Forgive this long post. Yesterday I had my physical during which I discussed some symptoms that have been around for years. I have headaches, left sided facial pain, ear fullness, tinnitus, episodes of dizziness/vertigo, constant sore throat, diffuculty swallowing fluids, bad balance, etc.
For years I have been told most of the problems are due to allergies/sinuses. About four years ago I started having severe hand tingling and feet burning, shortness of breath, confusion and difficulty with word recall and so on. At that time I was evaluated for MS and had an MRI of my brain. The only finding in the report was "mild arnold chiari malformation type1". The neurologist did not think it was significant and eventually I was diagnosed with a b12 deficiency. I take 1000mg sublingual b12 daily and some of the symptoms have been greatly reduced, specifically the hand tingling.
However, the headaches and facial pain, etc., continue almost daily. I take excedrin migraine which helps bring it under control so that I can function. So because I continue to complain about these symproms, the doctor has ordered another MRI of my brain. She didn't even know what chiari is when she looked at the report but she did note it on the prescription so they will be looking for it.
My biggest question is, am I likely to be a surgical candidate? If so, is it worth it? I have been driving myself to disctraction since yesterday trying to find out all I can about this. Some people say they are fully recovered but many don't. This is a big deal surgery and I am both excited abut the possibility and scared about it as well. I also wonder why this finding was not investigated further four years ago. Will the MRI be the same or is it possible that the chiari has progressed?
THANK YOU to anyone who takes a minute to reply!!!!!
Chiari the cause all along? 
