vertigo???

[beachlover3897]

Hi there...I have had vertigo for several months now and the doctors cannot explain medically why this is happening to me.  An MRI shows that I have Chiari Type 1 with a 9mm herniation.  The neurosurgeon says that the vertigo is not related to the Chiari and does not seem to be concerned at all because I don't have "frequent and severe" headaches...The ENT says to go to vestibular rehab (PT) ...all the research that I have done, vertigo---dizziness and balance issues---appear to be the second most complaint for patients with Chiari...has anyone experienced the vertigo without significant headaches and did vestibular rehab help at all???  I'm wondering if I should get a second opinion??

[selmaS]

  Hi Pkath and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Anything can trigger Chiari symptoms to flare......some can go their entire life without symptoms while others deal with daily issues.

Those with Chiari are suggested to not have a chiropractic adjustment as it can possibly add to our symptoms and issues.

It may be the Chiari causing your dizziness, but only a true Chiari specialist would be able to tell you that for sure.....have you had other related conditions other then the Syringomyelia ruled out?

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

If your Chiari is being monitored 6 months is the typical time frame to check for changes.....however, it is important to let the Dr know if there are any new or changes to current symptoms....which may happen a lot as Chiari symptoms cycle.

What other testing have you had? a CINE MRI, full spine MRI's? I expect since you were DX'd with Chiari II you had a lumbara MRI? what related conditions were ruled out? When were you DX'd?

Yes , vertigo is a symptom of Chiari.

[Pkath]

Hello,  I'm 52 and for one and a half years have had dizziness with a few episodes of vertigo with nystagmus. I do have a hydrocephalus with chiari malformation and a syrinx in my cervical area of my spine.  I knew about my chiari since I was 24 yrs old but never had any dizzy symptoms until early last year.  The syrinx was picked up in November last year when I had a spinal MRI.  I do get neck pain off and on in the past but have found it quite severe since my dizzinesd started. Physio treatment hasn't helped so in desperation saw a chiropractor who treats me with range of neck movements and has helped me allot.  I thought if the neck pain goes so will my dizziness. But my dizziness is still there. The neurologist thinks my dizziness is from the  migraines  I had in the past and put me on medication. The medications made me too drowsy the next day so I refuse to take them, so have seen a naturopath for 2 months now and haven't had a migraine since.  Although I have not had vertigo lately but still remain dizzy really puzzles me, why is this all happening now at my age and not when I was younger. I still work and try to continue with my life but do not socialist as much especially at night when it's worse and on my worse days of dizziness don't drive or work. I feel like my doctors don't understand and my local doctor thought  it's caused by Benign Positional Vertigo ( have done epley manouvres which helped) and I could be now anxious wanting to put me on anxiety tablets which I refused.  I'm seeing my neurologist again in about 2 months time. I've waffled on sorry, would my dizziness be from my Chiari? And therefore have it for life? I'm interested in your help.

[SushiMumma]

I have chiari but not many answers. Ive just had my second lot of vertigo start today and wondering whether it is related. My MRI report says chiari type 2 malformation, significant herniation, 25mm. How often should i have an mri scan?

[cougar05]

thank you for the list i will take a look at it.

[keepswimming]

Only going to say that all physical therapy was GOOD for me. Good luck!

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Well u will have to look at ur diet and eliminate those things that may trigger a flare as u mentioned salt is something that adds to ur issues....

With IBS,m many of us have it, but it can be for different reasons, so b4 u take nething talk with ur Dr, and have some testing it may be as simple as adding magnesium as a supplement..

We do have a list of Drs in Canada.....that other members have been to and liked...the list is not a referral or endorsement, u will need to research them, but the list should give u a starting place.

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=186