Question 1

what are the major signs and symptoms of syringomyelia?

Accepted Answer

Spinal cord problems: Syringomyelia is a cavity of fluid within the spinal cord. It is not always symptomatic. It is most commonly present without an obvious cause but may be related to trauma, infection, hindbrain abnormalities, and tumors. It presents with weakness or numbness of the arms or legs, gait difficulties, pain in the extremities, scoliosis, ataxia, or atrophy. Signs include in addition, reflex changes.

Question 2

my husband has syringomyelia, was taking percocet 10 mg. never saw physical signs of addiction, but he may have p.a.w.s., suggestions for chronic pain?

Accepted Answer

Taper down: Your husband could try taking a smaller dose and tapering down, slowly, little by little and spread out the taper over a few months. For my patients, I have found the medication buproprion helpful, often times, for paws. Also, I have used low dose modafanil for a short period of time (six months) until the paws goes away. Good question.

Question 3

what are the causes of syringomyelia?

Accepted Answer

Chiari I: Chiari i malformation most common
less often, klippel-feil, postinfectious, postinflammatory, spinal neoplasms, posttraumatic.

Question 4

what are the tests for syringomyelia?

Accepted Answer

Syringomyelia: Symptoms include hand and leg weakness, sensation loss in the arms and hands and the diagnostic test of choice is an MRI of the cervical and thoracic spine.

Question 5

can chinese herbs cure syringomyelia?

Accepted Answer

No data: To my knowledge, there is no studied herbs that help for syringomyelia.   In fact, there are no medications in general that help for syringomyelia.

Question 6

are there drugs to treat syringomyelia?

Accepted Answer

Not really: The standard of care for managing syringomyelia is to decrease pressure effects that could cause the syrinx (spinal cord cyst) to expand. Avoid valsalva (bearing down, holding your breath) and control high blood pressure-- you may take stool softeners or medications for high blood pressure, but ultimately the syrinx may require decompression with a shunt procedure.

Question 7

who is more likely to get syringomyelia?

Accepted Answer

Chiari I: Most commonly in those with chiari i malformation. Less often with klippel-feil syndrome, postinfectious, postinflammatory, spinal neoplasms, and posttraumatic.

Question 8

what is the cause of "idiopathic syringomyelia"?

Accepted Answer

Idiopathic=dont know: Unfortunately, the term "idiopathic" means that there is no clear underlying cause.  Once a cause has been identified, it is no longer an idiopathic disease.  (as a side note, i was told by a mentor that the term "idiopathic" means that the doctors are idiots because they can't figure it out yet.).

Question 9

is there a good exercise that helps syringomyelia?

Accepted Answer

No answer possible: What sort of exercises you can do, whether they will help or make things worse, will be determined by where the cyst is, how badly it impinges on the cord,  how large it is, etc..   You need to discuss this with your neurosurgeon.  You can not get a good answer from someone who is not familiar with you and your specific condition.

Question 10

what  happens to people with syringomyelia over time?

Accepted Answer

Hand and legs: May have pain. Numbness inter hands. A progressive enlargement may result in leg weakness and urinary difficulties.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Syringomyelia signs

A member asked:

What are the major signs and symptoms of syringomyelia?

A member asked:

My husband has syringomyelia, was taking percocet 10 mg. never saw physical signs of addiction, but he may have p.a.w.s., suggestions for chronic pain?

A member asked:

What are the causes of syringomyelia?

A member asked:

What are the tests for syringomyelia?

A member asked:

Can chinese herbs cure syringomyelia?

A member asked:

Are there drugs to treat syringomyelia?

A member asked:

Who is more likely to get syringomyelia?

A member asked:

What is the cause of "idiopathic syringomyelia"?

A member asked:

Is there a good exercise that helps syringomyelia?

A member asked:

What happens to people with syringomyelia over time?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?