Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Hey everyone.

Good news, my tum settled down size the holiday stress has ended. Bad news, my head pain has been off the charts.

If you read my posts, you'll know I have Chiari Malformation - a congenital defect where my brain is too large for my skull. My brain is compressed at the back near the spinal cord. The result of the compression is headaches that blow migraines away like dust in the wind. And facial numbness, numb hands and arms, trouble speaking, seeing, thinking, dizziness and drop attacks (like fainting without losing consciousness). And there's more.

There is only one solution for Chiari - surgery. I was diagnosed in June, I've seen 2 neurosurgeons, and I've sent my MRI to a 3rd in the US (but I don't have $100K to go there for surgery). I was given the option of whether or not to choose surgery based on my symptoms and quality of life.

I've decided to have the surgery. It will be in Toronto 1800km away. I can't keep up like this. Since Dec 31st I've had a headache nearly every day, and the last 3 days have been 8 or 9/10. And I spent 5 hours in emerg yesterday, had a CT scan to check for hydrocephalus (water on the brain), and I'll be called for an MRI within the next 6 days. It's been bad, very bad. I'm off for the 2nd day in a row at work. I hate missing work. And there are no pain pills I've found which I can tolerate that actually work. So all I can do is rest, wrap my head in ice packs and stay in the dark.

Looking for some hugs as I wait now for the surgeon to give me a date and the strength to get through the pain until that time.

Thanks in advance,

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Cassandra

Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like you've never loved before.

IBS A 20+ years, Chronic Migraines, Chiari Malformation (decompressed June 22, 2010), Brachial Neuritis, and ??? the list just keeps growing, but I'm still shiny side up!

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