Ray D’Alonzo, Ph.D., is a visiting professor in the Chemistry Department of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a retired R&D Manager of Procter & Gamble where he worked for over 31 years.  He has led research programs in bone metabolism, infectious disease, respiratory disease, arthritis, and nutrition and has published scientific papers on a wide variety of topics from the chemical composition of fats and oils to the pharmacoeconomics of osteoporosis.  Dr. D’Alonzo is the recipient of the Chancellor’s Medal from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in part, for his contributions to the development of new pharmaceutical agents.  As both a patient and scientist, he has made a personal effort to increase the awareness of Chiari in the health care sector and to assist others afflicted with the syndrome.  He has published the story of his personal struggle with Chiari in a book, Contents Under Pressure, with 100% of royalties going towards Chiari education, awareness, and research programs.

July 31st, 2009 --     

     Since it is summer and vacation season, I’ll keep this one on the short side. In the past, I wrote about how Chiari mimics other diseases and can actually be responsible in some cases for neurogenic heart attacks, high blood pressure and respiratory failure. Chiari patients often experience a wide array of symptoms and have a natural tendency after a while to assign all of their symptoms and problems to Chiari.

Care must be taken however not to assign all symptoms to Chiari. It is certainly possible to have two diseases at once. When this occurs we call it a concomitant condition. Over the years, I have read numerous posts of Chiari egroup sites where patients wonder if Chiari can be responsible for abnormal thyroid function or blood sugar levels. It is critical for Chiari patients when new symptoms or changes in lab test result values emerge to discuss these changes with their doctor and resist the tendency to ignore them by assigning their origin to Chiari. While Chiari is known to be associated in rare cases with serious heart and respiratory problems, it is not known to be associated with thyroid disease or diabetes. And, even if the Chiari patient is having heart or respiratory symptoms, he/she should not ignore them just because there is a known association. Remember, all is not Chiari. Advancing age is the biggest factor in the development of new diseases and conditions and none of us is getting younger.

When the next issue of this newsletter is published, it will mark my 10th anniversary since decompression. I will write about my experience with recovery and the quality of my life over the past ten years. I’ll try to provide tips on what Chiari patients can do after surgery to function at a higher level, become more productive and bring happiness into their lives.

Now, if you haven’t taken vacation already this summer, pack your bags and go somewhere. If the recession is a barrier, I suggest you make use of nearby public parks for swimming or picnic meals. I have been teaching my young grandchildren how to fish at a nearby public park this summer. My granddaughter caught three sun fish unassisted the other day. The expression of wonder and joy on her face with each catch was priceless. In many ways, these everyday experiences with loved ones are vastly superior to the most expensive and exotic vacations.

-- Ray D'Alonzo

 ** If you would like to share your comments, thoughts, or ideas with Ray,  please send them to dalonzo.rp@gmail.com.  Due to the volume and nature of email received, individual responses are not possible. **

[Ed. Note:  The opinions expressed above are solely those of the author.  They do not represent the opinions of the editor, publisher, or this publication.  Mr. D'Alonzo is not a medical doctor and does not give medical advice.  Anyone with a medical problem is strongly encouraged to seek professional medical care.]    
 

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