I saw my PCP and she referred me to my 4th neurologist for severe vertigo, imbalance, headaches etc. That has been going on for nearly 2 years off and on. This is the most severe episode, my symptoms have been getting worse since march 11th. Anyway after an appointment with this neurologist he said I did not have migraines and said he suspected chiari malformation(didn’t think to ask him why). The more I read about chiari the more I am convinced this is what has been causing all my pains.
My MRI is scheduled for Wednesday(including neck). My question is who should I have read the results? I’m not sure if I should try to make an appointment with a NS or wait til after the MRI. I found a NS in Boston and am looking for another NS for a second opinion.
I always recommend a chiari specialist,because of my personal experience with so many NS and Drs.My journey has been very long,because of a lack of knowledge in this field.I had searched 28 yrs. before I received help,without the knowledge of the only specialist in this area I would still be suffering.If possible find the nearest one and get there,so many NSs diagnosis only on MRI results.There needs to be diagnosis by symptoms,cine MRI,tilt table test,and the right exam,in my case there would have never found mine. There dosen’t have to be a large herniation to experience life altering symptoms,without any other NS agreeing with my specialist I went ahead with decompression and it was the right thing to do.In hopes of helping others,I want everyone to know that even if you are told by mainstream NSs,and you have done your homework on chiari,find a specialist that does decompressions on a regular basis.