I have lots of headaches. Some that come and go the same day, some that stick around for several days. Some I’m able to just take an OTC medication and bear it, other times I have to take my prescription for the headaches. If the headaches are a result of the Chiari, would it be a nonstop headache or could it be as I’m describing? I also have the sudden onset headache with coughing, but these go away as quickly as they come on. The majority stem from the base of my skull and radiate across my entire head and I oftentime wake up feeling this way, along with neck pain. There are also times when I feel like my head could pop off due to all the pressure. They’re usually accompanied by nausea.
Sara, every person varies with their symptoms. I would say that most chiarians have the headache but not all do. The TYPE of headache varies just as much. Most people have the valsalva headache (cough straine ect) but I had very little of that. Once in a while I would feel the valsalva, but otherwise I just had a constant 24/7 migrain. If you differ from the typical “Chiari headache” that does not mean you are not symptomatic due to Chiari.
Jenn
My Chiari headaches progressed from 10- 35 yrs old…the worst ones had pressure beyond belief. I wanted to stick a knife into m head. Surgery cured them…good luck to u.
I have a headache most days. Tremendous pressure behind my head, in my temple and sometimes it changes sides and moves about, I always have pain/pressure in my neck and in my ears.
I also have a slight nausea constantly.
I take tylenol and if I think it's migraine I take migraine rx meds.
They don't work very well though just kinda make it bearable. Same with the tylenol.
So, my answer is that you sound like me and others I have read about on the forum.
Hi Sara,
I, like you, have been having trouble with very severe headaches upon waking in the morning. The headaches are always made worse with any type of movement, so I usually lay there suffering, not even wanting to roll over or change positions. They are always accompanied by terrible neck pain and stiffness as well. Once I talk myself into getting up, they usually improve a bit, especially after some coffee and pain meds. They are getting so frequent, I'm getting to the point that I don't want to go to bed at night because I'm scared of how awful I'll feel in the morning. I don't get to see my NS for another few weeks, so I'm trying to hang in there (I am not decompressed, and still don't know if i'm even a candidate for the surgery.). Not sure if these qualify as being "Chiari" headaches or whether they are being caused by something else like possibly Pseudotumor Cerebri (???). Sorry I don't have much advice, just wanted to say I know exactly what you are going thru. You are not alone - sometimes that helps to know. :-)