Hi
I was recently been diagnosed with Chiari type 1 in april 2018. I was sent to hospital with severe headaches in the back of my head which they thought may have been a bleed on the brain. I had CT and MRI scans where they found the chiari. I have never been told the size of the herniation I have only been told that it is not that bad on my scans and the neurologists were not concerned by it. even though my symptoms are still persistent???
I am under a neurologist and was given amitriptalyne as a preventative for “migraine” headaches my neurologist and the doctors in the hospital and my GP even with numerous trips back and forth all say that the headaches are unrelated to the chiari. This is highly frustrating as they disregard all other symptoms of chiari too. My other presenting symptoms are:
visual disturbances/blurry vision/eye pain
dizziness
balance issues (if I stand too quickly)
onset headaches when coughing, sneezing, bending over or blowing up ballons etc
neck and shoulder blade pain/ tightness
Tightness in my head/ neck like someone is squeezing
light and sound sensitivity and irritability
Tinnitus
The amatriptalyne was causing side effects so I am now taking Topamax which seems to have improved the really severe headaches although I can still always feel the pressure feeling.
I am becoming really frustrated and stressed out with the situation and would like to know if anyone has had any experience of a chiari specialist in the London area preferably NHS that I could be asked to be referred to? I would just like to get a more professional opinion on my case and feel that I am being listened to based on my symptoms and not based on the size of the herniation and what my scan looks like.
Thank you for reading
Lisa