Ironic that you should bring this up now Bobbie. I was diagnosed with syringomyelia in 1994 and had my shunt surgery in 1995. The shunt took away all the terrible conditions it was causing (which took me 4 1/2 years to know something was wrong and to try to find out what I was having something I had never before heard of until getting syringomyelia) but I don't suggest it for everyone.
I think you and I have talked about my situation before but I can't recall. That is where my chronic pain is (but strangely began 2 years after the surgery) and even though my follow-up MRIs show the shunt is draining fine. All was status quo until December 13 when my caregiver was scooching me up in bed (like she always does) and I felt what felt to be one of her fingers over her thumb pressed into the exact area where my [under control with pain medication to the extent it can] pain area is. She denies not doing anything different but I know I felt and it must have done something because before I even got up that day I could say it was going to spend the day in bed because we were both exhausted and that evening when I was on my side for 90 minutes my back was spasming intermittently causing my stomach muscles to clench inward. I didn't think it was anything that would last but it has. The spasms were getting a little bit better over the last few days but they came again today and the all revolves around that damn syringomyelia where my syrinx is supposed to be draining fine. It is a horrible condition no matter what!!! Now I have that to deal with and I wish I could offer you some advice/suggestions on what might help your situation or why what is happening is happening to take away what you most enjoy but all I can say is I am most certainly understand! If that counts for anything. My pain and limitations have gotten worse over the years and there are many reasons for that but no matter what... it sux!!! It is known to be a progressive condition and I guess it is. :-( Hope you had a great Christmas day!!! ~Lori On Mon, Dec 26, 2016 at 7:09 PM, Bobbie Humphreys < [email protected]> wrote: > I was diagnosed with a syrinx back in 1995 and, until now, have had no > real problems. > > Since the first Saturday of December I can not feel my right hand 🤚 and > using it, like I've been able to, has become nearly impossible. > > Picking up and holding a fork, tooth brush, spoon, pen, paint 🎨 brush, > opening medications and even driving my chair has become an extreme > challenge. > > Does anybody know of any way to alleviate the pressure? > I don't want to get it drained because my Doctor said it can come back > immediately. No way do I want a shunt. > Bobbie > > "You must fail in order to succeed" > -- "Petting, scratching and cuddling a dog could be soothing to the mind and heart and deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer." ~Dean Koontz
