Vomiting and Chiari?? Please Help!

[mikeysmom72]

My 12 yr old was newly diagnosed with mild Chiari 1, 7mm...Can Chiari cause vomiting? He doesn't have any other symptoms besides occasional headaches in the front and some dizziness with the vomiting.  He has been sick with the vomiting for 2 yrs. and have been to so many specialists who can't find the cause.  He had an MRI 2 yrs. ago when the vomiting started, and we just found out that the Chiari was 2-3mm back then.  The Neurologist doesn't think the vomiting is related and we are seeing the Neurosurgeon in a few days....Any info about Chiari and vomiting would be helpful...Thank you so much!!!!

[selmaS]

  I am not sure how many NS's u saw and if they r true Chiari specialists...but that may be what u need is a 2nd opinion from one more b4 u agree to nething....

  Too many Drs that do not understand Chiari try to tell us we need a psychiatrist....let me tell u, I saw one when I was 17, and not until I was 48 was I dx'd with chiari and I am much better after I saw 2 diff NS's and decided which one was best for me and had surgery in May '09....take ur time and research the Drs and get more testing done,...along with checking for syrinx's look for other related conditions as well.

Take a deep breath, and remember to exhale....u r not alone : )

[mikeysmom72]

Well, I'm even more confused..saw the neurosurgeon on Friday who thinks the vomiting is connected to the Chiari, along with findings of weakness on the right side (hand, arm and leg)...is fairly certain he has a syrinx...wants to schedule surgery...then I just checked my messages, and found that his family doctor said he's not convinced that the Chiari is causing this, and encourages us to keep my son's consult with the psychiatrist this week...I love our family doc and am totally floored about all of this...we have no idea what to do...sent a message to the neurosurgeon asking to order spine MRI to confirm syrinx so we can make a decision....I just want to cry.

[selmaS]

  Well experienced NS's usually can see a CSF obstruction..but may still request a CINE MRI to see what type or how severe an obstruction it is.

Herniation's can grow , especially if there is an obstruction the CSF fluid can force the tonsils out further.,....

There are many Drs that do not think the herniation's r an issue....but if ur child has symptoms u deff want to monitor it as well as look for related conditions as many Drs stop once they see the herniation....they do not look beyond that and many times it is those things beyond it that may cause more issues.

  Deff get several opinions....do not rush into making ne decisions...and finding the right Dr is key.

  Hang in there and keep pushing for answers : )

[mikeysmom72]

Thank You for the information Selma!  I have a few more questions, please bear with me because I am new to this and very confused...can they detect CSF blockage from the head MRI?  Can my son's 7mm get worse as he grows?  It's just that the neurologist didn't seem concerned at all, didn't even mention keeping an eye on it...I am the one who pressed for the referral to the neurosurgeon...no he's not a Chiari specialist, I will def be looking at a 2nd opion, I'm sure.  Thank You again for all of the wonderful information.

[selmaS]

  
  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

  Many with Chiari do have nausea and vomiting as we have balance issues as well as vertigo and dizziness...
Then some have other related issues that can cause the vomiting...POTS, ICP,  even GERD/acid reflux.

U need to find a true chiari specialist to help guide u, and get all the other related conditions ruled out.