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]

  No need to apologize and this is the place to vent and rant as much as you need to...WE ALL understand.

Take one thing at a time...educate yourself a little as you go and slowly see if you can get your family to come on here and read some of this too, once they see others having similar issues to you it may be easier for them to understand,...keep in mind there are many Drs that do not understand this condition, so for family and friends not to is not that hard to understand....our issues are more that we are hurt they are not supporting us ,.....but they will in time....we have to give them that time,...and until then you have us <3

[Brendaz20]

Oh ok. All of this is so overwhelming..and I have absolutely no support from my family..they don't really understand what I'm going through. Everyone thinks it's nothing when I feel there's something really wrong with me...sorry to vent..its just I have no one to talk to about all this..

[selmaS]

It was my Chiari specialist that DX'd my EDS and I was referred to a NL/Geneticist for further review....

A Rheumatologist should be able to help you, but as you know not ALL NS's are Chiari specialists so do look for a Dr that specializes in EDS.

When I was first DX'd with Chiari I had testing to rule  out ALL conditions with similar symptoms, MS, lymes and lupus....as they can all present very similarly....

[Brendaz20]

Yes I have a lot of acid reflux as well as digestive problems. Is it important that I see a Chiari specialist for EDS? Or should I go to a rheumatalogist or my primary? I feel like they would just brush me off and not take me seriously.

[Brendaz20]

I have been checked for other autoimmune disorders by my primary...I also thought about Lyme Disease too..but I would have to see a specialist for that as well. Alot of this is overwhelming..

[selmaS]

Do you have reflux due to the hiatal hernia?...and are you modifying your diet to help with that ?

Deff have them look at you for EDS....

Many with Chiari are prone to also be DX'd with connective tissue disorders and auto immune conditions....so everything should be looked at,