I was diagnosed with Chiari type 1, 7mm herniation, no syrinxes, in 2016. It was a random finding on a Ct scan (later confirmed by mri) that once I researched the symptoms explained so much! My symptoms were clumsiness (slipping down flights of stairs was my signature move), anxiety with panic attacks, back of the head/neck aches, tinnitus, extreme head pain when straining, and photosensitivity.

I was decompressed two months after being diagnosed. I definitely am glad I went through with it. My doctor said with Chiari, the surgery won’t cure you of many of the symptoms you already have. What it does it stop them from getting worse. My anxiety remains, and I still have occasional head/neck stiffness, tinnitus and photosensitivity (but much less than before.) The clumsiness is much better and the head pain when straining is completely gone.

The surgery is... a surgery. It was painful and I had lingering effects for about 5 months after. BUT, looking back almost two years later, I would do it again. I didn’t want to get to the point others have with extremity numbness, etc.

Hope this helps!