Can/does running make chiari worse in terms of herniation?

[sinnet78]

I started getting into running last spring- 2010. My throbbing head/pressure hit me out of the blue this past January. I used to run almost every day, but haven't since the whole diagnosis of chiari in June when I was told my herniation is 15mm. My NL unfortunately, is not real knowledgeable in chiari - in the process of finding someone new. So she didn't have much to tell me. I was just wondering if running....the pound, pound, pound.. could have made my herniation worse/longer. I'm still learning about chiari so I have no idea if this is a silly question or not.

Thanks for any input!

[Labsnark]

This may be a bit late to help you, as it's three years since your original posting, but it may help others. My experience was slightly similar to yours.

Before March last year, I'd had no significant symptoms of my condition, but I made the mistake of leaning over a farm gate, putting pressure onto my abdomen and, therefore, my head. Several minutes of throbbing pain followed, during which I seriously thought I was going to die. I immediately went from a being a fit 47 year old, who was running 3 miles off-road, three times a week, and karate twice a week, into a couch potato who was permanently tired, suffering headaches and having to sleep most afternoons.

Long story short, I was diagnosed with type 1 Chiari (8mm herniation). I could no longer run without pain, and was seriously considering insisting on surgery just to restore some form of normality. My running appeared to jolt my head, which in turn made the condition worse.
My neurosurgeon told me that there was no connection between my running and the pain I suffered when doing it; this, however, directly contradicted what I experienced on several previous occasions when I had attempted to run. What she DID say, and which may be of interest to you, is that the extent of the herniation will not alter through running.

Eventually, I decided that I had had enough, and that I was going to run and suffer the consequences, even if that meant risking worsening the condition. After four runs over two weeks, I found the symptoms were actually reducing in severity.

I am now back to running 4-5 off-road miles, four times a week. I don't get tired in the afternoon, and I'm as fit as I was before. I have to take great care not to lean over to pick up items, or to do anything that puts pressure on my brain, so the karate's finished for me. That aside, I'm in a far better place than I was twelve months ago.

It may be that my improvement was coincidental to running again, but it didn't feel like that. I feel like being fitter helps.  Whether you have reached the point where, like me, you decide that it's time to bet everything you have to try to get back what you want - well, that is a call that only you can make, I'm afraid.  Ideally in consultation with a knowledgeable neurosurgeon.

Good luck to you, and to anyone who gets diagnosed and suffers like I did - hopefully there is light at the end of your tunnel as there was at the end of mine.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum,

I am so sorry for all ur DD has been thru....goodness getting hit by a truck....

As for acquired Chiari it can happen as a result of an accident like this, however, many with congenital Chiari are not aware of it as symptoms cycle and many always have felt "this" way for so many years we do not realize it is a symptom and not a "normal" way to feel.....so this type of accident can trigger the symptoms to flare.

U will want a true Chiari specialist to be able to determine is it congenital or acquired....

With congenital the lower part of the skull will be malformed, that is Chiari, or there may be room, and the tonsils just herniated as a result of the impact, this is low lying tonsils....but, symptoms and treatment are pretty much the same.

Also make sure they test for related conditions to make sure they are not glossing over everything bcuz she was in an accident....

So , the accident can not cause Chiari, but low lying tonsils with Chiari like symptoms....as I said Chiari is the malformation of the skull....

  SO get copies of ALL testing done to date as well as the reports...make copies of everything and get an opinion or 2 from true Chiari specialists.

[kdm13]

My 16yr old daughter was struck by a truck after getting off the bus. I would like to know if anyone knows anything about Aquired Chiari Malformation. When she was struck her head snapped backwards with extreme force, then she was thrown onto the pavement landing on the back of her head. She didn't have any symptoms of Chiara before the accident and has NEVER been sick or suffered from headaches. She received a severe concussion, broken bones/fractures, loss of vision and nerve damage, road rash. She had coordination and balance issues and I was told it was from the concussion. FINALLY, on the 5th MRI the report says that she has a chiari malformation of 7mm. I have researched a little and have found that after a severe accident, people have had chiari. Please HELP!

[Samanthab259]

I have grown to learn there is NEVER a silly or stupid question when it comes to chiari. It is different stories with almost everyone. Its always great to ask & learn ;)

[*Stormy*]

I am 100% sure that running really increased my symptoms and caused a rapid downspiraling. I stopped working out when I had my initial symptoms surface, at the advice of my GP as we didn't know I had Chiari, I went back to running in Jan 09. After running for a few months I went from having head/arm/neck issues to having widespread symptoms that included affecting my gait. Every time I ran I would get this thudding pounding feeling in my head, would feel really spaced out and the this would be followed by a headache. If I had known at that point that I had Chiari I never would have pushed myself the way I did. I'm not saying that post op you can't run, I know many that do however I am not one of them b/c my gait is still affected. My advice would be to hold off on anything that may cause worsening symptoms until you get a good idea of your situation. I know it's a bummer when your an active person but in my experience it is the best decision. Good luck!
Stormy

[blondeballerina07]

Running was my life and my freedom, after having surgery and many many months of rehab I got back into to running again and had no problems, it gave me my freedom back and taught me how to live again. My NS told me that he had no qualms about me running as long as it did not cause pain because he saw it like this "tomorrow you may wake up and not be able to run, so if you have the chance now do what makes you happy" Recently I had new problems develop and had to stop running and miss it everyday but when I have the chance I will definitely be hitting the pavement again. Running gave me a sense of freedom and accomplishment, the feeling that I beat this! just my two cents

[selmaS]

  Hi...the constant thumping from running can not be good for the herniation, but the blood flow from running will give u more pressure in ur head then u may want...ne strain will.

The more the blood pumps the more pressure u will feel.

It is not silly and I would imagine it is not good. The NS's tell us to avoid bumpy activities like a bumpy car ride, a roller coaster....so it stands to reason to run  would fit in that criteria.

Try fast walking....so u do not have the pounding and less likely to get the same amount of blood pumping.

  JMHO

   "selma"