Chiari and Hypothyroid links

[dana_8142]

I have a type 2 chairi malformation with syringomyelia.  But I have seen a specialist, Dr. Bejjani from Pittsburgh, and he says that he does not think my Chiari is causing the symptoms that I have.  When I left him he was pretty confident that my chiari was a-symptomatic (I had my doubts, because I feel sooo BAD).  So, I have since been researching and I now believe he is right, I don't think chiari is causing this I think I may have hypothyroidism, is there a link between the 2?  Does one cause the other?  If it is my thyroid, would treatment be the same or different because of my Chiari?  And also, just before my chiari was discovered I had a positive tilt table test, did my chiari cause this, or could it have been my thyroid, and why would either one cause this sudden drop in blood pressure?

Please help!  And Thanks for your time!
Dana

[selmaS]

Dana, I invite u to join the chiari forum.....we can help u find a chiari specialist.



POTS =

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
Often more simply referred to as postural tachycardia syndrome, or POTS, this disorder is characterized by the body's inability to make the necessary adjustments to counteract gravity when standing up.

The defining symptom of POTS is an excessive heart rate increment upon standing. However, as you will discover, there are a multitude of other symptoms that often accompany this syndrome. As such, POTS can be a difficult disorder to detect and understand.

"selma"

[dana_8142]

Thanx for your reply.

My herniation is 7mm and I am not sure how long my syrinx is but it is between C-6 and C-7 in my thoracic spine.  I have no spina-bifida, and I did have my whole spine MRI'ed with contrast, so I should know right?

I was diagnosed in March of '08, and I feel like I have been on my own ever since.

P.S.  What's POTS?

[selmaS]

HI Dana,

We do have a chiari and a thyroif forum here on medhelp.....

I am surprised that Dr Bejjani didn't think ur chiari is symptomatic......because I know he is a chiari specialist. It is the non specialists of the chiari field that usually say that!

I have chiari I and have Hashimoto's thyroiditis...not sure if there is a link, but I can say I know my chiari is symptomatic and I know I have symptoms that r related to the thyroid  too.

Ur thyroid issues r an autoimune issue, chiari is the result of a malformation that is congenital and is present at birth.

As for the tilt table test...u will prob b dx'd with POTS....it is sometimes dx with chiari.
I am not sure y.

Is Dr B  the only chiari dr u have been seen by?....do u have a herniation and know the size?

Also I am confused, ur chiari 2 was just dx'd?....u have spina bifida? or form of it?
I can not understand how u do not have chiari related symptoms, if u have chiari 2.Do u know how long ur syrinx is and where it is located? Could it be causing some of ur issues?


I hope u stop by the chiari and thyroid forums.
Both forums have members that r well informed and it is a great place for support.
I am the CL in the chiari forum and invite u to join us!!

"selma"