Do I have symptoms of Chiari malformation?

[jerrydub]

Hi Everybody, this question is for SERIOUS people. I wanted to just say that I'm glad I came upon this forum..Please, I know this post it a little long, but If you can take time to read this post, I would greatly appreciate it.  I think I may have Chiari Malformation symptoms. I'll list what happened and my symptoms..so here goes,  One day..I was sitting on my friends trunk on his car..he was already sitting in the car.and being a prankster, he turned on the engine and drove away at about..15-20 miles per hour..My body fell off the car and the back of my head was the first to greet the concrete.  I was laying on the floor and immeditley sat up and then I fainted for about 8 seconds. Head started to hurt for about 1-2 days.  About 1-2 years after my head trauma accident, everytime i turn my head left to right..I hear this fizzing/pop rock/sandpaper like noise in the same place I had my concussion. Also, the fizzing noise can be heard sometimes when I dont turn left to right, and it would last about 5-8 seconds. Overtime, I have also had headaches (not normal), but like a keen/ sharp headache in the very same spot.  I also get a numbness/(EX. sitting on ur leg too long) in my face,body, and hands somtimes.  This terrifys me as I dont evenn know what this can be.  I have had CT scans, MRI scans, and MRA scans for what I thought to be a brain anuerysm, but nothing showed up on the scans.. Now that I came upon this site..I'm afraid I share alot of same symptoms here. Do you think I have Chiari?

Thanks...

[jerrydub]

Thanks for the advice, do you know any Chiari NS in california that you would highly recommend?

[selmaS]

Well there is one that a few members have gone to, but since I did not, I can  not recommend him...I do suggest u research him to see if he  is right for u...not everyone meshes if u know what I mean.

In fact the dr I was thinking of isn't on our specialist list.....

CALIFORNIA

Dr. Jorge Lazareff, MD
  Specialty: Neurological Surgery; Director Pediatric Neurosurgery
  Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
200 Medical Plaza, Suites 140
Peter Morton Medical Building
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Phone:
[phone] Patient Appointments

  Contact [phone]
Fax Number [phone]

Paul S. Jackson, M.D. , Ph.D.
Palo Alto Center
795 El Camino Real
Level 3, Lee Building
Palo Alto, California 94301
[phone]
Deputy Chief of Neurosurgery -- Stanford University School of Medicine
Assistant Professor-- Stanford University School of Medicine

[jerrydub]

Hi, Is chiari malformation the same as CSF leakage?

[selmaS]

No....chiari malformation is the malformation of the skull where the cerebellum is housed....the area is too small and it forces the cerebellum tonsils down onto the brain stem.

A CSF leak is where there is a tear in the dura and allows the CSF fluid to leak out...the HA's r severe.

Chiari can affect CSF flow.....

[jerrydub]

Thanks selma =]. By the way..If I go see a chiari specialist, but I have a CSF leakage. Can Chiari NS's still help me?  I ask this because I have no insurance..and it ***** because I'm on my own with coming up with the money for appointments and MRI scans.  ***** that I may have a high chance of Chiari's and I'm only 22..

[selmaS]

Yes, they should be able to help u...may I ask y u feel u may have a leak?

There r things u can do to help the leak seal on it's own....