Can prednisone affect CSF flow?

[lasel22]

Does anyone know if high doses of prednisone could affect a cine flow study?  I was treated with 4 different tapers of prednisone including a 30, 60, 40, and 30 mg before my flow study because doctors thought all my symptoms were due to sphenoid sinusitis.  At the time of my flow study I was taking 20 mg.  I did not have headaches at the time but had horrible headaches before the prednisone anytime I would bend over, cough, strain, etc.  The flow study was normal and my herniation is only 4 mm, so doctors don't think surgery is an option.  The headaches are returning and I'm not sure what to do.  I have other symptoms as well like dizziness, vertigo, and tingling in legs and feet that all get worse the more I move.  So, has anyone had their flow improve during prednisone and seen a reduction in headache, which I'm assuming would indicate an improvement in any csf  blockage?

[selmaS]

  Doing push ups are causing you to strain which will increase symptoms....so avoid  anything that you strain when doing.

WHen you see a difference in symptoms when you change positions you could have something different or in addition to Chiari going on....POTS or IIH...either could be at issue and a Dr will need to know all that is going on so they can order the right testing....keep a journal of symptoms to help keep track and share with your Dr.

[lasel22]

Thanks everyone for your responses.  Selma, my cine mri was normal.  Some doctors have said prednisone  wouldn't effect the cine mri others have said it could.  And one said the cine isn't really that important when considering if chiari could be the cause of my symptoms.  

Does anyone have the symptom of when they are sitting or lying still and contract all their muscles and then let go you get an increase in rocking sensation.  Also, if I try to workout (say doing push-ups) I feel like I am on a slightly moving platform when I engage my muscles.  Lying flat also makes me dizzier.  I just can't imagine an inner ear issue could do that, but I will be going for vestibular testing soon.  I've been putting it off because one neuro otologist (who thinks its chiari) and another neurologist (who thinks its anxiety) doesn't think the results will be useful in any way.

I'm just searching for answers and trying to find a way to get better.  This has been going on for almost 6 months now and I've had it.  I'm sure you all understand that.

[S_Chaney]

I agree with Mandy.

Inflammation "can" dramatically affect CSF flow in chiari patients. It wont do much to a regular MRI but the CINE can get completely inaccurate results because of it.

[Mandy_Best]

Prednisone reduces swelling which can be the cause of insufficient CSF flow so, yes, taking it could affect the outcome of an MRI, although not greatly,
I my self have felt relief from predisone but it is not a safe medication to regularly take.

[Ball123]

I can not really imagine that it would effect the test.

[selmaS]

   Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

May I ask, what was the result of the CINE MRI?

  Prednisone is to help reduce swelling....if swelling is the cause  of reduced CSF flow then a difference would be seen....but if it is the cerebral tonsils blocking flow I am not sure it will make much of a difference.....

Most Drs look to how long the herniation is to determine if it is affecting you instead of listening to the patient and looking into why a smaller herniation is causing the issues...it could be a related condition or issue like ICP, POTS,CCI, tethered cord, Syringomyelia, Ehlers-Danlos.......

  Get copies of the MRI along with the report and seek out a Chiari specialist to review it for you.