I’m still debating decompression surgery, mostly for terrible peripheral nerve pain. One thing that is giving me pause is whether I really have the typical chiari headache. I have migraines and I have these other headaches that I call bowling ball headaches. I always wake up with them. The pain is from the base of my skull, up across the top, to behind my eyes. No meds work on these. One I have them, they are aggregated by coughing, etc. My issue is that from what I’m reading a chiari headache is brought on by coughing, activity, etc. and mine I have from sleeping. Anyone else have similar symptoms?
This does sound like a Chiari headache to me. When I coughed and strained I would get a sharp pain up for the base of the skull but it usually went away pretty quickly. Other headaches started in the base of the skull and went behind the eyes and those lingered much longer. In my case I think both were caused by Chiari.
My Chiari headache was all right sided head, jaw and face pain. I had occasional valsalva headaches, but that was rare for me. What you are describing sounds Chiari to me too.
Jenn
Oh, and some of the worst headaches would start in the early morning hours for me.
I have had the decompression surgery for Chiari 2 on July 23rd 2012 and still wake up with headaches...Now my headaches don't throb like they once did but now feels like someone is playing darts inside of my head. Very Sharp shooting, stabbing pain that sometimes go into my face. I feel like an electric board that is going to short out and starts to spark right before it bursts. I get them all over really...In my hands, legs, feet, arms, shoulder blades etc...I know it is really difficult at times but you have to try to stay positive. Lets us all try to enjoy the little things in life. DC from Chicago