I've just added my answers to the survey.
Both Dr Bolognese and a UK neurosurgeon (who wants to remain anonymous for now) diagnosed me as having mild CCI, based on measurements (CXA was 134, Grabb-Oakes just over 9mm). However, based on my symptoms, and my response to Dr Bolognese's provocative tests, they were confident that I am not a candidate for surgery.
I had mild, short-lived improvement from over the door traction, but the provocative tests didn't elicit any reaction.
My main symptoms are PEM from physical and mental exertion, POTS (physical discomfort and a need to lie down when sitting or standing up) headaches, brain fog and difficulty performing complex mental tasks (eg the crossword). Based on the severity scale used in the survey I would put myself somewhere between severe and moderate, I spend most of the day laying down but I'm able to go for short walks (20 minutes) on good days.
The main thing both surgeons found of significance was severe stenosis of both my internal jugular veins, caused by external compression between my styloid bones and the transverse processes of my c1 vertebra. There is some debate as to whether this could be causing my symptoms; I am seeking an appointment with Dr Higgins in the UK to investigate this further.
Both Dr Bolognese and a UK neurosurgeon (who wants to remain anonymous for now) diagnosed me as having mild CCI, based on measurements (CXA was 134, Grabb-Oakes just over 9mm). However, based on my symptoms, and my response to Dr Bolognese's provocative tests, they were confident that I am not a candidate for surgery.
I had mild, short-lived improvement from over the door traction, but the provocative tests didn't elicit any reaction.
My main symptoms are PEM from physical and mental exertion, POTS (physical discomfort and a need to lie down when sitting or standing up) headaches, brain fog and difficulty performing complex mental tasks (eg the crossword). Based on the severity scale used in the survey I would put myself somewhere between severe and moderate, I spend most of the day laying down but I'm able to go for short walks (20 minutes) on good days.
The main thing both surgeons found of significance was severe stenosis of both my internal jugular veins, caused by external compression between my styloid bones and the transverse processes of my c1 vertebra. There is some debate as to whether this could be causing my symptoms; I am seeking an appointment with Dr Higgins in the UK to investigate this further.
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