VERY new to CM and scared

General
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Hello Everyone,
I am very new to all of this and I mean VERY new. Let me give you some back story…

Between 2000-2003 I had about 8 or 9 seizures. I had CT Scans, EEG, Sleep study and an MRI that all came up normal. As such, when seizures stopped in 2003, I was labled childhood epileptic. I had mild headaches since but, nothing bothered me.
Flash forward to 2010… I had my firsr son. Pre-eclamptic. I was induced with pitocin and was given a standard epidural. After he was born my headaches got a little worse but, I assumed it was because I was a new mom.
Flash forward to October 2013… I have my second son… More pitocin AND 2 epidurals because the first one did not take, The tech said it was hare because my back curves slightly.
Since my second child’s birth I have been a mess of symptoms that have sent me to the ER numerous times and paranoid over a brain tumor. It wasnt until a week ago that I decided to look over my file from 2003-2006 and that is when I noticed something interesting that I was never told:
“The inferior margin of the cerebellar tonsils extends approx. 5-6mm nelow the foramen magnum on the right and 4-5mm below the foramen magnum on the left. These are borderline findings for a Chiari One Malformation.”

Between December 2013-Today these are the symptoms that I have started having:
Head pressure ranging from mild to moderate through most of the day; Seems to be moderate towards the end of day or when I am in the car.

On and off headaches in the temple region and sinuses that can be sharp and range from mild to moderate; Never seem to be in the morning or when I wake up. They usually after I have been up for a few hours or after being at work and tends to be slightly sharper on the right side.

Tingling sensation in my head that kind of feels like when your foot falls asleep or the chills.

Nausea that is mild but, udually throughout the day.

Leg weakness in both legs that is mild.

*****Right pupil dialation; The right pupil dialates quite a bit when in indoor light. Also, my right eye lid seems to droop slightly (The drooping is something I have noticed for a few years) and the entire eye seems to be slightly higher up than the other.

Random upper back pain and tingling like pins and needles. Pain is usually on the lower right and pins and needles in on the lower left.

Also, for 2 days now my neck hurts. Its not stiff really. Its more of a pain at the base of my skull and at the end of my neck where the shoulders meet.

Now and then my chest hurts. Not in the actual breast but more in the bone that is in the middle.

Im really confused and quite scared. Im 25 years old with 2 small children. I dont see a neurologist until the 18th…

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I would also like to point out that I work in childcare and, I have for over 8 years. Resently this year, I became lead teacher in the toddler room. Continual and daily bending and lifting and twisting…

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Anyone? This week is dragging…

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one thing I’ve learned is believe in yourself. You know your own body and don’t let a doctor tell you otherwise. After being made to feel like these symptoms are all in my head I found some good doctors. Don’t let them tell you your symptoms Are not related to chiari because they are. And most of us had have similar symptoms. It must be very difficult with small children mine were older when I was diagnosed. I was also 5-6mm which they considered borderline. I later learned the size has absolutely nothing to do with our symptoms. Not to jump ahead but my neurologist said he hasn’t seen mNy people who the decompression surgery has helped. I had it in 2008 and feel worse than I did before. All are thoughts are with you.

Karen

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Thank you ladies. Im just very concerned because my symptoms came on within the past few weeks. Before that, all I had were mild headaches. I didnt even know I had Chiari until 2 weeks ago and thats only because i noticed it in paperwork!

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My only confusion so far is the headaches. That dont seem to be “typical CM”

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What would you consider "typical CM headache?"After reading through your oringinal discussion and the replies and responses, your headaches seem exactly like mine.

TheLightYouBring said:

My only confusion so far is the headaches. That dont seem to be "typical CM"
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Hmm... I keep reading that CM has a typical type headache.

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Typical is not a part of Chiari...headaches can be like trying to figure out what instrument is playing in the orchestra.

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Believe me this website has helped me tremendously. It made me realize that is time for surgery now and what to expect. Definitely read the threads.

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I saw that you are from round lake, I live in Great Lakes by the Naval Base, and if you ever need someone to vent to and really understand I'm happy to be here for you. it helps to see someone else going through the same thing (: