chiari and hiatal hernia?

[Brendaz20]

I used to post on this forum back then because of my unusual symptoms and to get advice. I haven't been to a chiari specialist because of being in debt and not working. I'm hoping to see one soon because my symptoms seem to be getting worse. So far they are blurred and static vision, as well as seeing after images, buzzing and ringing in my ears, fullness in my ears, constant pressure at the back of my head, i lose my balance, undiagnosed sleep apnea, anxiety, neck and back pain, depression, and just recently last year I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia when i had a colonoscopy. I just want to know if a hiatal hernia is a symptom of chiari at all..?

[selmaS]

  Yeah it could be ICP or POTS....so do let your Drs know about that...there is a tilt table test you should have.....

[Brendaz20]

Oh alright. The symptoms seem to be more severe when I'm upright then when I'm laying down. I also feel lightheaded when I get up fast and am starting to become sensitive to sounds and lights.

[selmaS]

Yes a few members have been to him....you can use the search this community feature to pull up older threads on this topic...and read what others have posted as they may no longer be active members,you can PM them to generate an email.....

You said depending on your position, this could indicate POTS.....so have a Dr test you....

Are the HA's worse when upright? or laying down?

[Brendaz20]

Thank you. I have been really stressed out lately, but only because how I feel and I feel like my symptoms have worsened. I'm starting to get these headaches that come and go.. depending on what position I'm in and the pressure is constant at the back of my head and literally my whole back of my head feels numb..like there's no circulation back there.

The closest Chiari dr I have found to me is Dr. Ulrich Batzdorf at UCLA hospital. I live in the O.C. I really would like to go see him for a third opinion. Do you know of anyone who has seen this doctor?

[selmaS]

  I know how you feel....and you sound like you are in a flare up...relax and allow it to calm down....Chiari symptoms cycle so, it can feel like it went away or stopped when it is just dormant and it can depend on you, what your activities are and how stressed out you are as to when another flare will happen...or how long it will last...so do try and relax the best you can and avoid activities that make you feel worse afterward.

Keep in mind Chiari is a condition not an illness...so it is life altering and there is no cure,....but you can get to a better lifestyle....but first you need to learn to relax, listen to your body, do not over do things and have patience.

You do not want to just hurry and get to a Dr that may make you worse in the long run, take your time and research Drs and get the best one for you.,

[Brendaz20]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm glad to have at least someone  understand me. This is illness I have been living with is really taking a toll on my life and not having a definite diagnoses on what's really wrong with me is really hard. I feel like if I don't start taking action soon that I'm gonna continue to get worse...