What was the strangest thing you've heard?

General
1

After reading a gazillion posts, Chiari support forums, and blogs, I'm starting to move past the anger stage regarding doctors lack of awareness and updated information on the treatment and diagnosis of Chiari.

Now, I'm just laughing at them.

So, I'd like to know what the dumbest, funniest, outrageous information you have heard that a doctor you have seen tried to pass off as common knowledge about Chiari.

For instance, the local neurosurgeon I saw said, "Everyone's brain hangs out of their foramen magnum."

2

Alert!!! Sexual content

While not specifically related to Chiari, I had also mentioned that I had low back pain when visiting a specialist. He very seriously told me that my back pain was no doubt caused by being sexually aroused with a partner and then not "finding release". My mouth about dropped open. Needless to say, this man was of little use in assisting me with Chiari and I moved on to someone a little more knowledgeable about medicine in general

3

Gabby…MY mouth just dropped open. I declare you the winner!

I told my NL I was there to talk about Chiari. She said, “you have the back of your skull for a reason!” Oh, ok. Here’s my credit card.

4

My best doctor comment was when I had come off all my pain meds and my GP said "see ,you don`t look any different" .I have since moved on.

5

I’ve had a doctor tell me that my symptoms and chiari diagnosis was ‘all in my head and make believe’… this was after having a CT and MRI and a NS confirm chiari and that surgery was required.

6

Yes I was told the same thing that this is very common and everyone and has this low lying and also it should really not be called cerebellar tonsillar ectopia that's not a correct description and the tonsils in the lower part of our brains isn't really tonsils but I shouldn't really have too worry about this because I'm past the age when the condition start to rise it's head It usually occurs at around 15 -17yrs of age it almost never affects you at an older age so you should not worry about chiari what your having is chronic migraines and it can be cured! Just change your diet remove caffeine and any alcoholic beverages you should be fine. Am I fine NO I am in worst pain than before I saw him

7

Well, I guess I have an interesting road ahead. I have seen one NeuroSurgeon who just made it sound like since I don't display ALL the "typical" symptoms, my symptoms are probably not caused by Chiari. Can't wait to see what the neurologist says.

8

I have had many Dr.'s 25+ tell me it was all in my head.I was in need of a mental health person to help me.They were right,for 27 years it was in my head,I have told some of them to get me a mental health specialist to talk me out of this hell.That never seemed to work!

9

During my initial NS consult, a NS fellow came in and did a pre-exam. During the exam, my hubby states "well, we have always thought it was in her head." Without skipping a beat and as straight-faced as ourselves, the dr answered with, "actually it's in her neck." He then grabbed my chart and left. We both cracked up.

10

I had a neurologist tell me that Chiari never causes symptoms and that he sees a lot of Chiari patients and refers them out for testing for lupus or other autoimmune disorders. So I point blank asked him if they don't have neurological symptoms why are you seeing so many of them? lol