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Leslie

 I was very athletic and active in swimming, water-skiing, snow skiing, biking, and gardening.  I was pregnant seven (7) times and have four (4) children.  After the last pregnancy at age 30, I began experiencing IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).  My records show Hepatitis B.  I had two (2) sinus surgeries when I was 33.  I had a hysterectomy at 37 years of age and had a spinal anesthetic.  This is when my neck pain started.  My positional sitting in front of a computer and holding the phone between my ear and shoulder made pain worse.  When I was 39 I had a facet block (spinal injection).  This is when my pain flared to limits of severe and my life became dysfunctional.  I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia even though I had an MRI from 4 years’ prior that showed specifically Chiari Malformation I.  I was misdiagnosed and treated for fibromyalgia.  I was prescribed heavy pain medications, anti-depressants and sleep medications with no relief.  In October 1999, I sent my MRIs to Dr. Dan Heffez at the Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch, and on May 11, 2000 I underwent Chiari surgery. 

The following are my pre-surgical symptoms:

	Neck pain - severe (pain point in spine)
	Neck pain traveled down left arm
	Arms falling asleep and numb
	Hands hurt so bad, had to wear wrist braces 24 hours a day for 6 months
	Foot pain severe – could only wear slippers
	Buttocks hurt very badly
	Cold drip feeling down my outer thigh
	Feet and hands cold all the time
	Body temperature off
	Sleep deprivation – severe, did not sleep for 16 months
	Irritable Bowel Syndrome – gas, bloating, pain
	Elbows and knees very sore – unable to climb stairs
	Short-term memory problems
	Anxious and irritable
	Severe depression
	Fatigue
	Blurred vision, eyes burning, eyes jumping, hard to read
	Voice very hoarse; always trying to clear throat
	Fluid in left ear
	Body becomes very stiff when in one position for short period
	Sinus problems – 2 surgeries in 1991
	Severe face pain – teeth area
	Panic attacks
	Intolerance to loud noises; get confused
	Muscle spasms – all over body but mostly in neck and upper back area
	Tremors; dropping items

 Listed below are my post-surgical symptoms:

	Pain points in neck, arms, hands, feet, and headaches still present but nowhere near as severe
	Feel stressed very easily
	Sleep problems still present but now receiving more sleep
	Stiffness still occurs when in one position
	Short-term memory – still bad
	Fatigue
	Irritable Bowel Syndrome – not as severe
	Depression – not as severe
	Eyes burning; bright light problems
	Intolerance to loud noises; confused

I still have a number of the symptoms that I had prior to surgery but the pain factor has improved tremendously.  This has been my biggest improvement.  I still have pain but at least now medication can help keep it under control.  I consider myself to be one of the successes. 

National Fibromyalgia Research Association
PO Box 500, Salem, OR 97308