Preparing for First NS appointment

General
1

Hi All,

I just have a quick question if you don't mind. Any and all advise is greatly appreciated. After seeing the mention of "Low Lying Cerebellar Tonsils but not enough to qualify for a Chiari Malformation" on my latest MRI review I decided to look more into it. I currently receive care at my local VA hospital but they denied giving me a NS consult since my herniation is not at least 8mm. It hasn't been officially measured but it is just below 5mm from my own attempt at measuring it. With that being said, I took it upon myself to schedule an appointment with a NS on my own and that appointment is this Friday.

My question is this, while I am not necessarily searching for a Chiari diagnoses and the relevant surgeries, I am definitely searching for answers. Chiairi symptoms could literally explain every symptom I have and it makes a lot of sense. While I am not 100% convinced that Chiari is the answer to all of my problems I am hopeful that this may be the diagnoses and answer that I and the doctors treating me have been searching for. In preparing for my appointment, how do I assure that the possibility of Chiari is taken seriously. I don't want to overwhelm the surgeon with everything that I have learned about Chiari to the point where he believes that I am an "Internet Diagnostician" and disregards everything I say, but I do want to make sure that whatever opinion he gives is one that is thought through and legitamate. Any particular questions to ask or information from your own succesful NS appointments are greatly appreciated.

Thanks

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Thanks Emmaline. I appreciate the advice. I am definitely interested in hearing what the NS has to say about my films. You are so right when it comes to "contact with people that have been there, and that is the best knowledge to have!" That is what I am looking for here. I am sure I will be able to pick it up if he doesn't have much concern for me or my case or much knowledge about Chiari but other than that I just want to make sure that my concern is conveyed, that I don't forget anything and that I ask the right questions, especially in rebuttal to any dismissal of my symptoms and such. It is bad that these questions even have to be asked but after the whirlwind that I have been through with the VA system and what I have read that many of you have gone through with your NSs it is in the forefront of my mind heading into the appointment. Is there some credible publications that speak of the "size doesn't matter" revalation that I should bring with me, or would the NS not take kindly if documentation is brought in in preperation to rebute some of the idiocracies that we have all heard?

Thanks Again!