Does this look like Chiari Malformation?
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi all,
I've never posted in one of these before. I realize none of you are medical professionals, I just wanted to know if I am completely off base.
I have pretty severe pain on the back of my head when I laugh, and I'm super dizzy everyday. I can't always drive because I'm so dizzy, and have so much pressure in my head it feels like it could explode sometimes. I have stopped working for almost 2 years now because of all this and my doctors have no answers. They keep saying it's anxiety, but I am in pain and dizzy beyond belief. Would anyone mind looking at my MRI stills and just commenting if I am way off base, or if I might be on the right track? I am already planning for an appointment with a new Neurologist. I just want to hear from others if this is something they've gone through, or if this looks like there is any issue with how low my cerebellum is.
Thank you.
0 likes, 6 replies
stevie23278 DianaE
Posted
your pics are a little fuzzy when i zoom in but they seem to look different than mine it doesnt look like much if any herniation and i dont know about just cerebellum crowding
those are chiari symptoms but could be symptoms of many things and that probably isnt anything you want to hear id definitely try another doctor soon
loren1988 DianaE
Posted
HEY! Im so sorry you've had to deal with such pain.....but bright side is 100% YES you do have Chiari Type 1! I self diagnosed after a year of extreme pain and about 9 doctors and 5 radiologist! Your cerebral tonsils is definitely sagging. What i did was pull up a CHIARI MRI and my MRI side by side to show my doctor (which he knew little about and had to look it up) but i was then given another MRI to compare and was then finally diagnosed. Hope this helps you,
Loren
loren1988 DianaE
Posted
DianaE
Posted
Thank you guys for replying!
I'm sending my MRI disk to a new neurologist this week. I sent the photos I posted here to him and he agreed that it looks crowded, but that he needs to measure and look through more.
Loren- its great to hear your story of self diagnosis leading to actual diagnosis....I feel like I see some herniation on my scans but I'm just surprised by how severe my symptoms are for hardly any herniation (if any). I guess the pain/symptoms are not relative to the length of herniation right? -Also, that scan was done in January 2017 but I seem to have new symptoms now. Can it worsen in such a short time and maybe I need another MRI?
Thanks again to everyone helping with input.
loren1988 DianaE
Posted
yes it doesnt matter how much herniation you have to have symptoms. your doctor should request another MRI to compare and insure it hasnt gotten worse. if he doesnt i would ask for one. i really hope you get the answers because it can be very painful! wish you the best!
Nissa325 DianaE
Posted
Your symptoms sounds like Chiari Malformation to me, and sounds like most ppl who have chiari ... personally I cant tell by looking at your MRI however only bc I'm not an expert at looking at MRI and really cant see herniations thats great. Best of luck to you!!