive husband. It seems like I have good days and bad, I take the good days and cherish them. Thank you for responding, this site has been a real blessing to me.
TracyZ said:
A syrinx doesn't usually cause Cervical Bulging Discs. If you have a Cervical MRI & have a Cervical Syrinx, it will show up. The Mayfield Clinic is a really great facility but I personally don't know any doctors there. What kind of Chiari symptoms are you having? I also had several cervical disc problems pre surgical, but I did not have a syrinx. Please let us know after you see the NS how you are doing. also make sure you take someone with you & maybe even a little tape recorder. The NS will go over so much information it can be very overwhelming.
Thanks Bill, I intend of asking alot of questions. The neurologist said that it didn't look like my buldged disc were that bad and causing any obstruction to my spinal cord..so who knows. It will be good to get answers. I will know more soon hopefully :-)
Bill Zern said:
yeah, what Tracy Z. said :)
Also, a syrinx is usually the result, not the cause. They happen when the CSF takes an alternate route down the center canal of your spinal cord because it's normal route is blocked for whatever reason. They show up very clearly on MRI's so if that's what you had done, I'm sure it would be on the report. Bulging discs can certainly cause problems but that would depend on how bad they are bulging I guess.
That's awesome about your appointment :) I'm sure it will answer a lot of questions. Make sure you get all your questions answered before you leave there too! Good luck <3
Dr. Ringer from Mayfield did my decompression surgery October 15. I got released from the hospital the very next day.
In my case I had approximately 10mm herniation with abnormal csf flow. He spent a lot of time reviewing my MRIs and consulting the other staff docs to make sure surgery benefits outweighed risks before giving me his recommendation. So far I’ve been extremely pleased with the care they’ve given me!
