Wits end! but finally have an appt with a NS!

General
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Bare with me everyone, as this is the first time I've every posted a discussion on this.
First off, I just want to note how thankful I am that I found this site. Its nice to know i'm not the only one with problems that are "all in my head"! :)

I was originally diagnosed with "borderline chiari" back in 2007 with a 6mm herniation. After further testing ( EEG ) I was diagnosed with Temporal Lobe epilepsy, and the chiari was ruled incidental.
My symptoms were, numbness in the left arm, inability to move or speak, and unaware of my surroundings.

Further down the road, 2009-present I started having neck issues, migraines, severe headaches, pain at the base of my skull, and ringing in the ears on and off. These were all dismissed with varying reasons. From torticollis, herniated disk, muscle spasm, and slight hearing loss.

Now that theirs a briefing on my ailments, lets get to today's issues that it seems a lot of you can cope with me, and hopefully give me some pointers/insight of what to expect.

Starting in November 2012 my neck issues and pain at the base of the skull have become a BIG issue. I had a MRI done of the cervical spine, that of course showed the "borderline" chiari still at 6 mm, a slight herniated disk, and some minor artheritis ( I just turned the big 30 last month)
After being put on multiple pain medications with no relief my PCP finally sent me to a physiatrist. After reviewing my symptoms, the first thing she said to me was "you have chiari" she then ordered another MRI and put me on Flexeril until we got the results.

Well, I thought I was finally on to something, but after my recheck today, ( in which, I am feeling worse, Headaches to the point of vomiting, it hurts to even turn my neck, and waking up in pain, with loud ringing in my ears)
The first thing out of her mouth today was "the chiari is only 6mm, with no hydrocephalus, or syringomyelia, only some minor crowding of the craniocervical juntion, but not significant enough to cause symptoms"
I about lost it right then and there.
Through teary eyes I had to ask, if not chiari, what is causing this pain? She had no answer for me, however she did refer me to a neurosurgeon, and put me on Lyrica.

My Appointment is this coming Monday. I will bring my MRI's and reports, but what else do you guys recommend? Should I do a list of symptoms? request a CINE MRI?
I feel like this is my last call before I go crazy, and I really want answers.
and any insight will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for reading my long winded discussion!
~ Tabatha

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I am new also. I have a daughter with a 7MM chiari. We are getting much of the same information here. My older daughter has 3mm which is insignificant… Unless your neck and shoulders are hurting and then I would say it is pretty significant… I was told to check and see if the doctors we used were listed under any of the chiari websites as recommended. If not you might want to print off some research that mentions it is not about the size but, the symptoms. I feel your pain. Hope you get good news.

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Thank you guys so much for the response! I haven't checked out the Resource Tab yet, or the list of doctors, and I will as soon as i'm done replying! :)

Although I hate the fact that we all have to deal with this, I am very glad that there are people like you guys that understand.

Once again Thank You! and I hope you guys are doing well also!

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I found out i had chairi 11mm back in 2011 after I started fainting and having other

Symptoms of walking really off balance and numbness in my body on and off and many other symptoms. My first neurologist told me that my symptoms were not related to my chairi malformation that it was just nerves. So I know what you are going through. Had to go through 3 neurologist to find one that was helpful. So try to hang in there. What has helped me the most through all of this is my faith in the Lord. And trusting in Jesus every day.

I suggest to find a dr that is willing to help with your chairi and getting you answers.