After being DX and studying Chiari through the many websites that are available, I realized that I have had Chiari since childhood. I am guessing this is because I am genetically predisposed to having a small skull. The symptoms were there but I was a shy child and too afraid to say anything. I complained of headaches and when I saw specialists they told my mother I was making it up to miss school so from that point forward I never told anyone about my other symptoms.
I have a 12 year old daughter and she has always had "issues". She was diagnosed with ADHD at around the age of 6. We medicated that until last year. She is always in a haze. Has memory issues. She falls down the stairs in my house a couple times a week and she also has a very odd gate which causes her some trouble.
I started thinking more about having her tested because last week she was laying in the living room on the floor. She was on her stomach on the laptop for about 20-30 minutes trying to study. When she stood up she immediately buckled over and said she though her head was going to explode. Please tell me, am I being paranoid because I was diagnosed or would you consider having your child tested?
My daughter is literally like my clone. Small head and all. I attached a photo so you can see what I mean.
You are both really pretty, first of all! And she does resemble a lot!
I would go by symptoms alone. There isn't any way to look at someone and say they probably have or don't have Chiari even if they resemble a person in the family with Chiari or have a small head. But I think your daughter definitely has enough symptoms to bring it up with your doctor. At the very least, they can do a neurological exam. If she passes a neurological exam, I don't think I would push for anything further unless she continues to exhibit headaches. (I am only talking about what I would do, not saying what you should do) My reason is that I wouldn't even want to start any of my kids down this road unless they were symptomatic because I swear it's like the diagnosis starts a downward spiral lol.
I think we all have good reason to be paranoid lol.
Have you had a MRI on your brain? Have you asked your ns His opinion? I cannot see the picture :(, I’m not sure the size if your head has anything to do with it have a great day and hope all is well with her
I completely agree with you on that. I am thinking maybe I should take 6 months or so and create a symptom journal for her. If things are worse in that time I will obviously have her seen by a doctor. But for now, maybe just writing it all down and seeing how things go over the next couple months would help. I am aware that looks aren't a way to tell, it's just that she is exhibiting a lot of signs I had as a child and it scares the crap out of me. It would break my heart if she had to go through what I am going through.
I think that sounds like a good plan Jennifer. And I totally understand, i have three children (19, 23 and 26) and i totally feel the same way, if they say they have a headache i worry lol
have a great day and hope all is well with her