I’ve been suffering for years with bad migraines, hoarseness, pressure in ears, dizziness, vision blurriness, and an incident that was just like a stroke but didn’t show on MRI. The Drs said it is just cluste migraines… But It has started to take over my life.the “stroke” which was the worse pain I have ever experienced. I thought my head blew up. The head pain has taken my laughter, because if I laugh too much my head feels like it will explode and it last for days. I can’t cry for the same reasons. I love football, especially the New Orleans Saints. The last couple seasons I have a hard time cheering. I always bring a noise maker because I can’t scream, I will get a bad headache that last so long. Since the "stroke"Jan1,2015 I have not been symptom free for more than 5-6 days. I was referred to a new neurosergeon. He didn’t think the Chiari was the problem. Mine is at 8mm. He agreed the symptoms all fit w Chiari but it wanted to check other issues. So he decided to do a high volume Lumbar Puncture, removed 40cm. I had been suffering with too much pressure in my ears, my heart beating in my ears and eyes. The LP did relieve some symptoms for 3 days. The headaches only got worse in The weeks to follow. So Dr decided to do another LP. He removed another 40cm and immediately after I had a very bad burning pain in my neck. My horseness did get better and beating in my ears was somewhat better. The burning got so bad. After 24hrs when I could get up my head felt as if it was going to blow. It was ok if I stood up, it was when I put my head down. It was the worse. If I try to use the bathroom, engage my stomach muscles or just expelled gas(lol) farted or tried to use the bathroom the pain in my head was really bad. My eyes felt like they would pop out. It wasn’t a spinal headache. I Saw the Dr and he put me on cortisone but that only made my skin crawl. The Dr did say the LP took the fluid out and the Chiari was being compressed. He said when the spinal fluid would replenish that it should be relieved somewhat. 8 Days after LP the pressure is somewhat better. I still can’t strain to use the bathroom so I’m now constipated. I am still dizzy and bad neck and head pain. I went to pain dr and he gave me injectings in my head. I’m so tired of getting steroid injection. I’m gaining so much weight. The neurosergeon decided after he did 2 lumbar punctures and also an icp monitoring that the Chiari is the problem. He now wants to do surgery. I am scared but just want to feel normal again.
One thing I can help with is using the bathroom. You need to avoid constipation and straining; this is true for everyone not just those with Chiari.
Many people find that increasing their hydration by drinking more water and eating more fruit and vegetables is enough but there are also fibre based drinks available from the pharmacy and products like prune juice which can help. Of course if you're feeling sick with headaches the last thing you may want to do is eat so you should speak to the pharmacist and ask him to recommend a gentle laxative, something like lactulose is good, to get things moving again without having to strain.
How you sit on the toilet actually makes big difference too as there is a natural kink in the bowel. Remember that we are designed to squat to defecate not sit on toilet seats. The best approach to achieving a more natural position is to put a low stool or small box in front of the toilet bowl so you sit with your feet raised on this. This position eases out the kink and lets things move naturally without having to strain. I've just looked it up and there is (of course!) a specifically designed product, I'm including the link HERE as although you don't need to spend money on a fancy stool the website does explain the process and position well.
Hope this helps. Kindest, Jules
It looks to me like you have a good doctor who considers more than one possible causes and knows how to eliminate them. :)
I personally think yogurt is pretty amazing product to include into your daily diet. I remember that many years ago my mom used to have stomach problems and the yogurt fixed them. For aroun 6 months I had yogurt+banana+uncooked oatmeal+ some jam for sweetness for breakfast and my stomach hadn't been better. I made my yogurt myself, so that it would be as clean and natural as possible. I'm not saying, it will fix your problems, I just think it's one of many things that might help.