My three (almost four) year old daughter was diagnosed with Chiari 1 four days ago. Her current symptoms are headaches, complaints of her belly hurting (which I'm assuming is nausea), and balance issues. She has been very clumsy since the day she started walking. She also had a few episodes of vomiting at night before her diagnosis, which is what concerned her pediatrician to order the MRI. I do have a question though. Have any of you noticed your kids acting out more or having severe mood swings? I wasn't sure if that is a symptom of Chiari itself (her NS said it wasn't) or her responding to not feeling well in general. She obviously can't tell me how bad her head is hurting her at age three as opposed to an older child. Just looking for some insight. Thanks.
I don't think acting out is a symptom. However, kids will act up/act out when they are not feeling well because they do not know how to voice how they are feeling. So a sudden change in behavior could mean something is wrong, even if it is as simple as growing pains.
As for mood swings...I know I am definitely much crankier and quick to anger when I get a bad Chiari headache.
Quoting Cole for truth. The Chiari itself won't cause mood swings but chronic pain certainly can, so it's really a matter of semantics.
Cole said:
I don't think acting out is a symptom. However, kids will act up/act out when they are not feeling well because they do not know how to voice how they are feeling. So a sudden change in behavior could mean something is wrong, even if it is as simple as growing pains.
As for mood swings...I know I am definitely much crankier and quick to anger when I get a bad Chiari headache.