I have had neck/shoulder pain, lower back pain and new sporadic numbness in my left arm. I thought it was arthritis or slipped disc or something of that nature. I was diagnosed with CM, with syrinx and possible benign tumor. I have another MRI of my full spine this Friday to get a clearer image of what is going on and how to proceed. I was referred by my neurologist to a specialist (I don’t think his specialty is CM) he said in looking at my MRI there is no tumor but my CM is a 9 out 10, he doesn’t understand why I don’t have more severe symptoms. That the cerebellum has pushed down through the first vertebrae and suggests decompression surgery within the next three months. Another specialists I chose to go to, to get a second opinion said the image was not clear enough and he wants another MRI of my full spine to determine if there is a tumor. I have uncomfortable symptoms but nothing that is completely awful at this point. I suggested monitoring to the first specialist and he was obviously not ok with that. His explanation was that the longer we prolong the less likely the symptoms are to correct themselves.
The thought of surgery scares me and is causing extreme stress which is making symptoms worse. I am so confused about this surgery whether it is necessary, whether it is necessary to do it right away and if it will potentially cause worse symptoms. SO TORN PLEASE HELP