Chiari 1

[Johnfitz12]

Hi I am from kerry in Ireland and would love some help with chairi 1 malformation I found out I have this abou 5 months ago and have awful headaches dealing very down over it every day I have 12 mm right now and was at 7 mm about 4 months ago I’m constantly getin bad symptoms but doctors says mri is normal but the chiari is show showing 12 mm is there anyone I can see to get to the bottom of this because I don’t like the way life is and want to get back to normal if possible

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.
First it is very important to note that the length of your herniation is not the issue, the issue is , is the herniation causing an obstruction to CSF flow. Also, do you have copies of your MRI's and were they done at the same location on the same machine and did they take and review the same slices?
Unfortunately, Chiari is not something that is given much time to those medical professionals during med school, so not much is known by them....you need to locate a Dr that is doing their own research into it as well as related conditions.
I am not familiar with Drs in your country or how your coverage is for medical care....if you can travel to a Dr that specializes etc.....

May I ask, what symptoms you are dealing with at the moment?

[Johnfitz12]

Hi again the symptoms I am dealing with is a lot of headaches ,feeling in balanced just not feeling myself and always thinking the worst and I have been for a few Mri head scans the last few months and it has gone from 7mm to 12 mm but they said all my head scans are normal I do t no how they are normal when the pain and symptoms I get is not normal I don’t no how to get onto any doctors back here about this condition

[selmaS]

First, try to relax....the more stressed you are the more your symptoms will flare.
Next, it is very possible your herniation did not get larger, but was viewed differently then in previous MRI.....when a MRI is done, they look at slices....and if they view  side slices first they may appear shorter than those in the middle.....so, your herniation may be the same size, just being viewed from another angle.
There are a few Chiari specialists in the US, that will review your MRI's via a virtual visit....maybe they can help you and point you towards a college they know in your area?