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Riding in cars...carsickness/overall uncomfortable
I am 6 years post op and I am wondering if anyone else has problems being the passenger in cars? I am fine when I drive, but if I have to be in the back seat or the passenger seat, I get so carsick, almost immediately, and if my head is against the headrest I get very physically uncomfortable all over. If it is not against the headrest, I get uncomfortable anyways, especially when people brake/press the gas and my neck jerks back and forth. Does anyone else have this problem? Any ideas as to how to remedy this? Besides headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and forgetfulness I am pretty much an asymptomatic 25 year old. LOL (although most people wouldnt consider that asymptomatic, I am very aware of my blessings)
COMMUNITY LEADER
I am in th eprocess of getting the info...and will create a Health page here when I am done....most info is too technical to use and takes awhile to rewrite so it is understandable ....below is some info I did find:
The weakness in the body's connective tissues that is caused by Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome(EDS) may cause a lack of stability of the neck and skull. This lack of stability is called Cranio-Spinal Instability(CSI). In CSI, the bones in the neck are able to move out of their proper positions, tissues can sag down out of place, and spinal fluid flow may be impaired. The bone and tissue movement is often noticeable only when an individual with CSI is in an upright position and the bones and tissue return to their normal positions when the individual returns to a horizontal position. In severe cases, CSI may be accompanied by cranial settling.
In an individual with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Craniospinal Instability (CSI), Cranial Settling is likely to occur. In Cranial Settling the tissues in the neck are weak, due to EDS, and the cervical bones are not held in place thus causing instability. This forces the cerebellar tonsils out of the skull into the spinal column through the small hole at the base of the skull called the foramen magnum, a phenomena called cerebellar herniation. When the cerebellar tonsils are out of place, they take up space normally allotted for the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), the brainstem, and all the arteries and veins leading through here to the brain. This puts pressure on the cerebellar tonsils and the brainstem which damages both structures progressively over time. The cerebellar tonsils are the lowest part of the cerebellum, which controls the sensory perception and motor control systems of the body. The brainstem controls the autonomic nervous system, or everything your body does without you having to thinking about it - heart rate, respiration, blood pressure control, etc. Damage to these systems is very serious, and can even be life-threatening. CSI may also allow the odontoid bone at the front of the neck to push backwards into the brainstem, causing even more damage to this structure. In addition to this, due to the crowding of the cerebellar tonsils, brainstem, and cranial arteries and veins, CSF flow may be impaired which deprives the brain and spinal cord of nutrients that they need. Spinal fluid continuously flows around the brain and spinal cord, bringing them essential nutrients. In an individual with cranial settling, however, there may not be enough room left at the opening of the skull for the spinal fluid to effectively flow.
Quick Identification
Symptoms: Severe headache and neck pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, vertigo, disequilibrium, palpitations, difficulty swallowing, visual disturbances, ringing in the ears, palpitations, dysautonomia (see "Dysautonomia" page), sleep apnea, impaired fine motor skills, chronic fatigue, painful tingling of the hands and feet, muscle weakness, and scoliosis
Diagnosis: Cranial Settling is normally NOT visible on a conventional horizontal MRI, X-ray, ect. It is normally only visible when the patient is upright, and even then may not be visible. To test for instability, a neurosurgeon or neurologist experienced in cranial settling can perform a physical manipulation of the patient's neck that will reproduce symptoms if settling is present. This should be followed up by craniocervical traction to confirm the diagnosis. If the patient's symptoms are worsened OR improved, refer the patient to a CSI specialist.
The weakness in the body's connective tissues that is caused by Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome(EDS) may cause a lack of stability of the neck and skull. This lack of stability is called Cranio-Spinal Instability(CSI). In CSI, the bones in the neck are able to move out of their proper positions, tissues can sag down out of place, and spinal fluid flow may be impaired. The bone and tissue movement is often noticeable only when an individual with CSI is in an upright position and the bones and tissue return to their normal positions when the individual returns to a horizontal position. In severe cases, CSI may be accompanied by cranial settling.
In an individual with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Craniospinal Instability (CSI), Cranial Settling is likely to occur. In Cranial Settling the tissues in the neck are weak, due to EDS, and the cervical bones are not held in place thus causing instability. This forces the cerebellar tonsils out of the skull into the spinal column through the small hole at the base of the skull called the foramen magnum, a phenomena called cerebellar herniation. When the cerebellar tonsils are out of place, they take up space normally allotted for the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), the brainstem, and all the arteries and veins leading through here to the brain. This puts pressure on the cerebellar tonsils and the brainstem which damages both structures progressively over time. The cerebellar tonsils are the lowest part of the cerebellum, which controls the sensory perception and motor control systems of the body. The brainstem controls the autonomic nervous system, or everything your body does without you having to thinking about it - heart rate, respiration, blood pressure control, etc. Damage to these systems is very serious, and can even be life-threatening. CSI may also allow the odontoid bone at the front of the neck to push backwards into the brainstem, causing even more damage to this structure. In addition to this, due to the crowding of the cerebellar tonsils, brainstem, and cranial arteries and veins, CSF flow may be impaired which deprives the brain and spinal cord of nutrients that they need. Spinal fluid continuously flows around the brain and spinal cord, bringing them essential nutrients. In an individual with cranial settling, however, there may not be enough room left at the opening of the skull for the spinal fluid to effectively flow.
Quick Identification
Symptoms: Severe headache and neck pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, vertigo, disequilibrium, palpitations, difficulty swallowing, visual disturbances, ringing in the ears, palpitations, dysautonomia (see "Dysautonomia" page), sleep apnea, impaired fine motor skills, chronic fatigue, painful tingling of the hands and feet, muscle weakness, and scoliosis
Diagnosis: Cranial Settling is normally NOT visible on a conventional horizontal MRI, X-ray, ect. It is normally only visible when the patient is upright, and even then may not be visible. To test for instability, a neurosurgeon or neurologist experienced in cranial settling can perform a physical manipulation of the patient's neck that will reproduce symptoms if settling is present. This should be followed up by craniocervical traction to confirm the diagnosis. If the patient's symptoms are worsened OR improved, refer the patient to a CSI specialist.
Thanks for writing back! I have been trying to read about craniospinal instability...but I haven't found much...anywhere that you could direct me to read more about it? Thanks!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi.....yes, I have experienced it more post surgery tho....thought it was bcuz I am so used to sitting still.
I take a bed sized super soft pillow with me on car rides....it does help me.
Sounds like u may have crainospinal instability.....
U may also want to try a neck pillow....a U shaped one to help hold ur head still.
I do tend to feel better after we r going awhile.....
"selma"
I take a bed sized super soft pillow with me on car rides....it does help me.
Sounds like u may have crainospinal instability.....
U may also want to try a neck pillow....a U shaped one to help hold ur head still.
I do tend to feel better after we r going awhile.....
"selma"
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