I’ve experienced pressure in my head. It seems it comes in stressful situations or when I’m laying down flat for long periods. I also still get head aches and I get numbness in my arms sometimes and sometimes it feels like I lose my breath when my head is in a certain position. When I stretch my neck and move it around or hang my head down , I get some relaxation. I forget words very easily than I used to. My memory is not as good. And I swallow differently. Everything has changed. And I feel like I get tired very easily. I feel like I never have enough energy anymore. I don’t know if it’s my age? I am 46 now. But I don’t know if that’s it or just the Chiari. I have always keit myself in shape through the years , but since this has happened I have been in the worst shape that i have been in… In years. When I work out or when I run. I feel the pressure as well. And I have to shake my head around it stretch my neck to get my wits. I need to figure this out. I don’t know if I need more surgery or if it’s just me?
I'm sorry you're going through this. Have you seen the neurosurgeon at all for follow up? My son gets similar symptoms and is now scheduled for a second surgery in late August, they believe it is related to scar tissue. He had first surgery at 16 and is now 23, so even though he is younger, he still has these experiences. Best wishes,
Sherri
I have similar symptoms and new ones that came up three years post surgery. Now the dr is running doing a flexion and extension x-ray to see if I have cranial cervical instability. If so I will need a fusion of my cervical vertebrae to the head with brackets installed in it.
I completely agree that you should go back to your neural surgeon get assessed.
I wish you all the best.
Albert I feel like you do but I haven’t had surgery. I am a few years older than you and I do feel like these symptoms have increased a little with age. But I also think it’s just the way chiari is it is unpredictable… I used to be much more active but had to stop going to the gym after I became dizzy and blacked out on the elliptical machine,Any real cardio makes me see spots get headaches and feel like I will pass out. It was really bothering me and then I started walking. I am up to 2 miles a day. It makes me feel better and healthier. I sit if I need to but I get up and keep going. Maybe this would help you if your doctor thinks it would be ok and it feels ok. I still think you should make an appointment and make sure nothing has changed with your health as well. Hang in there 
I had my surgery when I was 27 , I'm not 51...Over the years I have experienced loss of memory, fine motor skills,( my typing skills are awful now) and balance issues. I found yoga helped with balance, I jogging but I also have many foot issues which has prevented me at times to continue my exercise routine. I know stress brings on symptoms of pain muscle spasms , fatigue, headaches. I know I need more sleep but I commute 100miles a day and am a single mom of a 12 yr old which doesn't leave a lot of time. I like being active and hate when I feel like just lying in bed all day ...so I don't
About a year ago I had severe memory loss, one time I didn't even know where I was for about a minute, very unbalance and was sleeping excessively which was out of character for me. I also had such numbness in my hands and swelling of joints, they thought a had RA was tested and was negative. I also sent my MRI 's to a neurologist in NYC who specializes in Chiari , my MRI's from 2008-2009 and the MRI I had in 2015v did not show a difference. Come to find out I had Lyme Disease.
I have Chiari 1 with syrinx, had decompression surgery at 27. I definitively believe symptoms as we age become noticeable and take longer to recovery from . But that's what age does, I try to stay active as that is what has always made me feel best and of course eating right and getting at least 7 hrs of sleep. I now have 3 fractures in my foot and a Mortons neuroma so I'm in a walking boot and walking is not possible so I'm not feeling my best... but it will heal and I will continue my journey with this life long disease, 99% of the time I cope really well ...but it can be overwhelming and its an invisible condition and people forget that I have limitations, including me. Thanks for listening as this has been a year of up's and downs
I have chiari and had surgery 3 years ago. I am 45. I feel the same as you. Everytime I have a MRI it shows no change so the drs say everything should be okay. I have an appointment later this year with a new neurosurgeon. Hoping to achieve something. I also get very painful, hot and itchy hands and feet. I feel for you. My daughter of 15 has also been diagnosed.
I have had the same symptoms for years. I was 35 when they found mine. I was 36 when I had the first surgery and 38 at the second. I am 41 now. Swallowing got a little better over time. It still sneaks up on you though. The pressure in your head, in my experience, is pretty permanent. I can always tell when there will be a storm as the bubble in my spine tells me, just like a barometer!
Reading this I feel like I could have written it! I don't know how to fix it, but know that you are not alone, if that helps!
Im so sorry you are feeling this way.. I had my surgery in november so it has been 8 months and i did feel amazing at one point then the pressure started again and the numbness in my arm and leg.. also my memory is horrible i have to leave notes for myself because i know it will be forgotten, i get tired very easy, stress seems to make it worse but I'm only 32 so i don't think its my age.. i seen my neurologist once a month the keep a close eye on everything, i have come to find or at least in the area i live a lot of neurologist are not to knowledgeable on chirai, so my best advice is to find a neurologist that you are comfortable with that will listen to you and see a neurosurgeon so if you do need another decompression you get it before the symptoms get more sever.. i hope you the best and hope you find relief...
I have been decompressed. I had those symptoms til I had neck surgery. Have u had neck mri ? If not suggest u do. Our spine has little room. After neck surgey I have had improvement. But I still have those issues from time to time depending on position of my neck. Good luck