How common is it for siblings to have chiari?

[Behlmer7]

Just out of curiosity how likely do siblings have chiari? I know it is hereditary but has anyone had a brother or sister with it as well? I ask this because my sister has been complaining of some of the same symptoms I have. You see my symptoms became more prevalent after a car accident I had last year and I have heard stuff like this can trigger your chiari to have more noticeable symptoms. Just a few months ago she was on the beach with some friends being stupid and drinking and went on a joy ride on a golf cart. The driver hit a sand dune and she flew off and hit her head. Before this incident she never had any problems but now all of her symptoms match up to almost exactly all of mine. Could it be possible she has Chiari as well? I've asked her to get an MRI of her head but she saw everything i went through after my surgery and I think she is to scared to imagine it could happen to her.

[soulmeetsbody]

My older brother has had severe headaches since puberty. I was diagnosed with cm1 last year. He said he will see my neurologist when he can get some time off work. We know he has an elongated spine, so I am pushing him to get new mris to check for chiari. I don't get the headaches nearly as severe or often as he does. I have more neurological symptoms.

[selmaS]

  It is possible that ur sister has had symptoms then too, and just does not realize it...we all considered how we felt "normal"....I use to look at others and wonder how they enjoyed doing certain things I did not bcuz how it made me feel.....I just thought they tolerated it better then me.

[Behlmer7]

My doctor stated that mine was congenital so that's why I wonder if she could have it. I had symptoms my whole life apparently but since they started at such a young age and stuck around I just thought that they were normal. I never knew they were actual symptoms for until after I was diagnosed

[selmaS]

  AS the others have mentioned yes it is possible for more then one family member to have this condition....siblings, parent and child, even cousins.....

But it is more important to look at if ur Chiari is congenital or acquired....I would think 2 in a family with acquired is more rare then 2 with congenital chiari....but do make sure they look to which type either of u have since u both had a head injury which can be a factor in not only triggering a dormant congenital Chiari....but can also cause acquired chiari to develop.

Have ur sister join u s here, it is better to know a person to get that support, but it may also help her to see just how many are dealing with this too.

[Behlmer7]

Thank you all for your comments. I will be showing her this because I really would like for her to be tested just incase. I believe she is scared after seeing how I was after my decompression surgery and how rough my recovery has been.

[girlinxile]

I have a friend who's cousin has it and all three of his kids have it too. I know researchers have been in touch with them because its so unusual to have all three kids of a Chiari patient have it.

[Loriann6482]

My youngest sister and I both have Chiari type 1, and I am taking my youngest daughter to be tested as well, since she is showing symptoms now too.  I have done some research about it & there is a school of thought that there is definitely a genetic link, and so there could be an increased likelihood of occurrence in siblings.  Hope your sister consents to be tested; she may or may not have it, if she does, she may not need surgery but can at least have options for treatment. if she doesn't have Chiari then at least she'll have ruled it out.

best of health to both of you,
Lori

[czpdx]

Duke University is studying this very issue right now. Apparently Chiari is common among identical twins.

My sister and I both have Chiari (we are not twins). I've had four surgeries and she is having her first (and hopefully ONLY!) decompression later this month. My sister was also reticent to look into this after seeing what I went through, but she's reached a point where her symptoms are no longer tolerable so she's going through with this. We are concerned that my niece might have Chiari also, but she hasn't had an MRI yet.

Claire