questions about chiari symptoms

June 3, 2001

Hello, My name is and I am new to the list. I have a 3 year old little

girl who was born with Spina Bifida and hydrocephalus. She also has Chiari

II, but I am told that its very mild. Is it possible that even though someone

has very mild Chiari they could display moderate to severe symptoms? Does

this make sense?

For the last 1/12 years or so we have been battling a range of symptoms

that include: frequent unexplainable vomiting, moderate to severe central

sleep apnea(she wears an apnea monitor at night to sleep), occasional

headaches, and not so often she loses her voice for short periods of time. I

also see her frequently rubbing the back of her neck. It is very hard to

determine what symptoms go with what ailments because on top of the Chiari

and Hydro, she also has severe brain abnormalities caused by the Hydro. These

abnormalities stem from the pressure of the Hydro being so great that small

parts of her brain were not allowed to develop because the pressure was so

great. In other words she actually has small voids in her brain where there

is NOTHING. All of this was discovered when an MRI was performed last year.

Anyway, if any of this sounds familiar to anyone, I would greatly

appreciate hearing from you. :):)

Thank you, S.

Wife of 10 years to , Mom to , 3 years old, SB (L1), Hyrdo,

Arnold Chiari II Malformation, severe brain abnormalities, central and

obstructive sleep apneas,(wears O2, apnea and pulse ox monitors at night),

neurogenic bowel and bladder, vesicostomy, paralyzed from the thighs down,

wheels and a GREAT smile. Also---mom to 8-(going on 16), and

5-------my two other loves.

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