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Suggest Treatment For Severe Neck Pain, Left Eye Blurriness, Occasional Muscle Weakness, Facial Numbness, Nausea And Vertigo When Diagnosed With Syringomyelia
Question: hi, i was diagnosed with syringomyelia in march. i saw a neurologist who dosent think my syrinx is causing my symptoms. its 13mm. neurologist wouldnt give me anything for nerve pain. i have burning and pins and needles. i have severe neck pain, (left side, pain in upper back/down arms, left eye blurriness, (occasions) muscle weakness, pins and needles in limbs, (at different times) problems with coordination, balance issues, some facial numbness (comes and goes), nausea, dizziness/vertigo (comes and goes), chronic fatigue, scoliosis. i am wondering what your opinion is on the possibility of this being Chiari, Craniocervical Instability, Atlantoaxial instability & the possibility of Ehlers-Danlos? i am also wondering should my neck be bent like that? im currently being assessed for rheumatoid arthritis. i have mild arthritis in my hips. i developed asthma. i have fibromyalgia. thank you!
Brief Answer:
Pregabalin / Gabapentin can be added
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Syringomyelia is associated with hindbrain herniation or Chiari I malformation which is the prolapse of the cerebellar tonsils for 5 mm or more beyond the foramen magnum. The symptoms you described fit with chiari malformation.
You described a number of unrelated conditions including Ehler danlos, asthma, fibromyalgia , rheumatoid arthritis and hip arthritis.
If rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed then atlantoaxial instability must be looked for as the association exists especially with neck pain. RA factor , ESR/CRP and anti CCP antibodies should be done in addition to clinical assessment.
Based on the pain symptoms you described, Pregabalin or Gabapentin can safely be added for adequate pain relief along with muscle relaxants like Tizanidine or Cyclobenzaperine in consultation with your doctor.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if you have any query. Wishing you the best of health
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil
General & Family Physician
Pregabalin / Gabapentin can be added
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Syringomyelia is associated with hindbrain herniation or Chiari I malformation which is the prolapse of the cerebellar tonsils for 5 mm or more beyond the foramen magnum. The symptoms you described fit with chiari malformation.
You described a number of unrelated conditions including Ehler danlos, asthma, fibromyalgia , rheumatoid arthritis and hip arthritis.
If rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed then atlantoaxial instability must be looked for as the association exists especially with neck pain. RA factor , ESR/CRP and anti CCP antibodies should be done in addition to clinical assessment.
Based on the pain symptoms you described, Pregabalin or Gabapentin can safely be added for adequate pain relief along with muscle relaxants like Tizanidine or Cyclobenzaperine in consultation with your doctor.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if you have any query. Wishing you the best of health
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil
General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
hi, thanks so much for your response. i attached my images but i am unsure if they were sent through? is it possible to have syringomyelia with out chiari? my mri report says no chiari, how ever i have these symptoms. i asked my neurologist for pain meds but he refused, and never mentioned pregabalin or gabapentin. thank you for giving me exact measurments! my other question is can you have rheumatoid arthritis with out a positive rf? ill be sure to ask my doctor about the meds next time i see him. thank you!
Brief Answer:
Explained
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Yes, its only an association. You can have syringomyelia without Chiari.
Yes, RA factor can be negative in a rheumatoid arthritis patient and can be positive in a normal patient. Anti CCP is a better test.
Hope I have answered your query. Wishing you the best of health.
Thanks you.
Regards,
Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil
General & Family Physician
Explained
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Yes, its only an association. You can have syringomyelia without Chiari.
Yes, RA factor can be negative in a rheumatoid arthritis patient and can be positive in a normal patient. Anti CCP is a better test.
Hope I have answered your query. Wishing you the best of health.
Thanks you.
Regards,
Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil
General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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