Hi Ricardo, I'm new to this forum as well but, I have Chiair that has gotten worse over time, caused by blunt trauma to the head. Twice. 2 MVA s In my extremely disoriented state I was so extremely fortunate to have Neurologists/Neurosurgens, steer me away from brain surgery. I've done extensive research on Chiari and I continue to not find Amazing results from surgery. Re: Marijuana I stopped smoking it in my early 20s when my symptoms started, I would get worse headaches and vomit. I was told then it was in my head - and well it was confirmed years later after multiple car accidents. I wasn't anti drug but I was pro holistic at the time. I would finish school I have and then some. Continue your life just make modifications. Add coffee for the intense headaches, find a compassionate Chiari educated Doctor. Our symptoms suck, it effects our motor control, balance and if the CSF isn't flowing properly it leads to headaches. Do not let a doc jump straight to surgery. Get the necessary tests first see how much it's progressed there's another test to check the CSF. Stress is a huge factor causes more trouble. I currently take pain medication as well as diazepam. If you are new to narcotics , check out youscript.com it helps you understand how you personally metabolize meds, so trial and error are eliminated, I've suffered a great deal due to ignorance & greed alone. When I had 0 to my name I slept with a tennis ball under my neck to allow the flow of CSF. High levels of pain make your body do crazy things. If you can manage your symptoms with appropriate medication, and know your limits, you will be able to avoid surgery. It truly depends on how the Chiari s progressed, how it's decended. I've found that the conquer Chiari website awesome to understand this. Most people including doctors have no idea what it is. I was born with it, had symptoms in my 20s in an MVA in my late 20s hit my head lost my memory, they thought id never get it back, music played a huge role in getting it back, had spine surgery for those injuries and got hit again, so I made friends with my pain, and it boils down to finding good compassionate doctors who are educated and not quick to cut! Rest no pot, alcohol has to go as well the headaches aren't worth it. Toss fear in the trash if you can. The more restful you are the least symptoms you will have. Has your sneezing started? What did your MRI say? Hope that helped # screw fear
Ricardo the best thing you can do is listen to your body, if you do something and experience more symptoms then it is something you should avoid....use the list as a guide, but your body is the main way to know for sure.
Try to relax...the good days remember to not over do it as that is when we have a string of bad days that follow...since Chiari cycles it is typical to experience this .
Sure, it sounds like a good starting place...try to go to bed at the same time each night to help ....when reading keep reading material at eye level...do not look down...same with writing....use something to elevate your paper so it is higher and you are not bending your neck to look down...do not carry heavy books get a book bag with wheels....and you may want to try tinted glasses as florescent lighting can cause use issues...
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Try to relax as stress and anxiety can make your symptoms worse.....we do have a list of activities to avoid.....
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Chiari-Malformation/Activities-to-avoid-with-Chiari/show/1744053
The main thing is listen to your body on what you should or can do.....
Next educate yourself to ALL related conditions as well as to Chiari.....and research NS's to find the right Dr for you.
Hi Ricardo and welcome to the Chiari forum.
First, Chiari malformation is a malformation of the skull....this leaves an area of the skull too small for the cerebral tonsils to fit, so they are forced out onto the spinal cord and or brain stem .
Chiari symptoms cycle and change and can be triggered into a flare depending on your activities or being sick, a cough, laugh, sneeze,basically any thing that causes you to strain....and stress and anxiety can also trigger a flare
If you are asking if the herniation can grow....yes it can....how fast...depends on you and what is going on and the type of CSF flow disturbance you may have.
Smoking anything will cause blood vessels to shrink making it more difficult for fluids to flow, which in someone with Chiari is already a problem....this is why when we strain or do certain activities we have symptoms flare as the fluids get blocked and can not get to the areas fast enuff we feel the effects.
It is possible to get worse, and it is possible you can go a long time and feel fine, then get it all back..
May I ask what other symptoms you have had?
You definitely need more testing to rule out related conditions, and to see if you have a CSF obstruction.....