Hi, Ive been having symptoms my entire life, my entire 26 years every doctor has dismissed me as crazy or an attention seeker, and ive been told that to my face. My symptoms include: debilitating migraines (that come with bending over, exertion, lights, sounds, smells..to name just a few.) debilitating joint pains (from my toddler years), I have a curved spine (kyphosis, though not a single dr will acknowledge it, or even look into it even though its beyond visible and causes severe pain DAILY, among a slew of other issues.) I have tachycardia issues (think over 200bpm occasionally and it even happened IN THE DR OFFICE ONCE, and over 100 more frequently), chest pains, vision issues including blurry vision, hard to focus, near sighted, light flickers and 'dark spots' (not entirely sure how to explain beyond dark spots flying around in my vision), anxiety, depression, insomnia, bad fatigue with and without exertion, bad ringing in ears many times every day, minor issues with balance/coordination, but BAD clumsiness (i am not joking when i say i drop and break things daily like a child would), and bad vertigo, Ive got a gag reflex from hell, I always feel uneasy like something bad is about to happen, I have frequent if not constant bad sensations including (but not limited to) numbness and tingling in my entire body, often my face, I have problems with confusion and something called asphasia (cant find the right words, or its always on the tip of your tongue...this is actually pretty bad, this happens in most conversations i have every day.) random muscle spasms including my face and eyes, and frequent brain fog. The real kicker comes with the fact that my mom has all these symptoms as well BUT her symptoms only came after a car accident where her head went through the windshield (ive read this is possibly hereditary...and can only show symptoms after head injury)
I only heard of chiari recently when my mom actually found it online and brought it to my attention....my doctor immediately told me thats not what it is, she knows that (without any testing) because she has a friend who was dx'ed with it and she *knows* what its like. (Ive already determined shes not the best dr weather or not i actually do have chiari or anything related.)
She did order an MRI....ONLY of my brain. No spine whatsoever, again, despite that giant curve thats not supposed to be there in the middle of my back. Radiologist said it was normal, dr said it was normal, and she supposedly consulted a neurologist who also said it was 'perfect' and 100% impossible I have or will ever develop any Chiari or any related condition. Ive read Chiari 0 cannot be ruled out without a spinal MRI.....wouldnt a neurologist know this!?
I am sending the MRI i did have to the Chiari Institute in Milwaukee WI, as I am located in WI as well. (I wont touch base on my worries about our insurance covering it IF they do decide theyd like to see me further)
Have others had these issues????? I know many dr's are jerks about chiari, but Im genuinely worried that since three professionals looked at my mri and it was "perfect" that maybe I *am* crazy and convincing myself of something I dont actually have.... I dont understand what else could cause ALL these symptoms....3 year olds dont make this **** up for attention...they dont even comprehend that idea.... but after being told for my whole 26 years of life that im just an attention ***** and dont have any medical issues at some point dont you start doubting yourself even?