It's been awhile since I've posted anything, but I have had some new, "strange" symptoms arise and I was hoping to get some answers. First, a little background...in April of last year I was diagnosed with a 7 mm chiari malformation type1 after waking up with a sudden onset of left arm weakness and numbness. After four weeks my symptoms had mostly subsided and I was feeling pretty good. In August, I had a follow up MRI that showed the herniation had increased to 9 mm. At that time the weakness and numbness in my left arm was completely gone, and I was relatively symptom free with the exception of the occasional headache. I have been feeling pretty good these since then however, in the last two weeks I have developed something new. Occasionally, I get this shooting pain in the right side of my head. It generally starts at the base of my skull of the right side and shoots inward and upward toward my right sinus and eye socket. The pain only lasts for a split second and then it becomes more of a pressure sensation. Sometimes it causes dizziness that will last for about 30 seconds or so, and the pressure usually subsides within a few minutes as well. This has happened anywhere from one to several times each day for the last two weeks or so. I called my neurosurgeon and they are going to schedule an MRI and office visit for me, but we are awaiting authorization from the insurance. Hopefully, I will have word on an appt by Monday. My question is, has anyone else ever experienced these types of headaches? And, if so, should I be concerned? I don't know if it is related to the chiari or if something else is brewing. I just thought I would throw this out there to see if anyone has any insight. Thank you, in advance, for any and all input. This site has been a wonderful resource for me, and it is helpful to know I am not alone in this!
my wife was experiencing something very similar for awhile. She would literally shout out OWW... then it would be gone... then maybe another a few minutes later.
Thank you both for your replies. This condition is just so frustrating!
Emmaline-Thank you for reminding me about the Resource tab at the top. In my concerned state I had forgotten to even look there. I took a look at the symptoms list and realize that I am actually experiencing more of them now than I had when I was diagnosed last year. Although the headaches are more severe, it is helpful to know that they are likely related to my Chiari, and that I don't have something more serious going on. I'm hoping to see my neurosurgeon soon to get some answers!
Maxpower-This is exactly what I've been doing for more than a week now! It is comforting to know that others have experienced the same type of thing. Best wishes to your wife! I hope she is feeling better!
I have symptoms similar to your headaches. I have multiple different "types" of headaches but most involve a pressure behind my right eye. My worst headaches start at the base of my skull shoot along the right side and end at the back of my right eye resulting in feeling like my head is going to explode. I found that mine are very much related to my blood pressure and heart rate. If I run up 10 stairs it sometimes is enough to get my head pounding. My neurologist placed me on blood pressure meds which have reduced the severity and frequency of my headaches. The down side to the BP meds is that I find myself being tired when I am just standing in place for a couple minutes. My doctors have attributed my headaches to CM but there can be many reasons for headaches. I tried multiple different meds based on different causes before they decided it was caused by CM. The thing the frustrates me the most about CM is that you have to sit there and wonder whether every little thing is a new symptom or caused by something unrelated. Good Luck!
I have had those kinds of headaches,shooting pain almost takes your breath.I’ve noticed since I had surgery 5 months ago my headaches are less than they were,but still they come and go.I’m not sure yet if this surgery is the answer to solve all the pain of CM but things have changed for the better in some ways.In my case I had many symptoms before the headaches began,my headaches started 5 yrs. ago after 27 yrs. of multiple symptoms too many to mention,just miserable.I’d say they are probably CM related I have found the whole body is very effected in so many ways it causes many puzzling symptoms and that makes it very hard to diagnos and even harder to live with.It is great to have good info from so many educated people,you are such a wonderful group of friends I would have loved to found you all sooner,thanks for your input.