Could this be a Chiari problem?

[kricklekrin]

Lately it feels like my heart is skipping a beat and last night it felt like it stopped and started up again.  I felt like I was going to pass out and I shook like I was cold for about 10 minutes after.  I do take zonegran because I started to have partial and complex seizures late 09 and I'm pretty sure I had some sort of epileptic activity in my brain prior to this happening.  I'm wondering if this is the zonegran I just started in November, or could it be related to the Chiari?  Of course my head never feels normal so I'm already confused as to whether it's the seizures or the Chiari.  Trying to decide if I should see a seizure specialist or get a second opinion for chiari.  Don't know what direction to go.....

[kricklekrin]

I wonder if POTS can explain some of this?  I think doctors need to test those who have been diagnoses with Chiari for POTS who complain of heart palpitations.  I'm going to bring it up at my next Neuro appointment.  I suppose I will have to insist on being tested for it.  Other symptoms such as sever fatigue and stomach problems are associated with the chest issues.  

I was told that Chiari can increase the seizure threashold, but does not cause seizures.  I'm not convinced.  I have had headaches all my life, and began having near blackouts beginning about 10 years ago.  I lost my vision three times about 8 years ago and just beginning in 08 I begin having cognitive issues, balance issues, unable to use my arms, tingling in feet, dropping things, swallowing issues, worse headaches, and then comes the horrific episodes that turned out to be complex seizures.  I had some dandy seizures that the ER did not recognize that were not going away for up to 2 or more hours and kept coming back.  Left untreated and waiting, trapped inside my own body.  Horrible feeling.  4 members of my family with Chiari.  One surgery so far (a 2 year old).  He is much braver than I.  3 of us have seizures.  

It is too easy to blame everything on stress.  And, of course we are stressed.  Running around trying to discover what is happening to us and spending our life's savings while doing it.  When you find a doctor who really cares, it is truly a blessing.  I pray you find your answers and a doctor who will listen.

[jacmurphy]

Hi.
My son also has General and Partial Epilepsy. Looking back on the diary I kept for him the 1st time he started having what seemed to be Chiari symptoms was on the 8th of April last year. (We didn't know he had Chiari back then) He was playing football and scored a goal. Someone jumped on his back and within seconds he was on the floor with headache, back pain, heart palpitations and the shaking like cold you talk about. The shaking lasted almost an hour and kept coming back over the next few days. The headache and back pain have never completely gone away. He still gets this shaking, mostly when he's really tired and has missed his 3 hour daytime nap. I've been told because it lasts so long and because he's fully alert the whole time it's not Epilepsy.
They have said stress of course. But I'm not convinced. They don't happen when he is stressed.  He is never more stressed than when he's in hospital.
Jackie.

[sleepypea]

I also have the palps and I have said something to the Dr.s for years now, but all I ever get is "Its anxiety" Well of coarse I have aniexty because I'm not getting any answers!! I had the palps before I had all the anxiety so something is causing them!! If you find any answers please let us know. I know a lot of chiarians suffer from this. It does feel like my heart is skipping beats and stopping then 4 or 5 real fast beats like it's trying to catch up.

[mishmack]

Oh my goodness I too have palpatations and I didn't even think it was connected and i haven't said anything though admittedly I feel that I can't say anything to the doctors about the majority of my symptoms as they already think I'm making them up. But thank the Lord I don't have the seizures but I do blackout.  I too are experiencing lots of problems with doctors, NC and NS in England and it looks like I have to simply live with the condition but I don't know what will happen if I do this.  It's just sick that we are left like this without help and feeling alone but my goodness what a difference this forum has made in my life and as I have just been told in a reply to one of my questions we have to fight to get the answers.  I feel really bad that you two are having these seizures that is serious stuff and I'm worried for you please promise me that you will fight the doctors for answers?
Keep safexxxx

[scnhollins]

the doctors around where i live aren't worth squat, so i haven't found a reason, but i too have heart palpatations.  in researching cm, i have found several sites that said cm caused palpataions.

i am currently have an appt with another neurologist and for an EEG because i have been having seizures myself.  once again, i'm going to tell 'em all about me.  i don't know how it'll turn out.  i hope it won't be another "shrug..here...try this..and this...oh..doesn't help? sorry can't help you"

i hope you have better luck with your doctors than i do..
crissy