For the last several mornings I have woken up with pain on the right side of my head down by the base of my skull behind my ear. It is very tender and throbbing. It goes away after several hours. Could this be chiari related? Thinking maybe fluid is building up when I am sleeping… Thoughts???
Without knowing more about your CM situation it's difficult to say and could be other issues. I totally agree with Beeba. You do definitely need to see a NS.
yes, and if that NS doesn’t have an answer that makes sense, see another. Then another.
Find out what’s wrong! You know your body!
I live in Maryland (where Johns Hopkins, Dr. Francomano & Dr. Henderson are!!) & it took so so many doctors each time either I or my daughter had something wrong.
I recently went to a NS with the same complaint, exactly! even though I have a tonsil on the right side only of 5mm, he states that the dx of Chiari is something I do not need to worry about because the fluid is still moving. He put me on a serious muscle relaxer and said come back and see me in 3 months. I haven’t even started the muscle relaxer, in same situation as many, do not know where to go next, I’m in the Greensboro, NC area, need a NS referral to a specific Chiari NS!!!
Ive had the very Same symptoms for one year now since my accident. I am actually excited today because I found a great neurosurgeon here in Jupiter Florida. Name is Dr. Dutcher Finally a Dr who understands Chiari and doesn’t think I’m crazy. I’ve been to so many different doctors and none them understand Chiari. All they would do is prescribe me more medication and tell me I’m suffering from migraines. They’re going to do more test today finally after one year and numerous MRIs. The test will be a video of my brain to see how it is functioning. My symptoms have always been right-sided only because my Chiari’s on the right. I have not posted in several months because my symptoms got milder. I was have been off all meds since May & only taking Advil Because of all the side effects affecting me and until I can get some more answers from the doctors. My new doctor said no matter how mild the Chiari or borderline it is, it can affect you, Especially after an accident like the one I was in a year ago. He is not ignoring any of my symptoms and I’ve been blown off by so many doctors who have told me it’s all in my mind. My pain runs from behind my skull, behind my ear, hurts my face then I feel it in my head. Lately it’s been so bad that I need ice packs. I pray today I will get some answers!
I have the same thing every day, behind both ears and the back of my head. It seems to get better after moving around for a few hours. Tell your Dr. though.
I also have that too,it hurts on the left side and it goes from the the base of my head to the left eye.I have a appointment next week with my NS.
Hi. I suffer almost daily with dull to sever pain in the back of my head. Sunglasses make it worse and so do hats. I get acupuncture treatments there and it really helps me from feeling sick or throbby. My needle worker is very talented tho. Also i get treatment as often as possible. Good luck
Ms. Roll,there is a pioneer in the chiari field here in Hendersonville,N.C.he is one of the founding NSs of chiari treatment.If you want to know more about him let me know.It would probably be worth checking into,let me know if I can help in any way,friend me.
The same thing has been happening to me for a couple weeks. I wake up with a raging "chiari" type headache starting in the back of my head. Does anyone have any suggestions? Is it the way I am sleeping?
Janet, some things that help me: Tylenol and Advil together, ice packs, sleeping on the opposite side of your Chiari for example I have mine on the right so I sleep on my left and I place a rolled up towel under my neck as well as leaning your head back on your pillow. Sometimes a heat pad helps. I also get a massage once a week which definitely helps with the tension in the neck. I also drive a lot so I keep a travel pillow around my neck when I drive every day and it really really helps. Once I’m up I see the difference I feel little better when I’m up and about and sleeping can be challenging sometimes.
Hi Sarah,
I have this very same issue except that mine is on the left side. I had several MRIs and my herniation is 7mm; I have other systems, too. Then, about 2 weeks ago, this same pain and throbbing, pressure, fluid symptoms are developing on the right side. It's like coming full circle.