glad your surgery went well hope you are still doing well.
Thank you mila, I appreciate it! How are you doing?
I have not been doing that good my Dr and the Neurosurgeon both say I will probably need to go again at some point for yet another surgery this time the shunt. My neurosurgeon didnāt give me much hopes with that though because he told me I would have to have repeated surgeries because they say the tube they insert typically moves out of place from time to time.
I am so sorry @mila 
. Is there anything I can do to help? If you are doing surgery again, are you going to your same surgeon? Praying it gets better for you 
!
I would be doing it with the same surgeon but I would like to get another opinion. Things have been crazy they had to do another MRI they say everything is āstableā because the fluid hasnāt gone up or gone down but yet Iām in a lot more pain and having headaches my eyes have been bothering me. I got checked to see if my eyes are being affected by the chiari they say it isnāt. I have a hard time falling asleep and then when I finally do fall asleep its like no matter how much I sleep Iām always still tired because I toss and turn a lot. Dr. thinks Iām stressing a lot and has referred me to another Dr. to help me cope with the stress and I have an appointment on the 10th to try to figure out how to manage my pain. I have bought a TENS unit which somewhat helps. Other than when I read these posts here I feel like no one understands. This is all so difficult.
I am so sorry @mila . Eyes sometimes can be affected depending on if its Chiari related. Thought my eyes were affected as well before my surgery, I was wrong. My eyes actually improved a little bit with my left eye. Sorry you are having a difficult time sleeping, it can be challenging. Do you sleep with a pillow? Thatās probably a weird question but, my surgeon had me sleep with no pillow right after surgery for a week, while in hospital. He says it realigns your neck and spinal cord. Ever since then, I do not sleep with a pillow. Ended up getting a cooling memory foam topper for my bed and just sleep on it with no pillow. What other things do you do, to cope with stress? How are you feeling? Completely understand what you are going through, I hope Iāve been helpful to you. Taking it day by day and 1 step at a time as always helped me! So hope it can help you through this whole process. On a side note, I just bought this book called 'Surviving and Thriving with an Invisible Chronic Illnessā How To Stay Sane and Live One Step Ahead of Your Symptoms. By: ILANA JACQUELINE. Just started reading it and thought you would love it too, got it on amazon! Let me know if you need anything! Praying for you 
!!
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Ashley, I hope you donāt mind, but I added a link for the book you mentioned. Looks interesting, not only for someone with Chiari, but for people on many of our Benās Friends communities.
Thanks for telling us about it!
Seenie
Thank you I will look into that book. I do sleep with a pillow but have also tried no pillow and saw no difference for me. As for stress I try to get out to do fishing when I can because that has always relaxed me. Today I had an appointment with my PCP and he is referring me to a social worker because he thinks it might help to have someone to talk to since I had previously been diagnosed with depression and with everything going on it is hard not to get depressed and feel overwhelmed.
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Seenie,
I donāt mind at all! Yes, it definitely can be for someone with any kind of chronic illness. Your welcome !
Your welcome Mila! The book also gives you practical strategies to use, which is really helpful! Sorry sleeping is so hard for you . Have you tried sleeping with a neck collar? Fishing sounds very relaxing and soothing! Talking with someone always helps a lot when your diagnosed. When I was first diagnosed ,I talked with someone too threw the whole process of having Chiari and other diagnoses at the same time. Listening to soothing music helps too. Hope it helps you ! Praying for you !