I've suffered from the effects of Chiari Malformation for as long as I can remember. I'm 32 now. I am 3 yrs post op and continue to have issues, moreso now than pre op. :(
I can surely relate to you with the onset of speech problems. There are days when I can't even say my daughter's name, much less my own name. Of course I know what I'm trying to say, I just can't get it out. It's really quite embarrassing. I'm a nurse, so these speech problems do nothing for my career. Who wants a nurse who is trying to tell you something and all you end up doing is staring at them for what seems like hours. Most patients who have known me for a while pre op, understand what's going on with me but it's the new patients I worry about. I don't want them thinking I have no idea what I'm talking about. :(
I JUST WANT TO BE NORMAL AGAIN.
I get this all of the time. After many trips to the Dr or the ER, they did many MRI"s they told us that it is Complex Migraines.
Happy New Year Scpool,
I hope your are feeling better and having a wonderful beginning to 2014. I am nine years post op now and I too have some issues with speech at times. It may appear to some at times to be minor or even a bit amusing. There are times when I am talking and the wrong word seems to take the place of a similar sounding word or as Nunya mentioned above sometimes the word is right there in my head but my mouth freezes almost as if I forgot how to say it or something. My family understands this is just a part of the Chiari but in social situations these symptoms can be quite embarrassing. Hang in there and please keep us posted. You are on my thoughts and prayers.
Dennis
I am glad they are r/o a stroke. Take care of yourself.
I'm glad you have had some resolution to this. But if you have Chiari, you may want to strongly consider surgery with a very well known surgeon. (I highly recommend Dr. Fraser Henderson....)
Because if your issues are due to Chiari, surgery will likely only prevent them from worsening (not reverse or fix them).
Good luck.