At what age do serious symptoms occur?

[Speedy2056]

I am largely symptom free, although I do suspect that my neck and shoulder stiffness is due to chiari. Is there a particular age when symptoms become worse? Just curious. Or can they remain stable throughout one's life? Is it like a general rule that symptoms remain stable or deteriorate?

[Speedy2056]

Thanks for the further replies.

I came across a website that stated that it's common to be in your 30's when serious symptoms occur.

I cannot find the specific website that stated this but look at this Google search. Notice the bolded words?

http://www.google.co.uk/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-GB%3Aofficial&channel=s&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=567&q=chiari+30%27s+symptoms&btnG=Google+Search

However, I am probably in agreement that it's what people do that can make their symptoms worse. It's important to be vigilant!

[selmaS]

  Hi...I do not believe it is an age that will cause u to be symptomatic, but an event or just who u r and how ur body reacts to the malformation.

I know I had symptoms my whole life, was mis dx'd for yrs....and had tried to find out what was going on and would give up since the drs were on the wrong track.....but when things got bad I would try a new dr in hopes this one would find what it was....I think the fact that there r far too few drs that have enuff knowledge of chiari that is y we r miss dx'd...and y we r dx'd later in life......

JMHO

"selma"

[mrspea]

I was 44 when I was officially diagnosed. Not sure what triggered it but I had been living practically asymptomatic up till that point. Once I learned about this medical condition little things started to make sense.

[Speedy2056]

Thanks for the responses! I guess there may not be a tell tale pattern. I also had a car accident (was bumped into on my side, at the door) but thankfully nothing significant came of it.

I have spina bifida and read that chiari type 2 go hand in hand with it. But I am largely symptom free as of now.

dkdean, are you suggesting that weight lifting can cause herniation to become worse? Can this happen? I used to lift weights but I stopped because I have recently found out that I have a tethered cord and lifting weights can make it worse.

[dkdean]

I was dx'd in my early 30's after strenuous training/workouts.  I'd had some dizziness prior (early 20's), but nothing like the symptoms I have now.  

GL!!!

[pamk5]

I was in an automobile accident last August and was diagnosed.  I am in my 40's.  Before that I think I had issues with coordination and some minor issues with swallowing.  Since the accident things have rapidly gone downhill.  There are some people who remain stable even not symptomatic at all.  I read you have a 35% chance that things will progress.  That is one Doc's opinion.  My surgery will be April 20th.  

Good luck and I hope things stay stable for you.

Pam

[ajunebug]

Oh sorry - I was 16 years old when I got in the crash. No symptoms before that. But after I had pain with valsalva movements (especially laughing and sneezing), and daily pain in my neck and shoulders.

[ajunebug]

I became symptomatic after a car crash in which I went through the windshield. I don't know if I had the herniation before that or not.

[rod44]

I have had some symptoms for most of my life but they were mild, the first symptom that I had that caused me concern were faculations (Muscle twitching) in both my calf Muscles. That was in 1994 and I had many test done by my NL at that time including a lumbar MRI but nothing was found.
In 2006 I was involved in a car crash and suffered minor whiplash. Two weeks later I started having Vertigo. The vertigo was Diagnosed as Menears Disease (inner ear disorder) by my GP. For two years my GP messed me around until one day in May 2008 I got a drop attack and was admitted to hospital, a brain & C-Spine MRI was done and I got my DX. Unfortunately the symptoms are slowly getting worse. I believe that the accident has caused my condition to deteriorate.

Ray