Chiari Malformation

[rubywagon]

Any TE'ers have CM and have continued their cycling? Thanks in advance.

[KnottedYet]

Ask your neurologist about extended cervical positions, and ask how stable the C1 and C2 are in your particular neck.

The neuro may suggest a more upright position if cervical extension is an issue in your case (and you may want a PT to help set up your bike and monitor you for the degree of extension set by your neuro) but I haven't heard of anyone being told to *stop* riding.

[rubywagon]

Thank you, I will do that. I have noticed that since I flipped my stem over to a more aggressive position, my symptoms have been getting worse, so I will definitely start with flipping it back over.

[beccaB]

I don't have any advice about biking with that, but my sister-in-law had surgery for that. She and my brother were very afraid, but everything went well and her surgery was successful.

[bunny_ninja]

oooh I am sorry to hear about the chiari malformation. They had to rule that out on me. I just have a run-o-the-mill cyst. Nothing major - just some crazy looking MRIs. I agree with talking to someone about your spine position.

My beauty:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2101/80/23/1061241702/n1061241702_30191870_107.jpg

[rubywagon]

Thanks for all the info/help ladies.

[snowroo]

Bunny Ninja, you're right, that is one funky looking scan. What are your symptoms?

[rubywagon]

Yeah Bunny Ninja. Is the cyst the dark grey area at the bottom of the scan? Wow.

[bunny_ninja]

yup - the grey thing...

I haven't got a lot of symptoms, but I did have a severe headache that heavy duty pain meds couldn't touch for 2 months -- that is when that image was taken.

Really my only symptoms - my cerebellum is abnormally small, so I kind of have bad balance and poor body-space awareness. I also get killer headaches when there is a high pressure weather system. Otherwise, it just kind of chills out in there and hasn't changed size in the 3 years it has been under investigation.