first mri showed 8mm then next showed 6mm, so unsure
had surgery 22 june, due to no fluid, pressure in head better and headache eased, took 3yrs from dianosis to have it done
ive had arachnoid cyst (removed 3 oct 08) spine T7 - T10 4.1cm large
got turmor (intracanial lesion) in same spine area, still need surgery hopefully next couple of months,
joelene
5-6mm with lots of symptoms. Surgery by Dr Oro 2/3/2009. Don’t let anyone tell you that it’s not Chiari if it’s less then 5mm. I had a Neurologist tell me that and of course I believed him which led me on a wild goose chase for two years trying to find out what was wrong with me. Size doesn’t matter 
according to the MRI mine is 7-8 MM, My Surgery is next monday!!!
That is the question I will be asking at my next appointment. I’ve had 2 MRIs done in the last 14 months & do not know. I’m very curious to know if there’s been any change since my last anyway. Yes, Patty, I have vertigo, every day, all day. I try to ignore it, but it never goes away, & my balance is also becoming affected now.
My readings have been different on every MRI. I guess they magically change. LOL. My left is around 5-6 and my right 8-10.9. I go see Dr. Oro in less than 2 weeks to find out for sure. I haven’t had surgery or anything. I was recently diagnosed. I have a LOT of the symptoms but like most of us my Dr’s have said they don’t think they are related to my Chiari. Once again, I’m sure Dr. Oro will give me answers. Patty-all the time! Hugs and good luck to everyone!
well get this, My NS didnt even tell me the size of mine and he didn’t explain anything to me. I found most of my info from research.
alot of docs dont know much about it,
they have put me in hard basket, as far as surgeons are concerned my chiari has been repaired and my symptoms are caused by something else, i was also looked at for MS, but so far thats been ruled out due to fluid in spine didnt show anything,
i have had al sorts of symptoms, day to day things become hard, looking after the kids became a hard thing, i wanted to cry all the time, but after surgery some thing got better and somethings didnt change, after surgery i was graded as a chiari 2, instead of one, so with that i know this is about as best as i can be,
my first NL told me my brain was fine, it was the surgeons who operated on my back who told me i had it, and that they will moniter it, it took 3yrs for them to justify them operating, i am still amazed it got done,
every doc ive been to look at every illness for my symptoms instead of the chiari, so they need to upgrade there knowledge on it.
joelene
Kenny,
Congratulations on the surgery! I hope it will offer relief! Good luck. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Nicole
we were at the childrens hospital on monday. my daughter was diagnosed with vertigo and orthostatic hypertension.the vertigo runs with chiari
Mine is 2mm....I find out about my treatment options next Thursday. GOOD LUCK!!
I'm 3 mm with tons of symptoms. Surgery on Nov 30.
I'm at a 12.
I'm at 15mm with mild symptoms (so far...lets hope it stays that way).
I have a 7mm herniation and no surgery. My symptoms come and go except lately I have had breathing issues where I can't take a deep breath without yawning. Very frustrating. Trying to find a NS who is well studied in Chiari. Tired of gettig sent home and them telling me my symptoms have nothing to do with CHiari.
Lidia
Surgery on Nov. 28, 2011 for 10 mm.
Mine was a 3mm herniation. I also have degenerative disc disease in my cervical spine and scoliosis. My surgery was on Dec. 20th, 2011 and performed by Dr. Tew.
I was diagnosed in 02/2009 had had symptoms pretty much all my life but the sx's had worsened in 2008. I am almost 3 weeks post-op and I am feeling pretty good. Just take it day to day. I have my good days and my bad days.
Size does NOT matter.
Vertigo is one of the worst symptoms. All 3 of us have it and it comes in waves it seems like. There's times I will be walking just fine and then bang, I step out of the van and break my ankle cuz I couldnt stand up at all due to it. Its one of those symptoms that keep u from sleepling cuz when u close ur eyes the room is spinning! I hate that
My 15 was there and started with headaches that he had to be hopitalized for. My 5yr old at the time had 13mm. My 15 yr old had his surgery at about 6mm. I believe if I remember correctly, Chiari memory, Mine was like 9-11. Cant remember which one it was.
hi carey,
please tll me if im not correct, but do all your children plus you have chiari?
I actually have a 7mm herniation and have symptoms only on and off. I could go like 4 years without any symptoms but have issues with the way I turn or bend my neck. No surgery needed for me and I hope it stays that way. I still dont know if anything ever changes and my condition could worsen. I hope not. Cause I can deal with symptoms coming on every few years. I actually just had a bout for a month and am finally feeling somewhat normal again.