Chiari symptoms - Brain & Nervous System Disorders Message Board

Dpatt491 · 07-17-2008, 02:40 PM

Hello,

I was recently diagnosed with Chiari I, and I've been steadily thinking about some of the things that have been happening to me over the years, and wondering if they are related to chiari.

One, blood in mucus
Two, after sneeze, I lose my voice for about half an hour.
and three, pain im my hand, as if I strained a ligament, pain that won't go away.

Has anyone experienced these symptoms?

cindys601 · 07-17-2008, 10:31 PM

Hi DPatt~

Welcome to the boards. Its great that you were given a Chiari diagnosis and not just wondering what is wrong.

Chiari can cause many symptoms and vary in each of us individally. Blood in mucus is not one of these and I would definately address this with your primary care DR. Its so easy for us to blame everything on Chiari but we have to be careful because some things could be unrelated and become ignored. So check that out for your own good!!

Nerve pain is common and I have had pain in my hand and wrist. This was before my dx and was told I had a pinched nerve. Its not fun.

I haven't personally had any voice changes but have read other peoples stories and complaints about this.

Have you done much research on Chiari or have a treatment plan in place or are you just watching your symptoms at this point? Research and being knowledgable in this condition is your best defense.

take care

cindy

Dpatt491 · 07-18-2008, 05:16 AM

Thanks cindys601,
You seem to be the chiari guru here at the boards. I was just dx of Friday, so I'm still in denial, but I swear I've had symptoms for years. I remember about 12 years ago, everytime I would sit up, I would have a dizzy spell that glassed my eyes and almost caused me to fall off a ladder at my job, it lasted about a month and hasn't happened since. The major symptom showed up about 2 years ago, the pressure headaches, I love to laugh and it's killing me that I can't enjoy laughing without my head feeling like it's going to explode.
One more quick question, should I be worried about working, can I hurt myself worse since I have a fairly physical job?

cindys601 · 07-18-2008, 06:21 AM

Hi Dapatt~

Wow, you are very new to this. I can understand why you are in denial. Its alot to bite off and understand for sure. And saddly it is very misunderstood by the medical community. Most Dr's believe that only a large herniation can cause symptoms but infact thats untrue. How did you come to realize you had Chiari? What was the size of your herniation, if you don't mind me asking?

We can live with this for many years not knowing we are experiencing things that are related. Like the dizzy spells you had. I get that same feeling, as if my eyes are filled with moisture and they get very blurry. I used to think the things that were going on were normal and it happened to everyone. Now that I have a name for this, I'm finding out that others don't have these strange goings on as I do. I just never asked.

And laughing, I get terrible pressure from that too, but then thought everyone must have the same. I love a good laugh but suffer for it after!! And laughter is such a healthy thing to do too. So I can comepletely understand what your going through.

You asked about work and many people work and do just fine. But heavy lifting, pulling or pushing can make things worse, so be very careful. Also, if your climbing around, your at risk for falls and that can also be dangerous. So be very cautious. Head trauma can cause more damage.

I had mild symptoms since I was 22. I'm 42 now. About 4 years ago, I was rear ended in my car at high impact and it has been a down hillslide from there. So I treat my body with tender loving care these days. LOL. If its a struggle to do it, I don't. So awareness is good.

You called me the chiari guru. LOL When I was diagnosed, there was such little information here on the healthboards. I know there are others out there who are struggling and wanted to get some support and information out there for them. Its scary not knowing much about all of this. So here I am and if theres anything I can help you with, just shout out!!

Take care

Cindy

emsmomtina · 07-18-2008, 11:53 AM

Hey all,

I'm new to the boards, but definitely not to Chiari. Was dx and had surgery 10 years ago. Surgery was probably the best thing I could have done for myself back then, but now I'm having some serious complications again.

One of my nsgs main concerns when diagnosing me was my very rough hoarse voice. It just changed overnight 1 night in high school and never returned to normal. Changes in voice tone is definitely a symptom of chiari.

Hope to talk to fellow chiarians.....

Tina