Can Chiari be caused by drug abuse?

[Ch1ar1]

Hi all, this is probably the shortest possible way i can write all of this down i apologize

Long story short, i have abused DXM in super high doses as an antidepressant, then became a user/abuser for 3 months (700-1200mg+) at least twice a week and have ceased usage 8 months, all i can say is i totally regret it because of how its destroyed my CNS and caused me to have even more depression, anxiety, paranoia (also bringing back my PSTD) than i already had in the past as well as my basic cognitive skills. I'm told i'm articulate but i only see it behind a screen and in person i lack in so many things and quite slow. I recently was diagnosed with a Chiari malformation type 1 around 5 months ago and it has been hell ever since and i use to smoke marijuana for years on end (also for self medication for mental health including insomnia, also believing now it was possibly sedating and assisting Chiari symptoms) and ever since i got myself completely clean off everything i truly can feel pain nonstop everyday getting all the symptoms of Chiari that are known including eye problems, skin and raynuards that never goes away. Due to my appearance (dreadlocks, piercings, tattoos including a face one) i've been treated like a moron who has no idea whats going on and "just a drug abuser" so my Chiari symptoms must be "from drug abuse and all in my head" and my god am i over being constantly given the run around. I've found most of problems through extensive research and others suffering online and confirming with my doctor.

I advise (as a former self medicator/user/abuser) to be very careful with dextro. as it can lead to psychological abuse and withdrawals if repeated in short periods even in small doses and is a VERY powerful mild altering dissociative substance (then again i exceed limits beyond my weight if used recreationally.)

i want to know one thing though that i cant seem to find at all no matter how much research i've tried scoping out and making all my notes about Chiari and drug abuse.

******Is it possible that drug abuse (including alcohol, especially DXM, MDMA, and antihistamines) can cause a Chiari malformation due to brain swelling?*****

I've spoken to a neurologist after my MRI showing nothing but the Chiari (who's judgement and knowledge towards me about the brain in general/substances/Chiari was appalling) and told me to do nothing about it and nothing is necessary as my symptoms don't match with Chiari even though there's over 30 of them. i don't seek sympathy or play the woe is me card  when i write this and i constantly have to say it to feel validation towards everyone as im seen as a joke 99% of the time, I feel completely helpless as im 25 with absolutely no social life whatsoever (social phobia let alone social skills in person) except seeing my therapists or doctor..

p.s. I do know the consequences behind drug abuse, and in the past it was pretty bad and ive been through withdrawals of other "heavier" substances. This feeling of death and deterioration is nothing ive ever experienced and im losing my mind and wanting to end myself as morbid as it sounds, this is something i just want fixed and not something i want to live with for the rest of my life. Therapy and trialed medications have only made things worse mentally, physically and emotionally especially struggling when not being able to be heard.

Ch1ar1.

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

First no, I do not believe it is possible for your  drug use/abuse to cause Chiari as it is a  malformation of the skull that occurs in utero....it may have triggered some of your symptoms to worsen...but it did not cause it.

You said you self medicated for insomnia....that is a Chiari symptom....so you were medicating for a condition you were not aware of.

There are not that any Drs out there that are well experienced or knowledgeable on Chiari and related conditions so it is important that you seek out a true Chiari specialist to find out how your Chiari is affecting you and your overall health.

It is important to have testing to rule out related conditions as they can cause many of the same if not similar symptoms and if deemed a surgical candidate can affect recovery.

Testing needed are MRI of the brain, cervical spine, thoracic and lumbar spine....this looks for and rules out Syringomyelia,, disk issues, tethered cord, CCI, ICP,....and you will also want a CINE MRI which looks a the CSF flow.....if there is an obstruction typically surgery is done to prevent a syrinx from forming if not already there......(syrinx is Syringomyelia)

Chiari is a congenital condition and can not be fixed, but surgery can help slow progression ( stop a syrinx from forming) and help with many symptoms...but not all.

We learn to live and go down a different path and I am one that can say I am glad I had surgery, yes I still have symptoms when I over do, but I am enjoying my life to the fullest with a grandbaby going to be one this month I am so excited to watch him grow and be a part of his life

Let me know how else I can help you....maybe names of Drs in your area or an area you can travel to?