I have an upcoming appointment with Dr. Mckhann on March 15. I'm getting a little nervous about what he might say. I have "borderline" Chiari Malformation type 1 at 5mm and a small syrinx at C7. I'm afraid I'm going to get the same response I got from Dr. Babu at NYU who told me that my Chiari didn't exist. I'm currently on day 7 of a migraine. My whole right side of my head hurts mostly in my eye and back my head into my neck. My wrist only start to ache today. Nothing touches them. I had to leave work early today because the nausea finally got to me and I started throwing up. It's to the point that I barley remember what it's like to not have a headache. I spent the whole month of January on Zofran because I had such bad nausea and vertigo that I couldn't eat. I'm just scared that their going to tell me sorry your condition isn't serious enough to do anything have fun suffering. Then I'm also nervous that they will think the exact opposite and they will suggest surgery. I'm torn about the whole situation. Is that even common recommendation or am I just getting myself worked up for nothing?
Dont worry about getting yourself worked up. I was told by so many doctor’s that my Chiari has nothing to do with my migraines and the pain I have on my right side. When I saw my neurosurgeon he was the one doctor who didn’t think I was “making this up”. After the surgery was schedule I had a follow up appointment with my neurologist who straight up said to me that I am just like however, when he gave me some big number, that its just migraines and surgery won’t help me. All I have to say to that doctor is you shouldn’t be a doctor. He felt because he has a “special” certificate with migraines that this is what I had. Even though the migraine “blockers” never worked. Always keep fighting and always remember to keep seeing other doctors until you have found the right one. My neurosurgeon is the best and I wish it didn’t take me over 4 years to find him. But hey you can never say I didn’t do everything possible before having this surgery done. Even though I am still in a lot of pain, only 6 days post op, I’m glad I had the surgery done 
Stay strong. We are all fighters
Tina that literally happened toe last week and it was SOOO confusing my nl has never said I have migraines because headaches are not my number one issue it’s more balance memory loss retaining as I read vision confusion loss of feeling the pain is under control for the most part but she admits something is very wrong but it’s beyond her but she just believes it has nothing to do with the chairi while the ns says I need surgery I was so confused I scheduled surgery for July 11 so I have time for all my tests she wants to finish 
and life stuff
Thanks everyone for the advice . Emmaline your right I think that was my biggest problem with the first doctor I saw. I didn't educate myself enough. I went there hoping to get some answers and unfortunately it didn't work out that way. I did leave there knowing he wasn't a good doctor which is why I never went back. I've read more about it now and discovered that I've had symptoms for years .I was put in special reading groups for learning disabilities because I don't retain anything I learn and can't spell. Now i'm wondering if i really had any learning disabilities or if i could have been the Chiari. I've had random episode of nystagmus for years and my neurologist just brushed it off as nothing. It's very frustrating. Hopefully this time around I'll have an entirely different experience.
I feel the same way. I have been have a hard time with finding a good doctor. My symptoms have increased and all my NL says is that it's not do to my Chiari. I have decided to look for yet another doctor. Hope I find one close to where I live. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking the have the surgery. But with things getting worse, I'm scared that if I wait to much longer the surgery wont help me. I'll be happy just to find a doctor that finally admits that my symptoms are from my CM and at least tries to do something to help.
smozer said:
I don't think you are getting yourself worked up for nothing. Chiarians have emotions that swing from one end of the spectrum to the other. I would love nothing more than for a competent doctor to tell me I need surgery, but I also know I would be apprehensive at the same time because of the unknown. Our good friend chiari has been haunting my body for so long that I'm not sure what life would be like without it, but I also know that my symptoms will only progress and cause damage that cannot be reversed. If I get the opportunity for surgery, I will go for it but I know there would be some second guessing. Your feelings are completely understandable.