Your symptoms and the observation of diminished CSF flow are consistent with a chiari malformation. An MRI of the head and at least neck would verify the diagnosis. In a perfect world, they would specifically do a CINE MRI to measure CSF flow at the same time, but they may not be willing to do that without knowing that something like a chiari may be at play here.
Chiari both blocks CSF flow and decompresses the cranial nerves, and these two are the main culprits to all the symptoms that we face. Your symptoms sound so familiar, and I had gotten so bad that central and obstructive apnea made me stop breathing up to a minute at a time all night long. Five-hour long decompression surgery in the US saved my life, but the relief lasted only about 4 weeks and the symptoms came storming back. Then I had 45 minute filum terminale dissectum surgery in Spain, and now some 3 years later I am out of the bed, helping my wife raise children again, running the household and hoping to serve others. I do a little bit of safe inversion therapy daily (imagine standing, but leaning down while reading a book) and this allows relief from apnea and provides restorative sleep. Like a diabetic takes insulin daily, I will do this easy, same inversion therapy daily. Gone are: headaches, peripheral neuropathy, tachycardia, scary bradychardia, cognitive lapse and fog, neural constipation, back pain, numbness in foot,. Almost gone are: apnea, insomnia, ear sensitivity (high pitch voices), photophobia. I still deal with fatigue, but I sleep well about 6 nights a week, whereas before the filum release: NEVER! Do your research on the filum terminale dissectum (filum terminal release). Three US neurosurgeons perform this: Heffez in Wisconsin, Henderson in Maryland, Bolognese in New York. I traveled to Barcelona, Spain in 2016 and had the surgery by the doctor who discovered/perfected it: Dr. Miguel Royo-Salvador. God Bless!
Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.
I am so hapy that others were able to give you some information while I was sick......I do want to tell you they do some clinical studies and it is worth looking into if there are any you qualify for.....Chiari related that is.....look up on the NHS site . If you need more info let us know.
I also want you to look into having a sleep study done....you may have sleep apnea which is not uncommon for someone with Chiari. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you have this checked ASAP since you already are having issues.
I also find it odd they were able to see a reducing in CSF flow on a cat scan....they typically need to do a CINE MRI to check flow.....again something you will need to look into as well as a full spine MRI to see if you have any syrinx's.....
I know how scary this is, and I am glad you found the forum here and I hope I can be of more help to you.
Hi, this could be several things. Nerve pinching, fractured disk, yes possibly Chiari. Chiari could be hereditary or caused up on injury. The sad thing is even if you had money for an MRI you still need a script. Asked for an MRI, versus the scan. MRI picks up more. I would get some insurance (Individual, or the shared Christian plan on line) and have doctor get you a script. Find a price, negotiate cash price, it is often cheaper than going through insurance and paying it through your deductible. Do you have medical insurance through your auto or the person that hit you?