Sunday, January 20, 2013

My MRI and results

So my neurologist thought it was time to get a MRI done bc of all of the migraines that i have been having..they have been getting worse..and to top it all off i have been having other symptoms too..so wanted to rule out anything serious.
This week has been a long week…I've been stressed/worried about my MRI results all week…I was worried before the MRI too bc I was worried I was going to get claustrophobic and freak out during/before it..
I went for my MRI on Monday of this week…It went ok..I almost panicked a little when they put the cage on my head..it confined my head and freaked me out a little..but I quickly closed my eyes and started counting..half way through they pulled me back out and stuck me..I about hit the tech bc she startled me..I had no idea what she was doing…I thought she was taking my blood..but turns out she wasn’t doing that she was injecting dye in and then finished the MRI with the dye…First off they should of told me this prior to the MRI…and second they should of warned me right before they were going to stick me with a needle. I felt my heart rate go up…bc I started thinking I don’t remember this with Avery..or Brielle..or Jared…so why are they doing it to me???!!!  I know now whySmile So anyways after wards they told me to call my dr on Thursday that they would have the results.. So I called Thursday to see if they had the results yet..they told me I had to come in..so I got an appt for Friday morning…
So basically I found out that I have a Chiari Malformation…and she tells me that I need to have yet another MRI to see how severe it is. Where they will focus on the cerebrum and spinal cord with fluid to see if any/how much blockage there is.
What is Chiari Malformation???  Ill take some of it off of the info sheet she gave me…It’s a structural problem at the base of the skull that affects the brain and spinal cord. The lower portion of the skull, is too small accommodate the lower portion of the brain. As a result, a portion of the cerebellum called the tonsils is forced to protrude into the spinal column. This results in compression of the brain stem and spinal cord that is primarily responsible for the symptoms.  Some symptoms include:
~Migraine/headache (yeap have that one) and in fact they are getting worse!!! I HATE the control they have on my life!!!!
 ~Neck pain (yeap have that one)
~Dizziness/vertigo (yeap have that one)                    ~Impaired balance
~IBS (yeap have that one)                                      ~Chronic Nausea
~Vague pains throughout the body (yeap have that one too in my arm and neck)                       
~Changes in the voice
~Auditory symptoms..like fullness, ringing in the ears, decrease in the ability to hear (yeap have that one too in fact I may not have that menieres disease like the ENT dr thought bc that is a symptom of this)
~Visual Symptoms..like double vision,blurred (yeap have that one)
~Numbness and tingling of hands and feet (yeap have that one)
~Poor sleep (yeap have that one to)
Treatment: As a rule, when the malformation causes symptoms that seriously impair the patients quality of life, its best to consider surgery. Surgery for chiari is basically about creating more room for the brain. Surgery relieves compression of the brain stem and spinal cord and improves the circulation of the spinal fluid. Only to be done by a specialist.
In a nutshell that is what it is…you can always Google for more information..you know I did!!Smile I had too!!!
Breathe…Im trying to just keep on breathing..right now I am trying sooo hard to just not think about it until I do the other MRI and get them results back..but its sooo hard not to panic and not to be scared..and truthfully I am really scared!!! I don’t know if I should cry, scream, laugh, or what….I've had my crying breakdowns already..and I don’t even know how severe it is yet..but we are talking about my brain here..
I prayed and prayed for answers for my migraines..and I def got my answers just not what I wanted!!  Its good to know though that all of my symptoms were all linked to one thing..and not in my head!
Right now truthfully I am tired of my storms!!!  I feel like I have had my share and I should be able to enjoy the sun for awhile..but I guess its not up to me now is it!  I feel like I'm in sinking sand and I keep sinking and I'm trying so hard to get out but I just keep sinking further down.
I've had a  few people have told me that they think I'm a very strong person for everything that I have had to endure but I don’t feel very strong..in fact I feel very weak!!  Why cant I just be one of the ones that just fly's under the radar with nothing:(
So insurance wise (bc Jared is quitting his job at the end of this month..remember..) we don’t know what we are going to do…bc this puts us in a HUGE predicament.  So many questions and so many decisions.  Just asking for prayers…Prayers for peace…for wisdom and guidance..and for good news on the next MRI..

10 comments:

Clarissa said...

Wow! I was wondering why you said you got a MRI done (on fb). I am sorry the results weren't good, but praying that it can reversed and that you will be feeling better asap!
As a side note: the cerebellum is the part of Abigail's brain that is slowly shrinking (from mito)... this made me think of that (tho of course they are two separate situations) .
Anyway... I will be praying!

Anna Theurer said...

Ah the infamous chiari malformation :-( I didn't see that coming and I imagine that you didn't see that either! {{{{HUGS}}}} Kristi! I shall be saying many prayers for you and the family. Can you all go on COBRA once Jared quits his job so that you have some insurance. I do not mean to be nosy. Hang in there as I imagine that you feel miserable physically, stressed emotionally. So yes, you have my thoughts and prayers.

Jocelyn L. said...

Praying for you all!! So hard to understand God's ways but he will carry you through this storm and Sunshine will be yours in His time! He is faithful..Praying God will comfort, strengthen and keep you in his care.

JC said...

Praying for you Kristi.

Cindy said...

That does sound so scary. I was wincing as I read this. Oh my. I will be praying for peace, overwhelming peace to saturate you!

Laura said...

A local teacher was diagnosed with this a couple years ago. She had surgery and is doing great today. That being said, I will be praying for you Kristi! Please keep us updated on everything!!!!!

Michelle said...

I'm sorry this wasn't the result you were looking for from the MRI, but glad that you have answers to what has been going on with you. I second what someone mentioned on FB about seeing a chiropractor...that might be worth it to look in to because they can manipulate the spine, and maybe that's all you need instead of possible surgery. Keeping you in my prayers for wisdom and strength!

lovemy3 said...

I'm glad you have answers, but I wish for your sanity that they had all the answers....my neighbor's son was diagnosed with Chiari 5 years ago. He is in the waiting stage because they want to perform surgery when he is older. My sister-in-law has a dear friend that had the surgery 2 years ago and is doing fantastic ever since. I will say a prayer for you and your family....for strength, calm and answers!

Becky said...

Praying for you of course....

Anonymous said...

This predicament might be frightening for you, but try to look at the bright side of things. At least you now know the cause of your headaches through the MRI. Also, you have your family. Your husband and your 5 daughters are there for you. Pull your strength from them whenever you're feeling weak. I hope things will get better soon.

MRI Diagnostics